By Buertey Francis BORYOR
In a music industry full of fast beats and viral hits, it is rare to find someone whose music feels calm, deep and meaningful. But that is exactly what you get with Maame Esi Essilfie, known on stage as Ess Thee Legend. She is a singer and songwriter with a gentle voice and a powerful message. Her songs are honest, emotional and full of soul.
Growing up in Tema and Spintex
Ess was born and raised in Tema, a port city in Ghana. She spent most of her early life between Community 1, Site 15 and Spintex. These places, busy and full of life, shaped how she sees the world and influenced her music. “My home was a music home, but also a very expressive home. There was always music, always books – my father loved to buy me books. That made me a creative,” she tells B&FT in an exclusive interview.
From a young age, she enjoyed writing poems, stories and later songs. She used words to express herself and make sense of her surroundings. This early blend of sound and stories planted the seed for what would eventually grow into an artistic journey, one rooted not only in melody but in meaning.
The first step: A tweet and a guitarist
Though music had long been in her, it was at the University of Ghana, Legon, that Ess first took a brave step into the public eye. A random tweet from a fellow student and guitarist named Julian was the catalyst. He needed a singer to jam with. She answered the call.
“We recorded a cover song, posted it online, and the reception was amazing,” she recalls. That impromptu session blossomed into small restaurant gigs in 2018; and by 2019, she had released her debut single, ‘Jeweni’, which loosely translates to “Be Happy”. It marked her transition from poetry to performance, from private creativity to public expression.
Finding her voice
Ess does not like to limit herself to one type of music. She calls her sound “soul”, but she is open to mixing styles. She sometimes even raps, but always keeps her unique voice and feeling in the music.
“Even if I rap, you will still feel the soul in it,” she said. Most of her songs are based on her own life, her thoughts or things that happen to people around her. she writes most of them herself, though she values collaboration highly. “Working with other people can make a song even better. Sometimes someone brings an idea that takes the music to another level,” she said.
Rising in a male-dominated industry
Since her first song came out, Ess has released over 15 tracks and performed at more than 40 shows, both in Ghana and outside the country. She was named Best New Artiste of the Year at the Golden Globe Creative Arts Awards. In 2024, she got two big nominations at the 3 Music Awards-Emerging Woman of the Year and Best Alternative Artist.
This year, she has been nominated as an Unsung Artiste at the Telecel Ghana Music Awards. But her journey has not been easy. “Money is always an issue. And being a woman in this industry comes with extra challenges. There are not enough women in leadership positions in music. That makes it hard sometimes,” she said.
Ess Thee Legend is one of the few women making it in the country’s music space, which is mostly run by men. But she is moving forward with confidence, refusing to change who she is just to fit in. She believes in helping more women take part in the music business; not just on stage, but behind the scenes too.
Building beyond the stage
Music is Ess’ main focus, but she does much more. She is also a voice actor, event organiser and runs a music studio in Spintex. The studio is both her personal recording space and a place where other artists can create music too.
She also puts together live events, including her yearly show Ess Live. At her last event, over 300 fans came to hear her sing. Many of them discovered her through social media.
Ess also uses her platform to support others, especially young people. She works with groups like You Are Cared For (YACF) and takes part in song-writing camps and international music projects. These include Black Girls Glow, OneBeat Ghana, the Ghana-France International Song-writing Camp, and a grant from the British Council.
Staying true to herself
At her core, Ess believes in authenticity. “I like to keep it real. Sometimes my songs come from imagination; sometimes from other people’s lives, but they are always real,” she says simply.
Offstage, she is calm, often mistaken for being intimidating because of her style or silence. “Some people think I am unapproachable, but I am actually very calm. I do not like fighting – I just like my peace,” she told the B&FT.
She loves to dress confidently and encourages women to express themselves boldly. “People should not be intimidated by how someone dresses. That is not fair. I believe every woman should feel confident,” she said.
Eyes on the future
What’s next for Ess? She dreams of going on tour around the world, singing in both small and big venues. One of her biggest wishes is to perform at The Sphere in Las Vegas – a modern stage known for its 360-degree audio-visual experience. “It is magical. I want to connect with people there,” she said.
She also hopes to mentor younger female artists and help them access the resources and recognition they deserve; even at the grassroots. Her advice to them is simple: “Do not try to fit in. Be yourself. Protect your voice”.
A legend on the rise
In an industry where speed often overshadows substance, Ess Thee Legend is walking a different path-quietly, but with purpose. From the corners of Tema to dreams of Las Vegas, she is writing her story – one song, one show, one soul at a time. And for those listening, one thing is clear: this legend is just getting started.
