The CEO Dancers are a London-based trio of female dancers and choreographers who rose to recognition following their performance at Britain's Got Talent 2013 which achieved acclaim for their "booty-shaking" dance. [1] [2] The performance saw them reach the semi-final of the competition. [3] [4]
Formed during their university days, the group is made up of Ezinne Asinugo, Soliat Bada and Nqobilé Ntshangase. [5] [6] In 2013, the group auditioned for the seventh series of Britain's Got Talent and went on to reach the semi-final following performances that left Simon Cowell impressed, thereby increasing the group's fanbase with Metro's Seamus Duff listing them at #5 on his list of "Britain’s Got Talent’s Top 10 Sexiest Acts". [7] The CEO Dancers have worked with the likes of Rihanna, Drake, Wizkid, Davido, D'Banj, Stefflon Don, Iyanya, Awilo Longomba, Tiwa Savage, P-Square among other notable acts. [8]
Their main style of dance originates from Africa. Individually their styles range from Street Dance, Vogueing, Contemporary to Dancehall. [9]
The group credit their major inspirations from classic artists like Fela to modern contemporary artists like Fally Ipupa. [10]
In 2016, Ezinne and Soliat made guest appearances in the dance film The Dance Movie Project which premiered on 23 July 2016. [11] [12]
 |
| Year | Award ceremony | Prize | Result | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 2015 African Muzik Magazine Awards | Best Dance Group | Nominated | [13] |
| 2013 | 5th BEFFTA Awards [14] | Won |
Sidney Onoriode Esiri, stylized as Dr SID, is a Nigerian singer.
Ayo Shonaiya is a filmmaker and lawyer, he was also a music talent agent who has managed many of Nigeria's artists. The list include Fuji musician Wasiu Ayinde Marshall, pop star D'banj, music producer Don Jazzy and rapper Eldee the Don. He has also represented former beauty queen and rapper Muna and global music star Akon. He is the founder of entertainment and media management company The RMG Company in the UK and Nigeria, and Managing Partner at the Lagos-based law firm Shonaiya & Co.
The seventh series of British talent competition programme Britain's Got Talent was broadcast on ITV, from 13 April to 8 June 2013; because of England's international friendly with the Republic of Ireland that year, the show took a break on 29 May to avoid clashing with live coverage of the match. Because of the work schedule of Stephen Mulhern, host of Britain's Got More Talent, filmed auditions had to be pushed back to mid-January that year, while no guest judge was brought in despite the absence of Simon Cowell for an audition session. Following the previous series, the programme's format was given a minor amendment - the cash prize offered to winners was reduced to £250,000 from this series onwards.
Mavin Records is a Nigerian corporation and record label founded by record producer and recording artist Don Jazzy on 8 May 2012. The label's inception came to fruition following the closure of Mo' Hits Records, a record label owned by the aforementioned producer and D'banj. The label is home to recording artists such as Rema, Ayra Starr, Crayon, Johnny Drille, Ladipoe, Magixx, Boy Spyce, Bayanni, and Lifesize Teddy. It also houses producers such as Jazzy himself, Altims, London, Baby Fresh, and Andre Vibez. In 2014, DJ Big N became the label's official disc jockey. Tiwa Savage, Wande Coal, Reekado Banks and Iyanya were all formerly signed to the label. On 8 May 2012, the label released its compilation album Solar Plexus. In January 2019, Mavin Records secured a multi-million dollars investment from Kupanda Holdings, a subsidiary of Kupanda Capital and TPG Growth.
D'Kings Men is a compilation album by recording artists of Nigerian record label DB Records. It was released on June 24, 2013, by the label and Sony Music. The album was produced by Don Jazzy, Jay Sleek and Dee Vee. It features guest appearances from DB Records signees D'banj, Kayswitch, and J.Sol, along with musicians Kanye West, Big Sean, Snoop Lion, Fally Ipupa, Durella, Olamide, Ikechukwu and Naeto C. D'Kings Men produced eleven singles—"Oliver Twist", "Sister Caro", "Oyato", "Bachelor", "Top of the World", "Cashflow", "Don't Tell Me Nonsense", "For Example", "Finally", "Why You Love Me" and "Obimo ". It received mixed reviews from music critics, who panned its lyrics and sound.
"Don't Tell Me Nonsense" is a song by Nigerian singer D'banj. It serves as the seventh single from the compilation album, D'Kings Men (2013), and peaked at number one on Afribiz's Top 100 music chart. Moreover, the song peaked at number one on the MTV Base Official Naija Top 10 Chart for the week of September 13 through September 19, 2013. "Don't Tell Me Nonsense" reached number twenty one on YFM 99.2's Y Urban Top 40 chart.
Iyanya Onoyom Mbuk, known by his stage name Iyanya, is a Nigerian singer and songwriter. He rose to fame after winning the first season of Project Fame West Africa, and is best known for his hit single "Kukere". He released his debut studio album My Story in 2009; it was supported by the singles "No Time" and "Love Truly". Iyanya co-founded the record label Made Men Music Group with Ubi Franklin in 2011. His second studio album, titled Desire, was released in February 2013. It was supported by the singles "Kukere", "Ur Waist", "Flavour", "Sexy Mama", and "Jombolo". He won the Artist of the Year award at The Headies 2013. In October 2016, Iyanya announced on Instagram that he signed a record deal with Mavin Records. Few months prior, he signed a management deal with Temple Management Company. He first announced his intentions to leave Made Men Music Group in July 2016. In 2024 Iyanya released his new album, 'Once Upon A Cat' Under the Made Men Music Group Record Label.
Desire is the second studio album by Nigerian singer Iyanya. It was released on 6 February 2013, by Made Men Music Group. The album features guest appearances from M.I, Wizkid, D'banj, Emma Nyra, Tiwa Savage, Flavour N'abania, May D, Vector, Tekno, and Yung L. Its production was handled by Tee-Y Mix, D'Tunes, Mr. Chidoo, GospelOnDeBeatz and Young D. Desire was supported by the singles "Kukere", "Kukere" (Remix), "Flavour", "Jombolo", "Ur Waist", and "Sexy Mama".
"Kukere" is a song by Nigerian singer Iyanya. It was released as the lead single from his second studio album, Desire (2013). Upon release, the song peaked at number one on Top FM's May Chart, Soundcity's Viewers Choice, Rhythm FM, and The Beat 99.9 FM's Blackberry Top Ten Countdown. Moreover, it peaked at number two on Radio Port Harcourt. "Kukuere" won Hottest Single of the Year at 2013 Nigeria Entertainment Awards and Best Pop Single at The Headies 2012.
"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.
"Flavor" is a song recorded by Nigerian singer Iyanya for his second studio album, Desire (2013). It was released as the record's third commercial single on 10 November 2012 through Made Men Music Group, a record label he co-owns with his manager, Franklin Ube. Written by the singer and produced by long-time collaborator D'Tunes, "Flavor" is a highlife and pop-influenced song. It features Iyanya questioning his lover through repetitive lyrics.
"Finally" is a song recorded by Nigerian recording artist D'banj for the compilation album, D'Kings Men (2013). The song serves as the tenth commercial single from the album, which features collaborations between members of D'banj's DB Records label. The track premiered at a promotional event for the record, which was headlined by several Nigerian artists, including the singer. Solely written and produced by D'Banj himself, the recording is an EDM and pop song with lyrics predicting that any girl will beg for D'banj's love and compassion.
Deborah Oluwaseyi Joshua, known professionally as Seyi Shay, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter and actress. In 2008, she became the lead singer for the now defunct pop girl group From Above. The group signed a recording deal with Sony's Columbia Records and was managed by Mathew Knowles' Music World Entertainment company. In November 2013, Shay signed an endorsement deal with telecommunications service provider Etisalat. In July 2015, she signed a record deal with Island Records. In 2015, she signed a two-year endorsement deal with Pepsi. Shay released her debut studio album Seyi or Shay in November 2015. It was supported by the promotional singles "Irawo", "Ragga Ragga", "Right Now" and "Murda", featuring Patoranking and Shaydee. In January 2021, she signed a publishing deal with the French division of Universal Music Publishing Group
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