Johnny Drille | |
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Background information | |
Birth name | John Ighodaro |
Also known as | Johnny Drille |
Born | Edo, Nigeria | July 5, 1990
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Years active | 2012–present |
Labels | Mavin Records |
Spouse | Rima Tahini |
John Ighodaro (born July 5, 1990), professionally known as Johnny Drille, is a Nigerian singer and songwriter. He first came into the spotlight when he released a cover of "Awww" by Di'Ja. He is currently signed to Mavin Records. [1] [2] [3]
Johnny Drille was born and raised in Edo State, Nigeria. His father is a school principal and clergyman. He has four siblings. [4]
He started singing in his father's church at an early age. He attended the University of Benin, Benin City, where he studied English and Literature. [5] [6]
Johnny Drille began his musical career in church. He was one of the contestants on the sixth season of Project Fame West Africa in 2013. [7] [8] In 2015, he released a cover of Di'Ja's "Awww", which caught the attention of Mavin's CEO Don Jazzy.
His debut single "Wait for Me" was released in 2015. It was nominated for Best Alternative Song at The Headies 2016. He teamed up with Niniola, a fellow season 6 contestant, to record "Start All Over" in 2016. [9]
In February 2017, he signed a record deal with Mavin Records. [10] [11]
On September 3, 2021, he released his debut album, a fourteen track project, [12] titled 'Before We Fall Asleep' featuring Nigerian artists Ayra Starr, Ladipoe, Lagos community choir, Don Jazzy, Chylde, Kwitte, Cilsoul and the classic afro R&B group, Styl-Plus under the label Mavin Records.
Johnny is married to music executive Rima Tahini. [13] In November 2023, they announced the birth of their daughter Amaris Esohe Ighodaro. [14]
Title | Album details | Ref. |
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Before We Fall Asleep |
| [15] [16] |
Title | Details | Peak chart positions |
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NG [17] | ||
Home [18] |
| 12 |
Hard Guy Confessions (with Don Jazzy) [19] |
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Year | Event | Prize | Recipient | Result | Ref |
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2016 | The Headies | Best Alternative Song | "Wait for Me" | Nominated | [21] |
2018 | Best Vocal Performance (Male) | "Romeo & Juliet" | Nominated | [22] [23] | |
Best R&B Single | Nominated | ||||
Best Alternative Song | Nominated | ||||
Next Rated | Himself | Nominated | |||
2019 | Best Alternative Song | "Finding Efe" | Won | [24] | |
Best Vocal Performance (Male) | Nominated | ||||
Michael Collins Ajereh, known professionally as Don Jazzy, is a Nigerian record producer, singer and business man. He founded the record label Mavin Records in 2012, through which he has signed artists including D'Prince, Rema, and Ayra Starr. He co-founded Mo' Hits Records with D'banj in 2004, and was an in-house producer for Kanye West's GOOD Music from 2011 to 2013.
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 Don Jazzy 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 Don Jazzy, 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.
The Headies is a music awards show established in 2006 by Hip Hop World Magazine to recognize outstanding achievements in the Nigerian music industry. The annual ceremony features performances by established and promising artists. It is broadcast live on HipTV to viewers across Nigeria. The first and second editions of The Headies were held at the Muson Center in Onikan, Lagos State. Between 2010 and 2012, the awards were held at the Eko Hotel and Suites in Victoria Island, Lagos. Various media personalities in Nigeria have hosted the annual ceremony, including Darey Art Alade, D'banj, Dakore Egbuson, Banky W., Rita Dominic, M.I, Tiwa Savage and Dr SID.
Hadiza Blell, now Hadiza Blell-Olo, better known by her stage name Di'Ja, is a Nigerian singer. She is currently signed to Mavin Records. In 2009, she released her first single "Rock Steady", which was nominated for Best Urban/R&B Single at the 2009 Canadian Radio Music Awards. Moreover, she won the Best New Artist award at the 2008 Beat Music Awards.
"Dorobucci" is a song recorded by The Mavins, a collective composed of Don Jazzy, Tiwa Savage, Dr SID, Reekado Banks, Korede Bello, Di'Ja and D'Prince. Released on May 1, 2014, the song received generally positive reviews from music critics. Positive remarks went towards its production, instrumentation and composition. On the contrary, the music video received mixed reviews. While some critics described the video as brilliant, others said it was dull and not up to par.
Nonso Temisan Ajufo known professionally as DJ Big N is a Nigerian DJ. As part of Mavin Records, DJ Big N has supported several of the label's top-billed acts, including supporting Tiwa Savage on her first American tour. He has released several Mavin themed mixtapes, including the "Mavin All Stars" mixtape, the ‘Surulere Mixtape Volume 1’, the "ENERGY Mixtape", and several Afro session Mixtapes with “Alternate Sound” band.
Ayoleyi Hanniel Solomon, who is better known by his stage name Reekado Banks, is a Nigerian singer and songwriter. He was signed to Mavin Records between 2014 and 2018, and went by the stage name Spicy before his record deal with the label. Banks won Rookie of the Year at The Headies 2014, and received the controversial Next Rated award at The Headies 2015. His debut studio album Spotlight, which was released on 1 September 2016, debuted at number 10 on the Billboard World Albums chart.
Korede Bello 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.
Charles Enebeli, better known by his stage name D'Prince, is a Nigerian Afropop recording artist, and entrepreneur. He founded the entertainment company and record label Jonzing World in 2019, through which he has signed singer Rema.
Niniola Apata, 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.
The Headies 2018 was the 12th edition of The Headies. It was held on May 5, 2018, at the Eko Convention Centre in Victoria Island, Lagos. Nigerian comedian Bovi and singer Seyi Shay hosted the ceremony. After shortlisting thousands of entries submitted during the eligibility period, the organizers of the ceremony announced the nominees in April 2018. They also announced the addition of three categories: Viewer's Choice, Best Performer, and Industry Brand Supporter. Simi led the nominations with 7, followed by Wizkid and Davido with 6 each. The ceremony featured performances from a number of artists, including Falz, Mr Real, Simi, and the Danfo Drivers. Pulse Nigeria praised the award's sound production and stage design. Davido, Wizkid and Simi won the most awards with 3 each. Mayorkun won the Next Rated award, beating Dice Ailes, Maleek Berry and Johnny Drille.
Ladipo Eso popularly known as Ladipoe or Poe is a Nigerian rapper and musician. On 28 February 2017, Ladipoe signed a record deal with Mavin Records. He rose to prominence with the song "Feel Alright" where he got featured by SDC "Show Dem Camp". He also released a new single "Jaiye" in March 2019 before dropping the hit song, "Know You" featuring Nigerian Joromi singer, Simi. He is also a member of the Nigerian supergroup Collectiv3 and goes by the alias, “Leader of The New Revival”.
The Headies Award for Producer of the Year is an award presented at The Headies, a ceremony that was established in 2006 and originally called the Hip Hop World Awards. It was first presented to Don Jazzy in 2006.
"Away" is a song recorded by Nigerian singer-songwriter Ayra Starr for her eponymous debut EP. It is the first song on the EP, released in January 2021 by Mavin Records. It was written by Ayra Starr and her brother Dami and was produced by Louddaaa.
Before We Fall Asleep is the debut studio album by Nigerian singer-songwriter Johnny Drille. It was released on 3rd September 2021, through Mavin Records. Self produced by Johnny Drille with additional productions from Wilson Muzik, London, Altims, and Fink. The album was exclusively produced by Don Jazzywith A&R direction from Rima Tahini. The album features Don Jazzy, Styl-Plus, Ladipoe, Ayra Starr, Chylde, Lagos Community Choir, Cillsoul, Kwittee, with co-writers including Ayra brother credited as Milar, and Cill Soul.
Alexander Adelabu, professionally known as Magixx, is a Nigerian singer and songwriter. In 2021, he was signed to Mavin Records. He is known for a distinctly hybrid approach fusing trap, dancehall, Afropop and R&B. In 2019, Magixx initiated his rise to fame when he released 'Problem,' a succinct blend of Afropop and Afro R&B, showcasing his evolving musical exploration. The track quickly seized the spotlight within Nigeria's music elite, drawing admiration from notable figures like Mayorkun, M.I, Zlatan Ibile, and the influential Don Jazzy of Mavin Records. This attention culminated in his eventual signing with Mavin Records.
Otaniyen-Uwa Daniel professionally known as Killertunes is a Nigerian record producer and songwriter who has produced "Manya" by Wizkid, "Motigbana" by Olamide, "Baba" by DJ Spinall featuring Kizz daniel and "Bobo" by Mayorkun featuring Davido.
Alexander Uwaifo 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. In September 2022, he was announced as one of the newly signed record producers of the Nigerian record label, Mavin Records.
Ugbekile David Osemeke, known professionally as Boy Spyce, is a Nigerian singer and songwriter. He gained recognition following his 2021 cover of Wizkid's song "Essence". Its success led him to sign a recording contract with Mavin Records, which released his debut extended play, self-titled Boy Spyce, in 2022 to modest commercial success.
Boy Spyce is the debut extended play by Nigerian singer-songwriter Boy Spyce, released on 15 April 2022 through Mavin Records.