Nelly Uzonna Edith Uchendu, MON (1950 – 2005) was a Nigerian singer, actress and songwriter. Born in 1950 in Osete Umuchu, a town in Aguata local government area of Anambra State, Eastern Nigeria, Uchendu started singing at an early age. She was revered for modernizing the traditional Igbo folklore music upon the release of her debut album “Love Nwantinti” in 1967.
Career
Nelly Uchendu started her professional music career with 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 classic titled “Love Nwatinti” EP under Homzy Sounds records label. She later went on to release “Waka”, “Akabueze” and “Mama Hausa” which further established her in the Nigeria music industry.
Her music career saw her recording in several genres of music including Igbo highlife, pop and gospel music which she did in the later part of her career.
Uchendu has a successful career which earned her so many awards and top notch performances outside Nigeria, most notably in London, United Kingdom alongside Sir Warrior and his Oriental Brothers during the 1980s.
Nelly Uchendu has over 10 successful albums to her name including:
- Love Nwantiti (1976)
- Aka Bu Eze (1977)
- Mamausa (1978)
- I Believe (1979)
- Ogadili Gi Nma (1982)
- Make a New Nigeria (1988)
In recognition of her contributions to music in Nigeria, Uchendu received the national honour of “Member of the Order of the Niger MON” by the then former Nigerian civil president Shehu Shagari in 1980.
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.
Uchendu also featured in a few successful movies as an actress including Nneka The Pretty Serpent (1994) and Things Fall Apart (1986).
Nelly Uchendu Songs.
Here is a comprehensive list of Nelly Uchendu songs:
- Love Nwantiti
- Yeghe Yeghe
- Ogadili Gi Nma
- Nga Meji Uwa
- Udo Ego
- Elozekwanna Nwanne Gi
- Akwa Alili
- Chukwu Nyelum Ono
- Onye Oma Zoro
- Okwu Di Nlo
- Kpokube Olisa
- Ada Eze
- Onye Nwulu Ozuluike
- Cheta Tikue Jehovah
- Mamausa Pts 1 & 2
- Ekwensu Adago
- Onye Oma Theresa
- Love Nwantiti (feat. Mike Obianwu)
- Oma Bu Nwunyem
- Omalugo
- Nwa Bialu Ije
- Chukwu Nyelum Onu
- Akabueze
- You Made Me Love You
- I Can Hear Your Song
- I Believe
- I’ll Be Near
- Can’t Part From You
- Wakabout
- Onye Oma Zoro (feat. Mike Obianwu)
- Onye Oma Theresa (feat. Mike Obianwu)
- Omalengwo (feat. Mike Obianwu)
- Ezigbo Dim
- Show Me (Nigeria)
- Green Eagles Special
- Yeghe Yeghe
- Oga Adili Gi Mma
Download Nelly Uchendu Songs mp3 here.
Family
Nelly Uchendu was married to Obika Ikpeze.
Death
Nelly Uchendu died on 12 April 2005 in a hospital in Enugu State, Nigeria after a reported cancer-related illness. She was aged 55.