Evi Edna Ogholi

Biography

Evi Edna Ogholi (born 6 July 1966) is a Nigerian female reggae musician popular for her song "Happy Birthday×Happy Birthday1988 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 6 tracksA1Ririovara (Dry Your Tears)A2Wipe Dem OutA3Okioghene (God's Time)B1Happy BirthdayB2Message to YouthB3Okioghene (dub)".

Early life

Ogholi was born on 6 July 1966 in Emede Isoko south, Delta State (then Midwest Region) to the household of Reverend R. O. Ogholirly. She married her producer and manager Emma Ogosi, and they had two children. The couple later separated, with Ogholi moving to Paris shortly after.

Career

Ogholi released her debut album My Kind of Music in 1987. Emma Ogosi was her manager and producer. Her popular hits are "Happy Birthday×Happy Birthday1988 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 6 tracksA1Ririovara (Dry Your Tears)A2Wipe Dem OutA3Okioghene (God's Time)B1Happy BirthdayB2Message to YouthB3Okioghene (dub)", "Oghene Me", and "Look Before You Cross". After a long vacation from the music scene Ogholi unveiled her plans to resume to entertain her fans, during her interview with BBC Pidgin and Splash 105.5 FM Ibadan.

APCN humanitarian awards

In 2020, she was honored and endorsed as the brand Ambassador of Hope and Peace to Aid People Change Nigeria Charity and Orphanage Organisation in Nigeria and Ireland to host Nigeria and Ireland largest humanitarian 12th edition award event.

Other names

Ogholi earned the recognition 'Queen of Nigeria reggae' firstly from a Nigerian reggae music legend blessed memory of Majek Fashek to later be known globally with her act. She told BBC Pidgin during her interview that her reggae wristband was a gift from Majek Fashek to her, after they finished recording with their band in a studio section in Lagos. She was later known for other names like 'Africa's Queen Of Reggae', a nickname she earned from fans in west Africa, after she released three albums that went platinum.

Endorsement

Ogholi was an ambassador for Pepsi in 1990, and featured in a commercial for the brand with Yvonne Chaka Chaka, Charly Boy, and Femi Kuti.

Controversy

After Ogholi left the Nigerian music scene in 1990 she volunteered for UNICEF in France for almost nineteen years. Rumors circulated on Instagram, Facebook and blogs that she had died were dispelled in 2020 and Nigerian national journalists contacted her for a press release.

Record deal

In 2020 she signed a five-year record deal with Enorecords owned by Nigeria reggae singer Winning Jah. In August 2020, she released an EP under the imprint, titled Peace and Love×Peace and Love16 August 2020 · EPSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 8 tracks1Peace and Love2:582UREHE ( It's Not Over, Until It Is Over)3:463NoBody Can Please The World3:284Happy Birthday (REMIX)3:185My Love In A Jazzy Place2:216Paris Est Belle (Paris Is Beautiful)2:097Let Us Be Happy2:398Africa3:31 which included a remix of her most popular song 'Happy Birthday×Happy Birthday1988 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 6 tracksA1Ririovara (Dry Your Tears)A2Wipe Dem OutA3Okioghene (God's Time)B1Happy BirthdayB2Message to YouthB3Okioghene (dub)'. The EP was produced, mixed and mastered by the label's in-house producer Ayemere Joshua, commonly known by his stage name 'Jossy Joe'.

Legacy

Today, Ogholi's legacy is seen to have "had a lasting impact on Nigerian music", as she is considered as "inspiring a new generation of artists and bringing the essence of Isoko culture into mainstream Nigerian music".