| Birth Date: | 24 June 1964 |
| Birth Name: | Buchi Atuonwu |
| Birth Place: | Kaduna, Nigeria |
| Spouse: | Jane Atuonwu |
| Origin: | Ikwuano, Abia State, Nigeria |
Buchi Atuonwu, popularly known as Buchi, is a Nigerian song-writer, author, poet spoken words and reggae gospel artist. He started as a disc jockey in night clubs.
Buchi is part of Christ Embassy's LoveWorld Music and Arts Ministry.[1]
Buchi is a native of Abia state south-east Nigeria, but was born in Kaduna on June 24, 1964.
Education
He attended Methodist College Uzuakoli and Federal Government College, Enugu both in south-east Nigeria. Upon completion of his secondary school, Buchi gained admission to University of Lagos in 1983 where he obtained a bachelor's degree in English Language and Literary Studies in three years. By 1988, he obtained a second degree and took up an appointment to lecture at the same institution while studying for his Ph.D.
Buchi continued in University of Lagos as a lecturer until 1994 when he began actively writing literature, poetry and music. [2]
Black Activism
During his stay at the university, Buchi's developed interest in black activism via a reggae club, and it progressively increased through the years. This evolution was prompted by his exposure to ideologies during a presentation by Oliver Thambo and representatives of the African National Congress (ANC) from South Africa during the club's enlightening exhibition centered on the theme of "Apartheid in South Africa". This contributed to his exploration of literature authored by prominent black activists such as Dennis Bruts, Wole Soyinka and Muta Baruka, and it contributed to Buchi's connection with reggae music. This connection was rooted in the perception of reggae as a medium to articulate opposition against oppression. This led him to join one of the campus confraternities, which, during that period, positioned themselves as proponents of anti-oppression initiatives.[3]
Buchi began his musical career as a Disc Jockey at an 80s popular Night Club called Floating Bukka, which was in a docked vessel at the Marina, Lagos Island. He was invited to join the gig by Ras Kimono. [4]
He has lived most of his life in Lagos. He is married to Jane Atuonwu. [5] He has four children all of which have featured on his musical project at various times. He released a song 'Normally' on his 8th Album titled, 'Normally' which featured all his children.
Buchi has released 8 Studio albums and two books. The audio albums are as follows: