Eileen Quashie

ARTIST BIOEileen Quashie’s style is defined by her cultural roots, spirituality and commitment to bridge the divide between Africa and the West, and gap between popular music and deeper musical traditions. At age 4, Eileen and her family moved from Ghana to Canada. The cultural and musical differences were a gift, an opportunity to add to the body of musical creation growing within her.The roots of her talent are deep – and feminine. When Queen Victoria attempted to steal the royal Golden Stool of Ashanti, while the men dithered, a woman, the courageous Queen Mother Nana Yaa Asantewaa, resisted her. Born the 7th of May, 1979 in Accra, Ghana, Eileen Quashie is a direct descendant of the Ashanti royal family.As a versatile artist, she mesmerizes listeners and live audiences with her hypnotic voice, haunting melodies, and a style that is playful and ethereal, yet well informed by a global consciousness. Her music is an eclectic mélange of World Beat, African and Canadian influences. Her inspirations include Sade, Erykah Badu, and Sarah McLachlan, along with Ghanaian highlife singers, and hiplife artists Reggie Rockstone and Obrafour.After graduating high school with top honors, she moved to New York to attend Pace University. While in the United States she expanded her range through the study of gospel, traditional blues and R&B. Her father’s sudden illness drew her back to Montreal where she enrolled in McGill University and continued to seek the stage sharing it with artists such as Choices Band, Kali & Dub, Dawn Sierra, Soul Fish, and Shades of Culture. While a member of the singing duo “2 Sweet”, Eileen opened for legendary artists Beres Hammond, Buju Banton, Beenie Man, and De La Soul.She continued to develop her own sensibilities by performing in McGill's annual African Galas and with the McGill University Choir. She was even fortunate to sing with the Montreal Symphony Orchestra, under world renowned conductor, Maestro Charles Dutoit.The passing of her youngest sister, Amy, in 2001 and her father in 2006 galvanized Eileen’s determination to share her message through music."Amy was born in Canada and she also was a singer and a poet. My father was my connection to the heart and soul of Africa. With their ascensions, I became more fearless, more determined, and more compassionate. Creating my own music and poetry is my way of healing from those heart-wrenching experiences. I never had the opportunity to work with my sister while she was alive but singing her songs, I feel as though I now work with her and my Dad in spirit.”MUSIC AND LYRICS On stage, Eileen Quashie’s goal is to bridge the cultural gap between the mother continent and North America with her music. Eileen strives to make her art a well balanced blend of spoken word poetry and neo-soul; a mix of her Ghanaian roots culture and her North American experience. On stage she often abbreviates this equation as her initials, “EQ.”The demo project, entitled "Konadu, My heart is worth ten" sits very closely to Eileen's heart. The title phrase is a translation of "Konadu", Eileen's Ashanti middle name. The title of the demo 'Konadu, My heart is worth ten' will also be used for the eventual album, which will be a blend of poetry accompanied by acoustic guitar and African drum also known as Talking Drum. Some pieces will feature spoken word numbers with sung choruses and others soulful ballads with poetic interludes. The musical accompaniment will represent the work of some of the world’s finest musicians, including guitar by Trinidadian Reggae Juno Award nominee, Kali Thurton of Kali and Dub and percussion by Togolese musician, Moise Matey of the popular collective, Nomadic Massive.Eileen Quashie's music is a reflection of soul and spirit brought forth in verse. A collection of spoken word and song that represents her dual experience as an African and a Canadian.