Rebecca Akosua Acheampomaa Acheapong, popularly known as Becca, is a Ghanaian singer-songwriter, entrepreneur, and social activist. Becca first hit the spotlight in Ghana after being selected as a contestant on Mentor 2 in 2006 but subsequently pulled out due to contractual difficulties. Despite this initial career setback, Becca went ahead to establish herself as one of the best-selling female Ghanaian singers of all time.
Becca’s career skyrocketed after a partnership with record producer Kiki Banson. Her major hits include ‘You Lied to Me’, ‘African Woman’, ‘Daa Ke Daa’, and ‘Forever’. The singer is married to Nigerian artist manager Dr Tobi Sanni Daniel, with whom she has one child.
Background and Education
Becca was born on 15 August 1984, in Kumasi, Ghana’s second largest city, to Mr Isaac Kwaku Acheampong and Madam Juliana Oti. Becca is not close to her mother, as she was raised by her father and stepmother. Later in life, Becca and her biological mother will have a very public feud.
The singer attended plush schools in Ghana’s capital, Accra, including Morning Star, before attending Wesley Girls High School in Cape Coast, one of the country’s premier all-girls institutions. Becca started performing as a child, showcasing her vocal range in church and at multiple talent shows, many of which she won. After her secondary education, Becca relocated to the United Kingdom to further her education at Croydon College in London. Becca graduated with a degree in Education and Childcare. In 2022, she graduated from the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA), with a Master’s degree in Brands & Communications. Becca was named valedictorian after achieving a 3.92 GPA.
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Career
Becca spent a few years abroad before returning to Ghana following the completion of her studies. Bent on pursuing her music career, Becca signed up for Mentor, a reality singing show organised by Ghanaian television station TV3. Despite being selected for the show, Becca pulled out due to disagreements over the contract that all contestants were expected to sign. Becca later revealed that TV3 held a grudge over their falling out because they refused to air an interview involving her once her career took off.
Following her Mentor debacle, Becca quickly launched her career, signing with Kiki Banson’s EKB records and releasing her debut album, ‘Sugar’, in 2007. The album featured hits such as U Lied to Me, Sugar, and I Love You (feat. Hugh Masekela).
Becca released her sophomore album, ‘Time 4 Me’, in 2013. It spawned hits such as Forever, Push, and was certified two times platinum in Ghana. Arguably Becca’s biggest single hit, ‘African Woman’, which she released in 2011, was a bonus track on ‘Time 4 Me’. The record-breaking album featured Ghanaian and continental stars, including King Ayisoba, Akwaboah, Trigmatic, M.I. Abaga, and 2Face Idibia. ‘Push’, a single off the album, featured acting stars John Dumelo, Yvonne Okoro, and Yvonne Nelson in its music video.
Becca released her third studio album, Unveiling, in 2017. ‘Unveiling spawned hits such as ‘Beshiwo’ (feat. Bisa Kdei), ‘Na Wash’ (feat. Patoranking), and ‘Number One’ (feat. Mr Eazi). Other big names on the project include Joyce Blessing, Stonebwoy, Ice Prince, Kofi Kinaata, and others.
Hiatus
In January 2020, Becca announced she would be taking a hiatus from music at the end of the year, having become a wife and a mother. Her statement was ‘ridiculed’ by online trolls, who mocked her for ‘falling off’ and being forced out of music. Becca replied in an interview that she’s not quitting music but simply taking a break from active recording of new projects to concentrate on other endeavours.
“At a point in my life, I decided to take a break so I when issued the statement people misunderstood it. I only said I did not want to be actively recording music. It did not mean that as an artiste I cannot perform on stage or I have stopped singing totally, it was only to the effect that I will not be engaging in studio recording,” she told Nana Ama McBrown on Onua Showtime in 2024.
Becca added: “…I wanted to explore other areas after almost 14 years of music. But as an artiste honestly you can never say that you won’t sing anymore,”
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Family
In August 2018, Becca married Nigerian businessman and music executive Dr Tobi Sanni Daniel. Daniel is a former business manager for Nigerian music superstar Ice Prince. In February 2019, Becca and her husband welcomed their first child, a baby girl. Becca has described her marriage as one of the best things that ever happened to her.
In 2019, Becca’s biological mother, Madam Juliana Oti, aired the family’s dirty laundry in public. During an interview, she called out Becca’s husband, Dr Daniel, for being disrespectful. She claimed he called her a ‘witch’ and has been keeping her away from her granddaughter. Madam Yiadom was also unhappy at the treatment meted out to her during her daughter’s wedding festivities and said she hasn’t spoken to Becca in over a year.
Becca’s father, Isaac Acheampong, released a statement to push back at her claims. He apologised to the family of Dr Daniel and said all of Madam Oti’s claims were false. Becca’s mother passed away in 2021.
Controversies
Becca has often been accused of bleaching her skin. Critics claim she betrayed the mantra of her super popular song, ‘African Woman’, by lightening her skin. Becca has largely ignored the criticisms, noting that she does not care what other people think.
Prior to her marriage, the singer was constantly romantically linked to fellow singer Bisa Kdei due to their close relationship and constant collaborations. Neither ever confirmed having a romantic relationship. Becca was also romantically linked to her legendary manager, Kiki Banson.