As we begin to get into our interview, Chayuta shares about her latest single titled "Yawa" – a term she used a lot growing up. Now, with her single "Yawa," the whole world gets to see what this means from her perspective. "Yawa is a term I grew up with. It's something we used to say playfully back in primary school," she explains with a bright smile, recalling simpler times. Dubbed as "The Princess of Afrobeats," Chayuta's early childhood days took her across Belgium, Holland, England, and South Africa before settling in Ghana.  

Being able to grow up in a multicultural environment has always been a driving force in the way Chayuta creates her music. Having both Ghanaian and South African heritage, Chayuta leans into both proudly. "Being both South African and Ghanaian is a privilege that has deeply shaped my artistry," she shares. "I've always loved blending sounds, and my heritage has given me the unique opportunity to explore and connect with diverse musical styles from both cultures."  

The Ghanaian music scene has grown into a more welcoming space for independent artists, but there is still much work to be done. "When it comes to performing and festivals, honestly speaking, let the females have their space. Don’t look down on us – just give the females an opportunity. You never know what can come from it," she shares when speaking about challenges faced by women in the industry.  

As we get into the backstory of her new release, Chayuta shares a moment with Phantom, who helped record the track. "When I was recording this track with Phantom, I reflected on a relatable experience – a failed talking stage with a guy. I wanted to turn it into something fun, lighthearted, and catchy so people could connect and dance their way through situations," she explains.  

At just 20 years old, Chayuta has already established herself as one of the next rising stars of Ghana. Her ability to fuse Afrobeats and R&B started when she was just 9 years old. Since then, she transitioned into a 14-year-old who would begin recording from her very own home studio. In 2022, Chayuta released her critically acclaimed EP titled *17*. The EP showed her growth as a singer-songwriter. Over the years, she has collaborated with various industry icons, having worked with the likes of Mix Master Garzy, KelvynBoy, and Grammy-winning D'Wayne Wiggins. Now, Chayuta is ready to step into her latest chapter with the release of "Yawa."  

As a performer, Chayuta is not fazed by the crowd. She has performed for many high-profile individuals, including dignitaries and presidents. A journey that started with countless hours in a home studio continues to shape her. As it stands, "Yawa" is Chayuta reconnecting with her South African roots and proving to be a global ambassador for African music.  

For more on Chayuta and her latest single Yawa, read our interview below: 

The following interview has been lightly edited for context and clarity.

Daniel: How is the current Afrobeats scene in Ghana at the moment?  Chayuta: Afrobeats has been evolving over the years, especially in Ghana. I feel like right now it is really at its peak. Different people from outside Ghana are coming into the country to learn more about the genre. I call myself an Afro-RnB artist because I’m able to explore so many styles. Afrobeats has given me the opportunity to showcase my versatility. In Ghana, the Afrobeats scene is never-ending. Even looking at the genre worldwide, it’s only going to keep evolving, and that’s a beautiful thing. It’s something I’ve come to appreciate while living in Ghana.  

Daniel: Where did your love for Afrobeats come from?  Chayuta: You know, I wasn’t born in Ghana, but when we settled here, that’s when I started to hear about the genre. At the time, it was something very different—the tunes and the sound. I was very inquisitive and wanted to learn more about it. My first song was influenced by trap music. After that, one of the producers in Ghana, who is one of the biggest in West Africa, heard my voice and said, “Let’s try Afrobeats.” I think that’s where my love for the genre started. From there, I was able to do so much more—just off that first impression of Afrobeats.  

Daniel: What artists within the Afrobeats genre inspire you currently?  Chayuta: There are a lot, but I’m a huge Burna Boy fan. Everyone who knows me knows that Burna Boy is in my top five artists. He has been making music for a long time, not just in the Afrobeats space. The first song I heard from him was Last Last. The way he delivered everything made me realize that Afrobeats can be done in so many different ways. Since then, he’s become one of my favorite artists.  

Daniel: Earlier, you mentioned you take a lot of influence from RnB. Where did that journey start for you?  Chayuta: Funny enough, I’m the only one in my family with a music background. My mom and everyone around me have always been music lovers. From a young age, on the way to school, my mom would play the likes of Alicia Keys, Usher, and even as far back as Whitney Houston. I feel like those moments made me fall in love with music in general. It was definitely being exposed to music at a young age. The stories told through RnB tracks really intrigued me. It was also the way you could express yourself fully in RnB—there are no rules, and everyone can vibe to it in their own way. That’s where my love for RnB came from.  

Daniel: You’re 20, right? Talk to me about being a 20-year-old making music. How do you balance it all?  Chayuta: Yes, I’m 20. It’s quite difficult to balance because people always say that at this age, you want to experiment with many different things. I had questions like, “How do I know music is what I still want to do in a few years?” For those moments, I’m so grateful for my family’s support. My mother told me that if I ever feel like music isn’t what I want to do anymore, I shouldn’t hesitate to tell her. I started testing the waters at nine. By the time I turned 17 and released my first EP, I understood that the music I was making had the capacity to be so much more—even bigger than I could predict. People always said they saw me in the entertainment industry, whether as an actress or a musician, and it’s no surprise I stuck with music. Starting young helped me evolve. When you’re young, you pick things up quickly, and I’m grateful for the support I’ve had along the way.  

Daniel: With the challenges you’ve faced, how have you overcome them?  Chayuta: There have been a lot of challenges, especially with my age. People used to look down on me, questioning if I was cut out for this. Over time, I’ve learned to pace myself and not overwhelm myself. Being young, I know my limits, and I’ve built a daily routine around music. Staying focused helped me prove to people that I’m serious. Age isn’t mentioned anymore because people see the work I put in. Another challenge is the male-dominated industry, especially in Ghana. Many of the top artists are male, but I don’t let that discourage me or affect how much effort I put into my craft.  

Daniel: How do you deal with those challenges daily?  Chayuta: Honestly, Daniel, it’s annoying. As a female in the industry, people often expect something in return. That’s why my mom is so involved in what I do. When people see a parent is involved, they take things more seriously, and it becomes just a working relationship. I’ve learned to build a team that respects my talent. If someone doesn’t see my hard work, I’ll find someone else who does.  

Daniel: How has your family’s support contributed to your success?  Chayuta: It’s been a huge positive. I always say the biggest blessing is having a supportive family. Many artists I’ve met here in Ghana have had to hide their passion from their parents, which delays progress. My mom built a studio in our house because she believes in me. She’s been to all my shows, and it’s become a family thing. I don’t have to hide anything from them, and that’s a blessing.  

Daniel: Were there any challenges making the song?  Chayuta: A few. It was my first real creative studio session. Phantom has worked with Grammy-winning artists, so I wanted everything to be perfect. The session took about eight hours. It was a step out of my comfort zone since the song was upbeat, unlike my usual mellow Afro-RnB style. It was challenging in a good way, and I learned so much.  

Daniel: What’s the most valuable lesson you’ve learned so far?  Chayuta: That everything that can go wrong will go wrong, and you shouldn’t beat yourself up about it. My vocal coach told me the audience won’t notice a mistake unless you point it out. I used to hate making mistakes, but now I see them as opportunities to grow.  

Daniel: Has applying that lesson been easy?  Chayuta: Not at all. For the first year, I couldn’t even sing into the mic in front of my vocal coach. I was shy and reserved. But he’s so patient and kind, and working with him has been a privilege. It’s been a daily learning experience.  

Daniel:Lastly, what would you like to share with those reading this?  Chayuta: If you have a talent or passion, just go for it. In high school, I left the choir because others thought it wasn’t cool. Don’t let anyone else dictate what you should do. If people support you, embrace it. If they laugh at you, let them. In a few years, when you succeed, you’ll have the last laugh. Focus on what you love, and don’t let anyone hold you back.