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Samba Queen and popular crossover artiste,
Stella Ada Monye aka Stella Monye, who started music at a very tender
age with hit songs like Oko Mi Ye and Ife among many other popular hits shares her stage experience which spans over 30 years.
When was the first time you performed on stage?
It was in 1979 when Eddy Grant and Sonny Okosuns were to be honoured. EMI brought Eddy Grant so I was asked to open the show. I did not have any experience then. I was a teenager who had interest in music. I did my best which was not okay because I was nervous. But I was able to do two songs entitledMercy and Help.
Had you recorded any album then?
No, but I was approaching Okosuns for the recording of an album and he said that I should start from the stage so that I could have better professional experience; that was how I started my carrier.
How were you able to overcome the nervousness ?
With more professional jobs.
Did you do anything spectacular before going on stage?
No, I was just a rascal or a tomboy who had the will to perform. I never went on stage under the influence of anything; I never took alcohol or strong drinks.
Was Eddy Grant’s your first major concert?
Yes, the other one was the Art Alade’s Show on NTA. Then I was 14years old.
As you grow older, when you have a show, what do you do?
I rest a lot and avoid shouting. I also make sure I don’t jump anyhow
on stage. On stage I have the mentality of a long distance runner so I
don’t burn up all my energy. Thank God I take things easy now but the
energy has not really reduced because I look up to the likes of King
Sunny Ade. Despite his age, his energy has not diminished. Don’t forget
that Mariam Makeba died on stage so I want to die on stage like her.
What happened during your first international show when you played with Mariam Makeba?
I met Makeba at the 150th Abolition of Slave Trade Concert in Guyana, during a tour of the Caribbean. We were sent by Nigerian government. It was fun because I met Mama herself on stage. I did not panic despite the fact that I was much younger then. Don’t forget that the band I went with were professionals because we had the likes of Peter King on saxophone, Cyril Onyia on trumpet, the late Remi Kabaka on drums and Bisade Ologunde on bass, We were all professionals and I told myself that I had to live up to expectation which I did.
What crazy thing has a male fan done to you?
A male fan came on stage and started to smooch me all over and touching every part of my body. I told him politely that he wanted to take advantage of me because I’m a woman.
Touching your boobs…?
No… he was touching my body up to my shoulder, my legs and waist and he was not too rough on me. Eventually the security people took him away and the audience were screaming that how could he do that to Stella. I did not like how the security guards took him away because I believe it’s part of show business.
Has any male fan sneaked into your dressing room and tried to behave funny?
Yes, there was a situation when there was a security lapse at a show and a male fan came into my dressing room saying he wanted to watch me dress for the show. Then I was just in a pair of shorts and trying to adjust my under skirt. The security guys came on time and whisked him away.
It was in 1979 when Eddy Grant and Sonny Okosuns were to be honoured. EMI brought Eddy Grant so I was asked to open the show. I did not have any experience then. I was a teenager who had interest in music. I did my best which was not okay because I was nervous. But I was able to do two songs entitledMercy and Help.
Had you recorded any album then?
No, but I was approaching Okosuns for the recording of an album and he said that I should start from the stage so that I could have better professional experience; that was how I started my carrier.
How were you able to overcome the nervousness ?
With more professional jobs.
Did you do anything spectacular before going on stage?
No, I was just a rascal or a tomboy who had the will to perform. I never went on stage under the influence of anything; I never took alcohol or strong drinks.
Was Eddy Grant’s your first major concert?
As you grow older, when you have a show, what do you do?
What happened during your first international show when you played with Mariam Makeba?
I met Makeba at the 150th Abolition of Slave Trade Concert in Guyana, during a tour of the Caribbean. We were sent by Nigerian government. It was fun because I met Mama herself on stage. I did not panic despite the fact that I was much younger then. Don’t forget that the band I went with were professionals because we had the likes of Peter King on saxophone, Cyril Onyia on trumpet, the late Remi Kabaka on drums and Bisade Ologunde on bass, We were all professionals and I told myself that I had to live up to expectation which I did.
What crazy thing has a male fan done to you?
A male fan came on stage and started to smooch me all over and touching every part of my body. I told him politely that he wanted to take advantage of me because I’m a woman.
Touching your boobs…?
No… he was touching my body up to my shoulder, my legs and waist and he was not too rough on me. Eventually the security people took him away and the audience were screaming that how could he do that to Stella. I did not like how the security guards took him away because I believe it’s part of show business.
Has any male fan sneaked into your dressing room and tried to behave funny?
Yes, there was a situation when there was a security lapse at a show and a male fan came into my dressing room saying he wanted to watch me dress for the show. Then I was just in a pair of shorts and trying to adjust my under skirt. The security guys came on time and whisked him away.
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