Ugochi Lydia Onuoha (born 1996 or 1997),[1][2] known professionally as Guchi, is a Nigerian Afropop singer.

Guchi
Birth nameUgochi Lydia Onuoha
BornKaduna, Nigeria
Genres
OccupationSinger
LabelsPG Records Entertainment

Early life

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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, after moving to Lagos, she was studying Theatre and Media Arts part-time at the University of Lagos.[1][3]

Career

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She sings Afropop,[4] as well as 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

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Singles

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Year Song Title Album Details
2019 "No Be Jazzy"
2019 "Addicted"
2021 "Benzema"
2021 "Jennifer"
2021 "Jennifer" (featuring) Rayvanny
2022 "Shattered"
2022 "Speedometer"
Year Title
2020 I Am Guchi

Music videos

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Song Title
"Jennifer"
"Benzema"
"Addicted"
"Peri-Peri"
"Closer"
American Love

Awards and nominations

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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

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  1. ^ 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.
  2. ^ 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.
  3. ^ 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.
  4. ^ 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.
  5. ^ a b c "Guchi: Africa's breakout star of the post-pandemic era". Pulse Nigeria. 15 November 2021. Retrieved 13 May 2022.
  6. ^ "Nigeria female music sensation 'GUCHI' set to drop her EP songs". Vanguard. 20 September 2020. Retrieved 13 May 2022.
  7. ^ Okanlawon, Taiwo (16 June 2021). "#Shedibalala challenge, Guchi, others blow up TikTok". P.M. News Nigeria. Retrieved 16 May 2022.
  8. ^ Matheka, Grace (27 September 2021). "Guchi releases new music video for her latest single 'Benzema'". HapaKenya. Retrieved 16 May 2022.
  9. ^ Skratch, Sammy (4 March 2022). "Guchi – Shattered". GH Gossip. Retrieved 16 May 2022.[permanent dead link]
  10. ^ "'Shattered' by Guchi is the official heartbreak anthem for 2022". Pulse Nigeria. 4 March 2022. Retrieved 23 May 2022.
  11. ^ Kalu, Nicholas (26 January 2020). "NDLEA unveils Guchi as anti-drug ambassador". The Nation. Retrieved 13 May 2022.
  12. ^ Onikoyi, Ayo (15 February 2020). "Guchi, Afropop singer seals ambassadorial deal with NDLEA". Vanguard News. Retrieved 16 May 2022.
  13. ^ "2021 Afrima Nominees List". Afrima. Archived from the original on 28 September 2022. Retrieved 21 November 2021.
  14. ^ "2021 Nomination List" (PDF). AEAUSA. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 November 2021. Retrieved 21 November 2021.
  15. ^ Akinyode, Peace (12 July 2023). "Full list: 2023 Headies nominations". Punch Newspapers. Retrieved 13 July 2023.