Nigerian Music Nigeria – Chidinma Returns With Obi M O

Source:allafrica.com, 28 January 2010

As the music industry continues to boom with more artists recording commercial success, it is gradually becoming the trend for foreign-based Nigerian musicians to return home to showcase their talents and do what they know best.

One of such people is Chidinma Elenor, who recently flew into the country, to register her presence on the music circuit and add her voice to the Nigerian symphony. Since she came in, her twin singles Obi m’ o and Show me your 32 have hit the airwaves and have been receiving accolades from listeners. A few radio Disc Jockeys who lay hold on her works jostled to be the first to showcase Chidinma O, as she prefers to be called, on air.

Not only did her singles rule radio programmes, they have also became the hot feature on chat shows. Recently, she was guest to ace producer and presenter, Jacob Akinyemi Johnson (JAJ), on Silverbird TV, and on Rhythm FM with DJ Big Time. Other famous presenters that have jostled for her presence in their shows include Olisa and Oreba of Beat FM while entertainment show host, D1 (Dayo Adeneye), is scheduled to host her on Prime Time Jamz.

Though born in the U.S., Chidinma had her early childhood in Port Harcourt where she went through her primary and secondary education. She has been singing since the age of five and soon got to be the lead singer in her church choir then. She later moved back to the U.S. to further her studies at Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering in June 2007. And currently works as a System Engineer.

Often compared with the likes of Whitney Houston,Toni Braxton, Christy Essien-Igbokwe and Beyonce because of her distinct improvisation skills, stage presence and wide vocal range, Chidinma is a highly talented and energetic vocalist with extensive and diverse experience in entertaining live audience. She grabs every opportunity to exhibit the stage presence and performance that often bring down the house.

Chidinma Elenor, who hails from Abia State, Nigeria, was born in Texas, United States of America. She completed her education in the U.S. and worked there as an electrical engineer until she decided to obey the Nigerianness in her by returning home to do her thing. Her hobbies include singing, writing and teaching music. Music, she says, has always been a part of her family as long as she can remember. “For me, music is a passion,” she says.

Last summer, she won a challenge to sing with acclaimed artist, Banky W., at a Nigerian Reunion party in California. Although the performance never happened due to organisational planning and logistical issues, Banky W. was impressed and invited her to perform with him the following weekend in Maryland. They both mesmerised the crowd with Banky’s awe-inspiring duet, Till my Dying Day.

She has also performed at some major Nigerian events in the U.S. like the Miss Nigeria in America 2004 Beauty Pageant, where she opened proceedings with the Nigerian National Anthem.

While cutting her teeth on the Nigerian soil, she hopes to do a collabo with any of the male stars around, based on advice from her music confidant, Don Jazzy. Commenting on Nigerian professional music, Chidinma believes the industry is unequally tilted to favour male acts.

“I believe there is room for me to make a good impression, because there are not many female vocalists on the scene.” On her kind of music, Chidinma says she sings about life. “Hip-hop is making waves right now, but I will do my own style of music. I won’t try to please everybody, but to balance things and give people what they can relate with while also doing what I am comfortable with.”

Nigerian Music Nigeria Banky W, Silverbird Group