TRASACCO VALLEY, GHANA: Netflix announced the return of its first African reality show, 'Young, Famous, and African'. Ghanaian musician and style influencer, Fantana whose real name is Francine Koffie, has made her first appearance as the only Ghanaian in the Netflix series produced by Peace Hyde. Fantana is known for a number of hit songs and her inimitable fashion sense. The Highlife and Afro dancehall singer is wealthy and loves to spend on expensive cars, designer clothes, expensive wigs and high heels.
Fans were ecstatic when it was revealed that Fantana will be joining Netflix's 'Young, Famous & African' Season 2. While announcing the forthcoming season, the streaming giant stated that the show will premiere on May 19.
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Who is Fantana?
Fantana was raised in Atlanta, Georgia, where she spent most of her childhood. She was born on July 3, 1997, in the Nzema area in Ghana's Western Region. She completed her primary and high school education in the USA. She has a degree in business and fashion from a prestigious college in the state. She even owns a boutique.
Fantana had a professional breakthrough after meeting Wendy Shay, who introduced her to Bullet, the manager of Rufftown Records. She released her debut song, 'So What', on June 24, 2019. The single received widespread exposure and established her as one of Ghana's emerging talents. She followed up with additionally successful songs, 'Girls Hate On Girls' and 'Rich Gyal Anthem'. However, it was her risque photographs and rumors of physical transformation that kept her in the news to this day.
Her passion for music developed at a young age, about the same time as Afrobeat was being widely accepted throughout the world. Several stars who were performing well in the music business at the time inspired Fantana. This prompted her to start recording songs and producing music. She spent the next few years freestyling and competing in local singing competitions. She was gradually making progress and saving fan uploads. Many people adored her music and were equally astounded that she was so well-liked.
Fantana started uploading her singing freestyle on Instagram after being encouraged by her colleagues. She was cautious about posting her work on social media. As fate would have it, she hasn't regretted her decision. Her early recordings gained traction and she gained many followers as her songs spread. Her fans began to look forward to fresh freestyle recordings. Soon, she dropped 'Back Stabber' in 2018. The song launched her career, and she was regarded as one of the most important female Ghanaian singers residing in the US.
'Forever Young', 'Blue Eyes', 'You, Me, and The Sea', 'Wrong' and 'New African Lady' are among her other hit tracks. Bullet, who happened to be her manager, gave her the name Fantana, which he derived from a generic moniker she was known as, Fanta. Her music has been broadcast on numerous radio stations in Ghana and the US.
Rumor has it that she had been arrested for shoplifting. She spoke about her adolescent years on 3Music TV's Culture Daily, identifying herself as a truant. Fantana said that her wild lifestyle landed her in jail in the US when she became involved in a scuffle. She spoke about how, while incarcerated and awaiting bail from a family member, she began pondering on her life, which prompted her to develop a new perspective on life. She has a Ghanaian boyfriend named Danny Beatz, who is a music producer and composer.
Fantana in 'Young, Famous, and African'
Despite her musical prowess, Fantana has kept a quiet profile in recent years since her departure from Ruff Town Records due to irreconcilable issues with Shay. She also shared the news on social media, which has further piqued fans' interest in her life and profession, with audiences anxiously awaiting the opportunity to see her on 'Young, Famous, and African' and receive some insight into her world.
In an interview with Culture Daily, Fantana said it was a great experience working with individuals from several African nations and being one of the youngest members of the cast. The 25-year-old performer went on to say that over the four months of filming, she formed connections and ties. "I got to see everybody with different personalities because I had never met anybody. I only knew Swanky from Nigeria personally. The filming was nice. It was a lot but fun," she said.
Fantana went on to state that she felt Peace Hyde chose her for Season 2 because of her branding and attitude. People appreciate her charisma and want to see her be herself, which inspired her to join 'Young, Famous, and African.'
'Young, Famous & African' Season 2 will premiere on May 19 on Netflix.
