Ghanaian singer and songwriter Gyakie has returned with a stirring new single, “Sankofa,” a reflective and emotionally charged track that sets the tone for her highly anticipated debut album, After Midnight.
Co-written with longtime collaborator Eyram Gbewonyo (Afrolektra), the single delves into themes of reconnection, closure, and emotional honesty, signaling a new chapter in Gyakie’s artistic evolution.
Rooted in the profound Ghanaian adinkra symbol “Sankofa” — which translates to “go back and retrieve what has been lost” — the track explores the power of introspection. With its stripped-down production and raw, expressive delivery, Gyakie opens a deeply personal window into her soul, inviting listeners to pause, reflect, and reconnect with their own emotional truths.
“Sankofa” marks the beginning of what Gyakie describes as her most vulnerable and inward-looking work yet. It also serves as a prelude to After Midnight, a debut album shaped by solitude, reflection, and the quiet magic of nighttime creativity.
“Almost all the songs on the album were recorded after midnight,” Gyakie reveals. “It’s within those hours that I find my best inspiration to write. The peace and quiet, the sounds from the birds, the serenity — everything about that time fuels my creativity.”
Beyond the music, After Midnight is also a reflection of Gyakie’s emotional journey. She candidly shares moments of grief, solitude, and healing, noting: “I’ve done a lot of crying after midnight too. When I’m in my down moments, I schedule my tears for when I get home from work, then I let it all out.”
The album draws on childhood memories as well, particularly a nightly family ritual of her mother praying for her and her siblings after midnight — a tradition that continues today. “That time of the night holds so much meaning for me,” she adds.
With this album, Gyakie not only opens up emotionally but also pushes musical boundaries. Known for her seamless blend of Afro-fusion, R&B, hip-hop, and highlife, she continues to redefine the soundscape of contemporary African music. Her previous EPs — SEED (2021), which featured the breakout hit Forever, and MY DIARY (2022), which included a collaboration with Nigerian superstar Davido — marked her as a rising force in global music.
Her momentum hasn’t gone unnoticed. In 2025, Gyakie was a featured speaker at the prestigious Forbes Summit, where she offered insights into her genre-blending artistry and global ambitions.
As After Midnight approaches, Gyakie invites fans into a world where silence speaks, vulnerability thrives, and music becomes a mirror to the soul. For those ready to listen, she suggests pressing play at 12:01 AM — the hour when honesty flows most freely.
