Yeka Onka

Onyekachi Elizabeth Gilbert professionally known as Yeka Onka is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, beauty queen and model. She is the winner of the first-ever Nigerian Idol competition.[1]

Yeka Onka
Birth nameOnyekachi Elizabeth Gilbert Onwuka
BornOhafia, Abia State, Nigeria
Genresgospel, contemporary gospel, worship, Soul
Occupation(s)Singer, songwriter, actress
InstrumentsVocals
Years active2010–present
Associated actsIyke Onka, Cobhams Asuquo

Life and career

Yeka was born in Ohafia, Abia State in south-eastern Nigeria,[2] to a musician father, who was her first musical influence. Yeka began singing in choirs in school and at church. She graduated from the University of Calabar with a degree in History and International Relations.[2] In 2010,[3] she auditioned for the maiden edition of the Nigerian Idol competition, she was denied at the Enugu and Calabar auditions, before she finally got three "yeses" at the Lagos audition[4] and she eventually won the competition.[5] While on the show, the judges likened her sound and style to Whitney Houston[6] and Jennifer Hudson.[7]

In 2011, after winning the Idols competition, Yeka headlined the Industry Nite event, which held at the Oriental Hotel in Lagos. During the event, she premiered her debut single, Follow You, produced by Jesse Jagz.[8]

In May 2014, Yeka released a single titled Help, the soulful ballad was dedicated to the #BringBackOurGirls movement in Nigeria, which was a campaign for the government of Nigeria to rescue the 250 female students abducted by the Boko Haram militant group.[9]

Yeka released an afrobeats single, Ligali in 2015, which enjoyed positive reviews and airplay across Nigeria.[10]

Discography

Singles
  • Follow You (2011)
  • Ewa Ba Mi Jo (2012)
  • Sambele (2012)
  • Me and You (2013)
  • Help (2014)
  • Ligali (2015)
  • Worship Medley (2020)

References
  1. "Nigeria: Third Time Lucky Yeka Onka Wins Idol". All Africa News (Thisday Newspaper). 28 March 2011. Retrieved 12 October 2020.
  2. "Yeka Onka". Music in Africa. 28 April 2013. Retrieved 12 October 2020.
  3. "'Have Been Missing My Former Life'- Nigerian Idol Winner, Yeka Onka". Idoma Voice. 21 June 2011. Retrieved 12 October 2020.
  4. "It doesn't matter how many times you fall – Yeka Onka". Vanguard Newspaper. 8 May 2011. Retrieved 12 October 2020.
  5. "Yeka Onka emerges first Nigerian Idol". Idoma Voice. 30 March 2011. Retrieved 12 October 2020.
  6. "Idol Winner, Yeka Onka, Drops Another Single". PM News. 6 September 2012. Retrieved 12 October 2020.
  7. "Nigerian Idol Yeka Onka working with dancer Jeffrey Daniel". Ghanamotion. 8 September 2011. Retrieved 12 October 2020.
  8. "The Idol steps out: Yeka Onka premieres debut single soon". Ynaija. 14 September 2011. Retrieved 12 October 2020.
  9. "Yeka Onka is sad!". The Nation Newspaper. 11 May 2014. Retrieved 12 October 2020.
  10. "VIDEO: Yeka Onka – 'Ligali'". The Nation Newspaper. 28 December 2015. Retrieved 12 October 2020.
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