Nigeria on Music Theory Print

Agboola Shadare

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Agboola Shadare is a Nigerian songwriter, composer and producer. He started as a church musician, then moved into club and studio production in Nigeria. He produced for popular Nigerian artistes such as Gbenga Owoeye-Wise and Mike Aremu, and released two solo albums, Dream Dawn and Glory. Shadare then moved to the US, playing Christian smooth jazz. Agboola’s music is now played around the world. He has performed alongside Bob James, Ron Kenoly, Yolanda Adams and other top artistes and several times on TBN. Agboola held concerts across Europe, being due to return to the United States in March 2009, where he was to release two albums and a play at a concert at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark. Early life Agboola was born in Kano City in Africa on 9 May Originally from Ilesa, in Southern Nigeria. At the age of twelve Shadares became a drummer in the church. By age 19 he had learnt more instruments, particularly the guitar, which became his signature instrument, playing with his style. Between 1993 and 1994, Agboola appeared in several concerts with the group Treasure Band. He later concentrated on a Christian approach; between 1994 and 2002 he played with House on the R

Akin Euba

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Olatunji Akin Euba (28 April 1935 – 14 April 2020) was a Nigerian composer, musicologist, and pianist. Career Born on 28 April 1935 in Lagos, Nigeria, Akin Euba studied composition with Arnold Cooke at the Trinity College of Music, London, obtaining the diplomas of fellow of the Trinity College London (Composition) and fellow of the Trinity College London (Piano). He was awarded a Rockefeller Foundation Fellowship in 1962. He received B.A. and M.A. degrees from the University of California, Los Angeles, where he studied with Mantle Hood, Charles Seeger, J. H. Kwabena Nketia, Klaus Wachsmann, and Roy Travis. He held a Ph.D. in ethnomusicology from the University of Ghana, Legon (1974). While at Legon, Euba’s doctoral work was supervised by Professor Nketia, and his dissertation is titled “Dundun Music of the Yoruba”. Euba was professor and director of the Centre for Cultural Studies at the University of Lagos, and also served as a senior research fellow at the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) in Nigeria. He served as head of music at the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation for five years. He was a research scholar and artist in residence at IWALEWA House, the African

Amarachi

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Amarachi Uyanne (born 17 July 2004), popularly known by her stage name Amarachi, is a Nigerian singer and dancer. She is best known for winning the maiden edition of Nigeria’s Got Talent. Background Amarachi is a native of Delta State in the South-South region of Nigeria. She grew up in Edo State, South-South Nigeria, where she started dancing at the age of 5. In 2012, she won a cash prize of N10,000,000 after she was announced as the winner of the first edition of Nigeria’s Got Talent. She was subsequently dubbed the “youngest millionaire in Nigeria”. Education She attended University Preparatory Secondary School in Benin City, Edo State. The young celebrity recently graduated from secondary school in July 2019 and had her tertiary education from Benson Idahosa University, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. Career After emerging as the winner of Nigeria’s Got Talent, Amarachi released her debut single titled “Amarachi Dance”. She proceeded to feature Phyno in a song titled “Ova Sabi”; her first two singles received massive airplays and positive reviews from music critics. She currently runs the Amarachi Talent Academy, a talent school conceived with the aim of nurturing and training

Andre Vibez

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Alexander Uwaifo (born 25 September 1988) known professionally as Andre Vibez, is a Nigerian music producer and songwriter. He is best known for producing “Rush” from Ayra Starr’s album 19 & Dangerous and Rema international hit single “Calm Down” which peaked at number one on the India IMI International chart and also peak no.3 on Billboard Hot 100 after its remix with Selena Gomez. In September 2022, he was announced as one of the newly signed record producers of the Nigerian record label, Mavin Records. Early life Vibez was born on 25 September 1988 and grew up in the south-south region of Nigeria, Benin City, Edo State. He attended Kings College, Lagos where he completed his secondary education, and later on he obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine and Applied Arts from the University of Benin, Nigeria. Vibez’s musical career started when he was a teenager in the year 2005. He grew up as a part of his father, Victor Uwaifo’s music band “Titibiti”. Career Vibez’s father, Sir Victor Uwaifo was a Nigerian highlife musician well known for winning the first gold disc in Africa. Vibez started producing music in 2005 and worked alongside his father as a keyboardist. His music production

Aramide (musician)

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Aramide is a Nigerian Afro-soul singer and songwriter. She won Best Vocal Performance (Female) for “Iwo Nikan” at the Headies 2015. She graduated with a political science degree from the University of Jos. In 2019, Aramide was appointed by The Recording Academy to the board of governors for the Washington, D.C. chapter of the Academy. Life and career Personal life Aramide is married and has a child. Her traditional marriage and white wedding were held on 18 April 2015 in her hometown, Ibadan. Music career and breakthrough single Aramide’s music quest started in 2006, when she contested on ‘Star Quest’ one of Nigeria’s most prestigious and competitive music talent hunt shows. Her band did very well in the competition as they were judged the 3rd Runners Up. In 2008, she was a part of a show called ‘Divas Unplugged’ in the famous city of Jos in Nigeria; the show had all the leading female artistes in the Nigerian music industry and her participation in this show was very challenging and rewarding, and her performance and involvement was very inspirational. On September 9, 2014 she got signed to Baseline Music after exiting from Trybe Records. Iwo Nikan On February 4, 2015 Aramide rele

Ayo Bankole

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Ayo Bankole (17 May 1935 – 6 November 1976) was a composer and organist from the Yoruba ethnic group in southwest Nigeria. Early life and education Ayo Bankole was born in Jos, Nigeria, into a musical family: his father, Theophilus Abiodun Bankole was an organist and Choirmaster at St. Luke’s Anglican Church in Jos. His mother was a music instructor for several years at Queen’s School, Ede, Osun State, a Federal government high school. Bankole studied in London at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. There he met drama student and poet Brian Edward Hurst and set one of Hurst’s poems, “Children of the Sun”, to music; this was performed at the Guildhall School in 1960. He also studied at Clare College, Cambridge and received a Rockefeller Foundation Fellowship to study ethnomusicology at the University of California, Los Angeles. Musical career Bankole returned to Nigeria in 1966 and was appointed Senior Producer in Music at the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation, Lagos, where he worked until 1969, after which he was appointed lecturer in music at the School of African and Asian Studies, University of Lagos. He worked as a music educator, composer, choral conductor, performer and

Celestine Ukwu

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Celestine Ukwu (1940 – 7 May 1977) was a Nigerian Igbo highlife musician during the 1960s and 1970s, best known for his hit songs “Ije Enu”, “Igede” and “Money Palava”. Described as a “prolific and outstanding composer” by music critic Benson Idonije of Radio Nigeria Two, Ukwu’s works have been featured on various world music compilations including The Rough Guide to Highlife and The Rough Guide to Psychedelic Africa. Early life Ukwu was born in Enugu, the capital city of Enugu State in southeastern Nigeria, and raised in Abor, located in the Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State. His father was a local performer of the igede, ikpa and ode genres of Igbo music while his mother was lead singer in a women’s musical group. He learned to read music and play the harmonium through his uncle, a choirmaster, with whom he would frequently travel. He briefly attended primary schools in the locales they lived in, namely Onitsha, Port Harcourt, Igbariam, and Buguma, and completed his primary education in Abor in 1955. He spent the next three years at the Teacher Training College in Zaria, where in 1958 he would obtain his teachers’ grade three certificate and begin teaching. He returned to

Cynthia Morgan

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Cynthia Ikponmwenosa Morgan (born 23 September 1991), popularly known by her previous stage name Cynthia Morgan, now Madrina, is a Nigerian born songwriter and singer. Her music is a fusion of pop, hip hop, dancehall and rap. She gained popularity following the release of two singles titled “Don’t Break My Heart” and “Lead Me On”, which received massive airplay and positive reviews from critics. Cynthia made her acting debut in 2016 Nollywood movie “The Wrong Number” Directed by Saint Joseph Ovensehi, and Ay’s comedy movie ‘A trip to Jamaica’. Early life and education Cynthia Morgan was born in Benin City, Edo State where she completed her basic formal education. At the age of 3, she was a backup singer for her mother’s musical band. she calls herself “Killa Marshal” which is her Ego on stage. A few months later, she released two chart-topping singles “Don’t Break My Heart” and “Lead Me On” which got positive reviews from fans; the latter went on to be nominated for “Best Reggae/Dancehall Single” at The Headies 2014 On 23 May 2020, Cynthia Morgan who had not released songs for years revealed in an Instagram Live session that she lost her stage name, “Cynthia Morgan”, her VEVO accou

Dapo Torimiro

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Dapo Torimiro is a Nigerian songwriter, record producer, multi-instrumentalist and singer. Born in Lagos, he has worked in the music industry in the US for several years writing and producing music for artists’ album projects, touring with numerous artists, as well as scoring various television and film projects. Music career Dapo’s big break was placing the song “Quickly” (co-written with Frank Ocean and the award-winning production duo Midi Mafia (50 Cent, Fantasia)) on nine-time Grammy winner John Legend’s third studio album, Evolver, which was released in Fall of 2008. Featuring multi-platinum-selling artist Brandy, “Quickly” received early industry buzz as not only an inspired, sleek duet featuring R&B/pop music’s leading artists, but also as one of the album’s stand-out gems. Dapo, Frank Ocean and Midi Mafia co-wrote (and Dapo/Midi Mafia produced) approximately 20+ songs, some of which were released by Frank as part of his “Lonny Breaux Collection” which includes a demo version of Justin Bieber’s “Bigger” (My World) as well as “Bedtime Stories”, “Done”, “Lights”, “Quickly” (Frank’s demo version), “Read The Stars”, “Standing Still”, and “When I’m Done”. Later in the Fall of 20

Del B

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Ayodele Joseph Basil, better known as Del B, is a Nigerian composer, sound engineer, record producer. and songwriter. He is best known for producing Kcee’s hit single “Limpopo”, which went on to be voted Song of The Year at the 2013 edition of The Headies. In 2012, he produced the single “Shake” by Flavour N’abania, which received critical acclaim among music critics. Early life and career Del B was born in Kano State, Northern Nigeria, to parents who are natives of Kwale. Prior to achieving recognition, he worked as a studio engineer at MidiCorp Studios. While there, he produced D’banj’s “Why Me” single. He recorded the chart-topping single by Kcee entitled “Limpopo”—the song that got him nominated at the 2013 Headies. He produced two songs: “Kind Love” and “On Top Your Matter” off Wizkid’s critically acclaimed studio album, Ayo. “On Top Your Matter” was met with positive reviews among music critics. It debuted at number nine on the MTV Base Official Naija Top 10 music video chart. It subsequently went on to top the charts for several weeks, earning Del B more recognition. Del B has been credited as producer on studio albums including Seyi or Shay by Seyi Shay; Testify by Harryson

Emma Nyra

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Emma Chukwugoziam Obi (born July 18, 1988), professionally known as Emma Nyra, is a Nigerian-American singer, songwriter, actress, and model. Her associate acts include Iyanya, Selebobo, Davido, Cynthia Morgan, Victoria Kimani, and Patoranking. Early life Emma Nyra was born and raised in Tyler, Texas, where she had her early education. She is of Igbo descent from Delta State, located in the south-southern region of Nigeria. In 2012, she left for Nigeria to pursue a career in music and modelling. Education She is an alumna of Texas Southern University, where she graduated with a degree in Health Care Administration. Career Music Emma Nyra released her debut singles titled “Do It” and “Everything I Do” in 2011 while in the U.S. Upon her return to Nigeria in 2012, she started working with D’Tunes and Iyanya who she had met in 2010 while in the U.S. In March 2012, she signed a recording contract with Made Men Music Group before she went on to make her first major debut in the Nigerian music industry. After that she made a vocal appearance in Iyanya’s “Ur Waist”. In 2013, Emma Nyra was voted the “Most Promising Act to Watch” at the 2013 edition of the Nigeria Entertainment Awards. Her d

Falz

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Folarin Falana (; born 27 October 1990), better known by his stage name Falz, is a Nigerian rapper, songwriter, and actor. He began his career in secondary school after forming a group called “The School Boys” with a friend, before launching his professional music career in 2009. Falz gained wider recognition after releasing the song “Marry Me” featuring vocals from Poe and Yemi Alade. He currently owns an independent record label called “Bahd Guys Records”. He released his debut album Wazup Guy in 2014. His second album Stories That Touch was released in 2015. He released 27 in 2017, and his fourth studio album Moral Instruction in 2019. Early life and education Falz was born in the local government area of Mushin, Lagos State, to lawyers and human right activists Funmi and Femi Falana. He was called to the bar in 2012 after graduating from the Nigerian Law School in Abuja. Falz completed his basic and secondary school education at St. Leo’s Catholic Primary School, Ikeja and Olashore International School, Osun State respectively. He is an alumnus of the University of Reading England, having graduated with an LLB honors degree in Law. In 2011, Falz released a single titled “Wahz U

Fela Sowande

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Chief Olufela Obafunmilayo “Fela” Sowande MBE (29 May 1905 – 13 March 1987) was a Nigerian musician and composer. Considered the father of modern Nigerian art music, Sowande is perhaps the most internationally known African composer of works in the European “classical” idiom. Early life Sowande was born 29 May 1905 in Abeokuta, near Lagos, the son of Emmanuel Sowande, a priest and pioneer of Nigerian church music. As a child he sang in the Choir of the Cathedral Church of Christ. He studied at the C.M.S. Grammar School and at King’s College, Lagos. The influence of his father and Dr. T. K. Ekundayo Phillips (composer, organist and choirmaster) was an important factor in his early years. Through Phillips, Sowande was first exposed to European church music like Bach and Rheinberger. At that time, Sowande was a chorister and was introduced to new Yoruba works being introduced into the churches. Under Phillips’ tutelage, Sowande earned the Fellowship Diploma (FRCO) from the Royal College of Organists. At that time, he was also a bandleader, playing jazz and popular highlife music. From 1945 until 1952, he was organist and choirmaster at the West London Mission of the Methodist Church.

Harcourt Whyte

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Ikoli Harcourt-Whyte (; 19051977), popularly known as Harcourt Whyte, was a Nigerian composer best remembered for his classic hymn “Atula Egwu.” Life Ikoli was born in Abonnema in the old Niger Delta region in 1905. He was named Ikoli as a baby by his parents Munabo and Odibo. Between 1915 and 1918, he attended a number of schools including Bishop Crowther Memorial School. He was an active member of the school brass bands and took interest in playing the flute and side-drum. Later on in his life, he adopted the name Harcourt Whyte. His people, the Kalabaris relied on fishing and trading, and Ikoli as a child was trained in these skills. In 1919, he was diagnosed with leprosy after symptoms were first noticed in 1918. In the early 1920s, he was sent to Port Harcourt General Hospital where he developed his talent in music and went on to form a vocalist band with forty other people afflicted with leprosy. In 1932, he was transferred to Uzuakoli Leprosy Hospital, Bende Division, Eastern Nigeria where he met doctor-reverend-musician T.F. Davey from England. Whyte was encouraged by Davey, who took him on village survey tours to collect various traditional sounds. In 1949, after 34 years

Harrysong

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Harrison Tare Okiri (born 30 March 1981) better known by his stage name Harrysong, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter and instrumentalist who rose to fame after his tribute song to Nelson Mandela won the “Most Downloaded Callertune Award” at The Headies 2013. Harrysong was born in Warri, Delta State, Nigeria to Ijaw parents but moved to Lagos in 2007 after spending some of his early life in Port Harcourt. Prior to signing to QuestionMark Entertainment, Harrysong used to perform at night clubs until he met Kcee who introduced him to top music personalities. In 2014, Harrysong was nominated in the “Best Pop/R&B Artist of the Year” category at the 2014 Nigeria Entertainment Awards after the release of his chart-topping song “Beta Pikin”. Early life Harrysong was born as the only child to Ijaw parents in Warri, Delta State. After the death of his mother, a strained relationship between him and his step-mother led to his drop-out from school and his involvement with music grew after moving to Port Harcourt. Career At age eleven, Harrysong’s music career started in the church his mother served as the music director before he went on to learn contemporary gospel music. In 2007, he moved to

Helen Parker-Jayne Isibor

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Helen Epega (née Isibor), also The Venus Bushfires (born 1981), is a Nigerian/British opera singer, songwriter, composer, visual and performance artist, who has written and composed the world’s first opera in Pidgin English. Inspired after seeing Wagner’s Parsifal, her Song Queen: A Pidgin Opera was presented in London in July 2015. Biography Born in Ibadan in southwestern Nigeria into a family with five children, Epega is the daughter of a medical consultant and a storybook writer, both of whom were interested in music. She lived in Benin City until moving to London in the 1980s at the age of seven. After attending an all-girls convent school, she graduated in Communications and Media at Brunel University London. She began her career as a rapper then found her voice after becoming interested in politically aware singers such as Fela Kuti and Miriam Makeba. When she was in Ibiza in 2007, she discovered the hang drum, which has since become her favourite instrument. Epega is known as The Venus Bushfires, “a creative collective of one and many”, and has explained the name by saying: “When I was in Benin City in 2008 visiting my grandmother, they’d burned the land. And I asked my moth

Humblesmith

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Ekenedirichukwu Ijemba (born May 14, 1991), better known by his stage name Humblesmith, is a Nigerian afropop recording artist who achieved recognition upon the release of his hit single titled “Osinachi” in 2015 which later won a nomination spot at the 2016 Nigeria Entertainment Awards. He first ventured into the entertainment business as an actor, starring in a number of films including Hypertension (2010) with Sam Loco Efe. he made the list of “10 Artists To Watch in 2016” by notJustOk. Early life Originally from Uruala, a town in Ideato North local government area of Imo State, southeastern Nigeria, Ekene Ijemba was born on May 14, 1991, into a Catholic family in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Nigeria. While in secondary school, he started dancing and was part of a group called American Boys before he left Ebonyi State for Asaba City, the capital of Delta State, South-Southern Nigeria in order to pursue a career in music. Career 2014–2017: Beginnings and rise to fame Upon arriving in Asaba City, Humblesmith had to take up menial jobs in order to earn a living. He later ventured into entertainment as an actor and appeared in various films including Hypertension with Sam Loco Efe. In 2

Jahdiel

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Grace Jahdiel Benjamin (maiden name ‘Okoduwa’) popularly known by her stage name Jahdiel, is a contemporary Nigerian gospel singer, songwriter and vocalist. She professionally began her music career in 2006, releasing her debut album Heritage in 2008. She is one of several gospel artists under Loveworld Records of Christ Embassy. Jahdiel is signed to Hammer House Records, a record label owned by her husband Eben. Early life and education Jahdiel was born in Ikoyi, Lagos State, Nigeria, where she had her primary and secondary school education at Aunty Ayo International School, Ikoyi before proceeding to further her education by obtaining a BSc degree in Chemistry. Career Jahdiel started singing at the age of five upon joining the choir of her local church before she began to play musical equipments like the piano and keyboard at the age of thirteen. After being part of various singing groups, she released her debut album Heritage in 2008 to massive reception, thereby gaining her new grounds in the industry and further earning her a nomination spot in the “Most Promising Artist or Group” category at the 2008 edition of Kora Awards. Her follow-up album Under Oath was released in 2010.

Joshua Uzoigwe

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Joshua Uzoigwe (1 July 1946 – 15 October 2005) was a Nigerian composer and ethnomusicologist. A member of the Igbo ethnic group, many of his works draw on the traditional music of that people. Early life and education Uzoigwe was born in Umuahia, the capital city of Abia State (formerly Imo State), located in the southeastern region of Nigeria. He began his education at the village primary school in Umuagu. Most of his early life was spent with his older brother, Sunday Uzoigwe, who was then employed at the University of Ibadan. For his secondary education, Joshua attended King’s College, Lagos before going on to International School Ibadan to study for his Advanced Level Certificate. From 1970 to 1973, he was at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, where he began his studies in music. He completed his undergraduate degree (1973–77) at the Guildhall College of Music, London, and from 1977 to 1981 he attended Queen’s University Belfast, attaining both an M.A. and a Ph.D. in ethnomusicology. Career Uzoigwe lectured in Music at three universities in Nigeria, starting from the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife in Osun State, southwestern Nigeria, then University of Nigeria Nsukka

Josiah Ransome-Kuti

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Josiah Jesse “J.J.” Ransome-Kuti (1 June 1855 – 4 September 1930) was a Nigerian clergyman and music composer. He was known for setting Christian hymns to indigenous music, and for writing Christian hymns in Yoruba. Early life and career Josiah Jesse Olikoye Ransome-Kuti was born on June 1, 1855, in Igbein, Abeokuta, Ogun State. His family were of Egba origin and his parents, Kuti (c. 1820 – 1863) and Anne Ekidan Efupeyin (c. 1830 – July 1877), were both born in Abeokuta as well. Josiah’s paternal grandparents, Jamo and Orukoluku, were originally from the town of Orile Igbein in the Egba forest, but had nevertheless been two of the earliest inhabitants of Abeokuta when it was founded in 1830. Josiah Ransome-Kuti was baptized in 1859. He had one sister, Eruwe Lousia Kuti. While his mother, Anne, was an early convert to Christianity, his father, Kuti, was a follower of the traditional Yoruba religion, and rejected Christianity and European influence in Abeokuta. He was dismayed by his wife’s conversion and frequently opposed her in her attempts to influence their son. However, in 1863, Kuti died of guineaworm disease, leaving Anne to raise him as a pious Christian. Shortly after comp

Justina Lee Brown

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Justina Ogunlolu (born 23 July 1984), known professionally as Justina Lee Brown, is a Nigerian Afro, funk, soul, blues, rock and jazz singer-songwriter. She was the first runner-up in the Nokia First Chance reality singing competition in 2006. Brown won the Swiss Blues Challenge in 2019, made it to the semi-finals of the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Tennessee (U.S.) in 2020, and won second place for Switzerland at the European Blues Challenge in Malmö, Sweden, in 2022. She was nominated for the Swiss Blues Awards 2022 and was the opening act for Zucchero at the Sierre Blues Festival in Sierre, Switzerland, the same year. In 2024, she won the Swiss Blues Awards, making history as the first African to do so. Early life Justina Lee Brown was born in the streets of Ajegunle neighborhood of , Lagos, Nigeria, to a Yoruba father and an Igbo mother. Her mother had Justina at age seventeen and Justina lived with her mother on the streets of Lagos where her mother sold water sachets in the market. She had a tough start to life and discovered music as a result of being bored. She attended Unity primary school in Ajegunla. While growing up, she was heavily influenced by Anita Bake

Korede Bello

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Korede Bello ( ; born 29 February 1996) is a Nigerian singer and songwriter. He signed a record deal with Mavin Records in 2014. Bello is best known for his hit single “Godwin”, a semi-gospel and pop song which became a national anthem and topped many music charts across Nigeria. Early life Korede (English:“Bring Fortune”) was born in Lagos State, where he completed his primary and secondary school education. He is of the Yoruba ethnicity. He started performing at the age of 7 and went by the stage name African Prince. Career While in primary school, Korede Bello went on to write his first song after forming a music group with a friend. He started music professionally by recording songs in the studio while in secondary school, and eventually released his first single “Forever”. Korede released his debut album titled “Belloved” in 2017. In 2016 his hit song “Do Like That” was certified gold in Canada. He studied Mass Communication at the Nigerian Institute of Journalism and holds a Higher National Diploma certificate. Korede Bello is an Associate Member of the Institute of Information Management. Mavin Records deal After the release of his first single which received relatively posi

Kulanen Ikyo

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Kulanen Ikyo is a Nigerian composer and sound editor. He is best known for his work on the films Lionheart, The CEO, and October 1 and television series Blood Sisters. Life and career Kulanen was born in Benue State, Nigeria and graduated from the University of Jos with a Physics degree. He made his debut as a composer in the historical fiction film October 1, directed by Kunle Afolayan. The movie won the best sound editor award at the 2015 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards. Filmography As Composer * October 1 (2014) * Road to Yesterday (2015) * Henna (2015) * The CEO (2016) * Okafor’s Law (2016) * Lionheart (2018) * If I Am President (2018) * 4th Republic (2019) * Oloture (2019) * Blood Sisters (2022 series) * The Black Book (2023 film) Awards and nominations References External links *

L.A.X (musician)

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Damilola Afolabi (born April 10, 1993), known professionally as L.A.X is a Nigerian singer-songwriter and rapper. L.A.X started out as a rapper and was part of a three-man group called Flyboiz while he was still in high school. On August 20, 2013, L.A.X signed a major-label deal with Starboy Entertainment Life and career Damilola Afolabi was born in Lagos State, Nigeria. He had his secondary school education at Nigerian Turkish International College, Lagos where he formed a music group called Flyboiz, releasing a single titled “Busy Body”. With the view of furthering his education, L.A.X left the group to study in the United Kingdom where he started recording songs and shot few videos. In 2012, L.A.X released his first major single “Jaye” which featured vocal appearance from Ice Prince. Upon his return to Nigeria, he met Wizkid through his stylist and went on to sign his first professional recording contract with Starboy Entertainment in 2013. “Caro” gained massive airplay and was critically accepted among music critics. The song was nominated in the “Hottest Single of The Year” category at the 2014 Nigeria Entertainment Awards. Following the success of “Caro”, L.A.X featured Wizki

Lazarus Ekwueme

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Lazarus Edward Nnanyelu Ekwueme (born 28 January 1935), popularly known as Laz Ekwueme, is a Nigerian musicologist, composer, scholar and actor. He is one of the pioneer lecturers of music in Nigeria and also a prolific writer. He is a scholar who has written numerous articles and books on music especially the role of music in the lives of Africans and Africans in diaspora. He is the traditional ruler of Oko Kingdom. Biography Lazarus Ekwueme was born in Oko, Anambra State. He attended Government College, Umuahia for secondary education and the Royal College of Music, London, where he majored in composition and was under the direction of Gordon Jacob. In London, he earned a total of 10 diplomas in music, Speech and Drama and he also obtained a bachelor’s degree from the University of Durham. In 1962, he obtained the professional teaching diploma, Licentiate of the Guildhall School of Music. While studying in Britain, he embraced the theatre and he was an actor in some African films produced by the African Service of the British Broadcasting Corporation. He left Britain in 1964, and returned to Nigeria, where he took up a faculty position at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. As a l

Lil Kesh

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Keshinro Ololade (born 7 March 1999), known professionally as Lil Kesh, is a Nigerian rapper, singer and songwriter. He rose to the limelight after releasing the hit single “Shoki” in 2014. Early life and education Ololade was born and raised in Bariga, an area in Lagos State. He attended Stockbridge College for his primary and secondary education, and then proceeded to the University of Lagos, where he studied Linguistics. Later, he moved on to the National Open University and studied Mass Communication online. Career He began, his musical career in 2012 which was when he started rapping among his colleagues in Bariga. Shortly after, on 2 January 2014, he released “Lyrically”, his debut single which went viral within Nigerian universities. Viktoh, another Nigerian rapper, heard the song and played it to Olamide. Olamide liked the song and signed Kesh to his record label, YBNL Nation. Under YBNL, Kesh dropped a series of hit singles like Shoki , Efejoku , Gbese , e.t.c and released his debut studio album, “YAGI”. Subsequently in 2014, Lil Kesh released a hit single “Shoki”. Shoki topped several musical charts and brought him to the limelight. As a result of this musical production,

Lola Rae

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Rachel Akosua Funmilola Garton (born 20 January 1991), professionally known as Lola Rae, is a Nigerian-born British-Ghanaian singer, songwriter and dancer. She gained recognition following the release of her debut single, “Watch My Ting Go”, which received critical acclaim and thus earned her a nomination for the Most Promising Female Act to Watch at the 2013 Nigeria Entertainment Awards. Growing up and education Lola Rae was born to a British father and a Ghanaian mother in Obalende, a suburb of Lagos, Nigeria. She attained her primary and secondary school education at St. Saviour’s School, Ikoyi, and Lekki British International High School, Lagos, respectively. She, however left Nigeria for England at the age of 15 to complete her university education at Central Saint Martins, where she studied fashion textiles. Career Lola Rae’s entertainment career started as a dancer when she was joined the dancing group “Mystikal” in 2010. Mystikal Dancing Group auditioned for Britain’s Got Talent, where Rae sang in the competition, and judge Simon Cowell singled Mystikal Dancing group out at the semi-final. At the end of the competition, the group (Mystikal) was signed to Syco for a year. Ra

Nelly Uchendu

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Nelly Uzonna Edith Uchendu, MON (1950 12 April 2005), was a Nigerian singer, composer and actress. Revered for modernising traditional Igbo folk music, Uchendu rose to prominence upon the release of her 1976 song “Love Nwantinti” which earned her the “Lady with the Golden Voice” sobriquet. She released 6 LP recordings during her career. Life and career She was born in 1950 in Osete, Umuchu, Anambra State, Eastern Nigeria. Uchendu started singing at an early age. She later joined Professor Sonny Oti’s music group under which she flourished using her vocals. In 1976, her music career shot to limelight following the release of the Homzy Sounds-produced classic titled “Love Nwantiti” off her debut LP composition Love Nwantiti; before she went on to release “Waka”, “Aka Bu Eze” and “Mama Hausa” which further established her in the Nigeria music industry. Her career saw her record in several genres of music including Igbo highlife, pop and gospel music. Uchendu’s career also saw her perform outside Nigeria, most notably performing in London, England alongside Sir Warrior and his Oriental Brothers during the 1980s. Acting In 1986, Uchendu guest-starred as Ikemefuna’s mother in NTA Network

Niniola

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Niniola Apata (born 15 December 1986), known professionally as Niniola, is a Nigerian singer and songwriter. She participated in the sixth season of Project Fame West Africa in 2013 After releasing her debut single “Ibadi”, she was nominated for Most Promising Act to Watch at the 2015 Nigeria Entertainment Awards. Early life Niniola Apata was born to the family of Rt. Brigadier General Simeon Olaosebikan Apata and Mrs. Margaret Apata on 15 December 1986 and raised in Lagos State, Nigeria. She is the direct elder sister to Teni. Education Niniola began her education both primary and secondary school education at Apata Memorial High School, and she earned a bachelor of education certificate from the University of Lagos. Career Niniola participated in several social activities and competitions while attending secondary school. She finished third runner-up in the sixth season of Project Fame West Africa. During the competition, she performed a live rendition of “Limpopo” with Kcee and her Cobhams Asuquo-produced track “Itura”. She has cited Dolly Parton, Whitney Houston, Celine Dion, The Cranberries, Madonna, Beyoncé and Angélique Kidjo as her key musical influences. Her singles “Ibadi

Noel DaCosta

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Noel G. Da Costa (24 December 1929 – 29 April 2002) was a Nigerian-Jamaican composer, jazz violinist, and choral conductor. Early life and educational career Noel Da Costa was born on 24 December 1929 Lagos, Nigeria to parents from Kingston, Jamaica, who were Salvation Army missionaries. After returning to Jamaica while Da Costa was young, they emigrated to New York City, living in Harlem. While in High School, he was inspired by one of his teachers to work in an artistic field. Da Costa completed his Bachelor’s at Queens College in 1952 and his Master’s in theory and composition at Columbia University in 1956, studying with Otto Luening and Jack Beeson. He studied with Luigi Dallapiccola in Florence, Italy, under a Fulbright Fellowship, and shortly thereafter in 1961 took positions teaching at Hampton University and the City University of New York. In 1970 he accepted a position at Rutgers University, where he taught until 2001. He died the following year at the age of 72. Musical career Da Costa was also a co-founder of the Society of Black Composers. His first music set to poetry being Tambourines by Langston Hughes. He also worked with choral groups, becoming the director of th

Patrice Wilson

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Patrice Iteke Wilson (born June 19, 1983), also known by his stage name Pato, is a Nigerian-American former producer, songwriter, and singer. He co-founded the ARK Music Factory (with Clarence Jey) in 2010, a record label which specialized in young-teen pop artists. Wilson is credited with signing American singer Rebecca Black prior to the release of her 2011 debut single “Friday,” which peaked at number 58 on the Billboard Hot 100. Wilson and Jey wrote and produced the song, as well as most songs performed by artists signed to the label; ARK shut down in 2012. Wilson’s successor label, Pato Music Worldwide (PMW) signed singer Alison Gold and released her 2013 debut single “Chinese Food,” which peaked at number 29 on the chart. They became viral phenomena through their music videos on YouTube. PMW likewise shut down in 2016, and Wilson has since maintained a low profile. Early life Patrice Wilson was born in Nigeria, the son of a Nigerian father who worked as a chemical engineer and an English-Irish mother who was a church minister. In Nigeria, he studied at Wilson Prep School (a Christian school established by his mother), Zamani College, and Essence International School. Wilson’s

Pheelz

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Phillip Kayode Moses (; born 5 June 1994), better known as Pheelz, is a Nigerian record producer, singer, songwriter, and graphic designer. Pheelz is credited to have produced all but one song on Olamide’s Baddest Guy Ever Liveth album. In 2022, he had a hit with his song “Finesse”, a collaboration with Bnxn (formerly known as Buju). Early life Pheelz is a native of Ogun State, but he was born and raised in Ojo, a local government area in Lagos State. He started music as a 10-year-old singer in church. In 2013, Pheelz was listed in NotJustOks “Top 10 Hottest Producers in Nigeria”. He produced all but one song on Olamide’s Baddest Guy Ever Liveth album, a move which made him gain grounds in the Nigerian music industry and won him a nomination at The Headies 2013. In 2014, he was also nominated in the Producer of the Year category at the 2014 edition of The Headies and at the 2014 Nigeria Entertainment Awards. Pheelz has gone on to produce and be credited in popular songs and albums including The Chairman by M.I, Ghetto University by Runtown and Seyi or Shay by Seyi Shay. In 2014, Pheelz collaborated with COPILOT Music and Sound on a cover of Carlinhos Brown’s “Maria Caipirnha (Samba

Praiz

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Praise Ugbede Adejo (born 8 March 1985), better known by his stage name Praiz, is a Nigerian R&B singer, songwriter, and producer. Praiz finished second runner-up at the maiden season of Project Fame West Africa. He is best known for releasing singles “Rich and Famous”, “Sisi” and “I Love You”. He contributed guest vocals to Bez’s 2011 single “That Stupid Song”; the music video for the song mentioned was the first African video to make a world premiere on BET’s 106 & Park. He is currently signed to Cicada Music. Early life and education Praiz, a native of Igala in Kogi State, was born in Lagos but later relocated to Kaduna in 1992 after his father was transferred there on missionary work. He is the second child out of five children. He has a National Diploma in Computer Science after graduating from Kaduna Polytechnic. Career Project Fame West Africa Praiz had been doing well in music before he shot into the limelight after emerging second runner-up in the first edition of Project Fame West Africa, a music reality T.V show which Iyanya went on to win. His performance in the competition increased his fan base, making him one of the next-rated stars in the Nigerian music industry. 20

Rexxie

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Ezeh Chisom Faith (born 10 November 1994), professionally known as Rexxie, is a Nigerian record producer, DJ, and songwriter. He is popular for creating the Zanku sound, and producing Naira Marley’s Soapy, Tesumole and the song KPK with MohBad. Early life and education Rexxie was born on 10 November, 1994 in Lagos State, south-western region of Nigeria. Rexxie played the keyboard at his father’s church as a child. His father was a pastor. He had his basic education in Abuja and Lagos where he was raised, he attended Yaba College of Technology and graduated from the Tai Solarin University of Education. Career Rexxie’s career breakout came when he produced “Able God” in 2018 for Chinko Ekun featuring, Zlatan Ibile and Lil Kesh. He also produced “Zanku” for Zlatan Ibile the following year. Rexxie produced songs like Comma and Bebo on the Grammy-winning album Twice As Tall by Burna Boy. Rexxie has produced Nigerian music for the likes of Zlatan, Naira Marley, Davido, and Burna Boy. Rexxie released studio album A True Champion on June 28, 2021, which featured artists like Zlatan Ibile, Davido, Naira Marley, Zinoleesky, MohBad, Sarkodie, Peruzzi. Production discography Singles produced S

Runtown

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Douglas Jack Agu (born 19 August 1989), known by his stage name Runtown, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, and producer. His music blends Afrobeats, hip-hop, R&B, and reggae. He first gained recognition after releasing the 2014 single “Gallardo”, which features vocals by Davido. His 2016 single “Mad Over You” peaked at number 38 on the Billboard Twitter Top Tracks chart. Early life Runtown was born on 19 August 1989 in Enugu the capital city of Enugu State in the southeastern region of Nigeria but grew up partly in Abuja the federal capital territory of Nigeria and in Lagos State in southwestern Nigeria, where he finished his primary education. After his father’s death, he moved to Abuja with his mother, who was working in the Ministry of Health. Music career 2010–2014: Early Beginnings and Breakthrough Runtown began his music career in 2007 when he and longtime collaborator Phyno moved to Lagos to pursue music. The pair stayed with J. Martins and worked on his second studio album, with Runtown both collaborating and producing several songs. Through J. Martins, he met Timaya, who later mentored him and influenced his development as an artist. During this time, Runtown continued to

Serifatu Oladunni Oduguwa

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Serifatu Oladunni Oduguwa (1949 – 1978), popularly known by her stagename Queen Oladunni Decency or Queen Mummy Juju, was a Nigerian singer and guitarist who specialized in the Jùjú genre of music. Regarded as the first female guitarist in Nigeria, she was the founder and leader of a Jùjú band called “Her Majesty Queen Oladunni Decency and Her Unity Orchestra”. She recorded many hit songs until her death at the age of 28. References External links * *

Shaydee

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Shadrach Adeboye Folarin (born September 21, 1987), professionally referred to as Shaydee, is a Nigerian singer-songwriter and vocalist. In 2015, Shaydee was listed on notJustOk’s list of “15 Artists to Watch in 2015”. He is best known for his hit single titled “Won Gbo Mi”, featuring vocal appearance from Wizkid. Early life and education Born in the ancient city of Kano, Kano State, Northern Nigeria, Shaydee is the second child of four children. Career Upon his movement from Kano to Lagos, Shaydee started singing with a friend while in secondary school. On June 11, 2012, Shaydee signed a recording deal with Empire Mates Entertainment, a move that helped launch his career further. He is often credited to have featured and written some songs off EME’s compilation album titled Empire Mates State of Mind which was released in 2012. Shaydee has since worked with Ice Prince, Seyi Shay, Skales, Cynthia Morgan, Legendury Beatz among others. On November 16, 2013, Shaydee collaborated with Wizkid to release a Legendury Beatz-produced freestyle titled “Won Gbo Mi”. “Won Gbo Mi” topped local music charts in the country and was widely received among music fans and critics. The video of the son

Simi (singer)

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Simisola Bolatito Kosoko ( ; née Ogunleye; born April 19, 1988), better known as Simi, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, and actress. She began her career as a gospel singer and released her debut studio album, Ogaju, in 2008. Simi gained public recognition in 2014 after releasing “Tiff”, a song that was nominated for Best Alternative Song at The Headies 2015. She signed a record deal with X3M Music in 2014, but left the label in May 2019 following the expiration of her contract. She released her second studio album, Simisola, on September 8, 2017. Her third studio album, Omo Charlie Champagne, Vol. 1, was released to coincide with her thirty-first birthday on April 19, 2019. She was a judge on season 7 of Nigerian Idol in 2022. Life and career Early life and education Simi was born on 19 April 1988 in Ojuelegba, a suburb of Surulere, Lagos State, as the last of four children. In an interview with Juliet Ebirim of Vanguard newspaper, Simi revealed that her parents separated when she was 9 years old. She also revealed that she grew up as a tomboy. Simi attended Stars International College, a secondary school in Ikorodu, Lagos State. She is an alumna of Covenant University, where she

Spinall

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Oluseye Desmond Sodamola, professionally known as Spinall (stylized as SPINALL; formerly DJ Spinall), is a Nigerian disc jockey, record producer, and songwriter. He has released six studio albums and collaborated with artists that have included Wizkid, Tiwa Savage, Asake, among others. He has won numerous awards for his work, including All Africa Music Awards and The Beatz Awards. He is also the first Nigerian disc jockey to play at festivals such as Coachella, SXSW, and Glastonbury. Spinall is the founder of TheCapMusic, a music label he launched in 2014. He also created a style edge to his outfit known as TheCAP, tracing his roots back to his culture. Early life and education Sodamola was born in Lagos and he is the third of five siblings. He attained his primary and secondary school education in Lagos State, then moved to Ogun State, to study Electrical and Electronics Engineering at Olabisi Onabanjo University, where he received his BSc degree. He also studied at Tenstrings Music Institute. Spinall’s first musical experience as a kid, was listening to some vinyl records being played by his parents and according to him “In the morning my dad would wake up, and open the drawers,

Thomas King Ekundayo Phillips

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Thomas King Ekundayo Phillips (1884 – 10 July 1969) was a Nigerian organist, conductor, composer and teacher who has been described as the “father of Nigerian church music” Life Thomas Ekundayo Phillips was born in 1884. His father was Bishop Charles Phillips of Ondo. He attended the CMS Grammar School, Lagos, then went to the Government Training School for Dispensers, where he qualified as a chemist. He became an optician by profession. Phillips was encouraged to study music by the Archdeacon Nathaniel, his uncle. His uncle Johnson Phillips, an Anglican priest, gave him his first organ lessons. Solomon Moses Daniels, an organist at Saint Paul’s Church, Aroloya, gave him lessons in organ playing. He was assistant organist at Saint Paul’s Church, Lagos until 1914. Phillips attended Trinity College of Music in London from 1911 to 1914, where he studied organ, piano and violin. He was given the Fellowship of Trinity College of Music, London (FTCML) in organ playing, Phillips was the second Nigerian to obtain a baccalaureate degree in music. When he returned to Nigeria in 1914, Bishop Herbert Tugwell invited Phillips to become organist and master of the music at the Cathedral Church of

Tonye Garrick

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Tonye Garrick (born 27 August 1982), simply known as Tonye is a British-born Nigerian singer and songwriter. Her a cappella song titled “What About Us?” was used at the Nigerian Youth Presidential debate in 2011. Born in England, Tonye was raised in France, Nigeria and the United States of America where she dropped her job as a business consultant to pursue a career in music in 2013. In 2015, she released a marriage-themed single title “Ari Belema” which got her nominated in the “Most Promising Act” category at the 2015 Nigeria Entertainment Awards. She is signed to Made Men Music Group since April 2016. Growing up Tonye is a native of Benin City in Edo State, South-South Nigeria. Her name “Tamunotonye” was given to her by her grandmother who is a native of Kalabari, Rivers State. She grew up listening to songs by Whitney Houston, Janet Jackson, Celine Dion and Brenda Fassie before she developed her interest in music at the age of 7. Early life and education Born in England into the family of an Edo State father who was a diplomat and an Anambra State mother, Tonye had most of her early life in Nigeria, Paris and the United States of America. She attended Vivian Fowler Memorial Col

WizzyPro

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Nifu Haruna, also known by his stage name WizzyPro is a Nigerian record producer and sound engineer. Best known for his single titled “Emergency”, WizzyPro is credited as the producer of Patoranking’s first official single titled “Alubarika” which brought him to the limelight. WizzyPro is signed to BeatBox and is currently working on his debut studio album titled Lord of the Sound. Production discography Awards and nominations References

Young Jonn

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

John Saviours Udomboso (born 16 February 1995), known professionally as Young Jonn, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter and record producer, currently signed to Chocolate City Music. He is also known for his hit singles Dada and the remix with Davido. He had music production credits on industry hits during the 2010s and was affiliated with the YBNL mafia family going on to be ranked #3 in The NETs list of “Nigeria’s Top 7 Biggest Music Producers” and went on to be nominated in the “Producer of The Year” at the 2015 Nigeria Entertainment Awards and The Headies 2015. Early life and education Udomboso was born in Ibadan into a Christian family, who came from Akwa Ibom. Udomboso attended the Ideal Foundation Primary School, Ibadan and GOF College, Osogbo, Osun State. During his high school days in Osogbo, he was interested in basketball, soccer, musical imstruments, miming and dance. He studied Communication and Language Arts at the University of Ibadan. While working as producer at Hit Factory, he produced a chart-topping single by Olamide titled “Story For The Gods”. He was nominated for “Producer of The Year” at the 2015 edition of The Headies for his work on “Bobo”, a song by Olamide