5 Minutes with Ghanaian Singer Y’akoto

Ghanaian singer Y’akoto unveiled her latest single titled “WMYT” (What Made You Think) on June 7.

The R&B track is one of many from her recording sessions in Los Angeles with the Grammy-nominated producer Nabeyin and engineer IRKO.

This release follows her previous successful collaboration with Nabeyin on the track “Secret,” featuring Jay Bahd.

In an exclusive interview with GQ, Y’akoto discusses working with Nabeyin and the profound impact of her music on her listeners.

GQ: Collaborating with a Grammy-nominated producer like Nabeyin is a significant milestone. How did the collaboration come about?

Y’akoto: I got lucky, I guess. Nabeyin found me on an Apple Music playlist showcasing female singers from Ghana. He reached out to me, and I immediately got back to him.

The universe seemed to have sent him at that precise moment. I had written down a bunch of lyric ideas, melodies, and feelings, and I was searching for a producer to help me translate this new era. And there he was, perfectly aligned.

GQ: Could you tell us about the creative dynamic between you and Nabeyin in the studio? How did his expertise and style contribute to the overall sound of your songs?

Y’akoto: Nabeyin creates beats from scratch. He doesn’t open his archive folder and lets you choose from a bunch of old beats. Instead, he talks to you about what is happening with your style and vibe and creates it in real time.

I confidently call him a genius. He would probably hate that, but that is how I see him. I have worked with many people and can judge if someone is exceptionally talented.

GQ: Did working with Nabeyin influence or challenge your artistic process in any way?

Y’akoto: He is demanding and opinionated about what he likes, but so am I. I prefer working with confident people who know what they want, so I can be myself and shine. He introduced me to a whole new style of writing. Creating the melody and structure of the song first was very new to me.

I usually write everything at once. He made me create melodies first. Then we would pick takes. This process can take hours. Once we like the song, I am allowed to write it. I usually do that overnight. Studio time is for creating beats and finding melodies.

GQ: What was the most memorable or rewarding aspect of collaborating with Nabeyin on these songs?

Y’akoto: Nabeyin is honest. He cares about the result just as much as I do. That is rare, to be honest; people generally don’t care as much anymore. He does. He says it as it is, with no sugar coating. I prefer that. It is how we grow and excel in life.

GQ: You opened a show for Erykah Badu. Which other prominent creatives (singers, producers) have you worked with or interacted with during your career?

Y’akoto: Opening for Erykah was awesome. I have shared stages with Marcus Miller, Paolo Conte, Angelique Kidjo, and many more. Matthew Herbert was my idol growing up. I have a song with him on his last record.

On this new project, all my features are artists that I look up to. Your music puts you on stages and in positions you deserve. If it does not take you places, then take your music elsewhere.

GQ: Toxic love is a recurring theme in your music this year. How do you bring a fresh perspective and maintain the interest of your listeners with each new song?

Y’akoto: I do not try to forcefully come up with something new with the core themes of my music. We are all on a journey. My reoccurring themes in life are survival, rebirth, reinvention, and transformation.

I grew up experiencing friction in my household. My dad was violent toward my mother more than once. After each time, he would apologize and swear not to do it again. He was a brilliant artist, a national hero, and a good man. But he emotionally and physically abused his wife. I love my father.

But I am aware of the damage domestic violence causes. It is an endless cycle that affects generations to come. The worst part was hearing my mom cry or scream. You grow up fast, and your childhood is over. The music then became my family, my comfort.

Through my music, I tell my side of the story and always survive. The women always survive. I know people can relate, and I am not the only one. For some reason, humans have still not figured out how to live in peace and harmony, and I do not think they ever will.

GQ: Your songs on toxic love have resonated with many listeners who have experienced similar situations. What kind of feedback have you received from your fans about these songs, and how does it make you feel to know that your music has touched their lives?

Y’akoto: I get all kinds of feedback on my music. People passed their law exams, proposed to their loved ones, listened to my sound when they lost a parent and found healing. I mean, I am humbled. If anyone can find strength and remove themselves from a toxic situation after diving into “WMYT,” then my work is done.

Get into his car and drive off! Push the car off a bridge afterward. I remember listening to “Hold Up” by Beyonce, and she said, “What’s worse, looking jealous or crazy, or like being walked all over lately? I’d rather be crazy.” That stuck with me and helped me find some self-respect at that time. “WMYT” is for those who need this reminder.

GQ: When writing and performing songs about toxic love, do you ever worry about potentially triggering negative emotions or memories in your audience? How do you navigate this sensitivity while still conveying the authenticity of your own experiences?

Y’akoto: I cannot control what I trigger in people. And, to be honest, I do not worry about that. My songs are written in a way that anyone can find meaning in them for their unique situation. Some people love the beat and do not care about the words. It is a blessing that we all hear things differently.

GQ: Apart from your personal experiences, do you draw inspiration from other sources (books, movies, etc.) when exploring the theme of toxic love in your songs? If so, could you share some examples?

Y’akoto: Honestly, when it comes to my lyrics, I am very genuine. I talk about my life and what I see, feel, and experience. That is the inspiration. I have favorite movies: Kill Bill, Death Proof, The Adams Family, Colombiana, The Matrix, and The Menu. I like books that speak about real stuff. Currently reading: Notes on a Nervous Planet by Matt Haig and All About Love by Bell Hooks.

GQ: Has writing and performing songs about toxic love helped you heal from past experiences? How has the process of creating these songs affected you personally?

Y’akoto: Writing the songs, performing them, and recording them has not healed me. Therapy did! I believe in therapy which is crazy because I live in a country where you are advised to pray your troubles away. Fine, you can do that. But we all have to be honest with each other, especially as Black people.

We need to collectively grow and accept that we need to pay more attention to our mental health. Resilience and Jesus are cool and all, but not enough. Hurt people hurt others on a micro and macro scale. It is simple but very complicated.

GQ: Do you believe that addressing toxic love through your music can contribute to raising awareness and promoting healthier relationships?

Y’akoto: I hope it will, but that is not my main goal. I focus on empowerment. I want people to feel stronger and wiser when they listen to my music. There is ultimate strength in vulnerability and radical acceptance. Embrace yourself. Tell your story, grow, love, and repeat.

GQ: What advice would you give someone currently experiencing a toxic relationship?

Y’akoto: If you are going through emotional or physical abuse at the moment and are reading this, know this: You are here by design. You have a calling and a purpose. You matter to the universe. You were not created by default.

Preserve yourself and accept that you have the power to transform any situation you find yourself in. No one will come and save you. You have to do this for yourself. Believe in your power and worth.

You deserve to be content, confident, and adored. No other living, breathing being should be able to manipulate you into thinking you cannot find something better. You always will!

See photos of Y’akoto

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