Introducing - The artist, Gloria Maduka | Welcome to Linda Ikeji's Blog

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Wednesday 5 May 2010

Introducing - The artist, Gloria Maduka

 
African-born multi-talented Gloria Maduka's unique singing, songwriting, and dancing styles comprise primarily of pop infused with African elements. She was one of 40 out of 12,000 in Jacksonville, FL selected to audition in front of American Idol judges and producers and was featured singing globally in a 2009 episode. She was invited to sing the Star Spangled Banner at a Barron's baseball game.

 Her unique trademark is further enhanced by her ability to also write and sing in Yoruba and Spanish and by her technique with the conga, an instrument she has effectively infused into her music for several years. Due to a diverse set of influences, such as Toni Braxton, Mariah Carey, Nneka, Coldplay, Matchbox20, Whitney Houston, Kelly Clarkson, Angelique Kidjo, Brandy, Selena Perez, Shakira, Shania Twain, 311, and Femi Kuti, her vocals range from soft and pretty to hard but heart-felt. 

 
While in Africa, Maduka received several nods after performing at a church, encouraging her to pursue music as a career. This passion led to the creation and direction of the church's youth choir for three years before departing for the US to further pursue music. While only a freshman in Livingston, Maduka made headlines with one labelling her as "[bringing] down the house." Maduka was also involved in several record-setting activities. She was the first foreign student to be crowned both Ms. Black and Gold and Ms. UWA. In the summer of 2002, she was chosen to intern on Capitol Hill, DC. Maduka also hosted her own local TV talkshow and her face was the anchor for the Community News. In spite of several academic involvements, Maduka accepted invitations to perform in front of Congressman Earl Hilliard and also during games, staff gatherings, and pageants.

 
In 2002, Maduka competed with hundreds to win a modeling contract with the National Film and Fashion Board which she not only won but also won the Best Adult Talent category after she sang her unique rendition of The Star Spangled Banner. She was also a major cast member in a production of Fats Waller's jazz musical, "Aint Misbehaving" where she transcended nationalities, fitting in as an African-American in the 30's; she opened and closed the show every night.

Maduka won the annual Serendipity Talent Show every year that she was in Livingston, making her the first foreigner to ever place. In spite of graduating Magna Cum Laude and being the only Honors student in her graduating class, Maduka gave up law school in pursuit of her dreams. Consequently, she is applying her English, Journalism, and Psychology degrees towards her music career. Currently, her single, "Love Illusion" is playing on the airwaves in Africa. She's also working on videos and her first album "Of Light and Angels."
***

Beauty + Talent = Gloria Maduka.
Keep repping Naija.

Her website...http://www.gloriamaduka.com/

32 comments:

  1. Biko, fine girl, u tried.

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  2. I heard her song through her website and I must say she is a breath of fresh air from the auto tune ridden musical air waves that is dominating Naija these days. Keep repping girl.

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  3. I like the ending, Beauty + Talent = Gloria Maduka. Great job Linda!

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  4. Is she related to Seun Maduka? If so, too much beauty and too much talent abounds in the family. God bless

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  5. What is her website?

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  6. nah wah o. shes so beautiful

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  7. She is very pretty tho

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  8. Isnt she seun maduka's sister. That presneter that does united states of nigeria on hinolly

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  9. Where is her website. I saw her singing on youtube a while back. she is a very soft nice voice

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  10. This girl can sing o. American idol is a tough competition and to make it to top 40 out of 12,000 is an achievement. Nigerians are doing it big

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  11. keep reppin for africa. we are here for you

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  12. Fine girl no pimples

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  13. I am so ready for a change in Nigerian artists to stop singing in only yrouba and pigeon...who says ,music should only be in languages. Go on Gloria...love your style

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  14. I am so happy to say I know her. shes gorgeous outside and inside and can really sing since secondary school days

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  15. Yes she is seun madukas sister

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  16. Her website is http://www.gloriamaduka.com , i hope i spelt it right. I must warn you though, her song "crazy for you" is very catchy and you won't really be able to get it out of your head :)

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  17. sing dat song. lovely

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  18. maduka? so where exactly is she from again?

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  19. She's pretty but being a photoshop pro, I know her picture has been tampered with. Her eyes for one have been lightened. Her skin was also airbrushed, but she's still cute.

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  20. Thank God for Gloria Maduka!!!How encouraging it is to see her doing what is destine for her. I'm a huge fan of Gloria!!! I love everything your doing, you rock!!! God bless you and your family.

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  21. She looks like Seun Maduka of 'United State of Nigeria' TV programme presenter on HITV. Seun is pretty too. Are they related?

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  22. Femiluv, you may be right but i guess the behind was not airbrushed.
    Very heavy something!!
    My african sistas are on fire.

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  23. @Femiluv,,,Is there any professional picture that is not tampered with...photoshop is used to tk professional pics...that comment was unnecessary

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  24. encourag your fellow african. is hollywood not tempered all over. she is a beauty queen if you look at her. everybody does photoshop for professional touch so wats the big deal. focus on talent and lets stop criticising pretty or not

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  25. This is beautiful, absolutely beautiful

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  26. I was blown away by the scream on her first song on her website. Very mariah carey-esque

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  27. She so beautiful & simple, a beauty queen, no pimple, da only spot on ya face is dimple. Her voice dazzles even a criple, dancing, We need grammy nominations plsssssssssss.

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  28. Hehehehe!! she was my senior in secondary school and was in the Drama group.
    She is definately Seun Maduka's sister

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  29. Hmmm success has many friends! @ 'she was in my secondary school'! Lol

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  30. Hmmm success has many friends! @ 'she was in my secondary school'! Lol

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  31. Hmmm success has many friends! @ 'she was in my secondary school'! Lol

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Disclaimer: Opinions expressed in comments are those of the comment writers alone and does not reflect or represent the views of Linda Ikeji.

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