UtchiWali

The world is a stage and life is a game. There are 2 classes of people that exist in this game – the players and the posers. The posers are the spectators, sitting back and watching the game of life happen, they react but never act first, they know the rules of the game but never get in the game to break a sweat. The players on the other hand are those that grind it out, through thick or thin, always center stage in the game with everything on the line. They play through pain and don’t shy away from trials and obstacles, to these champions adversity is served as breakfast.

On September 13, 1986 the city of Port Harcourt, Nigeria was blessed with a true player. Utchay Agomuoh aka Utchiwali, the youngest talent on the Malachi Records roster entered the galaxy on that faithful day and has never stepped back from her role as a player in life. She carries that presence with her everywhere she goes, always got her game face on because you never know when it will be time to make something happen.

The middle of 3 siblings Utchiwali has always believed in pursuing her dreams rather than waiting or hoping for things to happen. Her every fiber is knitted with pure talent as is evident once she touches a microphone. She first discovered her lyrical ability in 2002 and since then has continued in steady progression as one of the tightest lyricists to ever bless the mic. Some of her influences include Foxy Brown, Alicia Keys, T-Bone, Floetry, Nas, Jay Z and Jill Scott to mention a few. Utchiwali found her own voice in the rap game, created her own unique style and is doing it like only Utchiwali can.

In 2004 she was discovered by E-Trax president Victor who was extremely impressed with her talent. “She had a certain uniqueness that made me want to work with her” Victor says of Utchiwali. Victor introduced her to Malachi Records president Patrick Chike and she was signed immediately. “She is something out of this planet I tell you. I heard her on a track with about 3 other rappers, she was the only female and she basically just took them to school on the track. I was impressed and had no hesitation making her a part of the team” Patrick Says.

Utchie, still pursuing a Bachelors Degree in Medicine at the University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria doesn’t want to let go of the degree and still continues to pursue her rap career. The company, understanding her passion for both has stepped in and is offering her all the assistance needed to make all her dreams become a reality. “I think it says something about her character that she isn’t throwing away something she has already started just because of this new prospect” the company executives said “We admire that and even encourage it, she’s still young, very talented, very intelligent and we just want to play our role in helping her get to the place where she’s living to her full potential.”

Utchie’s presence is felt on the album in songs like Livin’ 4, a rap hit with 3 other artists where she sets the stage and talks about how God’s love has kept her through the years and has given her a reason to live. The ‘attitude’ in her delivery and her lyrical patterns show a definite uniqueness. Listeners are also introduced to a more subtle side of her in Prayer 4 Me. Her dynamic delivery is evident on That Girl as she once again shines in the ill collaboration with Anette’s angelic vocals to deliver yet another hit. She got mad thorough with the rhymes in U saved Me, keeping it real while gladly proclaiming in her rhymes that she is nothing without her creator who saved her. Utchie took the game one step further, showcasing to the world that she can carry a track by her self on her solo debut Da Cause, a solid hardcore rap track that goes out to all ‘soldiers of the cause’.

In her interview Utchie says “I continue to be grateful for all the things that God has given me. The tracks I recorded on the album came easy because I was just speaking from my heart – God’s love keeps me going, it is He who saved me, to all my sisters, gotta keep your head up and hey, let’s live for Da Cause!”