Amazing Ghanaian singer and song writer Noella Wiyaala, known for her electrifying stage performances, has said she was compelled to change her style of performance at the GN Bank Awards last week when she got on stage and realised Dr Paa Kwesi Nduom, founder of the Progressive People’s Party (PPP), was present at the event.

“You know, I wanted to do something crazy that night and you could see it in the way I had dressed. My dressing was like the ‘dipo’ thing and my costume had nipples on my breasts and all that.

“I had planned something wild as you have always known me but when I got on stage and saw Dr Nduom, I asked myself, ‘Ah! What is this man doing here?’ and I immediately changed my mind and decided to do something to suit a corporate audience; and with that, I could not go crazy and remove what I wanted to remove on stage. I have a huge respect for him because one day he can become President of Ghana and I felt a crazy performance in his presence was not the best,” Wiyaala explained on the ‘First Show’, hosted by Annie Ampofo on First Digital TV.

That notwithstanding, the fast rising Ghanaian musician, on the night, pulled off a great performance worth writing home about with her indigenous style, though it was clear she was not in her ‘elements’.

“Midway into the performance, I was still contemplating whether I should just ignore my instincts and go all out, but something told me to continue to take it cool. So I toned it down and they still enjoyed it. Sometimes as a performer, you have to look at your audience and know the best way to treat them. And if not for the man I saw on the front row and the corporate people there, I would have done it as I have always done it. I can be very crazy, you know,” Wiyaala added.

She is one of the fastest growing indigenous Ghanaian musicians getting global attention.

Last week, the British High Commission in Accra issued a statement to the effect that it had invited Wiyaala to perform at Queen Elizabeth’s upcoming 89th birthday party.

Contrary to speculations that Wiyaala would be performing at the Buckingham Palace, the statement explained her show would be in Accra at the British High Commissioner’s residence.

In December 2014, Wiyaala won the Most Promising Artiste on the African Continent and Revelation of the African Continent at AFRIMA Awards. She was also the most nominated Ghanaian at The All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) after receiving nominations in four categories including Revelation of The African Continent, Best West African Female Artiste, Best African Reggae, Ragga, Dancehall Song for ‘Rock My Body’ and Most Promising Artiste on the African Conti- Noella Wiyaala nent.