The Group
Phoenix is made up of four young and roundly gifted Nigerians whose resonant voices and melodious artistry took the audience by storm during the keenly contested Nescafe African Revelation, NAR elimination series in Lagos and the pre-national finals in Ibadan.

Composition:
The group comprises 17 year old Rhema Ibeabuchi, Davis Agocha and Luis-Paul Acho both 19, all school leavers and Chizoba Uba a secondary school student who is barely 16. Regardless of age, these talented singers braced the odds to showcase their tuneful talent to the admiration of the teeming audience that graced the occasion without giving away the fact that they were merely teenagers.

How they met
It is not only amazing but also heart-warming to point out that as a group; Phoenix owes its origin to NAR. Rhema, it was, who learnt of the programme on radio and informed Agocha who she had met sometime ago singing in a church. Fortunately, Agocha, being like-minded, has heard of the programme and was actually reflecting on a date with destiny on the NAR platform. Rhema also shared the idea with Chizoba, her childhood friend both members of the same church choir. These young Nigerians took a leap of faith and entered for the NAR contest. They soon felt the need to balance the number and fill the missing link in their arsenal. At that point, the lot fell on Paul as endorsed by the crew.


Pedigree:
Rhema, Paul-Luis and Chizoba are from Abia State while Agocha is from Delta State all in Nigeria. Rhema is the fifth and last child in a family of seven (parents inclusive); Paul is the third child in a family of six; Agocha is the second of his parents’ three children; while Chizoba is the only child of her parents.

The Name Phoenix
The name phoenix goes to serve their undying passion for music. It was derived from a Harry Potter movie where an enigmatic character, an invincible bird called Phoenix could shed its feathers when on the throes of death and rejuvenate instead of succumbing to transience. This is suggestive of the literally meaning of the word: Phoenix, yet like the allegory in the Harry Potter movie, the Phoenix of the NAR revelation has come to stay!

Inspiration
The common trend in their experience is that they all sing in the church, not the same church though. So, one would not be mistaking to conclude that they were inspired by their exploits in the church choir. Agocha is a choreographer and a designer with a little dose of modelling in his training. This he has confirmed with outstanding presentation on several occasions in the course of events. Today, the stage is set and Nigerians are eager to see these true ambassadors prove to the rest of Africa and the world that they have a date with history, Nescafe.

Passion
Notwithstanding the difference in their pedigree, they understand one language, the language of music which has brought them this far. Apart from Rhema who emerged from a family of choristers, members of the Phoenix share no relationship or semblance with any musician. They are incredibly original doing what they know best and counting on providence to take them to greater heights.
Inasmuch as they share a common calling in music, all thanks to NAR for making it a reality, they still find time for reading and dancing as hobbies.

Aspiration
Interestingly, they all aspire to further their education to the university level, as they will be writing the impending Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB Examinations. However, against all expectations they are working towards a career in other fields of endeavour. Rhema is aspiring to be a lawyer, Paul want to study international relations, Chizoba want to study medicine but Agocha cannot give up his love for designing and the creative arts, perhaps, music too even though he also wants to study law.
This does not suggest in any way that the rest will quit singing. No. Instead, they are all taking it up from wherever the NAR project will land them. In fact, they will be rolling out their first full album soon after the NAR finals in Cote D’ Ivoire.
We can only wish them luck and the enthusiasm they deserve!