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By Rita Okoye
Favour Ugochi Anabelle Anosike, popularly known as Ugoccie, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, rapper, and voice-over artist. The fast-rising star from Aba, Abia State, has continued to make notable strides in the Nigerian music industry.
In this interview with Saturday Sun, the Achalugo crooner reflects on her musical journey, shares insights into her relationship choices, her ambitions, and much more.
Enjoy!
As we approach the end of 2025, how would you rate the year so far?
I would say that I’m most grateful for the gift of family, my friends, and creativity.
The stuff that I do, I’m grateful that I’m able to do it. Most importantly, I’m grateful that I have what I would call my family, because these are people who have not just come to love the creativity that I put out there, the process behind it, and they just love ‘Ugo’ for what I do and who I am. I am grateful for life too.
Your new song Achalugo just dropped, what’s the inspiration behind the title and lyrics?
Achalugo in Igbo means Pride of the Eagle, and we all know what the eagle is known for. It signifies mobility, pride, dignity, beauty, and strength. So, when I put out the song Achalugo, it was to dignify people, to let people know that they are special, that they matter, that they’re beautiful, that they’re celebrated.
That’s all Achalugo was about. The inspiration was just to let everybody know that they are important and they matter.
Dignify people or women?
Well, I would say people. It’s mostly women, but everyone is Achalugo. The way that I have been able to do this is to make everyone feel special, especially with the red carpet that I’m doling out. I want everyone on it.
You started out making covers on social media before your big break. What moment made you realise music was your true calling?
I think I had always just known that music was my calling because I was making music way back in 2014 when I was in Port Harcourt. I would go to Obigbo, I would do backup for some gospel singers there in the studio. I would say, ‘Let me do it for you,’ and they would give me some money.
I had always known it was my true calling, but I just didn’t know I would be doing it on a commercial scale. The thing that made me know that I was doing it on a commercial scale was when Tunde Ednut posted me, then Davido, Kizz Daniel, and I were like, ‘Amazing, now we are doing something.’
Many fans know you for blending Igbo and English beautifully. How did your cultural background shape your sound and confidence as an artist?
I grew up in a home where our parents always spoke our language to us, and we also spoke English, so I’m very well learned and well spoken. I would say that growing up in a home where Igbo was very dominant actually shaped my sound, and I just enjoyed listening to some of those old songs from the southeastern part of Nigeria. Talk about the likes of Onyeka Onwenu, whom I absolutely adore, may her soul rest in peace, Osadebe, Oliver De Coque, Umu Obiligbo, and so many of them.
I’m like, if these people excelled putting Igbo music out there, travelled, did shows, who am I not to do the same? Plus, I’m an avid believer in being in tune with your roots. I feel like my culture is my identity and my pride.
Looking back, what was the toughest challenge you faced while trying to break into the industry, and how did you overcome it?
I think the toughest challenge would have to be dealing with trolls and understanding the fact that not everyone is supposed to like you or the art that you put out, and also understanding that your audience is people who genuinely like you. Everyone is not going to be yours. It was hard to come to the knowledge of that and to understand that there will be people who don’t like you, considering the fact that I was very sensitive back then, and everything bothered me.
Moving forward, it’s amusing that they don’t get to me anymore.
How did your parents react to seeing you venture into the entertainment industry?
My parents have always been very supportive of my craft. In fact, when I was still in Port Harcourt, my parents were the ones giving me money to go to Obigbo and record. They just knew that I had always wanted to sing. I think seeing me do it big wasn’t really a surprise to them because they just knew that I was going to take the music thing seriously especially my mum, may her soul rest in peace.
You’ve collaborated with other amazing artists. What do you look for in a collaboration, and who’s still on your dream list?
What I look for in a collaboration is usually someone with whom I blend. I feel like we just have to align. There has to be some kind of story that we are telling together, and it just has to work. My dream list is a lot. It cuts across West Africa and every single continent. I really want to have a taste of everyone’s culture because I feel that’s what music is about. I want to venture into French music, American music, Indian music just to name it. Everyone is on my list. If I can get my hands on everyone, I would. I just want to enjoy the culture.
What’s the most embarrassing comment you have seen on your page?
It would have to be when a married man said openly that he doesn’t mind being with me even if it’s for a week that his wife would understand. I felt embarrassed both for him and his wife because why would you say that?
Have you ever cried over something that was said about you on social media?
Yes, I have, and that was when someone said I had a hand in the death of my mom, which has to be the meanest comment. I had recently lost my mum, and someone just dropped that comment. I think I took a screenshot of it and kept it. And it wasn’t just one person there were tons of comments like that on Facebook.
I kept deleting and deleting them, but I think people saying that was really hurtful.
Regardless of the trolls, how has social media shaped your career and connection with your real fans?
I’m always going to be grateful to social media because I wouldn’t be here without it. I also feel like the pros outweigh the cons because everything I have right now is a result of the fact that people gave me a listening ear and were willing to give me a chance. So I don’t care about the trolls. I just feel like they are sad people who are just transferring aggression, so I just ignore them or block them.
We hear music promotion is very tough and financially draining, how have you been coping?
We are trying our best by doing events and shows, and at the end of the day, you still put the money into the music. But the beautiful thing is that it’s what I love doing, and I always tell people to always make sure that they have something they are doing on the side, especially as an independent artist. Make sure there’s something you’re doing, but we are keeping body and soul together, and I feel like that’s what matters.
What do you think still needs to change, especially for Nigerian women in music?
More inclusion. Include us in things like brands and bookings. Book women, we’ll give you a run for your money. Pay us what you’re supposed to pay us. Don’t say we are women, so you should pay us less. After all, we put in the same effort.
More inclusion. Don’t zone us out of things. And the sexualisation needs to stop, although it started before I started music, and it’s not going to stop with me, but it should stop, because not everybody wants to be sexualised.
Beyond music, are there other passions or causes you want to explore as your influence grows? What else do you do?
I would love to own a beauty business or have a shop inside the Main Market or Trade Fair. However, I’m also into other businesses.
What should fans expect from you next, a new album, tour, or maybe an international collaboration?
An international collaboration and tour. They should expect a new album, which should come out next year. I’m doing my best for it to come out next year. A tour — although I’ve been doing tours but we would do another tour, even though I can’t really put my finger on it yet, but it’s going to happen.
Is Ugoccie single and ready to mingle?
Yes, I’m single and ready to mingle, even though it’s hard to be outside.
What will make you quit music?
I’ll quit music if I see 10 million dollars and start doing covers on Instagram once in a while.
Your lyrics sometimes touch on love and heartbreak — how much of your real-life experience slips into your music?
I would say 60%, because most of the time I tell a lot of stories. If it’s not about me, it’s about what has happened to someone else. But at the end of the day, a story must be told. So, best be assured that it’s real life, it could not be my real life, but most of the time, I slip my real life into it.
Would you date someone in the same industry, or do you prefer someone completely outside entertainment?
I’m not interested in dating entertainers, especially in my field of work.
What qualities do you find most attractive in a partner?
Just be funny and make me laugh all the time —not a professional stand-up comedian, just make me laugh.
What legacy do you want Ugoccie to leave behind in the Nigerian and global music scene?
The legacy that I would want to leave behind as Ugoccie in the global music scene is cultural pride. Don’t be shy, don’t hold anything back. Put it all out there. Pour your soul into the craft. Don’t be scared to fuse your culture into your music. And for the girls in the southeastern part of Nigeria — you can do it, and don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t.
We noticed the red carpet throwing that goes with the promotion of the song, Achalugo… What’s the inspiration behind that?
The inspiration behind throwing the red carpet out for people stems from the fact that we all know the red carpet signifies being in the spotlight, being celebrated.
So I thought, what’s better than making people feel special? That’s why everyone is welcome on our Achalugo red carpet.
You don’t have to be famous, and you can also be famous, but it’s for everyone. The call is to make everyone feel special and feel like they matter.
