Judikay
{{Short description|Nigerian gospel singer (born 1994)}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Judikay
| image =
| alt =
| caption =
| birth_name = Judith Kanayo
| birth_date = 26 October 1994
| birth_place = Sango Otta, Ogun State, Nigeria
| origin = Delta State
| genre = {{Flatlist|
}}
| occupation = {{Flatlist|
- Singer
- songwriter
- worship leader
}}
| instrument = {{Flatlist|
- Vocals
}}
| years_active = 2013–present
| label = Intimacy Records
| spouse = Anselem Ikechukwu Opara
| website = {{URL|https://www.judikay.com}}
}}
Judith Kanayo-Opara (born 26 October 1994), known professionally as Judikay, is a Nigerian gospel singer,{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2023-06-17 |title=At TAPE, Mercy Chinwo, Judikay, Prinx Emmanuel, others thrill audience |url=https://guardian.ng/saturday-magazine/high-society/at-tape-gospel-artistes-thrill-audience/ |access-date=2023-07-14 |website=The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News |language=en-US}} songwriter and worship leader.{{Cite web |last=Abiodun |first=Nejo |title=Judikay, Sammie Okposo, Nathaniel Bassey, others set for Tope Alabi’s concert |url=https://punchng.com/sammie-okposo-nathaniel-bassey-others-set-for-tope-alabis-concert/ |website=Punch Newspapers}}{{Cite web |title=Sinach, Judikay others set for Emmanuel Iren's Apostolos album |url=https://thenationonlineng.net/sinach-judikay-others-set-for-emmanuel-irens-apostolos-album/ |website=The Nation Newspaper}} She gained popularity for her 2019 single "More than Gold".{{Cite web |last= |date=2023-01-21 |title=Top Nigerian Gospel Music Artists To Look Out For In 2023 » Yours Truly |url=https://www.yourstru.ly/articles/top-nigerian-gospel-artists-sinach-bassey-and-ones-to-look-out-for-in-2023/ |access-date=2023-07-14 |website=www.yourstru.ly |language=en-US}} She released her first single, "Nobody Else", in 2013 and released her debut album, Man of Galilee, in November 2019.{{Cite web |last=Dekolo |first=Jolomi |date=2023-05-04 |title=Judikay Gets Boomplay Plaque As Album Hits 50Million Streams On Global Music Network |url=https://www.selahafrik.com/2023/05/judikay-album-hits-50million/ |access-date=2023-07-14 |website= |language=en-US}}
Early life and education
Judikay was born in Sango Otta, Ogun State on 26 October, 1994 and is her parents' first child. She hails from Oshimili South Local Government Area of Delta State.{{Cite web |title=Judikay Biography (Career, Net worth, Songs) |url=https://naijabiography.com/biography/judikay-biography-education-career-song-networth-songs/ |access-date=2023-07-14 |website=Naijabiography Media |language=en-US}} She obtained her secondary education from Dalos College, Ota, Ogun State, and has a Bachelor's Degree in Theatre Arts from the Redeemer’s University, Osun State.{{Cite web |last=Man |first=The New |date=2023-07-13 |title=Biography of Minister Judith Kanayo (Judikay) |url=https://www.thenewman.org.ng/2021/05/biography-of-judikay.html |access-date=2023-07-14 |website=The New Man}}
Music career
Judikay began her music journey as a chorister in her church, Christian Pentecostal Mission. Later on, she became a backup vocalist for Florocka.{{Cite web |last=Shogbade |first=Praise |date=2022-09-13 |title=Top 10 Trending Gospel Songs in Nigeria 2022 |url=https://rnn.ng/trending-gospel-songs-in-nigeria/ |access-date=2023-07-14 |website=rnn.ng |language=en-US}} In 2013, she released her first single titled "Nobody Else", marking her official appearance in the music scene. She gained popularity in 2019 when she released her second single “More than Gold”.{{Cite web |title=Know Judikay |url=https://eezeeconceptz.org/ministers/judikay/ |access-date=2023-07-14 |website=EeZee Conceptz |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |last=Reporter |date=2022-07-19 |title=Meet The Top Gospel Artistes Making Waves |url=https://www.citypeopleonline.com/meet-the-new-gospel-artistes-making-waves/ |access-date=2023-07-14 |website=City People Magazine |language=en-US}}
On 25, February 2019, she was signed to EeZee Conceptz, a Nigerian gospel record label.{{Cite web |date=2019-02-27 |title=EeZee Conceptz Signs Gospel Music Minister Judikay Kanayo - Praiseworld Radio |url=https://www.praiseworldradio.com/eezee-conceptz-signs-gospel-music-minister-judikay-kanayo/ |access-date=2023-07-14 |website=Praiseworld Radio {{!}} Africa's #1 Online Gospel Radio Station {{!}} Nigeria |language=en-US}} That same year in November, she released her first debut album Man of Galilee, comprising 14 tracks.
In June 2022, Judikay released her second album From this Heart comprising 12 tracks including "Mudiana", "Jesus is Coming" and "Your Grace".{{Cite web |last= |date=2021-01-04 |title=Judikay releases new video, 'Jesus Is Coming' {{!}} WATCH VIDEO! |url=https://notjustok.com/videos/judikay-jesus-is-coming/ |access-date=2023-07-14 |website=NotjustOk |language=en-US |archive-date=2023-07-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230714160114/https://notjustok.com/videos/judikay-jesus-is-coming/ |url-status=dead }}{{Cite web |last=BellaNaija.com |date=2022-06-10 |title=New Video: Judikay – Mudiana |url=https://www.bellanaija.com/2022/06/video-judikay-mudiana/ |access-date=2023-07-14 |website=BellaNaija |language=en-US}} The album received a Boomplay Plaque after hitting 50 million streams on the global music network.{{Cite web |date=2023-05-04 |title=Judikay Reaches 50Million Streams On Boomplay Global Music Network |url=https://henotace.org/judikay-gets-boomplay-plaque-as-album-hits-50million-streams-on-music-network/ |access-date=2023-07-14 |website=HENOTACE.ORG |language=en-US |archive-date=2023-07-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230714164303/https://henotace.org/judikay-gets-boomplay-plaque-as-album-hits-50million-streams-on-music-network/ |url-status=dead }}{{Cite web |title=Nigerian gospel hit by Judikay takes Kenya, Tik Tok by storm |url=https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/entertainment/news/article/2001416431/nigerian-gospel-hit-takes-kenya-tik-tok-by-storm |access-date=2023-07-14 |website=The Standard}}"Capable God" also ranked No. 1 on Boomplay's 2021 Top 50 Gospel Songs.{{Cite web |title=2021 Top 50 Gospel Songs |url=https://www.boomplay.com/playlists/27806768 |website=Boomplay}}
She was featured by gospel artist, Enkay Ogburuche in a song titled “Delight” in January 2023.{{Cite web |date=2023-02-24 |title=Enkay Ogboruche’s ‘Declaration’ featuring Judikay hits global music shelves |url=https://tribuneonlineng.com/enkay-ogboruches-declaration-hits-global-music-shelves/ |access-date=2023-07-14 |website=Tribune Online |language=en-GB}} She has collaborated with other gospel artists, including Emmanuel Iren, Mercy Chinwo, and Enkay Ogboruche.{{Cite web |date=2022-08-08 |title=Pastor Emmanuel Iren releases his debut album 'Apostolos' featuring Sinach, Judikay |url=https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/music/pastor-emmanuel-iren-releases-his-debut-album-apostolos/ke9ycg1 |access-date=2023-07-14 |website=Pulse Nigeria}}
Discography
= Albums =
| class="wikitable"
|+ !Year Released !Title !Details !Ref |
| November 2019
|Man of Galilee |
|
| June 2022
|From This Heart |
|{{Cite web |title=From This Heart by Judikay {{!}} Album |url=https://www.afrocharts.com/album?id=e2a0a4ae2d |access-date=2023-07-14 |website=Afrocharts |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2022-08-18 |title=Judikay’s "From This Heart" is a Sure Conduit of God’s Presence - Afrocritik |url=https://www.afrocritik.com/judikays-from-this-heart-is-a-sure-conduit-of-gods-presence/ |access-date=2023-07-14 |language=en}} |
= Singles =
- "Jehovah'Meliwo" ft 121 Selah{{Cite web |last=Admin |date=2023-04-12 |title=Judikay out with new rendition of ‘Song of Angels’ now titled "Jehovah Meliwo" ft. 121Selah |url=https://worshippersgh.com/judikay-out-with-new-rendition-of-song-of-angels-now-titled-jehovah-meliwo-ft-121selah/ |access-date=2023-07-14 |website=WorshippersGh |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2023-04-09 |title=Judikay Releases New Single, "Jehovah Meliwo" Feat. 121Selah |url=https://notjustok.com/songs/gospel/judikay-releases-new-single-jehovah-meliwo-feat-121selah/ |access-date=2023-07-14 |website=NotjustOk |language=en-US}} (2023)
- "I Bow" (2022)
- "Your Grace" (2022)
- "Daddy You Too Much" (2022)
- "Elohim" (2022)
- "The One For Me" (2022)
- "Nothing Is Too Hard For You" ft The Gratitude{{Cite web |last=Muhonji |first=Muhunya |date=2023-02-19 |title=Powerful worship songs in Nigeria: 20 gospel tracks for prayer |url=https://www.legit.ng/ask-legit/1519181-powerful-worship-songs-nigeria-20-gospel-tracks-prayer/ |access-date=2023-07-14 |website=Legit.ng - Nigeria news. |language=en}} (2021)
- "Songs of Angels" (2019)
- "Fountain" (2019)
- "More Than Gold" ft Mercy Chinwo (2019)
- "Capable God" (2019)
- "Satisfied" (2017)
- "Have Your Way" (2016)
- "Nobody Else" (2013)
- "Dance Anyhow" (2024)
- "The Conqueror's Chant (Agalliao) (2025)
Personal life
Judikay married Ikechukwu Anselem Opara on 7 November 2020, in Lagos, Nigeria.{{Cite web |last=Idowu |first=Hannah |date=2021-08-23 |title=Full details of singer Judikay's marriage, husband and children |url=https://dnbstories.com/2021/08/full-details-of-judikays-marriage-husband-and-children.html |access-date=2023-07-14 |website=DNB Stories Africa |language=en-US}} In March 2022, they announced the birth of their son.{{Cite web |title=Gospel singer, Judikay Welcome First Child |url=https://thenationonlineng.net/gospel-singer-judikay-welcomes-first-child/ |website=The Nation}}{{Cite web |date=2022-03-23 |title=Gospel Singer Judikay And Husband Anselem Opera Welcome First Child Together (Photos) |url=https://koko.ng/judikay-and-anselem-opera-welcome-first-child-together/ |access-date=2023-07-14 |website=koko.ng |language=en-GB |archive-date=2023-07-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230714163123/https://koko.ng/judikay-and-anselem-opera-welcome-first-child-together/ |url-status=dead }}{{Cite web |title=It’s A Boy’ – Singer Judikay And Husband Welcome First Child |url=https://allure.vanguardngr.com/2022/03/its-a-boy-singer-judikay-and-husband-welcome-first-child/amp/ |website=Vanguard Allure}}
Awards and nominations
In November 2020, Judikay was mentioned on YNaija as one of the top 10 Gospel Artistes for October, 2020.{{Cite web |last=Onakoya |first=Toluwanimi |date=2020-11-08 |title=Sinach, Nathaniel Bassey, TY Bello {{!}} Meet YNaija’s Top 10 Gospel Artistes for October » YNaija |url=https://ynaija.com/sinach-nathaniel-bassey-ty-bello-meet-ynaijas-top-10-gospel-artistes-for-october/ |access-date=2023-07-14 |website=YNaija |language=en-GB}}
External link
[https://www.judikay.com/ Official Website]
References
{{Reflist}}