Ugochi Lydia Onuoha (born 14 February 1997),[1][2] known professionally as Guchi, is a Nigerian Afropop singer.
Guchi | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Ugochi Lydia Onuoha |
| Born | February 14, 1997 Kaduna, Nigeria |
| Genres | |
| Occupation(s) | Singer |
| Labels | PG Records Entertainment |
Early life edit
Guchi is the second of four children; her family is from Mbaise in Imo State. She was born in Kaduna, in Kaduna State, but grew up in the capital city, Abuja.[1][2][3] She began singing in her church choir and for her grandparents when she was seven, and cites Michael Jackson, a favourite of her father's, as an early influence.[2][4] She began university studies at Edo State University; as of April 2019[update], after moving to Lagos, she was studying Theatre and Media Arts part-time at the University of Lagos.[1][3]
Career edit
She sings Afropop,[4] also dance hall and high-life, and started her professional career in 2012.[2][3]
Her debut single, "No Be Jazzy", was released in April 2019.[2][4] After signing with PG Records Entertainment, she released "Addicted" later that year, followed by "Closer" and in October 2020, a 5-track EP including that song, I Am Guchi.[5][6] In February 2021, she released "Jennifer", which inspired a viral challenge on TikTok and was re-released in June 2021 in a re-mixed version featuring the Tanzanian singer Rayvanny.[5][7] In October 2021, "Benzema", titled for French footballer Karim Benzema,[8] debuted at Number 3 on the Billboard Top Triller Global Chart.[5] In 2022, she was featured on Rayvanny's "Sweet" and in March released "Shattered".[9][10]
In January 2020, she became a two-year ambassador for the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency.[11][12]
Discography edit
Singles edit
| Year | Song Title | Album Details |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | "No Be Jazzy" | |
| 2019 | "Addicted" | |
| 2021 | "Benzema" | |
| 2021 | "Jennifer" | |
| 2021 | "Jennifer" (featuring) Rayvanny | |
| 2022 | "Shattered" | |
| 2022 | "Speedometer" |
EP edit
| Year | Title |
|---|---|
| 2020 | I Am Guchi |
Music videos edit
| Song Title |
|---|
| "Jennifer" |
| "Benzema" |
| "Addicted" |
| "Peri-Peri" |
| "Closer" |
| American Love |
Awards and nominations edit
| Year | Award ceremony | Award description | Result | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Prestige Entertainment | Best female artiste in Abuja | Won | [2] |
| 2021 | AFRIMA Awards | African Fan's Favourite | Nominated | [13] |
| 2021 | AEAUSA Awards | Best New Artist | Nominated | [14] |
| 2023 | The Headies | Rookie of the Year | Pending | [15] |
References edit
- ^ a b c Ukwuoma, Newton-Ray (27 April 2019). "I Prefer A Relationship Not Driven By Money Or Sex — Guchi". Nigerian Tribune (interview). Retrieved 13 May 2022.
- ^ a b c d e f Agbro, Joe Jr (20 April 2019). "GUCHI: Abuja showed me love but Lagos is better". The Nation (interview). Retrieved 13 May 2022.
- ^ a b c Olonilua, Ademola; Akinkahunsi, Timileyin (4 May 2019). "My song preaches true and genuine love — Guchi". Punch Nigeria (interview). Retrieved 13 May 2022.
- ^ a b c Njoku, Benjamin (20 April 2019). "Many Nigerian pop stars are yet to find their sounds — Guchi". Vanguard News (interview). Retrieved 13 May 2022.
- ^ a b c "Guchi: Africa's breakout star of the post-pandemic era". Pulse Nigeria. 15 November 2021. Retrieved 13 May 2022.
- ^ "Nigeria female music sensation 'GUCHI' set to drop her EP songs". Vanguard. 20 September 2020. Retrieved 13 May 2022.
- ^ Okanlawon, Taiwo (16 June 2021). "#Shedibalala challenge, Guchi, others blow up TikTok". P.M. News Nigeria. Retrieved 16 May 2022.
- ^ Matheka, Grace (27 September 2021). "Guchi releases new music video for her latest single 'Benzema'". HapaKenya. Retrieved 16 May 2022.
- ^ Skratch, Sammy (4 March 2022). "Guchi – Shattered". GH Gossip. Retrieved 16 May 2022.
- ^ "'Shattered' by Guchi is the official heartbreak anthem for 2022". Pulse Nigeria. 4 March 2022. Retrieved 23 May 2022.
- ^ Kalu, Nicholas (26 January 2020). "NDLEA unveils Guchi as anti-drug ambassador". The Nation. Retrieved 13 May 2022.
- ^ Onikoyi, Ayo (15 February 2020). "Guchi, Afropop singer seals ambassadorial deal with NDLEA". Vanguard News. Retrieved 16 May 2022.
- ^ "2021 Afrima Nominees List". Afrima.
- ^ "2021 Nomination List" (PDF). AEAUSA.
- ^ Akinyode, Peace (12 July 2023). "Full list: 2023 Headies nominations". Punch Newspapers. Retrieved 13 July 2023.