Y'akoto
Musical artist
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jennifer Yaa Akoto Kieck (born 1988), known professionally as Y'akoto, is a German–Ghanaian singer and songwriter whose music blends neo-soul, blues, ambient pop, and Afrobeats.[1][2] Her first two albums, Babyblues (2012) and Moody Blues (2014), both entered the Top 20 on the German Albums Chart, and she has received two nominations for Germany's Echo Award.[3]
1988 (age 37–38)
Y'akoto | |
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Y'akoto performing in 2025 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | Jennifer Yaa Akoto Kieck 1988 (age 37–38) |
| Origin | Hamburg, Germany |
| Genres | Neo soul, blues, Afrobeats, ambient pop |
| Occupations | Singer, songwriter |
| Instrument | Piano |
| Years active | 2012–present |
| Label | Warner Music |
| Website | yakotomusic |
Early life and education
Y'akoto was born in Hamburg, Germany, to a Ghanaian father, a highlife musician, and a German mother.[4] She spent much of her childhood in West Africa, living in Ghana, Cameroon, Chad, and Togo before returning to Hamburg at the age of 11.[5][6] During this time, she began singing and learning to play the piano.[6]
After completing secondary school she studied dance education and became a qualified dance teacher in 2008 before deciding to pursue a career in music.[4]
Career
Y'akoto began performing in her teens and formed her first band at 13.[7] She signed with Warner Music and released her debut album, Babyblues, in March 2012.[5] The album reached the Top 20 in Germany and included the single "Tamba," a song about a child soldier.[7] In 2013, she received an Echo Award nomination for Best National Rock/Pop Female Artist.[8]
Her second album, Moody Blues, was released in 2014 and debuted at number 11 on the German charts.[5] The album addressed topics such as migration and single-parent families. Its release led to a second Echo Award nomination in the same category in 2015.[9]
In 2017 she released her third album, Mermaid Blues, which blended blues, neo-soul, and pop.[5][3] In 2020, Y'akoto released the EP Obaa Yaa. A year later, in 2021, she was featured in Matthew Herbert’s single "The Way".[10] In 2022–2023, she collaborated with Los Angeles-based producer Nabeyin and Ghanaian rapper Jay Bahd on the singles "Secret" and "WMYT (What Made You Think)".[11]
Her fourth studio album, Part 4: The Witch, was released in July 2024.[12] The album featured collaborations with Nabeyin and U.S. hip-hop artist REASON and incorporated pop and Afrobeats styles.[13][14]
In November 2025, Y'akoto published her debut book, The World Needs More Love. In January 2026, she co-founded WAVVI, a music distribution and artist services platform.[15][16] Y'akoto is also a co-founder of AFROSON1C X, a music and creative industries platform that connects African artists and industry professionals. Following showcases at SXSW London and Reeperbahn Festival, AFROSON1C X held its first standalone edition in Accra, Ghana, in January 2026.[17]
Discography
Studio albums
- Babyblues (2012)
- Moody Blues (2014)
- Mermaid Blues (2017)
- Part 4: The Witch (2024)
EPs
- Obaa Yaa (2020)
Awards and recognition
Y'akoto has twice been nominated for the Echo Award for Best National Rock/Pop Female Artist, first in 2013 and again in 2015.[8][9]