STELLA MONYE: 30 YEARS ON STAGE

Popularly called The Samba Girl, Stella Monye is not known to have recorded many albums in the past but has participated in so many musical activities in the 30 years of her musical career more on stage than anywhere, and has six recorded album till date read.



She started her career proper in the 80’s when she recorded and released her monster hit album till date titled “Mr. Wright” with the hit single “Oko mi yee’ she stood out in her time, but then she was still in school but never looked back from then. She went ahead to represent Nigeria at the horizontel world festival of arts berlin, Germany as Oya to Sango olukoso touring the whole of European countries including, Switzerland and Netherlands through the University of Lagos centre for cultural studies where she was before moving to University of Ife to study Theatre Arts.Then she release her next album titled “Arigosamba” that also became a hit but not as big as “Oko mi yee” her all time hit, but it instantly earned her the title of Samba Queen and then the public went ahead to celebrate her as the Queen.

She recorded a follow up titled change of heart which included another hit single titled “Ife” that also was well celebrated, and then followed by “Kilode” at that point she was invited by the administrator of the National arts theatre to come and represent Nigeria at the 150th Anniversary of abolition of slave trade in Diaspora, the entourage which included Miss Chris Anyanwu, Prince Tony Momoh, Lt. Col. Tunde Akogun, the then military administrator of the National Arts Theatre but the tour was led by Gen Yakubu Gowon and his lovely wife Victoria, it was a turning point for Stella, for an all star band was put together to back her up. This consisted of the late Remi Kabaka on drums, the late Zeal Onyian on trumpet, Bisade Ologunde now Lagbaja on bass, Peter King on saxophone and so on, the young Stella was in the fore-front as the lead vocalist, a celebration that brought together the legendary world very celebrated African queen of voice and songs Miss Mariam Makeba and superstars from all over Africa and the diaspora.

The “Caribbean” newspaper tagged Stella the bombshell from Nigeria, after her performance the previous night, Stella went ahead to win the Afro pop category of the Africa music festival held at Tafawa Balewa square organized by the biggest indigenous African record label Tabansi, the competition included the likes of Lover boy himself Felix Liberty, Jide Obi, Chris okotie who eventually didn’t climb the stage, and other known Nigerian arts. Stella was the only female competitor; it was witnessed by the legendary World Boxing Champion Mohammed Alli former cacius clay who later presented the award to Stella for winning the afro pop category.

In 1992, she lost her father but still went ahead to record the album “One nation” which later became the chant song for President Olusegun Obasanjo’s presidential campaign, thereafter, she recorded the album “I Believe” she went on playing live shows including Benson & Hedges loud in Kano and Benson & Hedges multi-million naira road show equipment launch held at the Sheraton hotels and tower and several other shows.

 1999 Stella was chosen as part of the team to produce and present the theme song for the world coca-cola junior football championship held in Nigeria. She was also at the all African universities sports festival in Yamoussoukro, Cote-de-voir Abidjan to sing the Nigeria national anthem beside the Nigerian sports entourage from the University of Lagos now Moshood Abiola University (MAO).
At the formation year of the (EFCC) Economic and Financial Crime Commission….. She was invited to play also at the cooperate night of Abuja at 30 she was also on the band stand.

In 2004 she joined a faith based NGO in Apapa as a social worker, while doing that she got involved in the civil society and human right activities lending her band and music as tool to propagate human right movements on road shows and street protests alongside Bolaji Rosiji, Late Beko Ransome Kuti, Late Chief Anthony Enahoro, Charly Boy Oputa, Mrs Yemisi Ransome Kuti, Late Chief Gani Fawehinmi Barrister at law, Wole Soyinka, Adams Oshiomole, Ayo Adewale (chairman Amuwo Odofin) local government etc, she did that for six years and was also playing for June 12 coalition every year.

In 2008 she decided to start a trend in African fabrics to make shirts and ties for the working class, she put that on hold and started a monthly live gig called The huk up show (harvest for the unique knowledge) showcasing female acts that had no break in their musical career. She was a Judge at the Nigeria at 50 national song contest.

She started a perfume line called “Stella” which they are now trying to repackage the fragrance and its being produced from France. Stella went back to school to study law to develop herself more and to satisfy her late father’s desire, she is set to take the stage in April to celebrate her three decades on stage in “stage players party” and her golden age.