Cynthia Ikponmwenosa Morgan (born 23 September 1991), popularly known by her previous stage name Cynthia Morgan, now Madrina, is a

Nigerian Nigerians or the Nigerian people are citizens of Nigeria or people with ancestry from Nigeria. The name Nigeria was taken from the Niger River running through the country. This name was allegedly coined in the late 19th century by British jour ...

born songwriter and singer. Her music is a fusion of pop, hip hop,

dancehall Dancehall is a genre of Jamaican popular music that originated in the late 1970s. Initially, dancehall was a more sparse version of reggae than the roots style, which had dominated much of the 1970s.Barrow, Steve & Dalton, Peter (2004) "The Rou ...

and

rap Rapping (also rhyming, spitting, emceeing or MCing) is a musical form of vocal delivery that incorporates "rhyme, rhythmic speech, and street vernacular". It is performed or chanted, usually over a backing beat or musical accompaniment. The ...

. She shot into limelight following the release of two singles titled "Don't Break My Heart" and "Lead Me On", which received massive airplay and positive reviews from critics. Cynthia made her acting debut in 2016 Nollywood movie "The Wrong Number" Directed by Saint Joseph ovensehi, and Ay's comedy movie A trip to Jamaica.

Early life and education

Cynthia Morgan was born in

Benin City Benin City is the capital and largest city of Edo State, Edo State, Nigeria. It is the fourth-largest city in Nigeria according to the 2006 census, after Lagos, Kano (city), Kano, and Ibadan, with a population estimate of about 3,500,000 as of ...

Edo State Edo, commonly known as Edo State, is a state located in the South-South geopolitical zone of Nigeria. As of 2006 National population census, the state was ranked as the 24th populated state (3,233,366) in Nigeria, However there was controversy ...

where she completed her basic formal education. At the age of 3, she was already a backup singer for her mother's musical band. Reports about Cynthia Morgan’s childhood say her father abandoned them when her mum was just 20-years-old and pregnant. She was then raised by a single mother who is now a top gospel artist in Benin City. That’s probably why Morgan fell in love with music at the early years of her life. If Morgan truly started performing at age 3, it’s not surprising that she started making her own songs at the age of 7. Those experiences equipped her to lead her school choir in secondary school. 10 years later, Cynthia Morgan was set to record her first debut single. She featured Pype in the debut titled ''Dutty Stepping''. Thereafter, she moved to Lagos to give her music career a push. She subsequently signed a recording deal with Northside Entertainment Inc. With that deal, she proved her worth soonest. Her ''Don’t Break My Heart'' and ''Lead Me On''singles received much attention which essentially, catapulted her to the limelight. Going into music professionally at the age of 16 and releasing her first single at the age of 17, Cynthia Morgan showed she has a keen ability, enabling her to blend these genres of music together for something unique. While “Don’t Break My Heart” flows with an upbeat Afro Pop synchronized to represent an ideal song suitable for wedding vow moments, “Lead Me On” exhibits a reggae-dancehall love song beautified with Morgan’s patois accent. The singles continued to earn Cynthia heartwarming reviews and “Lead Me On” was eventually, nominated for “Best Reggae-Dancehall Single” at The Headies of 2014.

Career

At the age of 7, Cynthia Morgan started composing songs and at the age of 17 she recorded her debut single which featured General Pype "Dutty Stepping". In 2008, she moved to

Lagos Lagos (Nigerian English: ; ) is the largest city in Nigeria and the List of cities in Africa by population, second most populous city in Africa, with a population of 15.4 million as of 2015 within the city proper. Lagos was the national ca ...

to further her music career. she calls herself "''Killa Marshal''" which is her Ego on stage. On 22 August 2013, Cynthia Morgan signed a recording contract with Northside Entertainment Inc. owned by Jude 'Engees' Okoye. Few months later, she released two chart-topping singles "Don't Break My Heart" and "Lead Me On" which got positive reviews from fans; the latter went on to be nominated for "Best Reggae/Dancehall Single" at

The Headies 2014 The Headies 2014 was the ninth edition of The Headies. It took place on 14 December 2014, at the Eko Hotel and Suites in Victoria Island, Lagos. Themed "Feel the Passion", the show was hosted by Toke Makinwa and Basketmouth. It was initially sch ...

On 23 May 2020, Cynthia Morgan who has not released songs for years in an Instagram Live session revealed that she lost her stage name, “Cynthia Morgan”, her VEVO account, royalties, Instagram account and other things due to the contract she signed with Jude Okoye. She revealed that she became depressed after her fallout with Jude Okoye of Northside Entertainment but did not informed public about her issues. Fans went on to donate to a GoFundMe account set up for her and even Afrobeats Superstar Davido weighed in and asked her to call him up for a collaboration.

Discography

Selected singles

*"Dutty Stepping" (2009) *"Jhybo ft Cynthia Morgan-E jo lefero (2009) *"Right Move" (2011) *"High High High" & "Ojoro" (2012) *"Don't Break My Heart" & "Lead Me On" (2014) *"I'm Taken" (2014) *"Popori" (2014) *"German Juice" (2015) *"Come and Do" (2015) *"Simati Niya" (2015) *"Baby Mama (2015) *"Olowo" (2016) *"Bubble bup" (2016) *"In Love" (2017) *"No camera's" (2017) *"Summer Time" (2017) *"Hustle" (2020) Madrina *"Billion Dollar Woman" (2018) *"Lion" (2018)

As featured artist

*"Ejo le fe ro" – Jhybo ft. Cynthia Morgan (2010) *"Bruce Lee" – TK Tycoon ft. Cynthia Morgan & Tipsy (2011) *"Gbogbo Hustling" – Tha Suspect ft. Zee, Bigmaxx, Cynthia Morgan & Tesh Carter (2012) *"Faaji" – Tony Ross ft. Cynthia Morgan & A-Q (2013) *"Money" – KKTBM ft.

Yung6ix Onome Onokohwomo (born 8 July 1989), better known by his stage name Yung6ix, is a Nigerian hip hop recording artist. Biography History Onokohwomo was born and raised in Warri, Delta State. He grew up as the oldest child in a family of five, ...

, Cynthia Morgan, Tesh Carter & SD (2014) *Give Dem" – DJ Prince ft.

Dammy Krane Oyindamola Johnson Emmanuel, popularly known as Dammy Krane, is a Nigerian singer, composer and performer. In January 2012, at age 20, he signed a record deal with Hypertek Digital and 960 Music Group. He is most famous for his single hit "My ...

, Mac 2 & Cynthia Morgan (2014) *"Shoki emale Version –

Lil Kesh Keshinro Ololade (born 17 March 1995), known professionally as Lil Kesh, is a Nigerian singer and rapper. He rose to limelight after releasing the hit single "Shoki". Early life and education Ololade was born and raised in Bariga, an area in L ...

ft.

Chidinma Chidinma Ekile (born 2 May 1991), known professionally as Chidinma, is a Nigerian hip-hop turned gospel singer and songwriter. In 2010, she rose to stardom after winning the third season of ''Project Fame West Africa''. Following the release of ...

Eva Eva or EVA may refer to: * Eva (name), a feminine given name Arts, entertainment, and media Fictional characters * Eva (Dynamite Entertainment), a comic book character by Dynamite Entertainment * Eva (''Devil May Cry''), Dante's mother in t ...

& Cynthia Morgan (2014) *"Jamo" –

Illbliss Tobechukwu Ejiofor known as iLLBLISS, is a Nigerian rapper, businessman and the owner of the talent managing outfit known as 'The Goretti Company', company responsible for launching the careers of Chidinma and Phyno, among others. Also popu ...

ft. Cynthia Morgan (2014) *"Number 1" – Chopstix ft. Cynthia Morgan,

Shaydee Shadrach Adeboye Folarin (born September 21, 1987), professionally referred to as Shaydee, is a Nigerian singer-songwriter and vocalist. In 2015, Shaydee was listed on notJustOk's list of "15 Artists to Watch in 2015". He is best known for his hi ...

& Yung L (2015) *"Go Gaga (Remix)" – MC Galaxy ft. Stone Bwoy, Cynthia Morgan (2015) *"Telephone Lies" – Spydaman ft. Cynthia Morgan (2015) *"Come Over" – Splash ft Cynthia Morgan (2016) *"Twerk It" – Tony Ross ft. Cynthia Morgan,

Phyno Chibuzor Nelson Azubuike (born 9 October 1986), populary known as Phyno Fino, is a Nigerian rapper, singer, songwriter and record producer. He started his music career as a producer in 2003, and is renowned for rapping in the Igbo language. His ...

(2016) *"Fine n Clean" –

Jesse Jagz Jesse Garba Abaga (born 10 August 1984), known professionally as Jesse Jagz, is a Nigerian rapper, record producer and songwriter. He signed a record deal with Chocolate City in 2010 and released his debut studio album ''Jag of All Tradez'' that ...

ft. Cynthia Morgan (2017) *"Mosa" – Tony Ross ft Cynthia Morgan (2018)

Awards and nominations

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Morgan, Cynthia Living people 1991 births 21st-century Nigerian women singers Nigerian hip hop musicians Musicians from Edo State The Headies winners