Happi (musician)

Last updated
Happi
Birth nameMark Babatunde
Also known asHappiMusic
Born (1993-02-08) 8 February 1993 (age 31)
Hackney, London
OriginBritish-Nigerian
Genres
Occupations
  • Singer
  • composer
  • record producer
Years active2014–present
SpouseDana Babatunde

Mark Babatunde (born 8 February 1993), professionally known as Happi or HappiMusic, is a British-Nigerian singer, music producer, songwriter and composer. [1] [2] He is best known for "Jireh (My Provider)" with Limoblaze and Lecrae, which won several awards and appeared on the Billboard Year-End U.S. Afrobeats Songs of 2022. [3]

Contents

Early life

Happi was born in Hackney, London to Nigerian parents who moved to the United Kingdom shortly after they got married. They later moved to Enfield before he started secondary school. [4] Happi's musical career started when he was a child at the age of 6. He attended Einfield Grammar School and studied Marketing and Advertising at the University of Hertforshire, England. [5] As a teenager, he started to record in his brother's bedroom studio. With time, he opened a YouTube channel where he uploaded homemade videos. [6]

Music career

Happi first started writing songs and making videos as a child. In 2014, he released 3 singles "Be Alright", "No Man Can Curse" and "Truth Be Told". In 2016, he was featured on the Blackout EP by Komenz alongside Melvillous. [7] It comprised 6 tracks including "Scars", "Walls" and "Voices". In 2017, he debuted his EP "The Boy and His Imaginary Friend EP" stylised BAHIF which premiered with UK's Notion Notion Magazine. [8] It comprised 6 tracks and had a headline show on 30 April 2017 in London, United Kingdom. [9] He worked as one of the co-producers on Moelego's debut EP titled "Me" in 2020. [10]

On 1 July 2022, Happi produced the hit song "Jireh (My Provider)" by Limoblaze featuring American rapper, Lecrae. The song appeared on the list of Billboard Year-End U.S. Afrobeats Songs of 2022 and also peaked as No. 15 on the Official Charts. [11] On 7 October 2022, he released an official remix with British group Flo on the Cardboard box (Happi remix). [12]

Discography

Albums/EPs

Album/EPsYearRef
Blackout EP

(Komenz)

2016 [13]
Boy and His Imaginary Friend2017 [14] [15]
3:152018
Me

(Moelogo)

2020 [16]

Singles

TitleYearAlbum
Comatose2023Non-album single
Wasted
Jireh (My Provider) [17] [18]

(Limoblaze, Lecrae)

2022Sunday in Lagos
Cardboard Box Remix [19]

(HappiMusic X Flo)

Non-album single
Medication

(ft Tra$hGho$t)

H3lp
Bad Bad [20]
Anxiety
Public Enemy
Ride or Die
Sinking Feeling
Terminal
Twisted2021
Bestfriend [21]
Fool For You
For Me
Private Caller, Who Dis?
Right or Wrong

(Happi, Britt Lari)

Bel-Air2020
Sorry

(Happi, Imallryt)

Tick2019
Remedy
Forever [22] 2017Boy and His Imaginary Friend
Be Alright2014Non-album single
No Man Can Curse
Truth Be Told

Awards and nominations

YearAwardCategoryResultRef
2023 The Stellar Awards Rap/Hip-Hop Song of the YearPending [23]
The Headies Best Inspirational SongPending [24] [25]
Premier Gospel AwardsBest SongWon [26]
2020 Royal Television Society Craft & Design Awards Music - Original ScoreNominated [27]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lecrae discography</span>

The discography of Lecrae, an American Christian hip hop artist, consists of 11 studio albums, two of which were collaborative; four mixtapes; two extended plays, one of which was collaborative; 130 singles, including 75 as a featured performer; 73 music videos, including 37 as a featured performer; and 86 guest and other appearances. Lecrae debuted with Real Talk in 2004 through Reach Records; the album was re-issued the following year by Cross Movement Records. After the Music Stops followed in 2006 and his third solo album, Rebel, was released in 2008 and reached No. 1 on the Gospel chart, the first Christian hip hop album to do so. Rehab, his fourth solo album, was released in 2010 and reached No. 1 on the Gospel, Christian, and Independent charts, and garnered a nomination at the 53rd Grammy Awards. Rehab: The Overdose, was released on January 11, 2011, and peaked at No. 1 on the Christian and Gospel charts. Lecrae began garnering mainstream attention when he performed at the 2011 BET Hip Hop Awards Cypher and was featured on the Statik Selektah song "Live and Let Live" from his Population Control album.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">MNEK</span> English singer, songwriter and record producer (born 1994)

Uzoechi Osisioma "Uzo" Emenike, professionally known by his stage name MNEK, is an English singer, songwriter and record producer. He has been nominated for a Grammy and a Brit Award, and has received the ASCAP Vanguard Award. His writing and production credits include H.E.R., Jax Jones, Zara Larsson, Little Mix, Dua Lipa, Flo, Sugababes, Clean Bandit, Julia Michaels, Craig David, Christina Aguilera, Becky Hill, Selena Gomez, Years & Years, Kylie Minogue, Beyoncé, Hailee Steinfeld, Madonna, KSI, Mabel and Twice.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blackout (Breathe Carolina song)</span> 2011 single by Breathe Carolina

"Blackout" is a song by American electronic rock duo Breathe Carolina. It is the lead single from their third studio album Hell Is What You Make It. It was written by David Schmitt, Kyle Even, Eric Armenta, Joshua Aragon, and Luis Bonet, whilst production was handled by Ian Kirkpatrick. Recorded between late 2010 and early 2011, it was one of the first tracks recorded for the album. On December 22, 2010, a snippet of the song was previewed in a YouTube video by Fearless Records. It premiered via MTV Buzzworthy on June 13, 2011, while it was available for digital download the following day.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hangover (Taio Cruz song)</span> 2011 single by Taio Cruz

"Hangover" is a song by English singer Taio Cruz from his third studio album, TY.O. Released on 4 October 2011 in United States, 18 October 2011 in Germany and 4 March 2012 in the United Kingdom, the song serves as the album's international lead single, and follows "Troublemaker" as the album's second British single. American rapper Flo Rida contributes guest vocals. Another alternate version of the song, titled "Takeover", was leaked online via NewJams.net.

Tyshane Thompson, known professionally as Beam, is a Jamaican-born American rapper, singer, songwriter, and record producer. He is the son of dancehall and gospel reggae singer Papa San. He was one-half of the production duo 808&Elite. Beam released his debut studio album, Alien, on February 4, 2022. It includes collaborations with Justin Bieber, Jorja Smith, and his father, among others.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Reach Records</span> American label of Christian hip hop

Reach Records is an American independent record label specializing in Christian hip hop. The label was founded in 2004 by Ben Washer and the hip-hop artist Lecrae. In addition to Lecrae, the Reach Records roster contains artists like Tedashii, Trip Lee, Andy Mineo, 1K Phew, WHATUPRG, Anike, Hulvey, Limoblaze, and Jackie Hill Perry. The hip-hop collective 116 operates under the label and consists primarily of the label's solo acts. The artists Sho Baraka, Derek Minor, Aha Gazelle, KB, and Gawvi were formerly signed to the label, and DJ Official was under the label until his death.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mr Eazi</span> Nigerian singer (born 1991)

Oluwatosin Oluwole Ajibade, better known by his stage name Mr Eazi, is a Nigerian-Bajan singer, songwriter, and record executive. He is the pioneer of Banku music, a fusion of sound he describes as a mixture of Ghanaian highlife and Nigerian chord progressions and patterns. Mr Eazi relocated to Kumasi in 2008 and enrolled at KNUST, where he began booking artists to perform at college parties. He showed interest in music after recording a guest verse on "My Life", a song that gained traction and became a popular record at KNUST. Mr Eazi released his debut mixtape About to Blow in 2013. He gained an international audience following the release of the Efya-assisted single "Skin Tight". His second mixtape, titled Life Is Eazi, Vol. 1 – Accra to Lagos, was released in 2017.

Mohammed Basit Abiola Isola Animashaun, popularly known as Moelogo (born 13 April 1990), is a British–Nigerian singer-songwriter, he has songwriting credits for some notable music projects, including Tiwa Savage's Celia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rema (musician)</span> Nigerian singer and songwriter (born 2000)

Divine Ikubor, popularly known as Rema, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter and rapper. He gained initial recognition with his 2019 song "Dumebi". That same year, he signed with D'Prince's record label, Jonzing World. He achieved international recognition with his 2022 single "Calm Down", which spawned a remix with American singer Selena Gomez that peaked at number three on the Billboard Hot 100. The song also led Billboard Afrobeats Songs chart for a record-setting 58 weeks.

Afrobeats, not to be confused with Afrobeat or Afroswing, is an umbrella term to describe popular music from West Africa and the diaspora that initially developed in Nigeria, Ghana, and the UK in the 2000s and 2010s. Afrobeats is less of a style per se, and more of a descriptor for the fusion of sounds flowing out of Nigeria and Ghana. Genres such as hiplife, jùjú music, highlife, azonto music, and naija beats, among others, were amalgamated under the "Afrobeats" umbrella.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Omah Lay</span> Nigerian singer-songwriter and record executive (born 1997)

Stanley Omah Didia, known professionally as Omah Lay, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter and record producer. Lay gained international prominence with his singles "Understand," "Attention," and "Soso". He has won numerous awards including Headies in 2020 and 2023.

Samuel Onwubiko, known by his stage name Limoblaze is a Nigerian gospel singer-songwriter and rapper. He is well known for the hit song "Jireh " with Lecrae and Happi, a reworking of "Jireh" by Elevation Worship and Maverick City Music; the song made it to the Billboard U.S. Afrobeats Songs of 2022, Official Charts No. 15, and won several other nominations including The Headies and The Stellar Awards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jireh (song)</span> 2021 song by Elevation Worship and Maverick City Music

"Jireh" is a song performed by American contemporary worship bands Elevation Worship and Maverick City Music, which features vocals from Chandler Moore and Naomi Raine. It impacted Christian radio in the United States on April 1, 2021, as the lead single from their collaborative live album, Old Church Basement (2021). The song was initially released as a promotional single on March 26, 2021. The song was written by Chandler Moore, Chris Brown, Naomi Raine, and Steven Furtick.

Chandler David Moore is an American singer, songwriter, pianist, guitarist, and worship leader. Moore is also a member of Maverick City Music, a collective of worshippers working in the contemporary Christian music and Gospel world.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">CKay</span> Nigerian singer and record producer (born 1995)

Chukwuka Chukwuma Ekweani, better known by his stage name Ckay, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter and record producer signed to Boyfriend Music, Warner Music Africa and Atlantic Records. He was formerly signed to Chocolate City, a member of Warner Music Group independent label services ADA. His international hit single "Love Nwantiti", also known as "Love Nwantiti ", was released in 2019 by Chocolate City.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Flo (group)</span> British girl group

Flo is a British girl group formed and signed with Island Records. The London-based group is composed of three members: Jorja Douglas, Stella Quaresma, and Renée Downer. The trio gained prominence for their debut song "Cardboard Box" (2022) after achieving viral popularity throughout social media, and received a silver certification by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cardboard Box (song)</span> 2022 single by Flo

"Cardboard Box" is the debut single by British girl group Flo from their debut EP, The Lead (2022). The group co-wrote the song alongside Savannah Jada and MNEK, the latter of whom also handled the song's production. The single was released for digital download and streaming through Island Records on 24 March 2022 as the lead single from the EP. A pop and R&B song, it features the group's harmonised vocals over a dancehall-inspired beat with elements of 2000s music. Lyrically, the song describes moving on from an unfaithful romantic partner. Upon its release, the song gained popularity through Instagram, Twitter and TikTok.

Christopher Michael Hulvey, known professionally by his surname Hulvey, is an American Christian rapper, singer, songwriter, and record producer. His debut studio album Christopher debuted and peaked at No.2 on the Billboard Top Christian Albums chart.

Greatman Ademola Takit, professionally known as Greatman Takit, is a Nigerian songwriter, singer and artiste. He released his first single "Ain't Nobody" in 2011 but gained popularity with his debut EP “Wildfire” in 2016.

Divine Uzama, known professionally as Zerrydl, is a Nigerian singer and rapper from Benin City, Nigeria. He rose to fame in 2023 following the release of his single "Puff & Pass," which marked his first entry on the TurnTable Top 100. Uzama signed with Plutomania Records to release his debut extended play (EP) Danger Zee (2023).

References

  1. ↑ Dennis, O'Neil (2022-09-18). "'Jireh (My Provider)' by Limoblaze, Lecrae & Happi hits 2 million streams in 1+ month". Step FWD UK Christian Chart. Retrieved 2023-07-19.
  2. ↑ "BBC Radio 1Xtra - Nick Bright, Happi". BBC. Retrieved 2023-07-19.
  3. ↑ Cusson, Michael (2022-12-01). "Billboard U.S. Afrobeats Songs". Billboard. Retrieved 2023-07-19.
  4. ↑ Mitchell, Tamika (2017-05-13). "#TBB10 With Rapper Happi About New EP 'Boy And His Imaginary Friend' | The British Blacklist" . Retrieved 2023-07-19.
  5. ↑ Enfield Grammar School (2011-03-10), Award Winners at the JP March 2011 , retrieved 2023-07-19
  6. ↑ 9bills (2018-08-23). "Bio: Meet HappiMusic The Gentle Giant Tackling Depression by Making Others Happy". 9bills UK. Retrieved 2023-07-19.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  7. ↑ Dennis, O'Neil (2016-05-29). "7 days - 2 artists - 1 producer = The Blackout EP". Step FWD UK Christian Chart. Retrieved 2023-07-19.
  8. ↑ "Happi BAHIF EP Artwork". Notion Magazine.
  9. ↑ happimusic. "Happi Music Presents 'Boy And His Imaginary Show'". happimusic. Retrieved 2023-07-19.
  10. ↑ "Banging New; Moelogo drops much anticipated fourth EP titled 'ME' (LISTEN)". Pulse Ghana. 2020-06-26. Retrieved 2023-07-19.
  11. ↑ "JIREH (My Provider) Limoblaze + Happi + Lecrae". Official Charts.
  12. ↑ "Cardboard Box (Happi Remix) by FLO, Happi". Apple Music. 2022-10-07. Archived from the original on 2022-10-08. Retrieved 2022-10-08.
  13. ↑ 9bills (2016-05-30). "SICK! Blackout EP | @Melvillous @Happimusic_ Produced By @Komenzmusic #BlackoutEP". 9bills Blog. Retrieved 2023-07-19.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  14. ↑ "FM RECOMMENDS | HAPPI'S EP 'BOY AND HIS IMAGINARY FRIEND' – FM Famemagazine.co.uk". www.famemagazine.co.uk. Retrieved 2023-07-19.
  15. ↑ "happi | a boy and his imaginary friend". Globetrotter Magazine. Retrieved 2023-07-19.
  16. ↑ "Moelogo Releases New EP "Me" – The PGM Club" . Retrieved 2023-07-19.
  17. ↑ Thomson, Zangba (2022-09-15). "Limoblaze, Lecrae, and Happi released a music video for their "Jireh (My Provider)" single". Bong Mines Entertainment. Retrieved 2023-07-19.
  18. ↑ Samuel, Joshua (2023-03-29). "Most Streamed Christian Rap Songs Released in 2022". Rapzilla. Retrieved 2023-07-19.
  19. ↑ Cardboard Box (Happi Remix) - Single by FLO & Happi, 2022-10-07, retrieved 2023-07-19
  20. ↑ Wynter, Courtney (2022-01-28). "Happi Returns With Spirited Offering "Bad Bad"". GRM Daily. Retrieved 2023-07-19.
  21. ↑ Ojo, Bambo (2021-09-01). "Happi surprises fans with bubbly, feel-good track 'Bestfriend'". The Culture Custodian (Est. 2014.). Retrieved 2023-07-19.
  22. ↑ Dennis, O'Neil (2017-03-23). "Happi debuts 'Forever' Music Video from 'Boy And His Imaginary Friend' EP". Step FWD UK Christian Chart. Retrieved 2023-07-19.
  23. ↑ "The Stellar Awards | 2023 Stellar Award Nominees". www.thestellarawards.com. Retrieved 2023-07-19.
  24. ↑ "Burna Boy, Rema, Ruger, Asake lead 2023 Headies nomination list [Full Nomination List]". Pulse Nigeria. 2023-07-12. Retrieved 2023-07-19.
  25. ↑ "2023 Headies Full Nominees List". www.turntablecharts.com. Retrieved 2023-07-19.
  26. ↑ Dennis, O'Neil (2023-06-16). "Highlights from this year's prestigious Premier Gospel Awards". Step FWD UK Christian Chart. Retrieved 2023-07-19.
  27. ↑ "Nominations for the RTS Craft & Design Awards 2020 announced". Royal Television Society. 2020-11-04. Retrieved 2023-07-19.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.