Nelly Uchendu Biography

Nelly Uchendu Biography

  • Okolorji John Kennedy
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    Okolorji John Kennedy
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Nelly Uchendu, born in 1950 in Umuchu, Aguata, Anambra State, Nigeria, was a famous Igbo highlife musician, composer, performer, and actress. She stood out as one of the few female Igbo highlife singers during her era. Uchendu gained widespread recognition with her 1976 song titled "Love Nwantinti," which earned her the nickname "Lady with the Golden Voice." Throughout her career, she released six LP recordings.

 

Nelly Uchendu

Nelly Uchendu

Early Life and Career 

 

 

Nelly Uchendu was born in 1950 in Umuchu, a town in Anambra State, Nigeria. She discovered her passion for singing at a young age and soon joined Professor Sonny Oti's music group where she showcased her vocal talent. In 1976, she gained widespread recognition with the release of her debut LP called "Love Nwantiti," which featured the popular song of the same name produced by Homzy Sounds. This song propelled her career to new heights and she went on to release other successful tracks like "Waka," "Aka Bu Eze," and "Mama Hausa," further establishing herself in the Nigerian music industry.

 

 

Uchendu's versatility as an artist allowed her to explore different genres of music including Igbo highlife, pop, and gospel. In the later part of her career, she also ventured into gospel music. Her talent and popularity extended beyond Nigeria, and she had the opportunity to perform in London, England, alongside Sir Warrior and his Oriental Brothers during the 1980s. This international exposure further enhanced her reputation as a talented musician and performer.

 

 

 

 

Family 

 

 

Nelly Uchendu got married to Obika Ikpeze, who resided in the USA, in the year 2000 when she was 50 years old. At the time of her passing, she had an 8-year-old daughter named Chidinma and a 7-year-old son named Kenechukwu Amaechi. It is uncertain whether she gave birth to them herself or if they were adopted.

 

 

Senator Joy Emordi, a close friend of Nelly, expressed deep sadness at her death. She believed that it was unfair for someone as kind and gentle as Nelly to be taken away. Senator Joy Emordi vowed to ensure that Nelly's two children would be well cared for.

 

 

During Nelly's burial, her colleagues from the Association of Female Musicians in Nigeria, led by their president Onyeka Onwenu, were present to pay their respects. In their tribute, they expressed their sorrow at the thought of not having Nelly's company anymore.

 

 

 

 

Acting Career 

 

 

In 1986, Nelly Uchendu made a guest appearance as Ikemefuna's mother in the televised adaptation of "Things Fall Apart" on NTA Network. During her appearance, she sang "Ikemefuna's Song." She also played the role of Tony's mother in the 1994 Nollywood film "Nneka the Pretty Serpent," where she had another singing role. Additionally, Uchendu lent her female vocals to the musical scene in the 1993 Igbo movie "Taboo."

 

 

 

 

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)

Onye bu nwannem

Akwa alili

Nga Meji Uwa

 

 

 

 

Is Nelly Uchendu Dead?

 

 

Yes, Nelly Uchendu passed away on April 12, 2005, at a hospital in Enugu State, Nigeria. She died at the age of 55 after battling an illness related to cancer.

 

 

 

 

Legacy 

 

 

Nelly Uchendu was a famous Nigerian musician and actress who was known as the "Lady with the Golden Voice." She had an incredible talent and was especially popular for her songs like "Love Nwantinti," which became big hits in Igbo highlife music. Uchendu was not just a singer but also a versatile actress, and she appeared in well-known productions such as "Things Fall Apart" and "Nneka the Pretty Serpent." Her remarkable achievements as a pioneering female artist and her significant contributions to Nigerian music will always be cherished and remembered.

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