Today we’d like to introduce you to Amelia M. A. H. Akpotu.
Amelia, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Known professionally as .aMAHa. I caught the singing bug when I was 13 and wrote my first song which I shared with my family. I did not conceptually think of music as something I could do until I was 17. I heard of the American Modeling and Talent Competition (AMTC). Shortly after meeting “weird” teenagers like me, I recorded my first set of songs one humid afternoon in a garage studio in Germantown, TN. In my quest to make music my full-time gig, I released my 2010 debut album called “Claimant to the Stars”. Since then, I have released multiple singles, taken a myriad of classes and discovered my love for Film, Entrepreneurship, and Writing along the way. The urge to create and craft Music continues to nag me till today. In 2018, I took a mini-sabbatical from Corporate to delve deeper into the music traditions of my culture and heritage.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
My journey with music has not been a straightforward one. I have made every novice mistake imaginable – from misunderstanding that I owned all rights to my song thereby losing a $10,000 cash prize for “Amour/Amore” to investing thousands in non-revenue generating activities to being enamored with the creative side and letting the business and hustle side atrophy. Invariably, most of the pitfalls I have had on the way have been due to a lack of knowledge. As such, investing in my knowledge over the past three years has really helped me become a better Musician, Businesswoman, Writer, and Actor.
Can you give our readers some background on your music?
.aMAHa. is a Nigerian-born Artist who makes quality music that is timeless & aurally filling. My music is rooted in the evolving dynamism of Nigerian culture and sound while paying homage to the recent classics – Soul, Jazz, Roots and Reggae, Pop, Afrobeat, Highlife and Nigerian Folk Music. Vocally, I am at once timeless and distinct regularly receiving comparisons to Aṣa, Makeba, Bjork, & Jill Scott in texture. I am quite proud of the musical events I funded and coordinated on the African Continent including the Jazz Adventure series in 2019, the Jazz Expedition series and guest performing at various Music and Theatre festivals. My unique musical style, brand, and voice set me apart from what is currently out there, and I cannot wait to share my new music with you.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Personally, success means having my Music reach and impact audiences worldwide. It means having my Music tap into that energy that connects us all as human beings. To know that my music is comforting and an integral part of people’s daily lives would be the utmost barometer of success. To be able to do music full-time and generate a livable income from it would be a joyous byproduct.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.amahamusic.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: http://instagram.com/amahamusic
- Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AmahaMusic
- Twitter: http://twitter.com/amahaonline
- Other: https://linktr.ee/amahamusic
Image Credit:
Albert E. Akpotu, Mayowa Aboah, Pope Egbuche
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