International intrigue. Political drama. Heartbreak. The story behind Onyeka Nwelue’s first foray into music has all that and more. His debut world music single, “Break your Heart,” which he wrote and sang while undergoing psychiatric treatment, was produced by Eternal Nnamdi Mbamara (aka Eternal Africa) and released by Walboomers Music accompanied by a video. The song is inspired by true events amidst the academic elite. There’s a lot to unpack here and according to Nwelue, it’s a true story.
A Nigerian scholar who had esteemed positions in academia in African studies at two of the world’s most prestigious universities, the University of Oxford and Cambridge, Nwelue authored twenty-five books – novels, nonfiction, and poetry, including the award-winning “Hip-Hop is Only for Children.” He’s also a filmmaker and documentarian, talk show host, and teacher who served as the dean of the School of Cinematographic Studies at Université Queensland in Haiti. Among his many academic achievements were studying ancient masterpieces of world literature at Harvard University; a research associate at the University of Johannesburg; visiting assistant professor at the University of Manipur; visiting lecturer at the University of Hong Kong; and visiting researcher at Ohio University. So yes, he’s a world-class scholar of the highest repute.
Earlier this year, an incident at the University of Oxford led to Nwelue’s dismissal. He established the annual James Currey Prize for African Literature and directed the James Currey Literary Festival, which took place at the University of Oxford’s Weston Library. Nwelue said that he was accused of “political incorrectness and slapped with damaging labels owing to the views publicly espoused in my books.”
Nwelue believes that his political affiliations in Nigeria – he openly supports Peter Obi, the leader of Nigeria’s Labour Party - were another reason he was persecuted. Feeling maligned and heartbroken, he sought refuge, using the occasion to address longstanding mental health issues. Nwelue pursued treatment in Mexico where he’s working on a film about Africans in Mexico titled “Dogs of Mexico.” During therapy, he discovered songwriting. “Break your Heart” was inspired by the Oxford incident that damaged his reputation and left him shattered.
“I was diagnosed with a certain kind of mental illness many years ago. It has destroyed many things for me. Recently diagnosed with ADHD, I have been in a psychiatric center in Mexico. Out of a need to heal, I turned to music. I have always wanted to be a musician, but you need courage and confidence to be one. I once read that everyone can sing but you need to learn it over time,” said Nwelue, who studied the business of music at Berklee College of Music in Boston.
Prior to undergoing care, Nwelue split his time living in Johannesburg, Oxford, and Mexico – three disparate yet rich cultures. He borrowed elements from all three and infused them into “Break your Heart,” an amalgam of African beats, urban soul, and jazz nuances. Not surprisingly, his pain is evident in the song’s lyrics and felt in his impassioned vocals.
“You jazzed my soul and threw me away
You left me broken
So
I will break your heart
I will tear your heart
Run far away
And you’ll never find me.”
Nwelue directed the video for “Break your Heart.” He’s currently working on his first album titled “Quimbombó,” which he plans to release early next year followed by a concert tour. All the songs he’s written for the collection are inspired by his mental health challenges and life struggles.
“I have faced disgrace and embarrassment among all my accomplishments. I think globally, I was the only person attached to the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge simultaneously as an Academic Visitor at 35 years old. I attracted envy - from old and young people alike,” said Nwelue who recently completed a biopic about Emeka Ojukwu, a Nigerian military officer and politician who served as president of the Republic of Biafra during the Nigerian Civil War.
Nwelue is fully immersing himself into his recording muse and hopes “Break your Heart” will receive Grammy consideration. In earlier years, he managed recording artists and founded a record label in Paris. He’s especially drawn to jazz and used to organize diplomatic jazz nights in Nigeria before leaving the country. Music, especially jazz, helps him focus. And he’s found a way to use music to stabilize his mental health.
“In psychiatry, one’s mental illness can be contained through the use of music and visual arts, especially when it comes to ADHD and concentration. One needs to fully concentrate on something to be able to stay sane. Most mentally ill people have creative ways of handling their condition. I find creative ways to stay sane and that is by listening to jazz music.
For more information, please visit https://onyekanwelue.com and https://www.walboomers.com/onyekannwelue.
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