Onyeka Onwenu, a towering figure in Nigerian music (with beautiful songs to show) and culture, has passed away. Her influence extended far beyond the world of entertainment. She was a passionate advocate for social justice, using her platform to address pressing issues facing the nation.
Known as the “Elegant Stallion,” Onwenu possessed a powerful voice that resonated deeply with Nigerians. Her music was a soundtrack to the lives of many. It blends traditional Igbo rhythms with contemporary sounds. Hits like “One Love” became anthems of unity and hope, transcending generations.
Beyond music, Onwenu was a prolific actress, gracing both the big and small screens with her talent. Her roles were often characterized by strength, resilience, and a deep connection to her people.
Her death is a profound loss for Nigeria. The void left by her absence will be difficult to fill. As we mourn her passing, we celebrate a life well-lived and a legacy that will continue to inspire for generations to come.
Check out these 7 classic songs by Onyeka Onwenu.
1. One Love
The song “One Love” by Onyeka Onwenu features the popular lyric “One love keeps us together.” This song has remained a constant presence on Nigerian radio and TV stations for decades after its release. It promotes a message of peace, love, and unity among Nigerians.
2. Wait For Me feat. Sunny Ade
“Wait For Me” is a duet between Onyeka Onwenu and Grammy-nominated Juju music legend King Sunny Ade. This collaboration showcases Onyeka Onwenu’s popularity and commercial success. During the 1980s, she was one of Nigeria’s biggest pop stars.
3. You and I
“You and I” is a love song that demonstrates the influence of funk and jazz on Nigerian pop music in the 1980s. In this song, Onyeka Onwenu uses both Pidgin English and Igbo languages. It remains a favorite soundtrack in Nigerian movies.
4. Ekwe
“Ekwe” is a fusion of funk and Igbo folk music. In this song, Onyeka Onwenu tells the story of a persistent suitor who is interested in a woman who doesn’t return his affections.
5. Bia Nulu
In “Bia Nulu,” Onyeka Onwenu expresses her spirituality. She calls on God to listen to the struggles of his people and ease their burdens.
6. Alleluya
“Alleluya” is another popular gospel song by Onyeka Onwenu. In this song, she expresses gratitude and joy.
7. Iyogogo
“Iyogogo” is a beautiful folk love song. In it, Onyeka Onwenu expresses the depth of her love while asking for total commitment from her lover. The musical group P-Square later used parts of this song in their single “Bank Alert.”
Wizkid’s ‘Kese (Dance)’ Reclaims Top Spot on Apple Music Nigeria
Wizkid’s latest single, ‘Kese (Dance)‘ dramatically returned to the Apple Music Nigeria Top 100 chart. The song temporarily disappeared on November 18, 2024, sparking widespread speculation among fans and music enthusiasts.
Fab.ng first reported the unexpected chart removal. Despite vanishing from the Nigerian chart, ‘Dance’ maintained its position on global Top 100 lists. Remarkably, it remained the sole Nigerian and African track on international charts.
Apple Music’s chart management protocols suggest potential reasons for the temporary removal. The platform commonly investigates potential streaming manipulation. When suspicious activity emerges, they remove and then reinstate tracks after verifying stream authenticity.
Fans and industry watchers developed multiple theories. Some believed the removal resulted from technical complications. Others suspected a deeper investigation into streaming patterns. The exact mechanism remained unclear.
Within hours, ‘Kese (Dance)’ returned to its top chart position. The song demonstrated sufficient streaming strength to reclaim its previous standing. Wizkid’s continued musical dominance remained unquestionable.
The incident generated additional excitement around Wizkid’s upcoming album ‘Morayo.’ Scheduled for release on November 22, 2024, the album generates significant anticipation. Wizkid strategically shared the official tracklist, further fueling fan enthusiasm.
Music industry observers noted the incident’s potential marketing impact. The temporary chart removal inadvertently increased visibility for both the single and the upcoming album. Wizkid’s strategic music release continues to capture the audience’s attention.
The event underscores the complex dynamics of digital music platforms. Streaming charts represent more than simple popularity metrics. They reflect intricate algorithmic and investigative processes.
Wizkid continues to demonstrate his significant influence in Nigerian and global music scenes. ‘Kese (Dance)’ represents another milestone in his remarkable musical journey.
Fans remain eager to experience the full ‘Morayo’ album, anticipating another potential chart-topping release from the superstar artist.
The 2025 Coachella Music Festival has revealed its spectacular lineup. Over 100 artists will perform at the iconic three-day event. Nigerian music will take centre stage with two remarkable performers.
Rema and Seun Kuti will represent Nigeria’s vibrant music scene. Seun Kuti makes history with his third Coachella appearance. He originally broke ground in 2012 as the first Nigerian performer at the festival.
Rema embarks on his Coachella debut, riding waves of international success. He has broken streaming records in the United States. His achievements include becoming the most-streamed Nigerian artist and holding the highest-charting song for a Nigerian musician.
The festival returns to its legendary location at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California. Thousands of music fans will gather from April 11-20 to experience world-class performances.
Headliners for the 2025 Coachella edition include massive stars. Lady Gaga, Post Malone, and Travis Scott will headline the main stages. These global icons promise electrifying performances.
Nigerian music continues to dominate international stages. Previous Coachella performers include Burna Boy, CKay, Spinall, Fireboy, and Tems. The 2024 edition saw Tems join Wizkid and Justin Bieber for a memorable “Essence” remix performance.
The lineup represents global musical diversity. Artists from multiple genres and countries will showcase their talents. Coachella remains a premier platform for musical innovation and cultural exchange.
Music enthusiasts worldwide anticipate this landmark event. The festival continues to push the boundaries of musical performance. It provides a global stage for emerging and established artists.
Rema and Seun Kuti’s performances symbolize Nigeria’s growing musical influence. Their inclusion highlights the country’s rich musical heritage and international appeal.
Coachella 2025 promises an unforgettable musical journey. Fans can expect extraordinary performances, cultural celebrations, and groundbreaking musical experiences.
Davido’s “Na Money” music video, featuring Angélique Kidjo and The Cavemen, has earned the prestigious Best Costume/Styling (Craft) award at the 12th Berlin Fashion Film Festival.
The vibrant video is directed by Dammy Twitch and produced by Blessing Uzzi. The video captivated audiences with its colourful costumes, cultural depth, and breathtaking visuals. This celebrates African heritage with impeccable creativity and style.
The win underscores the team’s exceptional attention to detail in showcasing the beauty of African fashion and culture. From the elaborate traditional attire to the contemporary designs, the video seamlessly blends visual artistry with the powerful Afrobeat sound of the track.
This recognition cements “Na Money” as a benchmark for combining music and fashion in innovative storytelling.
The Berlin Fashion Film Festival celebrates fashion and film annually.
It has recognized outstanding talent since its establishment. The festival is part of the larger Berlinale, a global cinema event dating back to 1951.
It focuses on creativity and craftsmanship in filmmaking. The festival highlights emerging talent across various artistic disciplines. It awards prestigious honours like the Golden Bears.
The event attracts filmmakers, designers, and film enthusiasts from around the world. The festival provides a platform for innovative storytelling through visual media.
Recognizing creative excellence supports artistic development. The award represents a significant achievement for artists and creators. For Davido and his team, this recognition underscores their contribution to global cultural representation.
The festival continues to be an important stage for showcasing innovative artistic expressions.
The video’s dynamic visuals and cultural richness not only earned industry accolades but also resonated with fans worldwide.
To experience the award-winning brilliance firsthand, watch Davido’s “Na Money,” featuring Angélique Kidjo and The Cavemen, now.
Let the stunning visuals and captivating storytelling take you on a journey through Africa’s vibrant cultural tapestry.
Explore the full list of winners on the festival’s official site and join in celebrating this milestone for African music and fashion.
