The Unsung History of Evi-Edna Ogholi, Nigeria’s Queen of Reggae
Evi-Edna Ogholi is often credited as Nigeria’s first woman reggae musician who permanently changed the genre’s landscape—but her story is widely unknown.
In the 1980s, during the golden age of Nigerian reggae and amidst a scene dominated by men, Evi-Edna Ogholi emerged as a superstar who was just as prolific as any of her contemporaries, if not more. She’s credited as Nigeria’s first woman reggae musician, often called Nigeria’s “Queen of Reggae” and a master guitarist who is known for singing in her Isoko dialect. From 1987 through 1990, Ogholi released six albums (three of which went platinum), wrote one of Nigeria’s most famous songs to date, and permanently changed the landscape of Nigerian reggae.
Yet, outside of her home country, we’ve heard very little about Ogholi’s life and career. And even there, not much public documentation, aside from a few brief articles, can be found on the internet. This shortage of information could be for a variety of reasons: Maybe it was her disappearance in the 1990s, during the height of her career, when she fled to Paris with her two children to escape an abusive marriage. Or maybe, following her flight, she felt silenced out of fear. Or maybe the world just didn’t see the significance at the time—or after. As is the case with so many black women musicians throughout history, the lack of recognition has been detrimental to both black culture as well as our consummate understanding of music history.
Whatever the reasons, and despite the few facts available, Ogholi’s story is one that needs telling.
Born in Isoko, a region in the Delta State of Nigeria, in 1965, Ogholi began her music career at just 22 years old. She moved to Lagos with a demo tape in 1987, and that same year she released her debut album, My Kind of Music, on Polygram (now known as Premier). She was a maven of the guitar, and her fans called her ‘Njoku Reggae’ because she made ‘njoku, njoku’ sounds as she strummed. Around this time, she also met musician Emma Oghosi, who became her manager and producer, and eventually her husband, with whom she had two children with.
Ogholi released five more albums during this period: On The Move (1988), Happy Birthday (1988), No Place Like Home (1989), Burstin’ Loose (1990), and Step by Step (1990). By the age of 25, she was a Nigerian household name, and her first two albums, along with Step by Step, are considered her most popular releases, and reportedly went platinum.
Sparking feelings of unity and love, Ogholi’s music spoke directly to her people: “Message to the Youth” offered advice to the younger generation in Nigeria about peace and leading by example; “No Place Like Home” honors Nigeria from near and far; and her most famous song, “Happy Birthday,” is considered a Nigerian anthem and still played throughout West African at birthday celebrations today.
“The ingredients that make my music special are melody, the message, rhythm, simplicity, and right from the very start, I don’t sing like anybody. I get inspiration from Jamaican reggae greats like Bob Marley, Sugar Minott, Dillinger, U-Roy, I-Roy, Yellow Man, and John Holt, etc. In brief, I just try to be myself, R A S T A F A R I A N-style.”
The Guardian Nigeria
Ogholi went on to tour West Africa with sponsorships from Pepsi and other big companies, entrancing audiences with her smooth vocals that oscillated between English and Isoko. However, in the late 1990s, Ogholi abruptly disappeared from music when she fled to Paris with her two children. It wasn’t until 2016 when Ogholi publicly spoke out about the abuses she faced by the hand of her ex-husband, Emma Ogosi: “I travelled out of Nigeria because of my ex-husband (Emma Ogosi). He is very VIOLENT. Emma Ogosi turned me to his PUNCHING BAG, while I was married to him.”
Today, Ogholi still lives in Paris, and has recently started performing and writing again. In 2018, she released the album Peace in the World, which incorporates jazz into her original reggae compositions. She continues to perform and tour throughout Europe and West Africa, and also volunteers for United Nations Children’s Educational Fund (UNICEF).
It is our hope with the story of Evi-Edna Ogholia, and more profiles to come, to shed a brighter light on the women in music who long deserve it. There is so much to discover out there, so many stories neglected or left out of the narrative—go beyond the history you’ve been told.
Comments
This is a master piece. There are so many unsung heroes out there. And definitely Edna is one of them. She does deserve some recognition because she played a pivotal role in the Nigeria music industry. Thanks for this beautiful write up.
Comment by Abby on October 4, 2020 at 5:32 amGrowing up in Accra-Ghana in the ’80s was fun listening to such a young talented female artist from West Africa. Edna became a household name in Ghana and every young chap was mesmerized by the prolific style of her reggae rhythm. I play her birthday anthem(Happy birthday) reggae style anytime I’d to wish someone on their birthday. I’m enthused that she’s alive and coming back to continue doing what she loves, which is music. I also applaud her for mustering the courage to stand up and exposed the coward ex-husband of her abuse; good for her!!!
Comment by Eddie Nubuor on November 16, 2020 at 10:26 amSome of us can’t wait to listen more to her future album releases. Good luck to her. God bless!!!
I have been in love with this lady’s music from day one. I want to contact her if anybody can help. I live in Ghana and am 65 years old. good morning.
Comment by kwaku on February 4, 2021 at 10:59 pmYou are amazing singer. I can recall in August 1987 when my twin brother and I celebrated our birthday, your albums was the top of day. Our DJ played all your tracks over and over! I can remember copying the address on your album and send out a letter congratulating you for the wonderful album. Kudos to you. Love you.
Comment by Paul Kenny on February 22, 2021 at 8:55 pmThanks for shading light of your disappearance since many years ago. I am also amongs your big fans in does days as far back in 1988.
Comment by Ansu Conteh on December 25, 2021 at 3:09 pmYour music was very popular by then in Gambia both in the rural and the urban areas of Gambian community. But eventually you have disappeared in tiny air.
But thank God that you are back in life to us as fan and you are back in live into music.
YOU ARE VERY WARM WELCOME.
Nice story!
Comment by Chicgoua Noubactep on May 20, 2022 at 4:38 amI have never heart about the dark side of your life, Sister!
Just proud that you managed it.
I simply love your music. In the early 1990s I made a special Ogholi tape with three times “No Place like Home” and three times “One Kilometer” on 60 minutes, Obaro came twice, although I had zero idea on the message. A such wonderful melody could only carry a nice message. Perhaps the most crazy thing is that I started the collection with Umqombothi from my other lady (Yvonne Chaka Chaka).
Stay blessed!
Evi-Edna Ogholia for ever!