Nelly Uchendu

Nelly Uzonna Edith Uchendu, MON. (1950 – 12 April 2005), was a Nigerian singer, composer and actress.[2] Revered for modernizing traditional Igbo folk music, Uchendu rose to prominence upon the release of her 1976 song "Love Nwantinti" which earned her the "Lady with the Golden Voice" sobriquet. She released 6 LP recordings during her career.[3][4]

Nelly Uchendu
Born
Nelly Uzonna Edith Uchendu

1950 (1950)
Umuchu, Aguata, Anambra State, Nigeria
Died2005 (aged 54–55)
Enugu State, Nigeria
NationalityNigerian
Spouse(s)
Obika Ikpeze
​
(m. 2000)​
[1]
Musical career
GenresIgbo highlife, gospel, Pop,
Occupation(s)performer, singer
InstrumentsVocals
Years active1973–2005
Labels
  • Homzy
  • Afrodisia

Life and career

She was born in 1950 in Umuchu, a town in Aguata local government area of Anambra State, Eastern Nigeria, Uchendu started singing at an early age. She later joined Professor Sonny Oti's music group under which she flourished using her vocals. In 1976, her music career shot to limelight following the release of the Homzy Sounds-produced classic titled "Love Nwantiti" off her debut LP composition Love Nwantiti; before she went on to release "Waka", "Aka Bu Eze" and "Mama Hausa" which further established her in the Nigeria music industry.[5] Her music career saw her record in several genres of music including Igbo highlife, pop and gospel music which she did in the later part of her career.[6] Uchendu's career also saw her perform outside Nigeria, most notably performing in London, England alongside Sir Warrior and his Oriental Brothers during the 1980s.[7]

Acting

In 1986, Uchendu appeared as Ikemefuna's mother in NTA Network's televised version of Things Fall Apart, and later as Tony's mother in the 1994 Nollywood movie Nneka the Pretty Serpent. Both were singing roles.

Discography
  • Love Nwantiti (1976)
  • Aka Bu Eze (1977)
  • Mama Awusa (1978)
  • I Believe (1979)
  • Ogadili Gi Nma (1982)
  • Make a New Nigeria (1988)
  • Ezigbo Dim (1982)
  • Nye ya ekele(1995)
  • Nna cheta m(1995)

Recognitions

In recognition of her contributions to music in Nigeria, Uchendu received the national honour of Member of the Order of the Niger by former Nigerian president Shehu Shagari in 1980.[8] One of her composition titled "Ikemefuna's Song" was used as a soundtrack in a 1980s film adaptation of Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart.[9]

Death

She died on 12 April 2005 in a hospital in Enugu State, Nigeria after a reported cancer-related illness.[4][10] She was aged 55.[11]

References
  1. Patience Saduwa (30 July 2000). "Nelly Uchendu Made a Fool of Again!". The Guardian. Retrieved 25 September 2016.
  2. Sonala Olumhense (21 March 2015). "Happy Married Life, Nigeria! By Sonala Olumhense". Sahara Reporters. Retrieved 25 September 2016.
  3. Chittaranjan Das (1993). Folklores of Mankind. Institute of Oriental and Orissan Studies.
  4. Tell. Tell Communications Limited. 2005.
  5. Brian Fitzgerald; John Gilchrist (23 May 2015). Copyright Perspectives: Past, Present and Prospect. Springer. pp. 105–. ISBN 978-3-319-15913-3.
  6. "Nelly Uchendu: Biography". The Sun Newspaper. naijamusiclist.com. Retrieved 24 September 2016.
  7. Oji Onoko (1999). Glimpses of Our Stars: An Intimate Encounter with Leading Nigerian Artistes. All Media International Limited.
  8. Africa Woman. Africa Journal Limited. 1980.
  9. M. Keith Booker (2003). The Chinua Achebe Encyclopedia. Greenwood Publishing Group. pp. 257–. ISBN 978-0-325-07063-6.
  10. Uzo Chikere (23 April 2005). "Nigeria: Female Artistes Urge Govt to Participate in Nelly Uchendu's Burial". Daily Champion. allAfrica. Retrieved 24 September 2016.
  11. Ogbonna Amadi; Anayo Okoli (28 May 2005). "Love Nwantiti: Nelly Uchendu joins ancestors". Online Nigeria. Awka, Anambra State. Retrieved 24 September 2016.
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