She's gifted with beauty and dazzling talents. Ms. Yewande, daughter of legendary Liberian musical genius Gebah Swary of the Zack and Gebah fame uses music to send a clear message to the world.
Her message is simple: “I'd like to see African people free from poverty and suffering and see our youth further developed into independent thinkers. I'd like to see us have more of an appreciation for ourselves and our culture regardless of what life has dealt us or where we've had to assimilate because of displacement or any other number of reasons. So that's who I am and that's what I'm about.”
The beautiful artist, who has passion for music and art, launched her Music for Social Change Project Volume 1 in December 1st, 2005. It’s been two years and quite a lot has changed in her life. Much growth has taken place and her rise to stardom is inevitable. Her fan base has grown and it appears the sky is the limit to the soft-speaking Yewande.
She is Liberia's pride. Any one who comes across Yewande will notice one profound characteristic: beaming smile that welcomes you and makes you feel comfortable in making you to continue the conversation with her, says Liberian journalist Sidiki Trawally of the Frontpageafrica.com.
"I met Yewande in New York some time ago, when I was covering President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf's visit there. My partner Rodney Sieh and I ran into Yewande and her promoter at the program and the moment we had a brief chat with her, I observed she has the passion for music and her dream to rise to the top. So I am not surprised she has done so well in a short time."
Trawally noted that music runs through her family blood. "I know Gebah and his wife. They are better singers, so it's not surprising to see an offspring climbing the same ladder. I know Gebah is proud of her right now."
Yewande's maiden
album which is
being sold at
Amazon.com and
other top
distributors via
the internet has
received huge
reception from
her many fans
across the
country. "She is
a star knocking
on the door of
the Grammy,"
said the
Liberian
journalist.
The beauty queen was born in Liberia. Says Yewande, “I am also part Nigerian. I am a daughter, sister, mother, friend, colleague and an all around basic kind of individual. I am passionate about empowerment of young people particularly in Africa. I am passionate about the fact that we are forever exploited and much of my music does and will continue to speak to that.”
Like many Liberians, Yewande and her parents experienced some of the toughest times during the civil war in her homeland. But she persevered against the many odds. She now lives in New York city. “We've been raised with the idea that we should be of service to others and do right by them although we generally never receive the same in return,” Yewande said in her blog.
Yewande continues, “Nonetheless, we are who we are...content with who we are...and I couldn't ask for a better circle than the one God has provided for me. It's an amazing privilege.”
Read the rest of the story about our rising star in our next edition of the African Star Magazine. Book your copy in advance!
