Stephanie Benson
Akua Ohenewaa
Born (1967-08-16) 16 August 1967
Kumasi
OriginAshanti Region, Ghana
GenresJazz
Occupation(s)Singer, composer, performer, voice coach, businesswoman
Instrument(s)Piano
Years active1990–
LabelsBenson Entertainment Production
Websitestephaniebensonlive.com

Stephanie Benson, also known as Princess Akua Ohenewaa Asieanem of Kokobin, is a UK-based Ghanaian international singer and performer who is rooted in jazz music.[1] In Ghana, she has been described as the queen of jazz.[2]

Early life

Stephanie Benson was born in Ghana to royal Parents,[3] a pharmaceutical millionaire and his fourth wife named Queen Nana Boahemah II who had seventeen children.[1][4] Her musical career began at the age of three[5] when she started learning how to play the piano.[6] She added the violin and cello when she was enrolled at the National Academy of Music at the age of eight in the year 1975.[7] She became interested in playing the piano after her father often played the instrument to her before bedtime.[7]

After her father's death in 1981[8] when she was fourteen, she moved to London, England to explore life in a different part of the world.[9] During her stay in London, she channeled her energy into playing the piano under the watchful eye of her uncle,[10] and later got a residency singing and playing in one of the famous nightclubs called Strange Fellows nightclub in London, UK.[11][2]

Career

During one of Benson's usual shows in the London nightclub, she was spotted by Pete Waterman,[12] owner of PWL, who offered her a contract with his label. The deal led her to record and release her first single, "Now is the Time", placing her in the top 20 on UK dance charts.[13] Benson went on a promotional tour across Europe until her contract with PWL came to an end.[14] She then started writing and collaborating with artists including Stevie Wonder, Wayne Vaughn (Earth Wind and Fire), Rob Davis (Kylie Minogue), Terry Britton (Tina Turner), Andy Hill (Bucks Fizz) and Danny Schogger (Celine Dion).[15][16]

Music school

In a bid to groom potential stars of Ghanaian talent in all fields of the industry. in April 2013, Benson announced the establishment of a music school named the Benson Entertainment Production Institute (BEPI) in Accra.[17][18] BEPI is intended to promote professional international standards relating to stage performances and rehearsals, theatre shows, TV shows and musical concerts, and training, as well as to serve commercial purposes.[19] The first performance of students from BEPI was in 2014 at +233 Jazz Bar and Grill, Accra.[20][21]

Performances for Royal family

Since taking on music commercially, Benson has entertained celebrities and important personalities at public and private events including the British royal household and Prince Charles, who said upon hearing her sing the first time, "You are one of the most amazing performers I've ever seen."[9] Benson has performed at events hosted by the British royals including Princess Anne, and reportedly exceeded her 15-minute allotted performance time for Prince Charles to approximately an hour because he enjoyed her act.[22]

She received another invitation to sing for Prince William before his wedding to Kate Middleton on 29 April 2011.[22]

Personal life

Family

Benson is an older sister of Ghanaian highlife singer, Akosua Agyapong.[13] She is married to John, and together they have five children. The couple own a chocolate shop located in The Pantiles, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent.[4]

On 22 April 2014 Benson was involved in a car accident.[23] Following this, she released a gospel single titled "My Prayer" as a way of showing appreciation and gratitude to God for saving her from the accident.[24]

Surviving breast cancer

On 29 October 2015, Benson underwent surgery for breast cancer, a situation she described as shocking when she was diagnosed, revealing that she had lost her grandmother, mother and other relatives to the disease.[25] Following her survival, she trained to do a mountain walk in France on 1 September 2016 with the Dutch "Singing for your Life" team to raise funds towards a cancer research and mobile mammogram unit for Ghana, and support for the Dutch Cancer Society.[26]

Benson has publicly talked about surviving breast cancer after undergoing a total of 28 hours of surgery within three days.[27]

On 19 March 2016, at Labadi Beach Hotel's Omanye Hall in Accra, she held a women's gathering centred on her fight against breast cancer with the aim of encouraging and strengthening women amidst music and words of exhortation.[28] She released her song titled "Dear Lord" at this event, which was attended by notable women including Nana Ama McBrown, Michelle McKinney-Hammond as well as singers Akosua Agyapong, Irene Logan, Yaa Yaa and Becca.[29]

Brand Ambassador

In October 2018, 3Foundation made her a brand ambassador to lead a breast cancer awareness campaign where she helped raised funds to support women affected by breast cancer to undergo resconstructive surgeries.[30]

Discography

Since moving back to Ghana, Benson has released a number of albums, including Different Kind of Heaven, What are you doing with your life and Friend in 2015, as well as Dear Lord and I am worth it in 2016.

References

  1. 1 2 Peel, John. "GhanaianPrincess". BBC Radio 4. Retrieved 27 July 2016.
  2. 1 2 Online, Peace FM. "Stephanie Benson Performs@ +233 on Easter Saturday". Retrieved 11 March 2017.
  3. ↑ "Stephanie Benson, Biography". www.ghanaweb.com. Retrieved 17 August 2023.
  4. 1 2 "Sweet career for African princess". BBC News. 24 February 2005. Retrieved 27 July 2016.
  5. ↑ "Stephanie Benson, Biography". www.ghanaweb.com. Retrieved 12 August 2023.
  6. ↑ Akwasi, Tiffany (20 July 2018). "Stephanie Benson age, family, & career". Yen.com.gh – Ghana news. Retrieved 13 April 2019.
  7. 1 2 "Photos: Stephanie Benson, hottest mum in Gh entertainment". ghanaweb.com. Retrieved 8 March 2017.
  8. ↑ Ndetei, Chris (20 July 2018). "Stephanie Benson age, family, & career". Yen.com.gh - Ghana news. Retrieved 12 August 2023.
  9. 1 2 "Biography". Stephanie Benson. Retrieved 26 July 2016.
  10. ↑ "Stephanie Benson, Biography". www.ghanaweb.com. Retrieved 13 August 2023.
  11. ↑ "Mel Gibson witnessed my first performance – Stephanie Benson". ghanaweb.com. Retrieved 13 April 2019.
  12. ↑ "Stephanie Benson, Biography". www.ghanaweb.com. Retrieved 13 August 2023.
  13. 1 2 "Akosua Agyapong's Sister, Stephanie Benson The Diana Ross Look Alike". www.ghanaforum.com. Retrieved 8 March 2017.
  14. ↑ "Get to know Stephanie Benson". ghanaweb.com. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
  15. ↑ "Stephanie Benson, Biography". www.ghanaweb.com. Retrieved 13 August 2023.
  16. ↑ "Stephanie Benson Biography". stephaniebensonlive.com. Retrieved 27 July 2016.
  17. ↑ "Stephanie Benson, Biography". www.ghanaweb.com. Retrieved 13 August 2023.
  18. ↑ "Singer, Stephanie Benson establishes Benson Entertainment Production Institute". ameyawdebrah.com. 25 April 2013. Retrieved 27 July 2016.
  19. ↑ "BIOGRAPHY: Stephanie Benson". ghanagist.com. 3 July 2013. Retrieved 27 July 2016.
  20. ↑ "Stephanie Benson, Biography". www.ghanaweb.com. Retrieved 13 August 2023.
  21. ↑ Akese, Efia (26 February 2015). "Stephanie Benson to showcase her students". Graphic Communications Group Limited. Retrieved 27 July 2016.
  22. 1 2 "I don't dress to please anyone – Stephanie Benson". ghanaweb.com. Retrieved 8 March 2017.
  23. ↑ "Stephanie Benson involved in an accident, car up in flames". myjoyonline.com. 22 April 2014. Retrieved 27 July 2016.
  24. ↑ "Listen UP: Stephanie Benson drops gospel single, 'My Prayer'". ameyawdebrah.com. Retrieved 13 March 2017.
  25. ↑ "Surviving breast cancer: Stephanie Benson to save other women". 18 November 2016. Retrieved 13 March 2017.
  26. ↑ "Stephanie Benson: surviving cancer and raising funds | Lifestyle -". thebftonline.com. Archived from the original on 13 March 2017. Retrieved 13 March 2017.
  27. ↑ "Stephanie Benson connects with female artistes". ghanaweb.com. 22 March 2016. Retrieved 27 July 2016.
  28. ↑ KOULIBALY, KOUME (21 March 2016). "Sisters connect on wings of music". Graphic Communications Group Limited. Retrieved 27 July 2016.
  29. ↑ "Stephanie Benson Connects with Female Artistes". peacefmonline.com. 22 March 2016. Retrieved 27 July 2016.
  30. ↑ "Stephanie Benson Unveiled As Brand Ambassador For Breast Cancer Awareness". DailyGuide Network. 8 October 2019. Retrieved 8 October 2019.
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