Laycon | |
---|---|
Born | Olamilekan Massoud Al-Khalifah Agbeleshebioba 8 November 1993 Lagos, Nigeria |
Alma mater | University of Lagos, University of Portsmouth |
Occupations |
|
Musical career | |
Genres | |
Instrument(s) | Vocals, Guitar |
Years active | 2016–present |
Labels | Fierce Nation |
Website | https://itslaycon.com/ |
Olamilekan Massoud Al-Khalifah Agbeleshebioba (born 8 November 1993) known professionally as Laycon, is a Nigerian rapper, singer, songwriter and media personality. He was the winner of Big Brother Naija season 5 and is currently the youth ambassador of Ogun State, Nigeria since 6 October 2020. In October 2022, he became a member of the Grammys Recording Academy voting committee. [1] [2]
Olamilekan Massoud Al-Khalifah Agbeleshebioba was born and raised in Lagos, Nigeria [3] [4] but is a native of Odeda, Ogun State. [5] [6] He attended Lagos State Model College Merian, Nigeria. In 2012, he got admitted to study Philosophy in the University of Lagos and graduated in 2016 with a Second Class Upper degree. [7] [8] [9] In April 2023, he graduated with a Master of Arts (MA) in International Relations from the University of Portsmouth, England. [10]
Laycon started his career interning as the personal assistant to the MD and CEO of Latjum Global Nigeria Limited when he was still an undergraduate in University of Lagos. He moved to Bestman Games, Ikoyi, Lagos where he worked as a sales and business development personnel after graduating from the university. Two months later, he became the personal assistant to the assistant director of welfare in administration and human resources at Lagos State Ministry of Information and Strategy. During the course of his career, he worked as a freelance writer for different companies and establishments. [3] [11] On 6 October 2020, Laycon was appointed the youth ambassador by the Governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun. [12]
On 3 January 2021, Laycon received a chieftaincy title from the Onipokia of Ipokia, Ogun State, Yisa Adesola Olaniyan as the Akeweje of Ipokia Kingdom, Ogun State at the 2021 Opo Day celebration. [13] [14]
Laycon began rapping and writing songs at a tender age. [11] [15] In 2014, he was among the ten artistes that performed at the 2014 Coke Studio University of Lagos event. He was also part of the top ten finalists of the 2017 MTV Base LSB challenge. [16] In 2019, Laycon was signed into Olugbenga Jackson's record label "Fierce Nation". On 21 February 2019, he released a track, "Fierce" with Chinko Ekun and Reminisce from his second EP "Who Is Laycon?". [17] [18] He released another single "Senseless" on 28 August 2020. [19]
In October 2020, the remix of "Nobody" by DJ Neptune was released. His verse in the remix of the song titled "Nobody iCONs Remix" was recorded two days after he left the Big Brother Naija Reality TV Show. [20] Mr. Real featured him in the remix of his song "Baba Fela". The remix was released on 30 January 2021. [21]
On 10 March 2021, Laycon released two singles - Wagwan and Fall For Me (ft YKB). Wagwan debuted at number five on billboard's top ten global triller chart. On 1 April 2021, Laycon announced that he will be dropping his first album on 30 April 2021. On 30 April 2021, Laycon's Album Shall We Begin was released and the album peaked at number two in Nigeria top album chart, and number one on the Nigeria iTunes album chart. The album went on to chart in over 30 countries and counting. In September 2021, Laycon release the original soundtrack album to his reality show I Am Laycon which was also titled I Am Laycon. This was his second project of the year 2021 and it peaked at number nine on Nigeria album chart. This made it Laycon's third project to hit the top 10 charts in two years. Also, he was featured on "Enter My Head" by fellow former BBNaija housemate Veeiye, on her debut EP Young & Reckless.. [22]
In July 2021, Laycon performed "All Over Me" for the Grammy Press Play. [23] In December 2021, he headlined and sold out his first-ever concert tagged iCONs FEST at the 6000 capacity Eko Convention Center, Eko Hotel, Lagos. In October 2022, he became a member of the Grammys Recording Academy voting committee. [24]
In July 2023, Laycon debuted his third album "Bioba" comprising 13 tracks. He also released two singles titled "Shine" and "LOL" [25]
Laycon entered the show as the number nineteenth contestant on 19 July 2020 and soon established himself as a fan favorite. [26] [27] [28] He became the first housemate of the season to be verified on Instagram on 22 July 2020. [29] [30] He also broke a record, becoming the first housemate in the show's history to reach 1 million followers on Instagram while still in the house on 19 September 2020. [31]
During the finale of the show on 27 September 2020, he was declared the winner scoring a record 60% of the total votes cast and went home with the ₦85 million grand prize. [32] [33]
Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|
2020 | Big Brother season 5 | Himself | Reality show | [34] |
2021 | I Am Laycon [35] | Himself | Showmax original which premiered on 11 February 2021 | [36] [37] |
In June 2021, the Sickle Cell Foundation of Nigeria appointed Laycon as the global advocate and ambassador for people living with Sickle Cell. [38] [39] He also founded "Laycon Cares Foundation", a humanitarian organization that focuses on education, governance and climate action. In March 2023, his foundation became a partner with the Wild Africa Fund (WAF) to raise awareness about poaching and preservation of the natural habitat [40] [41]
Year | Awards ceremony | Award description(s) | Recipient | Results | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2020 | City People Music Awards | Special Recognition Award | Himself | Won | [42] |
African Entertainment Awards USA | Best New Artist | Won | [43] | ||
Naijatraffic Awards | Artist Of The Year | Won | [44] | ||
Naijatraffic Awards | EP/Album Of The Year | "Who Is Laycon" | Won | [44] | |
2021 | Net Honours | Most Popular BBNaija Star | Himself | Nominated | [45] |
Big Brother Naija, formerly known as Big Brother Nigeria, is a Nigerian reality competition television series, based on the Big Brother television franchise. On the show, contestants live in an isolated house and compete for a large cash prize and other material prizes at the end of the show, by avoiding being evicted from the house by viewers who vote for their favourite housemates to remain in the show.
Bobai Balat, also known by his stage name Bally B., is a Nigerian disc jockey, record producer, voiceover artist, and reality television personality. He gained popularity as one of the housemates of the Big Brother Naija 2017 reality game show, a localized Nigerian franchise of the Dutch game show Big Brother. Among other jobs, he has worked as a school teacher in Lagos as well as a statistician for the Federal Government. He is a baritone, known as Baritone Bally in Big Brother Naija. In 2015, Balat created an Afro-infused electronic bootleg remix to Rihanna's hit song FourFiveSeconds, which brought industry recognition and led to a mash-up segment on Lagos City's radio station, The Beat 99.9 FM.
Miyonse Amosu is a Nigerian chef and media personality from Badagry in Lagos State, Nigeria. He is known for being a Professional Chef and housemate in the Big Brother Naija season 2. He previously hosted the cooking segment of the Wake Up Nigeria breakfast show on TVC Entertainment.
Iheme Faith Uloma better known as Ifu Ennada is a Nigerian film actress and fashion designer and a former BBNaija housemate. She is also an actress, known for winning the AMAA award for Best Young and Promising Actor in the movie O-Town.
Omoniyi Temidayo Raphael, known professionally as Zlatan Ibile, is a Nigerian rapper and singer. He is the chief executive officer and founder of Zanku records. In 2014, he won the Airtel-sponsored One Mic talent show held in 2014, Abeokuta, Ogun State.
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”.
Big Brother Naija Season 4, also known as Big Brother Naija: Pepper Dem was the fourth season of the Nigerian version of the reality show Big Brother. Produced by South Africa's award-winning production company, Red Pepper Pictures and it was launched on 30 June 2019 on the Africa Magic channels & DStv channel 198. Ex-housemate Ebuka Obi-Uchendu from season one continued as the host. The winner won ₦60 million worth of prizes.
Mercy Eke, is a Nigerian media personality, actress, video vixen and entrepreneur from Imo State. She won season 4 of Big Brother Naija in October 2019, becoming the first woman to win the reality show. She is the founder of MNM luxury.
Tobi Bakre is a Nigerian actor, model, host, compere, and photographer.. Tobi rose to fame after finishing up as a finalist in the Big Brother Naija reality TV show in 2018.
Nelson Enwerem known professionally as Prince is a Nigerian actor, tv host, model and beauty pageant titleholder who won Mr Nigeria 2018. He represented Nigeria at the Mister World 2019 and was placed in the top 26. On 19 July 2020, he entered as the number three contestant in the Big Brother Naija season 5 and finished in ninth place.
Katung Aduwak was the winner of the premier edition of the Big Brother Nigeria reality TV show aired between March 5 and June 4, 2006. He hails from Zonkwa, Kaduna State, Nigeria and is a scriptwriter, producer and director as well as a graduate of Political Science. He was once a media panelist at the Harvard Africa Business School Forum and served for many years as Senior Channel Manager at MTV Base, Senior Creative Director at VIACOM International and executive director at Chocolate City. He is currently the CEO of One O Eight Media and African Partner for Campfire Media.
Venita Akpofure is a British-Nigerian actress and video vixen. She gained prominence as a housemate in the fourth season of Big Brother Naija She plays the lead role of Nengi in Africa Magic's Unmarried.
The Cavemen are a Nigerian highlife band consisting of sibling duo Kingsley Okorie, a bassist, and Benjamin James, a drummer. They were brought to the limelight by Lady Donli and are known for their live performances. They won the 2020 Headies Award for the Best Alternative Album.
Hazel Oyeze Onou, popularly known as Whitemoney, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter and reality TV star. He is the winner of Big Brother Naija season 6.
Ijeoma Josephina Otabor known as Phyna is a Nigerian actress, model, hype woman, entertainer and a reality TV star. She is the winner of Big Brother Naija season 7.
Leo Babarinde Akinola Dasilva, is a Nigerian reality television star, businessman and pundit.
Big Brother Naija Season 8, also known as Big Brother Naija: All Stars was the eighth season of the Nigerian reality show Big Brother. It premiered on Sunday 23 July 2023 on DStv channel 198 and GOtv channel 29. Ebuka Obi-Uchendu returned as the host for the 7th consecutive time.
Ilebaye Precious Odiniya also known as Baye or Gen-Z Baddie, is a Nigerian criminologist, model and reality TV star. She is the winner of Big Brother Naija season 8.
Abisagboola Oluseun John popularly known as Bankulli or Osha, is a Nigerian music executive, A&R, talent manager, singer, and songwriter, pioneering the African pop culture. He is the founder and CEO of Bankulli Entertainment, known for housing recording acts, such as Basiil, and Konstance. He formerly served as the artiste manager of Mo' Hits Records, one of Africa's defuncted recording companies owned by Don Jazzy, and D’banj. As a talent manager, he managed D'banj's solo career after Mo' Hits.
Terseer Kidd Waya, known professionally as Kiddwaya, is a Nigerian entrepreneur, actor and reality TV star. He gained prominence as a contestant on the Big Brother Naija season 5.