Early life and music career
Kingsley Chinweike Okonkwo was born on 18 April 1979. He has his roots in Uli, Anambra State, despite being born and raised in Lagos and growing up in Ajegunle. [3] Growing up, Kcee was immersed in diverse musical styles, including reggae, highlife, and Afrobeat. [4] Kcee's music career began in 1999 when he teamed up with Precious John, aka Presh, to form the dynamic duo KC Presh. [5] Kcee and his longtime partner and friend Presh played as a duo for 12 years. They met in a church choir, and gained national recognition after winning the Star Quest talent show in 2002, a competition that showcased their talent to a broader audience. Following their win, KC Presh enjoyed some success in the Nigerian music scene, releasing the albums Sio Nkpo (2006) and Get Ready (2010) and gaining a moderate following. [4] Their work together as music partners gave them both some recognition until 2011 when they split, both chasing separate careers.
Following his split with Presh, KCee launched his solo career, releasing "Okpekete" as his debut solo single. [6] He released a remix of the song featuring Davido in 2012; its music video was shot by Godfather Productions. [7] KCee shot his first music video as a solo artist in August 2011 for a song titled "Now I Know", featuring uncredited vocals from Harrysong. The video for "Now I Know" was shot on the Balearic Islands in Spain. [8]
In 2013, KCee released the single "Limpopo". The song was popular, taking over Nigerian airwaves and club playlists. [2] "Limpopo" elevated KCee to stardom, earning him several awards and nominations, specifically Song of the Year at The Headies 2013. [9] On 19 September 2013, KCee released the song "Pullover" featuring Wizkid. [10] The official remix to "Pullover" features Don Jazzy and was released on 31 October 2013. [11] The song's music video, directed by Clarence Peters, features cameo appearances by Chinedu Ikedieze, Osita Iheme, Saka, Harrysong, and Skiibii. It follows a comedic storyline in which Kcee and Saka act as traffic officers stopping female drivers to check their "particulars". [12] [13] The single shared the award for Hottest Single of the Year with Davido's "Aye" at the 2014 Nigeria Entertainment Awards and its video won the award for Most Gifted Duo/Group or Featuring at the 2014 Channel O Music Video Awards. [14] [15] "Pullover" also received nominations for Best Pop Single at The Headies 2014 [16] , Single of the Year at the Ben TV Awards 2014 [17] , Best Collabo of the Year at the 2014 City People Entertainment Awards [18] , Best Use of Dance in a Video at the 2014 Nigerian Music Video Awards. [19] "Pullover" debuted at number nine on the MTV Base Official Top 10 chart for the week of 2 to 9 December 2013. The week of 24 January 2014, "Pullover" reached number one on the chart, displacing D'banj's "Finally". [20] It stayed on top for two weeks until it was knocked off the chart by Wizkid's "Jaiye Jaiye". [21] Nigerian singer Chike performed a cover of the song for the semi-finals of The Voice Nigeria. [22]
KCee released his debut studio album Take Over on 1 November 2013 through Five Star Music. Guest appearances include D'banj, Don Jazzy, Davido, Wizkid, Timaya, Phyno, and Flavour. The album received a nomination for Best R&B/Pop Album at The Headies 2014, and Best Album of the Year at the 2014 Nigeria Entertainment Awards. [16] [23]
On 3 April 2020, Kcee released the single "Sweet Mary J" as his first single of the year. [24] In June 2023, he released the single, "Ojapiano", which blends the traditional sounds of Ọjà music, originating from the Igbos of South East Nigeria, with the popular South African beats of Amapiano. [25]
Achievements
Kcee's contributions to the music industry have earned him numerous recognitions and accolades. Some of his notable achievements include: Winning awards at the Headies, Nigeria entertainment awards and MTV Africa music Awards. He was also nominated for various other awards. [4] Kcee's financial success was further cemented through strategic endorsement deals, notably with MTN Nigeria in 2013, a partnership that solidified his status as a brand ambassador. Additional collaborations with prominent brands, including Magnum, have contributed to his success.
Kcee has evolved his sound in recent years, showcasing his artistic versatility by blending contemporary styles with elements of traditional highlife. This fusion has revitalized his music, appealing to both nostalgic fans of classic Nigerian sounds and newer generations of Afrobeats enthusiasts. [30] His 2020 album, “Cultural Praise,” in collaboration with Okwesili Eze Group, is a perfect example of his ability to evolve while staying connected to his roots. [31] The album was a massive hit, especially among Igbo communities, and it showcased Kcee’s ability to infuse gospel and cultural praise into modern sounds.
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