Ghana: Gyakie unveils Sankofa single ahead of debut album After Midnight

Co-written with long-time collaborator Eyram Gbewonyo (Afrolektra), the track is a soulful anthem rooted in reflection, emotional truth, and reconnection.

The single, which takes its name from the Ghanaian Adinkra symbol meaning “to go back and retrieve what has been lost,” sets the tone for Gyakie’s forthcoming debut album, After Midnight. Through stripped-back production and raw vocal delivery, ‘Sankofa’ offers listeners a moving glimpse into the themes that shape the upcoming project.

Scheduled for release later this year, After Midnight – Gyakie’s team said – is a deeply personal body of work inspired by the quiet, reflective hours that follow midnight, a time Gyakie says is ripe for both inspiration and vulnerability.

“Almost all the songs on the album were recorded after midnight,” Gyakie said. “It’s within those hours that I find my best inspiration to write. The peace and quiet, the sounds from the birds, the serenity, everything about that time fuels my creativity.”

The album not only showcases Gyakie’s musical growth but also reflects her emotional journey through solitude, grief, and healing. She candidly describes how those late-night hours have also been a space for release: “I’ve done a lot of crying after midnight too. When I’m in my down moments, I schedule my tears for when I get home from work, then I let it all out.”

After Midnight also draws on her upbringing, shaped by family rituals such as her mother’s consistent prayers for her and her siblings in the early hours of the morning, a tradition that continues to hold deep personal meaning.

“This album is my most honest work yet,” she said. “It’s meant to be listened to in those quiet moments, at 12:01 AM, when honesty flows most freely.”

The upcoming release follows two acclaimed EPs: Seed (2021), which featured the breakout hit ‘Forever’, and My Diary (2022), which included a high-profile collaboration with Nigerian superstar Davido. These earlier projects helped establish Gyakie as a unique voice in African music, blending Afrobeats, R&B, highlife, and hip hop with poetic storytelling.

In addition to her musical accomplishments, Gyakie recently appeared as a featured speaker at the 2025 Forbes Summit, where she shared insights into her creative evolution and boundary-pushing sound.