The Queens of Music - The 1950s to 1999

The music industry has always been male-dominated, and the situation is not different in the Nigerian music industry. However, we cannot say females have not been well represented either. 

Through the rise and exit of different genres from the 1960s till date, we continue to celebrate an increasing number of female voices in the Nigerian music Industry. And these are not just any voices. They are queens who have refused to drown in the flood of male voices. Women who have risen above discrimination and marginalisation and permitted other women to do the same. 

Hold on! This is not a post on feminism. I’m just here to celebrate good music and its creators. One of the beautiful things is how we have them spread across different genres. 

In the 1980s reign of Reggae music, there was Evi Edna Ogholi, the queen of reggae. Her single Happy Birthday has retained its spot as the best birthday song to date. I think we can agree on that much. After a long break of 19 years, during which she moved to France, she is fully back and released an album last year. 

The name Onyeka Onwenu still rings the bell loud in the hearts of many. The talented singer, activist, politician, journalist, and actress has many accolades to her name. Her musical career started in 1981 while still working as a staff of the NTA. Her songs cover a broad range of topics - love, tolerance, national unity, and lifestyle. She transitioned to Christian/gospel music in the early 1990s and continues to blaze the trail to date. Click here to listen - Onyeka Onwenu

I know the fans of waka music will not forget Salwa Abeni anytime soon. The singer started her musical career in 1976 and has remained active to date with a whopping 34 albums to her name. Although she was named Queen of Waka by Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, this musical genre was actually popularised by Batile Alake in the 1950s. 

However, the queens of the 20th century will not be complete without mentioning the legendary Christy Essien-Igbokwe, dubbed Nigeria's First Lady of songs. She was particularly passionate about the welfare and development of children, and many of her works reflected this. 

She held 45 international and national awards during her lifetime and has won 5 posthumous awards to arrive at a whole 50! She is credited as the brain behind the formation of PMAN - Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria. Her song, Seun Rere, will have you dancing and thinking about your life at the same time. I stan a queen that can do both.

Also worthy of mention is the ageless Sade Adu. Now that is a name and a title. Although regarded as one of the most successful female British artists in history, she is Nigerian-born and hails from Ekiti state. She is the first Nigerian to win a Grammy ever.

One has to admit that these women did not thrive or enjoy good public reception because of their gender. It was not about sexual appeal. They were extraordinarily good at what they did, and one can unquestionably see it in their music. Of course, they were not the only female artists of their time, but they stood out and have rightfully earned the honour of being called queens.

Is there any artist from this period you think should be on this list? Kindly share your thoughts in the comment section.