THE ESSENCE OF 'ESSENCE' IN NIGERIA MUSICAL SCENE

THE ESSENCE OF 'ESSENCE' IN NIGERIA MUSICAL SCENE
By Alonge Michael
Okoro Uwale, a new sensational in the musical scene in Nigeria popularly called 'Essence' has not only come to dazzle with her contemporary African rhythms and vibes mixed with R&B and Hip-Hop in the industry but has come to make a statement as an outstanding singer who is poised to take her musical talent beyond the shore of the country.
The twenty something Delta born music idol is a Bachelor of Arts, 2001 graduate of Delta State University, Abraka. Her love for music started at a very tender age of 5, through her primary school years, she stood out as outstanding girl as her love for song and singing progressively developed. At this period, Uwale, a dynamite and growing up girl took music as a mere passion, this, of course, forced her to join the choir of her church after her secondary school days. But what she took as a mere passion those growing up days, has, today, become her bedrock.
Before she graduated from the University, Essence started towing super star traits, she had brief stints on Television, she was the brain behind that popular song “Joy to the World” in 1997, the song was a delight to every listener and viewer of DBN Television.
That song in 1997, marked the beginning of good things for the plump and pretty songster as she was discovered by the veteran producer and entertainment personality, Wale Adenuga who implored her to produce a song for his award-winning soap 'Super Story' a song that opened doors for her and the unbeatable gospel female singer and producer, Kenny Saint Brown, popularly referred as KSB invited her over for a duet on her hit single 'Heaven Came Down' the song that eventually brought her to limelight and the rest is history.
The rotund singer, Essence, whose sense of humility is unequalled in the music industry had her single 'Noel' a Christmas medley. Noel became an instant hit and till date it's still a toast of every DJ on Christmas season. She went back to the tube again, and produced a soundtrack for another popular soap, Domino that used to be aired on AIT but now extended to other TV stations nationwide.
In quick succession, the essence of Essence was known when she came out with a chart-buster, 'Beautiful Day', 'Coming Out' and 'Africa Prince' {a remix of Tuface's Africa Queen}
After this, the best female vocalist, as been awarded by the Alive Foundation, Essence released another single; 'Like Dat' the thorough dance track that carved a niche for her is always aired in notable clubs, radio stations and popular joints in Nigeria.
Now six years after her first single, essential Essence in the music industry is out with her debut album, 'Truly Essence' a 14-tracker album that features big names like Eddy Remedy, Bouqui and of course her mentor, Kenny Saint Brown.
As the first-ever-female singer on the Kennis Music Label, Essence, who is regarded as an established artiste by her virtue of her close association with KSB is excelling and only sky, according to her, is a limit.

PAST PERFOMANCES
· May 2001, Black Heritage Festival, Badagry, Lagos
· July 2001, STOMP featuring American Gospel superstar, Kirk Franklin
· 2002, Nigerian Women Awards, Abuja with President Obasanjo in attendance.
· December 2004, Night of 100 Stars, Accra Ghana, she was the only international artist that performed to mention but a few.