In the late 2000s, Midnight Crew, a quartet gospel group, dominated the airspace. Originally formed in 2001, they never had a breakthrough until 2008 when the remake of “Igwe,” stood them out from the crowd. Their life never remained the same.

While I was fascinated by the group’s exploits, their soloist, Pat Uwaje-King caught my attention. With support from the other three members, she effortlessly served as the engine room of the music group. Since she explored the solo route in 2013, I have been a fan, frequently checking her out.

Born in Ibadan in 1979, Pat Uwaje-King was introduced to music at an early stage. From listening to music and imitating the sound on the radio to later singing in her church choir at the age of thirteen.

At this phase of her life, there were deliberate attempts by her parents to fine-tune her sound, this process led to her getting engaged by Continental television like African Independent Television (AIT) Nigeria as she produces jingles for them.

By the time she resumed as a student at Yaba College of Technology, Lagos State, Pat Uwaje-King was a well-rounded musician in the making, while studying for a diploma in Secretarial Administration from Yaba College of Technology, she met other awesome gospel singers, they later formed “Midnight Crew.”

Not done with her educational pursuit, she later earned a degree from the Creative Arts department, University of Lagos, Nigeria.

Seven years into the group formation, the block-busting song “Igwe,” became the fans’ favorite. The success of the song was followed by tours and ministration across the world. Igwe which means king in Igbo language finds the singers adoring God. From the first to the last verse, they all allude to the power of God with the crowd vocal repeating the line. Igwe is a multiple-language type of song with lyrics exploring Igbo, Pidgin, and English language.  This was what the band members needed, and just like expected, slowly the band members explored their solo career.

In 2013, it was officially announced that the members would be exploring a solo career.

Pat Uwaje King has released a myriad of songs in the last decade. At the last count, she has over two studio albums under her sleeve.

“He’s Done Me Well,” her 2015 debut studio album features the likes of Odunayo Ojo Onasanya, and Doris Dumah as collaborators with the bonus track featuring vocals input from Midnight Crew. On this album, Pat Uwaje King channels her emotion to craft songs in different languages, this way, she appeals to a plethora of demography. For the first time, the fans had an opportunity to enjoy her music as they liked, she gave them a full dose of that.

The 2016 released “Thank You Lord,” is a percussion based type of song, heavily laid on bright snare and kicks with the  singer being grateful to the most high. Pat Uwaje King takes the High Life music route when on “Amara,” (2017). The song is filled with gratitude-like lyrics with the guitar doing magic. “Jehovah Daalu,” (2019) is a worship type of song. Without the vocals, the heavy production craftly delivers.

Beyond recording music in the studios and churning it out for the public to listen to, Pat Uwaje King is also a fine stage performer. When she comes on stage, she energetically performs her music while carrying the audience along. In 2019, I attended “Delta Yadah,” in Asaba, Delta State, the event which was put together by a collection of gospel organizations and witnessed performances by various gospel artistes across Africa.

With over thirty choristers on stage and a white shirt and trousers-wearing choreographers serenading the audience, Pat Uwaje King skillfully made the best of her time during her session.

In 2016, three years preceding my encounter with Pat Uwaje King in Asaba, Delta State. I was also part of the audience at “Grace Encounter All Nite,” at a Pentecostal church in Lagos State. Unlike the Delta State Church ministration, the singer with the help of two backups took the audience through her discography.

With more than two decades of experience in the gospel music industry, Pat Uwaje King continues to raise her flag, in a way, she keeps on registering her name in the music space, thereby uplifting God’s name.