When the curtain was drawn on the
premier edition of the now rested Idols West Africa reality TV show
in 2007, two talents made a lasting impression on the audience. They
were Timi Dakolo and Omawumi Megbele . While Dakolo won the show,
Omawumi emerged the 1st runner-up. Both talents have since become
superstars in their own rights with Omawumi still igniting the fire
without any inhibition.
The grit in Omawumi's voice, which
endeared the songstress to millions of lovers of the reality show has
not dwindled with the passage of time. Despite several challenges,
Omawumi has pulled through to stay on top of her game. Till date, she
remains one of the strongest voices in the music industry.
At some point when the debate on who
was the most talented female singer in Nigeria, many did not hesitate
to give it to Omawumi. In spite of the threatening presence of the
likes of Waje, Tiwa Savage, Chidinma and Seyi Shay on the music
scene, Omawumi is still the talk of the town. The songstress created
buzz with her uncommon talent, her stage craft and how she engages
the audience while her performance on stage was second to none.
Her preceding two albums, ‘Lasso of
Truth’ and ‘Timeless’ released after her début album 'Wonder
Woman', remain her calling card today. Though ‘Wonder woman’
album was not as critically acclaimed as the other two albums, it was
however, still a commendable body of work that set Omawumi on her
path to a flourishing career that has become the envy of many. The
album was released at a time when Nigeria’s sound structure was
different, and there was an insistence for pop music to be more than
just a vehicle for celebration. In the music industry, Omawumi made
the difference with her unique sounds and her voice became the
quintessential sound that many crave for. She has recorded several
other hits that would surely write her name in the annals of
contemporary Nigerian music.
For many, Omawumi represents two
things; hard-work and determination. Aside being described as an
epitome of creativity, Omawumi is reputed for making inter-sectional
music by finding the fusion between pop and traditional folk
elements. 'Belle', one of her earlier hit songs featuring Flavour
which resonated with millions of fans across the world, had her
digging into Highlife and Pop. It was the same story with 'If you ask
Me' which was a testament to re-inventive fusion.
Omawumi has also turned international
burlesque arrangements into local happiness. This was evident when
she launched her second album, 'Lasso Of Truth', which was a
commercial success. The grooving atmosphere that pervaded the event
in 2013 is still fresh in the minds of those that graced the
colourful event.
The talented singer at a point
disappeared totally from the scene. The silence her disappearance
created was loud because only few musicians could match her quality
and influence. She however manages to stage a comeback in 2017, with
a brand new single titled 'Without you'. The song served as the lead
single to her recently released album ‘In Her Feelings’, which is
her fourth album in 10 years and follow-up to her previous album
'Timeless' also released in 2017. The album was a reflection of the
singer's mastery and growth of her diverse sensibilities. A
cross-section of songs offers an insight into Omawumi’s state of
mind on issues of love, politics, personal struggles, life goals,
emotional awareness and abuse.
Released in June this year, fans
commended the collage of songs and various reviews have given glowing
reports about album.
But the question on everyone's lips is
: would this album put Omawunmi back on track ? With the likes of
Tiwa Savage, Yemi Alade, Seyi Shay, Teniola, taking the centre stage,
is it possible that Omawumi still has what it takes to stand out as
as a singer with enviable track record. Tiwa Savage is presently the
reigning lady of song, and she's obviously not ready to come off the
horse of the hottest Nigerian female singer and the most bankable at
all times. With her Sugarcane EP , a mini-album released last year
and hit songs upon hit songs laced with great collaborations, Tiwa
has continued to show her dexterity and the uniqueness of her golden
and 'million-dollar' voice texture. All eyes are now on Omawumi with
hope that she could emerge from behind to outwit Tiwa Savage's
creativity.
Back in time, Omawumi ranked as one of
Africa’s best live performers. An Omawumi set is designed as an
inclusive, content-heavy, and experience, that has been felt at
numerous corners of the globe. It is led by her powerful vocals, with
dancing and laughter on stage. Only a few can come close to her
mastery of stagecraft. And that’s why her list of stage
performances are endless, and she has shared them with the most
prestigious performers including Chaka Demus and Pliers, Carl Thomas,
Angie Stone and Donell Jones, Angelique Kidjo, 2Face Idibia, M.I., P
Square among others.
Music critics are hopeful that since
Omawumi got signed to Cabal Entertainment co-owned by entertainment
executives, including Obi Asika and Chris Ubosi, the owner of Beat
FM, Classic FM and Naija FM, the stage is set again for the elite
vocalist to return to reckoning.
If she must reclaim her place in the
Nigerian music scene, Omawumi must surely return to the drawing board
and try to keep up with the deeds that once brought her to the top.
Most of her recent songs have not been commercially successful.
Though she has produced some of the finest and most interesting work
of her career, she still risks alienating core audiences who are used
to the friendly Afro pop sounds of her past works.
