She described herself as a ‘breach’ between musical legends and contemporary talents in the Nigerian musical industry. Stella Monye, whose name relieves a delightful era of beautiful albums as Mr. Right, One Nation, Change of Heart and Okomiye etc has bounced back with Outburst another great work depicting creativity and energy.
Outburst was launched recently by the Guaranga Foundation, Apapa, Lagos at a well attended occasion that left a lasting impression on all the participants. The occasion opened with the rendition of special numbers by the mass choir from the Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education (ACOED), Ijanikin, Lagos. The choristers who were gallantly led by Mr. Babalola rendered songs that induced celebration amid prayers and exaltations.
Princess Oyinyechi, Stella Monye’s neice who is presently a student of Chrisland Secondary School at the Victoria Garden City (VGC), gave a remarkable citation of the musician. The citation, which she called a brief biography of Monye, recalled in prose fiction how Stella became a star as a teenager, and how she studied Theatre Arts at the University. After travelling to Europe and discovering her musical talents, Stella at a tender age of 16 started her musical career, which though had not provided much material gain for her but has been quite fulfilling.
At this juncture, Oyinyechi presented Stella Monye to the audience and she was welcome with a great applause. The invitation was for her to give the audience a taste of her new album. She later dished out two tracks: Elefe and Oyeoma, from the album and the audience savoured her beautiful lyrics that are rendered in her rich, sonorous voice and backed by the electrifying steps of her dancers.
Just before the cutting of the cake and launching, Mr. Bolaji Rosiji, former PMAN president, who had been part of the success of the album release described Stella Monye as an artiste with great potentials.
Popular actor, Richard Mofe Damijo, also eulogized Stella as a rare talent. He prayed for her success before launching the album with half a million naira on behalf of the Delta State government.
Professor Pat Utomi, former presidential aspirant, whose attendance was a great surprise to the artiste (Monye) also praised her for her great effort and talents and gave a ransom for the launching.
The Lagos State Government as represented by Lieutenant Colonel (Mrs.) Kalejaiye launched the album with the sum of N250 thousand while the Ogun State Government represented by Director of the Ogun State Council for Arts and Culture, Mrs. Yemi Olanrewaju, launched the album with an undisclosed amount.
Also PMAN president, Mr. Tee Mac Itseli, promised to give Monye’s album global exposure via the Internet. He described this as a new marketing development in PMAN, which has been made possible through the association’s recent partnership with about six world renowned records companies in Europe.
Monye in her response described Outburst as a combination of many things, which she has articulated through music.
Other dignitries who graced the occasion include Mr. Okon, Monye’s uncle, Mr. Frances Falemora, a retired police Commissioner, Kelvin, an artiste, Wunmi Clive, an up coming female artiste who also thrilled the audience with a major track from her debut: I don Make Am and Mr. Patrick, aka, the Utimate Mallam, who greatly lighted the occasion with his delightful humour.
