Photo: Spotify Promo
Intro: Gail Nobles

Tonight, we're takin' a trip across the big pond, all the way to the vibrant heart of Togo, because I've got a story that'll have you boppin' in your seats!
This is the story of the *one and only* – AFIA MALA!

Now, back in '74, this young lady, she was *cookin'*! Straight outta Vogan, she was crowned the Best Togolese Singer of the Year! Yeah, you heard me right! You could feel the earth movin' under her feet, success written all over her!

Life threw a curveball so hard, it almost knocked her right out of the park. A near-fatal traffic accident. Six long months in the hospital... talk about a downer! Her pops, bless his heart, thought her days of swingin' to a beat were done. He figured it was time for somethin' else, somethin' *safe*. Music was over!

BUT DESTINY HAD OTHER PLANS!

Fast forward to 1984. A decade later, the magic was still there! Radio France International, that's the big time overseas, was holdin' a talent competition called "Discovery." And guess who blew the roof off the place? Our girl, Afia Mala! Her song, "**Ten Homte (Black Earth)**", it connected with the people. I'm talkin' chills down your spine, tears in your eyes kinda stuff! The listeners voted it their *favorite*! That was her sign! That was the green light!

And she took off like a rocket! Eight albums later, this "Princess from Vogan" (and that's what they call her!) she’s holdin' court with the queens of African music! She's standin' tall, singin' loud and clear!

And let me tell ya somethin' else! In 1989, she dropped an album called "Desir" with a killer track called "**Koma**".

I'm Gail Nobles, and you're listening to Soul POD Classics.

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