Julie Akofa Akoussah

Julie Akofa Akoussah was a prominent Togolese singer known as the Golden Voice of Togo for her ability to mix local folk music with acoustic soul, jazz, and brass arrangements. She began performing at a young age and sang alongside the famous Bella Bellow at the first World Festival of Black Arts in Dakar in 1966. Singing in Ewe, Mina, and French, she earned widespread recognition across West Africa with her 1976 self-titled album on the Sonafric label, which led to work with other major African musicians like Manu Dibango. Later in her life, Akoussah worked to protect musicians by serving as the president of the National Union of Artists Musicians of Togo until she died in 2007.