Rising Stars: Meet Selasee Atiase

Today, we’d like to introduce you to Selasee Atiase.

Hi Selasee, can you introduce yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
I was born and raised in Accra, the capital of Ghana, and I discovered my musical talents through participating in church activities and as a youth in the Eckankar Society in Accra, Ghana, in the 1990s.

I was in an acapella group invited to perform at the Eckankar Worldwide Conference in 1998 and stayed for two weeks to record an album. A few years later, I moved to the US to pursue my music career. Now, I am a performing artist/singer-songwriter who explores reggae music influenced by pop and the West African highlife music genres.

I am the founder of the Blackeye Watching Records LLC and leader of the band Selasee & The Fafa Family, which is now based in Colorado. Growing up in Accra, Ghana, I was exposed to the colorful and energetic sounds of Highlife Music.

This exposure inspired me to blend reggae, West African highlife, and American pop music. Threading together English and West African lyrics for a bright and captivating sound. I realized my passion for music and gained a good understanding of music’s effect on people. Performing at school and church and being around his elders, I developed and cultivated my musical talents.

I graduated from the School for Performing Arts at the University of Ghana, Legon. In 2001, I immigrated to the US to pursue my solo music career and today, I am blessed with a wonderful family and friends.

During this time, I got signed on with Running Dreams Records under the management of Sean Cassidy. 2005, I recorded my debut album, “Run,” on Running Dreams Records. That same year, the title track “Run” won first place in the world music genre at the International Song Writers Competition. The Tracks “Run” and “Makuma” were also featured in the 2006 FIFA Soccer and 2007 Cricket video games by EA Sports.

2006, I performed at MIDEM 06’ in Nice, France, and MUSEXPO 06’ in Los Angeles, California. In 2009, I was honored by The Independent Music Awards, winning the “Best World Fusion Song” award for his song “Agba Yei.” In 2010, I recorded and released my second album, “African Gate,” on Black Eye Watching Label.

In 2014, I embarked on a new album produced by the legendary Aston “Family Man” Barrett of Bob Marley & The Wailers—Bob Marley’s Music Director. This album also included a special appearance by Anthony B, one of the hardest-working Reggae musicians on stage today. The album was released in the early part of 2015. Here is a link to a review of the latest album: http://www.allaboutjazz.com/time-for-peace-selasee-and-the-fafa-family-self-produced-review-by-james-nadal.php. I will be finally releasing my latest album in the fall of 2025 with the title track “My Determination.”

On the touring circuit, I have shared the stage with reggae legends, including Steel Pulse, The Wailers, Third World, The Mighty Diamonds, Don Carlos, Barrington Levy, King Yellowman, The Melodians… other big names include Anthony B., Taurus Riley Beenie Man, Black Uhuru and Julian Marley among others….

— “Humility is power!”

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story. Has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what challenges have you had to overcome?
It has been a life of an adventure full of ups and downs, just like what many have gone through with personal challenges, including what many immigrants deal with.

The culture shock of being a minority and navigating a society that has historical challenges for people of color, including challenges being an immigrant. Getting started as a performing artist was also a challenging task.

There were many times when I had doubts about my ability to survive as an artist, but what kept me focused was what I had seen and heard from my fans and many others who have had positive impacts on their lives from the sound of the music I have created. For such reasons, it was worth the struggle to be an artist.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am one of those singer/song writers that was gifted with ears to hear music in my head through the stimulations happening around me from childhood through. Like many other musicians, my musical talents were awoken from growing up and attending/participating in church activities.

I witnessed a guy playing guitar at church one day. I remembered how the sound of the music he was playing impacted me in such a significantly positive way that I vowed I wanted to make people feel such similar uplifting emotions through music. I started learning to play the guitar shortly after that experience, which is how my initial interest in music sparked.

I am known for producing a captivating sound through live performances, and I have been told that my live show performances are even more impactful than listening to our recorded albums from studio recordings.

Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
The close proximity to the outdoor recreational life is so inspiring. I love the fact that you can easily clear your head by getting into nature.

With the mountains next door, it is a special atmosphere to recharge when you feel worn. I wish there was even more diversity in the music and wish to see an even more vibrant music scene.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.selaseemusic.com
• Instagram: @selasee_fafafamily
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SelaseeAndFaFaFamily/
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@selaseethefafafamily817?si=6RdrVc25a7HO67_K