Music

Emma Ogosi – Senyiwa

Published by Admin on March 21st, 2024.

EMMA OGOSI BIOGRAPHY
Nigerian Singer Emma Ekenem Ogosi was born on the 14th of August 1942 in Akure, Ondo State. He hails from Asaba, Delta State but spent most of his childhood away from home, transversing here and there as a result of his father’s occupation.
Before venturing into music, Emma spent a span of five years in the Nigerian Air force and served as a trainee in Germany as an Aircraft Engineer courtesy of The Nigerian Air force and from there he began to learn how to play the guitar.
Emma’s childhood exposure and explorations helped to influence his conception of life and artistry. He has cited his musical influences to include Legendary singers Emmanuel Nita, I.k Dairo, Roy Chicago, Elvis Presley,The Beatles, Cliff Richard and lots others.
In 1968, Emma went into music professionally and played with several Pop groups like Water Babies, D Reasons, POGO LTD, D Expensives and Kosmic 3, both in Germany and in Nigeria. Emma was a pioneer TV producer and director with the Midwest Television, now called ‘NTA Benin’, and his contributions to the media has never been underestimated till date.
Emma came up as a solo artist in 1980 and the following year, he released his first renowned album ‘Nobody Knows’, an album that was widely received by lovers of good music both in Nigeria and the diaspora. Subsequently, Emma released other albums titled, ‘It’s not easy’, ‘Sweet love’, ‘Weekend show’ etc
With the discovery of the disorganized structure of the music industry in the 80s, a union of Musicians called ‘ Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria’ (PMAN), was formed in 1982 with Emma Ogosi as the first Secretary General of the Association, an office he oversaw for six years.
Emma’s musical genre ranges from Country music to Highlife and Afro-funk. Being a pioneer builder, Emma has helped to discover and nurture several artists like Evi-Edna Ogholi, who is still widely known as ‘Nigeria’s first woman reggae super star.
Emma’s achievements over the years still speak volumes and like the saying goes, ‘in art, you don’t retire’, the vibrant talented Singer is coming out with an afrobeat-Highlife song, a single titled SENYIWA.
Emma Ogosi is 81 plus; vintage wine!

63 years ago at the age of 18, I heard this song on radio.
SENYIWA, a Ghanaian folk tune.
I was in secondary school then; here in Nigeria!
Two of my schoolmates, Nicholas Songwe (a Cameroonian) and Nathan (surname forgotten) and I formed an acapela group.
Each time we performed SENYIWA at school events, it was to a standing ovation.
A few months ago, d song came back to me.
So, I decided to record it in dedication to those friends of mine whom I still can’t find despite today’s Internet opportunities.
I have jazzed-up d song a bit with some Yoruba lyrics and one or two Igbo words for a wider audience!
EMMA OGOSI 81 & proud!

Go to SPOTIFY & other streaming platforms.

Stream and download below…