Emma Chukwugoziam Obi (born July 18, 1988),[1] professionally known by her stage name Emma Nyra, is an American-bornNigerian singer-songerwriter, actress and model.[2]

Emma Nyra was born and raised in Tyler,Texas where she had her early education. She has family roots in Delta State. In 2012, she left for Nigeria to pursue a career in music and modelling. She is an alumna ofTexas Southern University where she graduted with a degree in Health Care Administration.[3]

Emma Nyra released her debut singles titled “Do It” and “Everything I Do” in 2011 while in the U.S. Upon her return to Nigeria in 2012, she started working with D’Tunesand Iyanya who she had met in 2010 while in the U.S. In March 2012, she signed a recording contract with Made Men Music Group before she went on to make her first major debut in the Nigerian music industry after she made a vocal appearance in Iyanya’s “Ur Waist“.[4]

In 2013, Emma Nyra was voted the “Most Promising Act to Watch” at the 2013 editionof the Nigeria Entertainment Awards.[5]Emma Nyra went on to release several singles which saw her touring the United States and Canada between 2013 to 2014.[4] Shas since worked with the likes ofDavido, Patoranking, Olu Maintain among others. In 2015, Emma Nyra was listed onnotJustOk‘s list of “15 Artists to Watch in 2015”.[6] Her debut studio album titledEmma Nyra Hot Like Fiya Vol. 1 is yet to be released.[7]

Apart from music, Emma Nyra is also an actress.[8] She has so far appeared in three films including American Driver,[9] Reboundand The Re-Union.[10]

In 2014, Emma Nyra ended her recording contract with Made Men Music Group. While the press hinted on relationship issues, Emma Nyra cited “abuse with physical and verbal force” from her then manager Ubi Franklin as the reason why she left the label imprint. The allegations were however denied by Ubi Franklin.[11]