Introduction
Emma Chukwugoziam Obi (born July 18, 1988), professionally known by her stage name Emma Nyra, is an American-born Nigerian singer-songerwriter, actress and model.
Early life and education
Emma Nyra was born and raised in Tyler, Texas, where she had her early education. She is of Igbo descent from Delta State, Nigeria. In 2012, she left for Nigeria to pursue a career in music and modelling. She is an alumna of Texas Southern University, where she graduated with a degree in Health Care Administration.
Career
Music
Emma Nyra released her debut singles titled "Do It" and "Everything I Do" in 2011 while in the U.S. Upon her return to Nigeria in 2012, she started working with D'Tunes and Iyanya who she had met in 2010 while in the U.S. In March 2012, she signed a recording contract with Made Men Music Group before she went on to make her first major debut in the Nigerian music industry after she made a vocal appearance in Iyanya's "Ur Waist".
In 2013, Emma Nyra was voted the "Most Promising Act to Watch" at the 2013 edition of the Nigeria Entertainment Awards. Emma Nyra went on to release several singles which saw her touring the United States and Canada between 2013 and 2014. Shas since worked with the likes of Davido, Patoranking, Olu Maintain among others. In 2015, Emma Nyra was listed on notJustOk's list of "15 Artists to Watch in 2015". Her debut studio album titled Emma Nyra Hot Like Fiya Vol. 1 is yet to be released.
Film
Apart from music, Emma Nyra is also an actress. She has so far appeared in three films including American Driver, Rebound and The Re-Union.
Exit from Made Men Music
In 2014, Emma Nyra ended her recording contract with Made Men Music Group. While the press hinted on relationship issues, Emma Nyra cited "abuse with physical and verbal force" from her then manager Ubi Franklin as the reason why she left the label imprint. The allegations were however denied by Ubi Franklin.
Discography
Compilation albums
| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions | Certifications | Sales | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NGR | RSA | GHA | UK | |||||||||||
| The Evolution (with Made Men Music Group) |
|
– | – | – | — | |||||||||
| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. | ||||||||||||||
Singles
- As lead artist
| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Certifications | Album | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NGA | GHA | RSA | AUS | UK | US | USR&B/HH | |||||||
| "Do It" (featuring Eno Will) |
2011 | – | – | – | – | – | – | — | Non-album singles | ||||
| "Everything I Do" | – | – | – | – | – | – | — | ||||||
| "Everything I Do" (featuring Iyanya) |
2012 | – | – | – | – | – | – | — | |||||
| "Ori Mi Wu" | – | – | – | – | – | – | — | ||||||
| "Kere Shere" | 2013 | – | – | – | – | – | – | — | |||||
| "Elele" (featuring Davido) |
2014 | – | – | – | – | – | – | — | |||||
| "For Your Matter" | – | – | – | – | – | – | — | ||||||
| "For Your Matter (Remix)" (featuring Patoranking) |
2015 | – | – | – | – | – | – | — | |||||
| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. | |||||||||||||
- Promotional singles
| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Certifications | Album | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NGA | GHA | RSA | AUS | UK | US | USR&B/HH | |||||||
| "Say Yeah" (TripleMG featuring Iyanya, Emma Nyra, Tekno Miles, Selebobo & Baci) |
2014 | – | – | – | – | – | – | — | The Evolution | ||||
| "Amigo" | – | – | – | – | – | – | — | Non-album singles | |||||
| "Vex" (with Cynthia Morgan & Victoria Kimani) |
2015 | – | – | – | – | – | – | — | |||||
| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. | |||||||||||||
Awards and nominations
| Year | Award ceremony | Prize | Result | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 2013 Nigeria Entertainment Awards | Most Promising Act to Watch | Won |