Flavour N'abania | |
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Background information | |
Birth name | Chinedu Izuchukwu Okoli |
Also known as |
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Born | Enugu, Enugu State, Nigeria | 23 November 1983
Genres | |
Occupations |
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Years active | 2005–present |
Labels | 2nite Music Group |
Website | Official website |
Chinedu Okoli (born 23 November 1983), better known by his stage name Flavour N'abania or simply Flavour, is a Nigerian singer. He began his musical career as a drummer for a local church. Flavour is popularly known across Africa and the world for his hit song "Nwa Baby (Ashawo Remix)". He is currently signed to 2nite Entertainment.
In 2005, he released his self-titled debut album N'abania . In 2010, Flavour released his second studio album, Uplifted . It was supported by the singles "Nwa Baby (Ashawo Remix)", "Adamma", and "Oyi Remix". The album's success made Flavour one of Africa's most sought out artists. He was booked to perform at numerous concerts and social events following Uplifted's release.
Flavour, who is well known for his ability to sing fluently in the Igbo language, [3] was born in Enugu State, southeastern region of Nigeria. His family is originally from Umunze in Orumba South LGA, Anambra State, southeast Nigeria. [4] Flavour began his music career at the age of 13 when he started playing the drums for his church choir in Enugu, in Enugu State. The resident pastor at his church introduced him to a friend, Chris I. Ordor, the CEO of SoundCity Communications. [5]
In 1996, Flavour was invited to join the company on an educational scholarship to study music. [5]
After three years of playing the drums, Flavour started playing the drums professionally. In 1999, he moved on from playing the drums and started playing the keyboard. [5] He also used to provide back-up vocals for other musicians at SoundCity.
At age 19, Flavour emerged into Nigeria's musical scene as a drummer and pianist for a local band in Enugu. After learning to play drums professionally, Flavour received an offer to perform at City Centre, Enugu. The massive crowd there inspired him to gain new grounds and reach great heights. Flavour's educational background in music enabled him to learn music production from Dekumzy, Isi Charles and Nnachie. [6]
In 2005, Flavour released his debut album N'abania through Obaino Music. The album's success was relative and limited to Eastern Nigeria, particularly Enugu State. Flavour collaborated with Mr Raw on the album's lead single titled "N'abania". The song was recorded at Kingsley Ogoro's music studio in Lagos, Nigeria.
Following the relative success of his debut album, Flavour released Uplifted in 2010. The album broke national barriers. [7] [ clarification needed ] Lolhiphop Records, an established record label in South Africa, released the album after popular demand. The album's top singles include "Nwa Baby (Ashawo Remix)", "Adamma", and Oyi Remix" featuring Tiwa Savage.
Blessed was released on 18 October 2012 through 2nite Entertainment and iROCKING LTD. The album is the successor to Uplifted. It is arguably Flavour's biggest album to date due to the number of producers who worked on it. It was launched on the same day of Flavour's 2nite Club grand opening. [8]
In an interview with iROKTV, Flavour said: "I think I'm growing. This is my third album... Now it's time to give them the music, like define myself. I have to be more mature with my music, lyrics and instrumentation wise. I worked with tons of producers and the whole production process made sense." [9]
Thankful was released in December 2014. The album consists of 22 tracks and runs for one hour seventeen minutes. Receiving generally positive reviews from music critics, it sold thousands of copies. The album features hit tracks such as the love ballad "Ololufe" featuring Chidinma and the fast-tempo Afro-pop song "Wake Up" feat. Wande Coal. [10]
Ijele – The Traveller was released in 2017. The album contains 17 tracks, including one featuring Flavour's adopted son Semah G Weifur, a blind Liberian child who was spotted singing alone in a classroom,. [11]
In 2018 Flavour issued two singles, "Crazy love", [12] joining forces with Mama Africa Yemi Alade as Flavour Nabania, [12] and "Yemi Alade". [12]
Later that year, he released the traditional song "Awele", [12] featuring the Igbo traditional duo Umu Obiligbo. [12]
On December 4 2020, Flavour released his seventh studio album, titled Flavour of Africa , which has 16 tracks. [13] [14]
On 29 August 2012, Nigerian Entertainment Today reported that Flavour was involved in a legal battle with Ghanaian duo Wutah, over the alleged theft of "Kwarikwa". According to the article, "Kwarikwa" is an exact replica of "Kotosa", a song made by the aforementioned duo. The singing duo accused Flavour of stealing their song's rhythm, chorus, and tempo. [15]
Year | Title | Album | Director | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
2011 | "Adamma" | Uplifted | Godfather Productions | [17] |
2012 | "Oyi Remix" featuring Tiwa Savage | Uplifted | Godfather Productions | [18] |
2012 | "Kwarikwa" featuring Fally Ipupa | Blessed | Masterkraft | [19] |
2012 | "Baby Oku" | Blessed | Selebobo | [20] |
2012 | "Shake" | Blessed | Godfather Productions | [21] |
2013 | "Chinny Baby" | Blessed | Masterkraft | [22] |
2013 | "Ada Ada" | Blessed | Clarence Peters | [23] |
2014 | "Ikwokrikwo" | Blessed | Masterkraft | [24] |
2014 | "Black is Beautiful" | Blessed | Clarence Peters | [25] |
2014 | "Wake up" featuring Wande Coal | Thankful | Clarence Peters | [26] |
2014 | "Golibe" | Thankful | Clarence Peters | [27] |
2015 | "Ololufe" featuring Chidinma | Thankful | Godfather Productions | [28] |
2015 | "Sexy Rosey" featuring P-Square | Thankful | Godfather Productions | [29] |
2016 | "Champion" | — | Godfather Productions | [30] |
2016 | "Dance" | Thankful | Clarence Peters | [31] |
2018 | "Crazy Love" featuring Yemi Alade | Patrick Elis | ||
2018 | "Awele" featuring Umu Obiligbo | — | Selebobo | |
2021 | Levels | Patrick Ellis | [32] |
Year | Event | Prize | Recipient | Result | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2019 | AFRIMA | Best Live Act | Himself | Won | [33] |
Best Collaboration | "Awele" (featuring Umu Obiligbo) | Pending | |||
AFRIMMA Video of The Year | Pending | ||||
2014 | Channel O Music Video Awards | Most Gifted Afro Pop | "Ada Ada" | Nominated | [34] |
2014 Nigeria Entertainment Awards | Indigenous Artist of the Year | Himself | Nominated | [35] | |
Best Album of the Year | Blessed | Nominated | |||
Best Music Video of the year (Artist & Director) | "Oh! Baby (You & I)" (Chidinma featuring Flavour N'abania) | Nominated | |||
Best Collaboration | Nominated | ||||
African Muzik Magazine Awards | Best Male West Africa | Himself | Nominated | [36] | |
Best Traditional Artist | Won | [37] | |||
Best Video of the Year | "Ada Ada" | Won | |||
City People Entertainment Awards | Musician of the Year (Male) | Himself | Nominated | [38] | |
Best Collabo of the Year | "Oh! Baby (You & I)" (Chidinma featuring Flavour N'abania) | Nominated | |||
Video of the Year | "Ada Ada" | Won | |||
MTV Africa Music Awards 2014 | Best Live Act | Himself | Won | [39] | |
Ghana Music Awards | African Artiste of the Year | Nominated | [40] | ||
2013 | The Headies | Artiste of the Year | Nominated | [41] [42] | |
Album of the Year | Blessed | Nominated | |||
Best R&B/Pop Album | Nominated | ||||
Nigeria Music Video Awards (NMVA) | Video of the Year | "Ada Ada" | Won | [43] | |
Best High Life Video | Won | ||||
Best Indigenous Concept | Won | ||||
Best use of costumes | Won | ||||
Nigeria Entertainment Awards | Best Indigenous Artist/Group | Himself | Nominated | [44] | |
Ghana Music Awards | African Artiste of the Year | Nominated | [45] | ||
City People Entertainment Awards | Musician of the Year (Male) | Nominated | [46] | ||
Best Collabo of the Year | "Give it to Me" (Kcee featuring Flavour N'abania) | Won | [47] | ||
2012 | Nigeria Music Video Awards (NMVA) | Best Highlife | "Kwarikwa" (featuring M-Jay, Wage G.Jay Dey, Elense) | Nominated | [48] |
Channel O Music Video Awards | Best R&B Video | "Oyi Remix" (featuring Tiwa Savage) | Won | [49] | |
The Headies | Best Collabo | "Orobo" (Sound Sultan featuring Excel and Flavour) | Won | [50] | |
Nigeria Entertainment Awards | Best Indigenous Artist/Group | Himself | Won | [ citation needed ] | |
2011 | Channel O Music Video Awards | Most Gifted Afro-Pop Video | "Nwa Baby (Ashawo Remix)" | Nominated | [51] |
Most Gifted African West Video | Nominated | ||||
Hip Hop World Awards (The Headies) | Best R&B Single | "Oyi Remix" (featuring Tiwa Savage) | Nominated | [52] | |
Best Collabo | "Number One" (MI featuring Flavour N'abania) | Won | [53] | ||
Nigeria Entertainment Awards | Best High Life Video | "Nwa Baby (Ashawo Remix)" | Nominated | [54] | |
2010 | Ghana Music Awards | African Artiste of the Year | Himself | Nominated | [55] |
Panshak Henry Zamani, better known as Ice Prince Zamani or just Ice Prince, is a Nigerian rapper, singer and songwriter. He rose to fame after releasing "Oleku", one of Nigeria's most remixed songs of all time. He won the 2009 Hennessy Artistry Club Tour. His debut studio album Everybody Loves Ice Prince was released in 2011. It was supported by three singles: "Oleku", "Superstar" and "Juju". In 2013, Ice Prince released Fire of Zamani as his second studio album. The album contained the singles "Aboki", "More", "Gimme Dat" and "I Swear". On 1 July 2015, Ice Prince was announced as the vice president of Chocolate City. He held the position until he left the label in 2016. He has collaborated with top African rappers like Navio of Uganda, Khaligraph Jones of Kenya, AKA of South Africa, Sarkodie of Ghana among others.
Blessed is the third studio album by Nigerian singer Flavour. It was released on October 18, 2012, by 2nite Entertainment. The album features guest appearances from Wizboyy and Fally Ipupa. Its production was handled by Masterkraft, Wizzboy, Selebobo, MJay, Del B, J Stunt and Dekumzy. Blessed was supported by the singles "Kwarikwa (Remix)", "Baby Oku", "Shake", "Chinny Baby" and "Ada Ada". Flavour celebrated the album's release at 2nite, a night club he opened in Enugu State. He invited Tiwa Savage, Iyanya, Kcee and Bracket to attend the club's grand opening.
Uplifted is the second studio album by Nigerian singer Flavour N'abania. It was released on July 20, 2010, by Obaino Music and 2nite Entertainment. The album features guest appearances from Jay Dey, Oloye, Stormrex, Waga Gee, Asemstone, M-Jay, V.I.P and Elense. Uplifted was supported by the singles "Nwa Baby", "Oyi ", "Adamma" and "Odiro Easy".
"Oyi" is a song by Nigerian singer Flavour N'abania. It was featured on the singer's second studio album, Uplifted (2010), and was released on June 22, 2011. Singer Tiwa Savage contributes vocals to the official remix of "Oyi".
"Nwa Baby" (Ashawo Remix) is a song by Nigerian singer Flavour N'abania. It was released as the lead single from his second studio album, Uplifted (2010). The song originally appeared on his debut studio album, N'abania (2005), and describes girls who transform themselves from being reserved to being libertine. On May 18, 2013, Flavour performed "Nwa Baby" (Ashawo Remix) at People's Park in Durban, South Africa, alongside D'banj, 2Baba, Fally Ipupa, and Snoop Dogg.
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.
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"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.
"Jombolo" is a song by Nigerian singer Iyanya. It was released as the sixth single from his second studio album, Desire (2013), and debuted at number one on 360nobs' Top 10 Most Downloaded Songs chart for the week of 21 July to 27 July 2013. The song was produced by GospelOnDeBeatz and features guest vocals by singer Flavour N'abania.
Once Upon a Time is the debut studio album by Nigerian singer Tiwa Savage. It was released on July 3, 2013, by Mavin Records and 323 Entertainment. The album was made available for purchase on iTunes a day before its official release, and features guest appearances from Don Jazzy, Flavour N'abania, Leo Wonder, Iceberg Slim, Sarkodie and General Pype. Its production was handled by Don Jazzy, Warren Oak Felder, Sauce Wilson, Harmony Samuels, GospelOnDeBeatz, Del B, Raydar Ellis and Spellz. Once Upon a Time was supported by seven singles—"Kele Kele Love", "Love Me (3x)", "Without My Heart", "Ife Wa Gbona", "Folarin", "Olorun Mi" and "Eminado". It was nominated for Best Album of the Year at the 2014 Nigeria Entertainment Awards and for Best R&B/Pop Album at The Headies 2014.
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Chibuzo Nelson Azubuike Ezege, who is known professionally as Phyno, is a Nigerian rapper, singer, songwriter and record producer. Phyno was born and raised in Enugu State but is a native of Anambra State. He started his music career as a producer in 2003 and primarily raps in Igbo. His debut studio album No Guts No Glory, which was released in March 2014, yielded the singles "Ghost Mode", "Man of the Year", "Parcel" and "O Set".
No Guts No Glory is the debut studio album by Nigerian rapper Phyno. It was released by Sputnet Records and Penthauze Music on March 20, 2014. The album features guest appearances from P-Square, Omawumi, Olamide, Stormrex, Efa, Flavour N'abania, Runtown, Ice Prince, M.I, Mr Raw, Timaya and Illbliss. Phyno enlisted Major Bangz, WizzyPro, Chopstix and JStunt to assist with production. Primarily recorded in Igbo and Nigerian Pidgin, No Guts No Glory was supported by the singles "Ghost Mode", "Man of the Year", "Parcel" and "O Set". The album received generally positive reviews from music critics, who commended its indigenous sound and lyrical depth.
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Sunday Ginikachukwu Nweke, known professionally as Masterkraft, is a Nigerian record producer, disc jockey, band director, pianist, and songwriter. He started his professional music career with Kennis Music, and has worked with artists such as Flavour N'abania, Bracket, Banky W., Sound Sultan, Timaya, Lynxxx, M.I and J. Martins, among others. His production hits include "Fine Lady" by Lynxxx, "Kwarikwa (Remix)" by Flavour N'abania, "Girl" by Bracket, "Chinny Baby" by Flavour N'abania, and "Jasi" by Banky W, among others.
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