{{Short description|UK-based Ghanaian singer}} {{Use dmy dates|date=August 2023}} {{Infobox musical artist | honorific_prefix = | name = Stephanie Benson | honorific_suffix = | image = | image_size = | image_upright = | landscape = <!-- yes, if wide image, otherwise leave blank --> | alt = | caption = Stephanie Benson | native_name = Akua Ohenewaa | native_name_lang = Akan | birth_name = | alias = | birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=y|1967|8|16}} | birth_place = Kumasi | origin = Ashanti Region, Ghana | death_date = <!-- {{death date and age|df=y|YYYY|MM|DD|1967|8|16}} --> | death_place = | genre = Jazz | occupation = Singer, composer, performer, voice coach, businesswoman | instrument = Piano | years_active = 1990– | label = Benson Entertainment Production | associated_acts = Okyeame Kwame, Akosua Agyapong,<br> Stevie Wonder | website = {{URL|stephaniebensonlive.com}} | module = | module2 = | module3 = }}
'''Stephanie Benson''', also known as '''Princess Akua Ohenewaa Asieanem of Kokobin''', is a UK-based Ghanaian international singer and performer who is rooted in music.<ref name="Peel">{{cite news|last1=Peel|first1=John|title=GhanaianPrincess|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/hometruths/0336ghanaian_princess.shtml|accessdate=27 July 2016|publisher=BBC Radio 4}}</ref> In Ghana, she has been described as the queen of jazz.<ref name="Online">{{Cite news|url=http://www.peacefmonline.com/pages/showbiz/news/201204/106535.php|title=Stephanie Benson Performs@ +233 on Easter Saturday|last=Online|first=Peace FM|access-date=11 March 2017}}</ref> She runs a record label in London called Benson Music Ltd and Production. In 2015, she was a judge on the show Ghana's Vodafone Icons Diva. She has also been involved in charitable initiatives both inside and outside Ghana.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Meet the real Stephanie Benson |url=https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/entertainment/Meet-the-real-Stephanie-Benson-518591}}</ref>She has performed at a number of events including the British royal family and has been described as "one of the most amazing performers".<ref>{{Cite news |title=Stephanie Benson, Kwame Yeboah, And 5 Ghanaian Artists Who Have Performed For Queen Elizabeth and Her Family |url=https://yen.com.gh/entertainment/music/215895-stephanie-benson-kwame-yeboah-5-ghanaian-artists-performed-queen-elizabeth-family/}}</ref>
==Early life== Stephanie Benson was born in Ghana to royal Parents,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Stephanie Benson, Biography |url=https://www.ghanaweb.com/person/Stephanie-Benson-1538 |access-date=2023-08-17 |website=www.ghanaweb.com}}</ref> a pharmaceutical millionaire and his fourth wife named Queen Nana Boahemah II who had seventeen children.<ref name="Peel"/><ref name="sweet">{{cite news|title=Sweet career for African princess|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/kent/4293399.stm|accessdate=27 July 2016|publisher=BBC News|date=24 February 2005}}</ref> Her musical career began at the age of three<ref>{{Cite web |title=Stephanie Benson, Biography |url=https://www.ghanaweb.com/person/Stephanie-Benson-1538 |access-date=2023-08-12 |website=www.ghanaweb.com}}</ref> when she started learning how to play the piano.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://yen.com.gh/111506-stephanie-benson-age-family-career.html|title=Stephanie Benson age, family, & career|last=Akwasi|first=Tiffany|date=20 July 2018|website=Yen.com.gh – Ghana news.|access-date=13 April 2019}}</ref> She added the violin and cello when she was enrolled at the National Academy of Music at the age of eight in the year 1975.<ref name="ghanaweb.com">{{Cite web|url=http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/entertainment/Photos-Stephanie-Benson-hottest-mum-in-Gh-entertainment-425605|title=Photos: Stephanie Benson, hottest mum in Gh entertainment|website=ghanaweb.com|access-date=8 March 2017}}</ref> She became interested in playing the piano after her father often played the instrument to her before bedtime.<ref name="ghanaweb.com"/>
After her father's death in 1981<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ndetei |first=Chris |date=2018-07-20 |title=Stephanie Benson age, family, & career |url=https://yen.com.gh/111506-stephanie-benson-age-family-career.html |access-date=2023-08-12 |website=Yen.com.gh - Ghana news. |language=en}}</ref> when she was fourteen, she moved to London, England to explore life in a different part of the world.<ref name="sb_bio">{{cite web | url=http://www.stephanie-benson.co.uk/bio.html | title=Biography | work=Stephanie Benson | accessdate=26 July 2016}}</ref> During her stay in, she channeled her energy into playing the piano under the watchful eye of her uncle,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Stephanie Benson, Biography |url=https://www.ghanaweb.com/person/Stephanie-Benson-1538#google_vignette |access-date=2023-08-13 |website=www.ghanaweb.com}}</ref> and later got a residency singing and playing in one of the famous nightclubs called Strange Fellows nightclub in London, UK.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/entertainment/Mel-Gibson-witnessed-my-first-performance-Stephanie-Benson-589110|title=Mel Gibson witnessed my first performance – Stephanie Benson|website=ghanaweb.com|access-date=13 April 2019}}</ref><ref name="Online" />
==Career== During one of Benson's usual shows in the London nightclub, she was spotted by Pete Waterman,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Stephanie Benson, Biography |url=https://www.ghanaweb.com/person/Stephanie-Benson-1538#google_vignette |access-date=2023-08-13 |website=www.ghanaweb.com}}</ref> owner of PWL, who offered her a contract with his label. The deal led her to record and release her first single, "Now is the Time", placing her in the top 20 on UK dance charts.<ref name="ghanaforum.com">{{Cite web|url=http://www.ghanaforum.com/showthread.php/3145-Akosua-Agyapong-s-Sister-Stephanie-Benson-The-Diana-Ross-Look-Alike|title=Akosua Agyapong's Sister, Stephanie Benson The Diana Ross Look Alike|website=www.ghanaforum.com|access-date=8 March 2017}}{{Self-published source|date=January 2018}}</ref> Benson went on a promotional tour across Europe until her contract with PWL came to an end.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/artikel.php?ID=278626|title=Get to know Stephanie Benson|website=ghanaweb.com|access-date=11 March 2017}}</ref> She then started writing and collaborating with artists including Stevie Wonder, Wayne Vaughn (Earth Wind and Fire), Rob Davis (Kylie Minogue), Terry Britton (Tina Turner), Andy Hill (Bucks Fizz) and Danny Schogger (Celine Dion).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Stephanie Benson, Biography |url=https://www.ghanaweb.com/person/Stephanie-Benson-1538#google_vignette |access-date=2023-08-13 |website=www.ghanaweb.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Stephanie Benson Biography|url=http://www.stephaniebensonlive.com/bio.html#menu|website=stephaniebensonlive.com|accessdate=27 July 2016}}</ref>
=== Music school === In a bid to groom potential stars of Ghanaian talent in all fields of the industry, in April 2013, she announced the establishment of a music school named the Benson Entertainment Production Institute (BEPI) in Accra.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Stephanie Benson, Biography |url=https://www.ghanaweb.com/person/Stephanie-Benson-1538#google_vignette |access-date=2023-08-13 |website=www.ghanaweb.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Singer, Stephanie Benson establishes Benson Entertainment Production Institute|url=http://ameyawdebrah.com/singer-stephanie-benson-establishes-benson-entertainment-production-institute|website=ameyawdebrah.com|accessdate=27 July 2016|date=25 April 2013}}</ref> BEPI is intended to promote professional international standards relating to stage performances and rehearsals, theatre shows, TV shows and musical concerts, and training, as well as to serve commercial purposes.<ref>{{cite web|title=BIOGRAPHY: Stephanie Benson|url=http://ghanagist.com/biography-stephanie-benson/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160820074506/http://ghanagist.com/biography-stephanie-benson/|url-status=usurped|archive-date=20 August 2016|website=ghanagist.com|accessdate=27 July 2016|date=3 July 2013}}</ref> The first performance of students from BEPI was in 2014 at +233 Jazz Bar and Grill in Accra.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Stephanie Benson, Biography |url=https://www.ghanaweb.com/person/Stephanie-Benson-1538#google_vignette |access-date=2023-08-13 |website=www.ghanaweb.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Akese|first1=Efia|title=Stephanie Benson to showcase her students|url=http://www.graphic.com.gh/entertainment/music/stephanie-benson-to-showcase-her-students.html|location=Accra, Ghana|accessdate=27 July 2016|date=26 February 2015|newspaper=Daily Graphic}}</ref>
=== Performances for Royal family === Since taking on music commercially, Benson has entertained celebrities and important personalities at public and private events including the British royal household and Prince Charles, who said upon hearing her sing the first time, "You are one of the most amazing performers I've ever seen."<ref name="sb_bio" /> Benson has performed at events hosted by the British royals including Princess Anne, and reportedly exceeded her 15-minute allotted performance time for Prince Charles to approximately an hour because he enjoyed her act.<ref name="dress">{{Cite web |title=I don't dress to please anyone – Stephanie Benson |url=http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/entertainment/I-don-t-dress-to-please-anyone-Stephanie-Benson-279437 |access-date=8 March 2017 |website=ghanaweb.com}}</ref>
She received another invitation to sing for Prince William before his wedding to Kate Middleton on 29 April 2011.<ref name="dress" />
==Personal life==
=== Family === Benson is an older sister of Ghanaian highlife singer, Akosua Agyapong.<ref name="ghanaforum.com" /> She is married to John, and together they have five children<ref>{{Cite news |title=Meet the real Stephanie Benson |url=https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/entertainment/Meet-the-real-Stephanie-Benson-518591}}</ref>. The couple own a chocolate shop located in The Pantiles, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent.<ref name="sweet" />
On 22 April 2014 Benson was involved in a car accident.<ref>{{cite web |date=22 April 2014 |title=Stephanie Benson involved in an accident, car up in flames |url=http://www.myjoyonline.com/entertainment/2014/april-22nd/stephanie-benson-involved-in-accident-car-up-in-flames.php |website=myjoyonline.com |accessdate=27 July 2016}}</ref> Following this, she released a gospel single titled "My Prayer" as a way of showing appreciation and gratitude to God for saving her from the accident.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Listen UP: Stephanie Benson drops gospel single, 'My Prayer' |url=http://ameyawdebrah.com/listen-up-stephanie-benson-drops-gospel-single-my-prayer/ |access-date=13 March 2017 |website=ameyawdebrah.com}}</ref>
=== Surviving breast cancer === On 29 October 2015, Benson underwent surgery for breast cancer, a situation she described as shocking when she was diagnosed, revealing that she had lost her grandmother, mother and other relatives to the disease.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.myjoyonline.com/entertainment/2016/November-18th/surviving-breast-cancer-stephanie-benson-to-save-other-women.php|title=Surviving breast cancer: Stephanie Benson to save other women|date=18 November 2016|access-date=13 March 2017}}</ref> Following her survival, she trained to do a mountain walk in France on 1 September 2016 with the Dutch "Singing for your Life" team to raise funds towards a cancer research and mobile mammogram unit for Ghana, and support for the Dutch Cancer Society.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://thebftonline.com/lifestyle/20702/stephanie-benson-surviving-cancer-and-raising-funds.html|title=Stephanie Benson: surviving cancer and raising funds {{!}} Lifestyle -|website=thebftonline.com|access-date=13 March 2017|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170313215441/http://thebftonline.com/lifestyle/20702/stephanie-benson-surviving-cancer-and-raising-funds.html|archivedate=13 March 2017}}</ref>
Benson has publicly talked about surviving breast cancer after undergoing a total of 28 hours of surgery within three days.<ref>{{cite web|title=Stephanie Benson connects with female artistes|url=http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/entertainment/Photos-Stephanie-Benson-connects-with-female-artistes-425265|website=ghanaweb.com|accessdate=27 July 2016|date=22 March 2016}}</ref>
On 19 March 2016, at Labadi Beach Hotel's Omanye Hall in Accra, she held a women's gathering centered on her fight against breast cancer with the aim of encouraging and strengthening women amidst music and words of exhortation.<ref>{{cite news|last1=KOULIBALY|first1=KOUME|title=Sisters connect on wings of music|url=http://www.graphic.com.gh/entertainment/showbiz-news/sisters-connect-on-wings-of-music.html|location=Accra, Ghana|accessdate=27 July 2016|date=21 March 2016|newspaper=Daily Graphic}}</ref> She released her song titled "Dear Lord" at this event, which was attended by notable women including Nana Ama McBrown, Michelle McKinney-Hammond as well as singers Akosua Agyapong, Irene Logan, Yaa Yaa and Becca.<ref>{{cite web|title=Stephanie Benson Connects with Female Artistes|url=http://www.peacefmonline.com/pages/showbiz/music/201603/274014.php|website=peacefmonline.com|accessdate=27 July 2016|date=22 March 2016}}</ref>
== Brand ambassador == In October 2018, 3Foundation made her a brand ambassador to lead a breast cancer awareness campaign where she helped raised funds to support women affected by breast cancer to undergo reconstructive surgeries.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://dailyguidenetwork.com/stephanie-benson-unveiled-as-brand-ambassador-for-breast-cancer-awareness/|title=Stephanie Benson Unveiled As Brand Ambassador For Breast Cancer Awareness|date=8 October 2019|website=DailyGuide Network|access-date=8 October 2019}}</ref> In 2023, Stephanie Benson was made the Global Peace Ambassador for UK and Ghana and also received the United Nations Humanitarian Award and Leadership Award from President Biden.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Stephanie Benson receives prestigious Humanitarian Award at UN |url=https://citinewsroom.com/2023/08/stephanie-benson-receives-prestigious-humanitarian-award-at-un/}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Stephanie Benson receives UN’s Humanitarian Platinum Leadership award |url=https://www.myjoyonline.com/stephanie-benson-receives-uns-humanitarian-platinum-leadership-award/}}</ref>
==Discography== Since moving back to Ghana, Benson has released a number of albums, including ''Different Kind of Heaven'',<ref>{{Cite web |title=Different Kind Of Heaven - Single |url=https://music.apple.com/gh/album/different-kind-of-heaven-single/1640529195}}</ref> ''What are you doing with your life''<ref>{{Citation |title=Whatar You Doing With Your Life by Stephanie Benson on Apple Music |date=2015-11-27 |url=https://music.apple.com/gh/song/whatar-you-doing-with-your-life/1640549762 |access-date=2026-03-10 |language=en-GB}}</ref> and ''Friend''<ref>{{Citation |title=Friend - Single by Stephanie Benson on Apple Music |date=2015-11-27 |url=https://music.apple.com/ie/album/friend-single/1639430928 |access-date=2026-03-10 |language=en-GB}}</ref> all in 2015, as well as ''Dear Lord''<ref>{{Cite news |title=Stephanie Benson - Dear Lord |url=https://www.pulse.com.gh/story/music-video-stephanie-benson-dear-lord-2024080301182921589}}</ref> and ''I am worth it'' in 2016.
==References== {{reflist}}
== External links == * [https://www.youtube.com/@stephaniebensonlive Stephanie Benson's Channel] on Youtube * [https://www.boomplay.com/artists/33736 Stephanie Benson's Full Songs & Album]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Benson, Stephanie}} Category: Ghanaian highlife musicians Category:Musicians from Kumasi Category:1967 births Category:Ghanaian expatriates in the United Kingdom https://citinewsroom.com/2023/08/stephanie-benson-receives-prestigious-humanitarian-award-at-un/ https://thechronicle.com.gh/stephanie-benson-to-perform-at-uns-humanitarian-platinum-leadership-awards/ Category:Ghanaian singers Category:Ghanaian women musicians Category:Ghanaian women Category:Living people Category:Ghanaian women singers Category:Ghanaian singer-songwriters Category:20th-century singer-songwriters Category:21st-century singer-songwriters