Tommy WÁ, Kayla Grace

In a landscape where Afrobeats dominate the airwaves, Tommy WÁ carved his own quieter, more rooted path, reviving mid-20th-century West African folk traditions and reframing them through a modern blend of indie and retro-soul.Tommy WÁ’s journey took a major turn in 2022 when he was selected for the prestigious Goethe Talents programme, an opportunity that saw him performing at Berlin’s Pop-Kultur festival and immersing himself in the city’s creative underground.

Already known for his sharp sense of narrative and heartening, cross-continental sound (qualities that consistently draw comparisons to Bon Iver and Michael Kiwanuka), WÁ used the experience to deepen his craft and expand his global perspective.

By 2024, he had caught the attention of London-based label Dirty Hit, who signed the multidisciplinary artist following a breakout set at The Great Escape.