With her stage name Ewa Cole, often known as the “Queen of Afro-Solk,” Ewaoluwa Olatunji holds the world record for the longest continuous singing of Christmas music.
Ewa became the first person to hold this world record by singing for 31 hours straight on December 27 and 28.
The 29-year-old Nigerian native of Lagos stated that she accepted this task in an effort to “promote peace and unity” and give young people confidence.
“Since childhood, I’ve been preparing for this moment. I was often put on stage to lead and perform at my school’s Christmas carols,” Ewa revealed.
Ewa performed a variety of traditional Christmas songs, including “Deck the Halls,” “Frosty the Snowman,” and “Silent Night,” during her effort to break the world record. Within an hour, she was not permitted to listen to any song again.
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Similar to all previous efforts at the “longest marathon,” Ewa was allowed to take a five-minute rest break after each hour of nonstop singing; these breaks could be accrued. She could only eat, sleep, and use the restroom during certain times.
Ewa suffered from exhaustion, sore throats, and stomach issues as a result of her extended singing sessions.
“The most challenging period for me was between the eighth and 12th hours,” she said.
“I had consumed a drink that caused mild food poisoning symptoms, forcing me to hold in flatulence to avoid public embarrassment. I was simultaneously experiencing profuse sweating, stomach, head, and throat aches, along with an urgent need to use the restroom.”
Although she overcame this hurdle, her throat pain then began to worsen, and after 20 hours it had “intensified to an unbearable level.”
“By the 20th hour, I was desperate for a miraculous reprieve,” Ewa admitted.
She was on the verge of giving up, but happily she managed to endure the agony and kept singing despite it.
Ewa, who owns her own line in addition to being a software engineer, says she is “still buzzing with excitement” over being inducted into the Guinness World Records.
Ewa is eager to see where her singing career goes after inventing her own music genre, “Afro-Solk,” which is a blend of Afro-pop, soul, and folk music.
“It’s incredible to consider all the limitless possibilities that lie ahead,” she said.
“I can’t wait to explore and make the most of them!”
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