Ghana: Efia Abu releases new single Himmelriket ahead of new album

Sung in the Scanian dialect, ‘Himmelriket’, which translates to “Kingdom of Heaven”, is a reggae-infused track aimed at offering emotional support in challenging times. According to Abu, the song serves as a response to the widespread sense of disempowerment many people feel in today’s world.

“The song is intended as an antidote to the sense of powerlessness many people experience today. It serves as a formula for empowerment and agency, anchored in the belief that love is the most powerful force in the universe,” she said.

“It’s easy to be overwhelmed by negative emotions when we’re constantly bombarded with the world’s crises, and awareness is important. But the question is, what do we do with these feelings? Do they make us better people?”

She added: “The message is clear: it is up to us to create heaven on earth, here and now.”

Formerly known as Sofia Efia Abu Jacobsson, the Malmö-based singer-songwriter has been composing what she describes as “keys to presence” since 2019. Her music draws on personal affirmations, prayers, and lived experiences, combining conscious lyrics with deep basslines and offbeat reggae rhythms, performed alongside her band Drömbandet.

Abu’s 2023 debut album, Kärlek & Verkan, earned critical acclaim for its distinctive fusion of roots reggae and soul in the Scanian dialect. She has since received several grants and awards, including funding from the Swedish Performing Rights Society (STIM), Hässleholm Municipality, and the City of Malmö.

Most recently, she was awarded Malmö’s Cultural Grant to support her ongoing artistic work. In 2025, Abu will release a full-length album accompanied by a documentary, Journey to Roots, which documents an international musical exchange between artists from Ghana and Sweden.

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