Northern-Irish-Ghanaian pop artist Winnie Ama emerges with her debut album DEKA, a radiant, genre-spanning collection that cements her as one of the most intriguing new voices in modern pop. DEKA isn’t just a debut, it’s a declaration of identity, resilience, and joy. With 14 tracks that weave through pop, soul, disco, and folk influences, Winnie crafts an album that feels both deeply personal and universally resonant.
The title DEKA means “one” in Ewe, her mother’s native Ghanaian language, representing unity and the idea of connection through diversity. It also symbolizes a beginning, her first full-length project, and a cohesive expression of her journey as an artist and as a woman navigating multiple worlds. From Belfast to Accra, and from the poetry page to the recording studio, Winnie Ama’s path has been about bridging cultures and celebrating authenticity.
Working alongside a diverse roster of international collaborators, including Simon Le Saint (Belgium), Yacine Alaoui (France/Morocco), Jonny Parry (Liverpool), Greg Hummell (London), and David Goode (London), Winnie has built a project that transcends borders. Each producer brings a unique sonic palette, resulting in an album that flows seamlessly from one emotional landscape to another. Whether it’s the glittering euphoria of disco-inspired pop or the intimate storytelling of her soul-rooted ballads, DEKA captures the pulse of human experience in all its vivid color.
The album explores the highs and lows of love, friendship, and identity. Lyrically, Winnie doesn’t shy away from life’s contradictions; she embraces them. “ DEKA is about life. It's about community, love, friendships, work, and changing emotions that come with all of that, making life vibrant, dynamic, and ever-changing,” she explains.
That heartbeat is unmistakable throughout the record. The production shimmers with analog warmth, layered harmonies, and rhythmic grooves that pay homage to her influences while sounding distinctly modern. Her vocal delivery, soft yet powerful, evokes the emotional storytelling of icons like Ella Fitzgerald, Etta James, and Billie Holiday, yet her phrasing and melodic instincts are entirely her own.
Beyond its musical brilliance, DEKA stands as a cultural statement. It’s a reflection of dual heritage, community, and creative courage. Winnie Ama embodies the essence of the modern artist: global in sound, personal in message, and fearless in execution. She can make listeners dance, reflect, and connect all at once, each song unfolding like a chapter in a vivid, emotional autobiography.
In an era saturated with surface-level pop, Winnie Ama’s DEKA feels refreshingly real, a celebration of imperfection, connection, and the power of sound to heal. It’s an album that doesn’t just ask to be heard; it invites you to feel it, to live within its rhythm, and to remember that even in chaos, there is unity and there is joy.