Adomaa is one of Ghana’s most distinctive and talented musical voices an Afro-jazz singer, actress, and model of Ghanaian-Nigerian heritage who has captured the imagination of music lovers across Africa and beyond.
Known for her rich, sultry voice and her ability to blend jazz, soul, Afrobeat, and highlife into a uniquely captivating sound, Adomaa stands apart in Ghana’s music landscape.
She first caught the public’s attention with a viral mashup video that reimagined decades of Ghanaian music history, and has since released acclaimed albums that further established her as an artist of extraordinary depth and creativity.
Profile
| Full Name | Joy Onyinyechukwu Adomaa Serwaa Adjeman |
| Stage Name | Adomaa |
| Birthplace | Kaduna, Nigeria |
| Nationality | Ghanaian-Nigerian |
| Occupation | Singer, Actress, Model |
| Genres | Afro-Jazz, Neo-Soul, Highlife, Afrobeat |
Early Life
Adomaa was born Joy Onyinyechukwu Adomaa Serwaa Adjeman in Kaduna, Nigeria, to a Ghanaian father and a Nigerian mother. She is the firstborn in a family of five children. Growing up, she was exposed to a rich musical environment her family was deeply musical, and this early immersion in music became the foundation of her artistry. She has described music as being “in her DNA” from the very beginning, calling it her best friend and the primary way she expresses herself.
She spent most of her formative years in Nigeria before her family relocated to Ghana in 2004. Her exposure to both Nigerian and Ghanaian cultures, sounds, and languages gave her a uniquely cosmopolitan musical sensibility. The genre that first spoke to her was jazz, which she discovered in 1998 after hearing the song L.O.V.E by Michael Bublé from the movie soundtrack of The Parent Trap. From that moment, she fell in love with the sultry sounds of Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, and other jazz legends, while also embracing the vibrant rhythms of Afrobeat and highlife.
Education
Adomaa received her primary education in Nigeria before relocating to Ghana with her family. After settling in Ghana, she attended the prestigious Wesley Girls’ High School in Cape Coast for her secondary education. She later enrolled at the Ghana Institute of Journalism (GIJ), where she studied Journalism. Her academic background in journalism, combined with her artistic talents, has informed her articulate and narrative-driven approach to music.
Career
Adomaa’s rise to prominence in the Ghanaian music industry began in 2015 when she released a groundbreaking mashup video titled Evolution of GH Music. The video, which was a creative reimagining of classic Ghanaian songs from the 1960s to the present, went viral overnight and captured the attention of Ghanaians worldwide. It featured songs by legendary artists such as E.T. Mensah, Osibisa, Kojo Antwi, Rex Omar, and others, blended into a sultry, mellow jazz mix with occasional uptempo rhythms and even rap sections. The uniqueness of its concept never seen before in Ghana’s musical history instantly made Adomaa a name to watch.
Following the success of the mashup, she released more creative covers including an interpretation of Sarkodie and Stonebwoy’s hit Baafira, and another mashup titled AdomaaMeetsNaija that earned her a massive social media following. These releases caught the attention of Ghana’s major music stars, including Stonebwoy, who acknowledged her talent.
In 2016, Adomaa released her debut EP Afraba, a critically acclaimed project that she premiered at a performance at the Alliance Française in Accra. The EP received rave reviews and demonstrated her range as an artist blending Afrobeat, highlife, jazz, and other African rhythms into a cohesive musical statement. The Guardian newspaper in the United Kingdom listed her as one of the most powerful female voices on the African continent, a recognition that brought her significant international attention.
She went on to release Barely Adomaa in 2020 and her most ambitious project, Becoming Adomaa, in 2022 an album that further solidified her identity as an artist committed to authentic storytelling through music. She also released the EP In the Clouds in 2022. Beyond music, Adomaa has also explored acting, adding another dimension to her artistic portfolio.
Awards & Nominations
- Vodafone Ghana Music Awards – Unsung Artiste of the Year (Won, 2016)
- Multiple nominations at Ghana music awards for her work in the Afro-jazz and alternative music space
- Featured in The Guardian (UK) as one of Africa’s most powerful female voices
Social Media
Adomaa maintains an active social media presence where she engages with her fans and shares her music, performances, and artistic inspirations. She can be found on the following platforms:
- Instagram: @adomaamusic
- Twitter/X: @adomaamusic
- Facebook: Adomaa (Official Page)
- YouTube: Adomaa (Official Channel)
- Bandcamp: adomaa.bandcamp.com
Personal Life
Adomaa is known for being a private individual when it comes to her personal relationships. She is half Ghanaian and half Nigerian a dual heritage she wears proudly and which deeply influences her music. She grew up as the firstborn in a family of five children and has often credited her family and her multicultural upbringing as key influences on her artistic development. She currently resides in Accra, Ghana, where she continues to create music and develop her artistic vision. Her ability to move fluidly between Ghanaian and Nigerian cultural identities gives her music a distinctive pan-African flavor.
Net Worth
Adomaa’s exact net worth is not publicly documented. However, as an award-winning artist, model, and actress with a strong international following, her earnings are estimated to be generated from music sales, streaming, live performances, endorsements, and modeling work. Her recognition by major international media outlets like The Guardian has also opened doors for international bookings and collaborations. Her net worth is estimated to be in the range of $50,000 – $200,000 USD, with potential for significant growth as her career matures.
Discography
Albums & EPs
- Afraba (EP) – 2016
- Barely Adomaa – 2020
- Becoming Adomaa – 2022
- In the Clouds (EP) – 2022
Notable Singles & Covers
- Evolution of GH Music (Mashup) – 2015
- AdomaaMeetsNaija (Mashup)
- Baafira (Cover – originally by Sarkodie & Stonebwoy)
- Traffic Jam (2015)
- Shii the Song
FAQs
Who is Adomaa?
Adomaa is a Ghanaian-Nigerian singer, actress, and model known for her Afro-jazz sound and her viral Evolution of GH Music mashup.
What is Adomaa’s real name?
Her full real name is Joy Onyinyechukwu Adomaa Serwaa Adjeman.
Where was Adomaa born?
Adomaa was born in Kaduna, Nigeria, to a Ghanaian father and a Nigerian mother.
What genre of music does Adomaa make?
She makes Afro-jazz, neo-soul, highlife, and Afrobeat music, describing her sound as a blend of jazz, soul, and African rhythms.
What is Adomaa’s most famous work?
Her most famous work to date is the Evolution of GH Music mashup video (2015), which went viral and introduced her to a global audience.
Conclusion
Adomaa’s biography is the story of a uniquely gifted artist who refused to be boxed into a single genre or identity. Born to a Ghanaian father and Nigerian mother, raised between two cultures, and trained in journalism, she brings a rare intellectual and emotional depth to her music. From her viral mashup that reimagined Ghana’s entire musical history to her thoughtfully crafted studio albums, Adomaa has established herself as one of the most original voices in contemporary African music. Her journey is far from over, and the best of her artistry is yet to come.
