Angel Maxine
Angel Maxine | |
|---|---|
 Angel Maxine singing on the stage at the 2023 Christopher Street Day in Berlin after awarding the Soul of Stonewall Award. | |
| Education | University of Ghana |
| Alma mater | Ghana Senior High School |
| Known for | Musician, activist |
| Movement | Activist for LGBT rights in Ghana |
Angel Maxine Opoku is a Ghanaian musician.[1][2] Maxine is known as the first openly transgender Ghanaian musician.[3][4]
Early life and education
[edit]Raised in the coastal city of Tema, Maxine says that her home was "deeply religious and musical" and was where she took to music at a young age.[3] She attended the Ghana Secondary School in Koforidua for her senior high school education and later the University of Ghana for a food safety and nutrition degree. She later attended the Regional Maritime University.[5] Angel grew up in the coastal city of Tema, as the daughter of a reverend and a prophetess.[3]
Music career
[edit]Angel started her music career in 2020 with her first single titled "Sweetness (D3d33d3)".[6]
She released "Wo Fie" which featured Wanlov the Kubolor and Sister Deborah, whom she describes as "siblings, musicians, activists, and allies of the LGBTQ+ community."[7] "Wo Fie", which means "your home," became a viral Pride Month hit in 2022.[7] It became a number one trending video on TikTok.[7]
Her song "Kill The Bill"", released in 2021, is a campaign song against the Ghanaian anti-LGBT+ bill.[8][9]
Her latest single, titled "PrEP" is a song about a medication Pre-exposure prophylaxis for HIV prevention, which can be a preventative measure against contracting HIV. The song was released on 30 November 2022 to mark World AIDS Day and to help in the fight to end HIV/AIDS.[7] In 2025, she released a new album titled "Kofi is a girl", telling how trans people in Ghana experience transphobia.
Activism
[edit]Angel Maxine is an open advocate for LGBT+ rights in Ghana and has been vocal about her rejection of the proposed Ghanaian anti-LGBT bill which is before the Parliament of Ghana as of July 2022.[10][11][12]
Discography
[edit]Singles
[edit]| Year | Title | Artist |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Sweetness (D3d33d3)[13] | Angel Maxine |
| 2021 | Wo Fie | Angel Maxine, Wanlov the Kubolor and Sister Derby |
| 2021 | Kill The Bill[14] | Angel Maxine featuring Wanlov the Kubolor and Sister Derby |
| 2022 | PrEP[15] | Angel Maxine |
| 2024 | Trumu Scent | Angel Maxine feat Wanlov the Kubolor |
References
[edit]- ↑ Crabbe, Nathaniel (1 July 2022). "I was effeminate from birth - 1st GH openly trans singer embraces her uniqueness". Yen.com.gh - Ghana news. Retrieved 20 August 2022.
- ↑ Somuah-Annan, Grace (4 July 2022). "We exist, and it's Ghana we'll stay – Angel Maxine, Ghana's openly transgender musician, declares". 3NEWS.com. Retrieved 20 August 2022.
- 1 2 3 "Becoming Angel Maxine, Ghana's first openly transgender musician". African Arguments. 28 October 2021. Retrieved 20 August 2022.
- ↑ Owen, Greg (3 May 2026). "Uproar ensues after trans artist in Ghana says she's an anti-LGBTQ+ politician's "lover"". LGBTQ Nation. Retrieved 4 May 2026.
- ↑ "Angel Maxine, Ghana's first transgender musician". Ghanaian Times. Accra, Ghana. 8 February 2020. Retrieved 20 August 2022.
- ↑ "Spotify – Web Player". Spotify. Retrieved 5 July 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 Maxine, Angel (24 November 2022). "My Song About Ghana's LGBTQ+ Community Went Viral — Even Though Radio Stations Won't Play It". Global Citizen. Retrieved 20 October 2024.
- ↑ "'Trans people exist and we are in Ghana'". BBC News. Retrieved 20 August 2022.
- ↑ culturedesk; Dubaich, Renee (14 February 2022). "Ghanaian musician Angel Maxine discusses musical activism, LGBTQ+ advocacy". The Pitt News. Retrieved 20 August 2022.
- ↑ Roberto, Muyela (2 July 2022). "First LGBTQ Ghanaian musician mad over proposed anti-gay bill". Tuko.co.ke - Kenya news. Retrieved 20 August 2022.
- ↑ "Ghana's first openly trans musician fights homophobia with song". GAY TIMES. 2 August 2021. Retrieved 16 September 2022.
- ↑ "Ghana's First Openly Trans Musician Fights Homophobia with Song". Global Citizen. 3 August 2021. Retrieved 16 September 2022.
- ↑ Music, Ghana (20 May 2020). "Single: Sweetness (D3d33d3) by Angel Maxine". Ghana Music. Retrieved 20 August 2022.
- ↑ "Kill the Bill feat. Wanlov the Kubolor & Sister Deborah, by Angel Maxine". Angel Maxine. Retrieved 20 August 2022.
- ↑ Asiedu, Kwasi Gyamfi (4 November 2022). "For Ghana's Only Openly Transgender Musician, 'Every Day Is Dangerous'". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 26 July 2025.
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