Christy Igbokwe: Story of Nigeria's Late Lady of Songs Whose Granddaughter Is Carrying On Her Legacy
- Before the era of Afrobeats topping music charts, Nigeria's music industry was blessed with talented singers whose songs made it big beyond the country's shores
- Aside from communicating messages that evoked emotion and reflection through her songs, Christy Igbokwe was a singer many would gladly call a unifier
- From hit songs like Seun Rere to Akwa Ibom state’s unofficial anthem Akwa Ibom Mmi, Nigerian music legend Christy Igbokwe's legacy continues to live on
The late Nigerian music legend Christiana Uduak Essien-Igbokwe, also known as "Nigeria's Lady of Songs," was a blessing to the Nigerian music industry in the 70s and 80s.
Before the rise of the internet, social media, and music charts in Nigeria, Christy Igbokwe's fluency in her native Ibibio language, alongside English, Yoruba, Igbo, Efik, Hausa, and French, gave her music broad appeal across cultural and tribal lines, making her a household name in the country.
Source: Instagram
Christy Igbokwe is rated among Nigerian music legends like Onyeka Onwenu, Sonny Okosun, King Sunny Ade, Evi Edna Ogholi, Victor Uwaifo, Stella Monye, and others.
Christy Igbokwe's Life
The late singer, born in Okat, Onna, Akwa Ibom State, lost her mother when she was just 12. After her mother’s death, she moved to Aba, Abia, with a family friend who encouraged her to pursue her singing career and bought her a second-hand cassette player to record her songs.
In Aba, Christy began her music career as a teenager, where Pal Akalonu discovered her. While in Aba, she also ventured into acting, making appearances in Ukonu's Club on the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) in Aba. Her acting career peaked with her role as ‘Apena’ in the television serial Masquerade.
Christy Igbokwe later moved to Lagos, where she met her husband, Edwin Igbokwe, whom she was married to for over three decades.
Christy Igbokwe's Songs and Movies
Her fluency in Yoruba, English, Igbo, Hausa, and her native Ibibio language gave her an edge, allowing her to appeal to many Nigerians across tribal lines.
Some of Christy Igbokwe's songs include Teta Nu Na Ula, It's Time (released in 1988), You Can’t Change a Man, Akwa Ibom Hear the Call (released in 1990), Seun Rere (released in 1981), Moloro, Hear the Call (released in 1990), Take Life Easy, One Understanding (released in 1979), and Isaiah 26 Hear the Call (released in 1990).
Notable among her songs was Akwa Ibom Mmi, which was dubbed Akwa Ibom State's unofficial anthem, and Seun Rere, meaning "Do Good."
Seun Rere, a song rendered in Yoruba, focused on parenting. Christy Igbokwe played the role of a concerned mother who advised her child to do good.
She also echoed the belief among many Yoruba that when a child behaves well, the father is praised, but when the child goes astray, the mother is to be blamed.
Christy also made a name for herself in Nollywood, acting alongside top stars like Richard Mofe-Damijo, Ameze Imarhiagbe, and Ekpeyong Bassey Inyang in Flesh and Blood, directed by Chico Ejiro.
She was featured in Scars of Womanhood alongside Kate Henshaw, Sam Loco Efe, Justus Esiri, and Francis Duru.
Christy Igbokwe's Achievements
Aside from her songs, Christy Igbokwe was the first and only female president of the Performing Musicians Employers Association of Nigeria (PMAN), formed in 1981.
She was also inducted as a distinguished citizen with the Member of the Federal Republic (MFR) honor by the Nigerian government.
Christy Igbokwe had 10 albums to her name, releasing them between 1977 and 1992, and was working on her 11th album before her death.
Christy Igbokwe's Death
Christy Igbokwe's death on June 30, 2011, at age 50 in Lagos State, threw the nation into mourning.
She was honored by prominent figures, including former Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola, Onyeka Onwenu, Soni Irabor, Oritz Wiliki, Remi Tinubu, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, Aliko Dangote, and Victor Uwaifo, at her funeral.
14 Years After: Christy Igbokwe Lives On
Christy Igbokwe's granddaughter and rising star, 12-year-old Christiana Igbokwe, has chosen to follow in her grandmother's footsteps.
Christiana made waves on the international scene after she covered You're Welcome from Disney's Moana. She also reenacted her grandmother's hit song Seun Rere in 2022.
Women whose contribution to Afrobeat is generational
Legit.ng published an article dedicated to all Nigerian female singers, solo artists, backup singers, and studio hands who all helped make Afrobeat what it is today.
While accolades have been accorded to Fela Anikulapo-Kuti as the pioneer of the Afrobeat, some women in the industry also helped popularise the genre.
Women like Sandra Izsadore, Monnah Finnih, Onyeka Onwenu, Christy Essien Igbokwe, the Lijadu Sisters, and Christy Ogbah played roles in the growth of the music industry.
PAY ATTENTION: Сheck out news that is picked exactly for YOU ➡️ find the “Recommended for you” block on the home page and enjoy!
Source: Legit.ng
