In the heart of Ghana’s bustling music scene where boundaries are meant to be shattered, where the echoes of music dance through the souls of its listeners, emerges a rising star whose trajectory is bound for the stars – Natashia Akonnor, affectionately known as Schia. A name that resonates with promise, innovation and unrelenting artistry.
The first artiste to grace the pages of Y-Radar, Schia, is an artiste with an unquenchable passion for music and she’s on a precipice of greatness – her story is one and a remarkable journey that weaves through family, inspiration, and personal growth.
A Melody-Infused Upbringing within a Sporting Legacy:
Growing up in a household that resonated with the echoes of sports fame, courtesy of her legendary father, C.K Akonnor, Schia’s love for music found its roots early on. Her father’s influence paved the way for her to explore music, nurturing her talent as she performed in front of family and friends. These early experiences would set the stage for her musical odyssey.
While her father’s name is synonymous with football, Schia’s path took her in a different direction. Yet, the resilience and leadership she witnessed in her father left an indelible mark. From being the first black man to captain a predominantly white team like Wolfsburg, he instilled in her the belief that anything is possible and that leadership and determination can transcend boundaries.
“I watched him become the first black man to captain a predominantly white team like Wolfsburg and I knew from there anything is possible for me,” Schia reminisces, highlighting the enduring impact of her father’s achievements.
Schia’s love for performance art began with her enrollment in a dance school, an experience that introduced her to the power of expression through movement. Inspired by the likes of Michael Jackson and Beyoncé, her passion for dance evolved into a love for music, a transformational journey that would lay the foundation for her unique artistic style.
Inspirations and Influences:
Schia’s musical influences are as diverse as her talent, a tapestry woven from the threads of iconic artistes, both local and global Michael Jackson’s unparalleled ability to ride a beat, his stage presence and his work ethic became a North Star for her. Her connection to artistes like Nicki Minaj, Beyoncé, Sarkodie, Efya and Tems adds a dynamic richness to her music.
“Nicki Minaj set the bar so high for female rap, I want to do the same for Africa,” Schia states confidently, acknowledging the groundbreaking influence of the international rap sensation.
Sarkodie, the Ghanaian rap luminary’s wisdom—”as a rapper, no one can express how you feel more than yourself”—resonated deeply, ultimately leading her to hone her songwriting skills and to ride the beats as effortlessly as her idols, fueling her ambition to break barriers in African music.
The Birth of a Rapper:
It was a documentary about Kanye West that ignited Schia’s desire to explore her writing skills and venture into rap music. In April 2022, she picked up her pen and decided to be the only one standing in her way.
The realization that she was her limitation ignited a spark within her. She started with freestyle covers of songs by Kwesi Arthur and Burna Boy, capturing the attention of her listeners with her lyrical prowess.
“I heard the Drama song, and I was like I want to see what I come up with on this beat. So, I wrote it and sent it Jayso, he said nahh you got a ghostwriter, that’s when I knew maybe I just needed to drop it and see the reception. I followed up with Burna Boy and I randomly saw people had taken a screenshot of lyrics, cos the bar was hard, and I thought to myself this is why I do this,” she recounted.
Filling a Void in Female Rap and Charting New Territories
Schia identified a void in the African music industry, particularly in female rap. With an unapologetic resolve, she aims to become a torchbearer for girl rap on the African scene and share her story through her adorable talent.
“I’m a girl’s girl first of all. I’ve had a lot of struggles and issues that I have been able to overcome. I want to share my story through my art and inspire girls to chase their dreams,” she shared.
“I listen to a lot of Hip-hop, I don’t see any representation of girl rap on the African scene, I want to set the precedence.”
Schia’s unique sound effortlessly blends genres, a reflection of her admiration for artistes like Lauryn Hill and Lil Wayne. Her intention is clear: she wants to challenge the boundaries of Ghanaian music, set a precedent and inspire the next generation of female rappers to chase their dreams. “The female scene in general been very dull. I want to see more girls dominate which I intend to do and to shine more light on the music scene internationally,” she declared.
La Vida Loca: A Melodic Revelation:
“La Vida Loca,” Schia’s debut single, showcases her lyrical prowess and carries a message of love and healing. Written on a spring night, many would believe it emerged from a place of positivity and marked a departure from her early heartbreak, Schia amusingly shrugs it off and confesses, “First of all, I wrote La Vida Loca very single in my bedroom on a spring night hahah…I had an assignment due in 2 days, but I couldn’t help the feeling of needing to write music, so I put on the beat and those melodies just came to me.”
“As I was writing, I realized I’m in a good place because it was a very positive love song, different from all the love songs I had been doing that were heartbreak songs,” she admitted
Collaborating with renowned producer Jayso, Schia brings “La Vida Loca” to life, proving that she is more than ready to shine in the music industry.
A Proud Ghanaian Cultural Ambassador:
Through her music, Schia proudly waves the Ghanaian flag, representing her heritage through lyrics and looks. She aspires to shine a brighter light on the international stage. She is determined to represent Ghana wherever her music takes her.
Ultimately, like every artistes Schia dreams of collaborating with artistes who compliment her sound in a unique fashion including the likes of the young Ghanaian icon, Black Sherif… “I think we could make the craziest African hip-hop sound ever heard,” she hinted.
Schia’s lineup also includes Amarae, Molliy, Davido, Tems, Rema, Ayra Starr, and her idol, Nicki Minaj. Each collaboration holds the promise of musical alchemy.
Beyond the stage and the studio, Schia is committed to bonding with her fans and the community. She recognizes the importance of nurturing the relationships that have shaped her journey.
“Yes! bonding with people who make you who you are as a star is the most fundamental thing to me. I want to pour into those who pour into me.”
Schia’s musical journey is a rollercoaster ride as she intends to convey the authenticity of her experiences through her music, letting listeners hear that she was meant to do this. Her journey is an electrifying one, promising an exhilarating ride for fans around the world.
With every verse she writes and every note she sings, she aims to convey the unshakable belief that she was meant for this journey.
The Road Ahead and A Vision for Greatness
Schia’s aspirations are clear: she dreams of Grammy glory and becoming a force that dismantles the perceived constraints on Ghanaian artists. Her artistry is poised to be the force that reshapes the music scene, and her determination knows no bounds.
“Every artist dream is to have a golden sippy cup for their kid, a Grammy(s), I don’t know how I am going to get there but I have seen what grace, talent & hard work can do, so I will. I want to be the force that rips Ghanaian artists out of the box they say we are in and with all the new talent coming up, it is possible for us all,” she passionately said.
In Schia, we find not just a rising star but a legend in the making, a trailblazer destined to leave an indelible mark on the Ghanaian and global music landscape. Keep your ears attuned to the melodies of Schia—this is just the beginning of her musical odyssey.
