Afro-sexy’s poster girl, Ghanaian singer Mellissa returns with her new single ‘Happy’ ahead of her debut project due later this year.
Showcasing the sound that earned her the position as one of Apple Music’s Africa Rising Artists for 2023, ‘Happy’ is a vibrant celebration of life’s joys and colourful moments. Continuing to create a pacesetting fusion of genres, ‘Happy’ is led by Mellissa’s hypnotic vocals as she pens a love letter across production from Minikings linchpin, E-Whizz (Sampha, Ragz Originale). Having spent a significant period in London immersing herself in the UK scene – including a live performance at Clash’s Next Wave showcase – Mellissa recently visited Lagos to apply the finishing touches on her upcoming EP. Ahead of the single, Mellissa will be performing at Homecoming Festival, Femme Festival and Tim Lyre and Friends to close out a busy month.
As a child, Mellissa engaged with music in any way she could. The sounds from her Mother’s restaurant next door to her home began her earliest introduction to music. From the underground gems of Ghana’s Ofori Amponsah and KK Fosu to the legendary sounds of Mariah Carey and Alicia Keys, Mellissa could explore the melange of sounds from Ghana and outside her hometown, too. During her teens, the school choir allowed her to flex her slick vocals while conquering stage fright, allowing her to meet friends with whom she could share her love of music. After completing a film degree in the US, Mellissa began expressing her creativity in different mediums to fuel her competitive energy in every aspect of life. Mellissa takes inspiration from the sounds of Africa, the Caribbean, and Latin America to avoid limiting her sound and express herself most authentically.
Collaborations with sister and best friend Moliy and Ajebutter22 introduced her to the world in addition to her standout contribution to Amaarae’s ‘Feel A Way’. A tipping point in her career saw her perform alongside BOJ at his Village Underground performance last summer, followed by compliments from her idol WizKid. Recent singles’ Me & You’ and ‘Henny Talk’ have been championed by the likes of Apple, BBC R1, The Official UK Afrobeats Chart, 1xtra, COLORS, Wonderland and Clash, with co-signs from Rebecca Judd and Eddie Kadi.
After closing out 2023 with a performance at Lady Donli’s concert and Palm Wine Festival during Detty December in Lagos, Mellissa has also been in the studio with the likes of Blaqbonez, Fave, Show Dem Camp and more. There’s no doubt that her debut project will affirm her place in the thriving scene and put her name out on the most significant scale to date.
