by JR Valrey, The Minister of Information, Oakland Bureau of the San Francisco Bay View newspaper
The upcoming “D’Wayne Wiggins Presents” tour to Ghana in December is a historic event and campaign for the Bay Area. The legendary R&B group Tony, Toni, Tone recently toured Ghana, along with the opening act Keidra, but on this upcoming tour even more artists are coming to continue to build a cultural bridge between the Bay Area and the African nation of Ghana.
Stacy Audriene is one of four powerful Bay Area based women vocalists who are being featured on this tour, and she is a very unique sounding singer, with a very unique story. I wanted to give the Bay View and Black New World Media the inside line on this historic upcoming transcontinental musical endeavor. Stay tuned to read Stacy Audriene in her own words.
JR Valrey: How long have you been a singer?
Stacy Audriene: I have been singing since the tender age of 5; my mother was a music composer. I’ve been singing professionally since age 18.
JR Valrey: What have been some of the highlights of your career?
Stacy Audriene: I’m working with Grammy nominated singer Regina Bell on her “Reaching Back” album singing background, recording for Lenny Williams, working on recording projects with Priority Records with Ant Banks and, last but not least, living in Japan singing for three months! I have been blessed to have many highlights.
JR Valrey: Can you talk about the upcoming D’Wayne Wiggins tour to Ghana, which you will be featured on? How did you and D’Wayne hook up musically?
Stacy Audriene: When I was 18 years old, my singing group “Emage” sang background for D’Wayne at a wedding, and the rest was history! Being from Oakland, we worked with some of the same artists, so it’s like we are family.
There is a spirit of love and calmness there.
JR Valrey: You were recently in Ghana over the summer, what made you want to come back?
Stacy Audriene: I had the experience of a lifetime! I felt welcomed. I felt at home, and I want to share my gifts and talents with my people at home, in Africa.
JR Valrey: How do you feel about Ghana? Why?
Stacy Audriene: I absolutely LOVE Ghana! My grandmother told me we were from West Africa, Liberia to be exact. When I got to Ghana and was welcomed home at that point, I didn’t care when I came back to America. There is a spirit of love and calmness there. I actually want dual citizenship!
JR Valrey: What are some of the things that you want to accomplish in Ghana?
Stacy Audriene: I would not only want to share my gift of song there, I want to help women through my nonprofit organization, www.sharonrandolphfoundation.com. I help women who are going through treatment of breast cancer.
We have two main programs that are in operation here in California. Our “Look Good, Feel Good” program gives state of the art hair systems to women who lose hair. This is not a wig, these ladies are able to swim, work out, live a life of vibrancy, and not fear a wig flying off in the wind. We also feed women in treatment every Thursday, delivering food items and produce to their doors.
JR Valrey: Can you talk about your cousin, actress Brely Evans, and what you will be attending with her in Ghana?
Stacy Audriene: Her event has not been confirmed; however, since I’m on the tour, she is coming to support me.
JR Valrey: How can people keep up with you online?
Stacy Audriene: IG:@stacyahogg
Facebook: Stacy Audriene Hogg
TikTok: unstoppablestacy
JR Valrey, journalist, author, filmmaker and founder of Black New World Media, heads the SF Bay View’s Oakland Bureau. He can be reached at blockreportradio@gmail.com or on Facebook. Visit www.BlackNewWorldMedia.com to read more.
