Few faces are more iconic on the Nigerian screen than that of Mama G, a moniker for the popular actress Patience Ozokwor. Her brilliant execution of, more often than not, villainous, charismatic, and mulish characters made her a household name in the 2000s. 

Alongside her highly accomplished acting career, which boasts over 100 credits, the 66-year-old also led a brief but equally successful music career. She released several songs, including “Ihe Neme N’uwa,” “Iyo Ngwo Ngwo,” and “Adaeze,” most of which were lengthy and featured other Nollywood stars who also doubled as musicians, with extensively choreographed visuals and heavy backup vocals. Her debut album, ‘Ojadili,’ housed these songs, along with others, predominantly conveying messages of morality and social commentary. 

One of the album’s standout songs, the socio-politically charged “National Moi Moi,“ featured fellow Nollywood stars Tonto Dike and Charles Awurum. Its catchy hook and satirical music video, which depicted Mama G cosplaying as a Nigerian politician, contributed to its controversial success and further legitimized the actor and singer’s musical career. While “National Moi Moi” became ubiquitous in the early 2000s, it’s one of her other songs, “Make We Jolly,” which also features Dike and Awurum, that has arguably had the more enduring legacy. 

Stepping away from the solemn musings on the sorry state of the country, “Make We Jolly” is an instant party starter that employs its listener to forget their troubles and get lost in its rhythmicity and euphoria. Mama G beautifully reworks the melodies from VIP’s 2003 classic hit “Ahomka Womu,” as she delivers a memorable performance both in English and her native Igbo. This clever interpolation not only pays homage to a foundational track in African music but also infuses “Make We Jolly” with a familiar and infectious energy that continues to help it resonate with audiences across the continent.

While the Ghanaian Hip-life group declared their undying desire for a love interest on their hit single, Mama G was more concerned with the collective need for escapism on hers. “Come my brother, Come My sister / Jam the gbedu, drink the pammy,” she sings cheerily as she masterfully transforms the original’s romantic tenor into an anthem of communal celebration, urging listeners to shed their worries and embrace the present moment with unbridled enthusiasm. 

The song’s accompanying music video, which Nollywood filmmaker Ifeanyi Azodo directed, is as ecstatic as the record itself. Shots of different groups of uniformed vixens executing meticulously choreographed dance moves are punctuated by scenes of Mama G at the heart of a lively function, almost like a general rallying her troops to celebrate and be joyful. It’s vibrant and amusing in parts, capturing the simplicity and nostalgia of a bygone era.

Even though Mama G’s music career was truncated as she chose to focus on her acting career instead, she managed to leave an indelible mark with releases like “Make We Jolly,” which continues to stand as a testament to her indisputable musical talent and ability to craft songs that speaks to the heart of everyday experiences, providing a much-needed antidote to the pervasive anxieties of the modern world.