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By Damiete Braide
Samantha Anuoluwapo Ozigbu, popularly known as Anuiliamoon, Lady Ekwe, is carving a distinctive niche in Nigeria’s creative industry by transforming the traditional Igbo log drum, Ekwe, into a contemporary instrument of entertainment and global cultural expression.
Italy-born and Lagos-based, Anuiliamoon is a performer, singer, songwriter, storyteller and Ekwe drummer. She is widely recognised for using the Ekwe beyond its traditional setting, blending its distinctive sound with modern musical genres while drawing inspiration from her Yoruba maternal heritage and Igbo paternal roots.
Through her performances, she combines Yoruba musical elements such as Alujo and Owe with the rhythms of the Ekwe, creating a fusion that reflects Nigeria’s cultural diversity. She also incorporates foreign genres, including techno, Amapiano, reggae, funk and Arabian-inspired sounds, into her musical expression.
Her growing international profile has seen her perform at events and for organisations including UNESCO, Airtel, MTN, Shell Nigeria, the African International Music Festival, Musiad Turkey and Ethiopian Fashion Week, in collaboration with the United Nations. She has also performed at government-partnered events in Gurage, Ethiopia, as well as fashion shows, carnivals, conferences, symposiums and cultural festivals.
Among her notable performances was her appearance at the Ogun State Drum Festival, where she won the award for Best Performance. More recently, she took her distinctive Ekwe performance to the Asaabako Festival in Ghana, further expanding her international footprint.
Born to Mrs Joy Oyeyemi Ozigbu, a lawyer, and Chief Nnamdi Ozigbu, Anuiliamoon began her artistic journey at the age of six. She participated in ballet throughout her primary school years at St. Saviour’s School, Ebute Metta, Lagos, and later joined dance groups at Queens College, Yaba.
Although she studied Economics at the University of Lagos and holds a master’s degree in International Law and Diplomacy, she continued to nurture her passion for music and performance alongside her academic pursuits.
Over the years, she transitioned from predominantly live performances to recording music, broadening her artistic expression and exploring diverse sounds. Her stage performances are characterised by energy, creativity and a commanding presence.
Anuiliamoon also brings experience from the tourism and events industry. She founded Art in 3D in 2014, an event that attracted artistes, dancers and designers, including Yemi Alade and Pheelz. She also founded The Moon and the Stars, an immersive monthly event launched in 2024 in Victoria Island, Lagos, designed to showcase musical talents and create high-value networking opportunities within the creative sector.
For Anuiliamoon, her brand represents an expression of her truth, with music, performance and storytelling at its core. Her artistic vision seeks to demonstrate that traditional Nigerian sounds can evolve without losing their cultural identity.
With the Ekwe as her signature instrument, Lady Ekwe is positioning herself not only as a singer and performer but also as a cultural innovator, reshaping perceptions of traditional African instruments and taking their possibilities to new audiences at home and abroad.
