Blackface Naija (Blackface) | |
---|---|
Birth name | Ahmedu Augustine Obiabo |
Also known as | Blackface |
Born | Ogwule, Agatu, Benue State, Nigeria |
Origin | Ijebu-Ode, Ogun |
Genres | Dancehall, ragga, reggae, hip hop |
Occupation(s) | Singer, songwriter, record producer |
Instrument | Guitar |
Years active | 1997–present |
Formerly of | Defunct Plantashun Boyz |
Ahmedu Augustine Obiabo (born in Ogwule, Agatu, Benue State, Nigeria), [1] known by his stage name Blackface Naija or just Blackface, is a Nigerian dancehall, ragga, reggae singer, and songwriter. He is best known as co-writer of "African Queen" with 2Baba, a song made famous by the latter after it appeared on his debut solo album Face 2 Face in 2004 to become an international hit.
Blackface was a founding member of the Nigerian band Plantashun Boyz that he formed in 2000 with 2Baba and musician Chibuzor Oji (better known as Faze). Blackface and 2Baba met during his secondary education in Benue. [2] Faze joined a brief while later in Enugu.
The band released two successful albums Body and Soul in 2000 and Sold Out in 2003. The band broke up in 2004, to be briefly reunited in 2007 for just one more album Plan B.
Although he kept sustainable relations with Faze, his rift with 2Baba widened, particularly over the rights to the song "African Queen". [3] [4]
After the Plantashun Boiz split up in 2004, Blackface led a solo musical career. He released the hip hop album Ghetto Child in May 2004 collaborating with several artists. The album contains "Hard Life" featuring Alabai as the first single. He also recorded a full album for his crew D Tribunal called What We Are.
After Ghetto Child, he released Evergreen, Jungle Fever, Me, Musiq and I, Dancehall Business, and the prospective Defender. [3]
Blackface was married to Dayo for eight years and has two children, Caroline and Alex.[ citation needed ] [5] The couple agreed to separate, pending divorce procedures. [6] [7]
Innocent Ujah Idibia MON, known by his stage name 2Baba and formerly as 2face Idibia, is a Nigerian singer-songwriter, record producer and philanthropist known for his solo debut album, Face 2 Face. He is regarded as the "most influential" in the Nigerian music industry following his contributions to Nigerian pop music in the 2000s.
Face 2 Face is the debut solo studio album by 2Baba. It was released on 15 May 2004 by Kennis Music, and was a major hit, as it sold up to 2 million copies initially in Idibia's home country of Nigeria, but quickly spread through western and southern Africa, and eventually making an impact in Europe as well. Its success owed much to lead radio track "African Queen", a guitar ballad with elements of West African folk music and hip-hop, and rap and R&B track "Nfana Ibaga" also became a local hit.
P-Square are a Nigerian music duo composed of the twin brothers Peter Okoye and Paul Okoye, who co-write and co-produce most of their songs. Noted for their artistic reinvention, musical versatility, and visual presentation, they are widely regarded as one of the most influential African acts of all time and one of the most successful music groups from Africa. They were integral to the evolution of the 2000s and 2010s African popular music. The duo was launched into the mainstream recognition following the release of the song “Senorita” in 2003, and later gain recognition after releasing their sophomore album Get Squared in 2005. The success of the album earned them a nomination at the MTV Europe Music Award for Best African Act in 2006. A prominent figure in the Africa popular culture of the 21st Century, P-Square was awarded Artistes of the Decade at the MTV Africa Music Awards 2015.
Chibuzor Oji, better known by his stage name Faze, is a Nigerian musician and actor. He was a member of the defunct Nigerian hip hop group Plantashun Boiz, along with BlackFace Naija and 2face Idibia. The group split up in 2004 and each member of the group has gone on to launch solo careers.
Inetimi Alfred Odom (born 15 August 1980), better known by his stage name Timaya, is a Nigerian singer and songwriter. He is from Odi, Bayelsa state, Nigeria. Timaya is known for combining Nigerian pop with elements of dancehall, hip-hop, and soca, as well as Afro-Caribbean/Dancehall music. He is the founder of DM Records Limited, where he is also signed.
Oladapo Olaitan Olaonipekun, also known as Dagrin, was a Nigerian rapper from Ogun, Nigeria. A film of his life entitled Ghetto Dreamz was produced in April 2011. He is recognized for paving the way for indigenous rap in Nigeria. He is widely considered one of the greatest Nigerian rappers of all time.
Jesse Garba Abaga, known professionally as Jesse Jagz, is a Nigerian rapper, record producer, and songwriter. He signed a record deal with Chocolate City in 2010 and released his debut studio album Jag of All Tradez that same year. He voluntarily exited the Chocolate City deal in 2013 and announced the launch of his independent label, Jagz Nation. Jagz released his second studio album Jagz Nation, Vol. 1: Thy Nation Come in 2013; it included singles such as "Redemption", "Bad Girl", "Sex & Scotch" and "God on the Mic". His third studio album, Jagz Nation, Vol. 2: Royal Niger Company, was released in 2014. He returned to Chocolate City in 2015 but left the label again prior to releasing his fourth studio album Odysseus in 2017. In May 2020, he released a 5-track EP titled Garba.
Blackface is a theatrical makeup to portray a stereotype of African Americans.
Sound Sultan was a Nigerian rapper, singer, songwriter, actor, comedian, and recording artist. He was regarded as one of the pacesetters of modern hip hop music in Nigeria. He was notable for using his music to speak against poverty, corruption, bad governance and societal ills in Nigeria.
"Sexy Mama" is a song recorded by Nigerian singer Iyanya featuring Wizkid for the former's second studio album, Desire (2013). It was issued to digital retailers as the album's fifth single on 6 February 2013, coinciding with the release of the parent album, through his label Made Men Music Group. Written by both of the two musicians, "Sexy Mama" was solely produced by D'Tunes. It is a dancehall and dance-inspired track that contains lyrics pertaining to a man's interest in a girl he met at a club.
Port Harcourt, a city of Rivers State located to the south of Nigeria, has a thriving music scene encompassing both native African and foreign-influenced genres. It plays host to numerous radio stations, prominent recording studios, such as the Street Rhymes Studios and other music institutions. As a state capital, Port Harcourt has one of the liveliest club scenes in the country as well as music venues, bars and restaurants. As of 2015, hip hop, pop, highlife and reggae are most popular music styles among young people in the city.
Patrick Nnaemeka Okorie, better known by his stage name Patoranking, is a Nigerian Afrobeats and reggae-dancehall singer and songwriter. Born and raised in Ebute Metta community of Lagos, he grew up sharing one room with his parents and five siblings. His modest upbringing and close relationship with his family instilled a drive and determination to create a better future, and led him to music He started his music career doing underground collaborations, with artists such as XProject, Konga, Slam and Reggie Rockstone. He signed a record deal with K-Solo's Igberaga Records in 2010, releasing "Up in D Club" under the outfit. Patoranking became a protégé of Dem Mama Records after collaborating with Timaya on his song "Alubarika". In February 2014, he signed a record deal with Foston Musik and released "Girlie O", a single that put him in the limelight. On 9 February 2015, Patoranking announced on Instagram that he signed a distribution deal with VP Records. on September 28 Patoranking released a song titled Abule which he released ahead of his album scheduled to be released later in 2020. He once said, in 2020 that he once got inspiration for song on a football pitch while playing football.
Plantashun Boiz were a Nigerian hiphop and R&B music group. The group's members were 2face Idibia, Faze and Blackface.
Yemi Eberechi Alade, better known as Yemi Alade, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, actress and activist. Her music is a mixture of Afropop, highlife, dancehall, pop and R&B, and has been of influence in several countries across Africa. She sings in English, Igbo, Pidgin, Yoruba, French, Swahili and Portuguese.
Osabuohien Osaretin, better known by his stage name Sarz, is a Nigerian record producer, mixing engineer and musician. Born in Benin City, Edo State, he is popularly known for the tag Sarz On The Beat/"Really", at the beginning or end of all his music productions.
Abinye David Jumbo born, known by his stage name Mr 2Kay, is a Nigerian singer and songwriter. He was formally signed by Grafton Entertainment, but left the label in 2018 to start his own imprint, Better Life Entertainment.
R.E.D is the second studio album by Nigerian singer Tiwa Savage. It was released on December 19, 2015, by Mavin Records and 323 Entertainment. The album features guest appearances from Don Jazzy, Olamide, Dr SID, Iceberg Slim, 2face Idibia, D'Prince, Busy Signal and Reekado Banks. It was primarily produced by Don Jazzy, along with additional production from Baby Fresh, Altims, Spellz and P2J. The album was supported by the singles "My Darlin" and "Standing Ovation". Its deluxe edition was released in February 2016, and features collaborations with Wizkid and P-Square. R.E.D was nominated for Best Album at the 2016 Nigeria Entertainment Awards.
Larry Ndianefo, professionally known as Larry Gaaga, is a Nigerian songwriter, recording artist, music producer, and record label executive. He gained fame with the success of ‘Gaaga Shuffle’, a song he performed alongside Innocent ‘2Baba’ Idibia.
Efa Iwara, also known as Efa, is a Nigerian actor and rapper.
Dare Fasasi, known professionally as Baba Dee, is a Swedish-Nigerian movie director, and dancehall artiste. He was the older brother of Nigerian singer-songwriter, Sound Sultan, with whom he founded a record label named Naija Ninja Entertainment Production Company. Baba Dee's music career began with the release of his debut album in 1997.