Ghanaian Singer & Songwriter Ruby Amanfu on working with Beyonce

US based Ghanaian Singer and Songwriter, Ruby Amanfu was “honoured” to have contributed to Beyonce’s 2016 album ‘Lemonnade.”

She did backing vocals on the song ‘Don’t Hurt Yourself’ off the sixth album by the American Grammy winning act.

In an interview with Billboard.com, she shared how the song came together.

“I sang sounds, not lyrics — my vocals were recorded before completion of the lyrics. So I’m just honored that my voice was already present when the lyrics were being put to the track. Music can be inspiring to lyricists in the same way that lyrics can inspire music, and I think that sometimes we forget the former.”

The quality of ‘Lemonade’s visual quality caught her by surprise: “Jack reached out to me the weekend the HBO special came out to congratulate me. I had no idea what the HBO special would be about or contain, so of course I scurried to turn on HBO Go and load up the show. I was so mesmerized by the visuals and pure art of Lemonade that I didn’t even realize that I was about to hear my own voice! I was just so in awe of the whole aesthetic that it caught me by surprise.”

Amanfu also spoke about being a fan of Beyonce’s work because she “embodies resilience.”

“I’ve been a longtime fan of Beyonce’s work, and I can’t think of a song she’s put out that I have disliked. She embodies resilience, and I relate to that. Since the Destiny Child’s days and up until now, the directness with which she presents is inspiring to me. She puts it all on the table, time and time again. Message received — don’t mess with me. Ditto”

Amanfu was born in Accra, Ghana.

Her family relocated to Nashville, Tennessee when she was three years old. She placed first in a school talent show in her early years.

At age 15, she was the youngest member of The Nashville Symphony Chorus.

She has collaborated with other top artistes including Jack White, Hozier, Norah Jones, H.E.R. and Patti LaBelle. Amanfu had co-starring role on ‘Nashville’ on CMT, and is an elected Grammy Board Governor.

Her album ‘Standing Still’ received critical praise from Rolling Stone, BillBoard and NPR.

Amanfu joined actress Reese Witherspoon as a musical guest during the Draper James store opening party in 2015.

She was featured in Elle Magazine’s June 2015 issue as a Draper James model alongside Witherspoon.

Originally published on livefmghana.com on May 2, 2016

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