Olu Maintain | |
---|---|
Birth name | Olumide Edwards Adegbulu |
Born | September 1976 Lagos, Nigeria |
Genres | |
Occupation | Singer |
Years active | 1997–present |
Labels | Kentro World Maintain (former) |
Olumide Edwards Adegbulu (born September 1976), known by his stage name Olu Maintain (sometimes called Mr. Yahooze), is a Nigerian singer. He co-founded the musical group known as Maintain with his cousin, Tolu Ogunniyi. Adeboye Bammeke, popularly known as Big Bamo, joined the group, which released six albums between 1998 and 2004 with the hit songs "I Catch Cold", "Domitila" and "Alo" before they separated in 2004. [1] [2]
Olu rose to prominence in May 2007 with the release of the hit song "Yahooze" which literarily hail internet fraud and lavish spending from his debut studio album, Yahooze (2007), and a second album, Maintain Reloaded (2008). He featured Big Bamo in the single "Kowonje". "Yahooze" was named Hottest Single of the Year at the Nigeria Entertainment Awards. Olu Maintain's "Yahooze" was the genesis of an open declaration of support for internet fraud and lavish spending by an "A list" artiste which is now a norm in the Nigeria music industry. [3]
In 2008, he performed "Yahooze" at the Royal Albert Hall, London and brought on stage Colin Powell, the former United States Secretary of State. [4]
He was born in September 1976 in Lagos State, western Nigeria, but hails from then Ondo State, southwestern Nigeria. His parents are medical practitioners; his father is a medical doctor and his mother is a nurse. [5]
In 2001, he obtained a diploma certificate in accountancy from The Polytechnic, Ibadan, but began his music career in 1997. The same year, he released his first album, Domitila. The music was aired in October 1998. [6]
On 27 July 2009, he released the album With All Due Respect, Press Play with a hit single titled "What a Man Can Do" featuring Kentro World. [7]
In January 2012, he released a single, "Nawti", which earned the Nigeria Entertainment Awards for Best Video of the Year and Best Reggae/Dancehall Video of the Year at the Nigeria Music Video Awards. [8] On 4 January 2013, he released two songs, titled "Hypnotize Me", featuring 50 Cent and Olivia, and "Oya Dancia", featuring Fatman Scoop. [9]
| |||||||||||||||||
Totals [a] | |||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Wins | 5 | ||||||||||||||||
Nominations | 3 | ||||||||||||||||
Note
|
Ondo Town is the second largest town in Ondo State, Nigeria. Ondo Town is the trade center for the surrounding region; commercial crops such as yams, cassava, grain, tobacco and cotton are grown, the latter of which is often used to weave a culturally significant cloth known as Aso Oke fabric, which is commonly used to make clothing amongst the local population. Ondo Town is the largest producer of cocoa products in the region.
Innocent Ujah Idibia MON, known by his stage name 2Baba and formerly as 2face Idibia, is a Nigerian singer-songwriter, record producer and philanthropist known for his solo debut album, Face 2 Face. He is regarded as one of the "most influential" and greatest Afrobeats artists of all time following his contributions to Nigerian pop music in the 2000s.
Oladapo Daniel Oyebanjo, known professionally as D'banj, is a Nigerian singer, rapper and television personality. He signed with American rapper Kanye West's record label GOOD Music to release his 2012 single "Oliver Twist", an uptempo dance fusion of EDM and Afrobeats for which he became best known. With record producer Don Jazzy, he co-founded the record label Mo' Hits Records. His stage name is a combination of his first name, Dapo, and his surname, Oyebanjo.
Oluwatobi Wande Ojosipe, popularly known as Wande Coal, is a Nigerian singer and songwriter.
Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun, popularly known as Wizkid, is a Nigerian singer and songwriter. Born in the Ojuelegba suburb of Surulere, Lagos, Wizkid is a voice in the emerging Afrobeats movement. His music is a blend of Afrobeats, afropop, R&B, afrobeat, reggae, dancehall, and pop. He began recording music at the age of 11 and released a collaborative album with the Glorious Five, a group he and a couple of his church friends formed. In 2009, Wizkid signed a record deal with Banky W's Empire Mates Entertainment (E.M.E). He rose to the limelight after releasing "Holla at Your Boy", the lead single from his debut studio album, Superstar (2011), which also spawned the singles "Tease Me/Bad Guys" and "Don't Dull".
Oyindamola Johnson Emmanuel, popularly known as Dammy Krane, is a Nigerian singer, composer and performer. In January 2012, at age 20, he signed a record deal with Hypertek Digital and 960 Music Group. He is most famous for his single hit "My Dear". Dammy Krane is known for his melodic voice, engaging lyrics and his exciting genre of African alternative music. Dammy Krane has received several nominations, including the Next Rated nomination. He won Rookie of the Year at The Headies 2012.
Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu , professionally known as Burna Boy, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, and record producer. He rose to stardom in 2012 after releasing "Like to Party", the lead single from his debut studio album L.I.F.E (2013). In 2017, Burna Boy signed with Atlantic Records in the United States to release his third studio album, Outside (2018).
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".
Oluwatobiloba Daniel Anidugbe, who is better known as Kizz Daniel, is a Nigerian singer and songwriter. He rose to fame in 2014 with his debut single, "Woju". He signed a record deal with G-Worldwide Entertainment in 2013, but left the label following a publicized contract dispute and court case. He founded the Flyboy I.N.C record label in November 2017.
"Yahooze" is a song by Nigerian recording artist Olu Maintain. It was produced by Puffy Tee and officially released on October 27, 2007, as the lead single from his debut album of the same name. The music video for "Yahooze" was shot in Nigeria. The official remix features guest vocals from Nigerian recording artist LKT. "Yahooze" won Hottest Single of the Year at the 2008 Nigeria Entertainment Awards.
Nawti is a song by Nigerian recording artist, Olu Maintain. It was officially released in January 2012, as the first single from his debut album, Chosen One. The single was recorded in Nigeria and the video was directed by Kehinde Nayomi Smith, a Nigerian music director. Nawti's video won the Best Video of 2012 Nigeria Entertainment Awards held on September 2, 2012, in New York City and was also nominated as the Best R&B Song at the Hip Hop World Awards. The reason why it was not nominated as Best Video at the "Hip Hop World Awards" was linked to the fact that it was directed by a Nigerian music director.
"Hypnotize Me" is a song by Nigerian recording artist, Olu Maintain featuring Grammy Award-winning artists 50 Cent and Olivia. It was officially released on January 4, 2012, as the second track from his debut album, Chosen One. The song was recorded in Nigeria and produced by Tayo Adeyemi, a Nigerian music director that directed "Yahooze".
Oya Dancia is a song by Nigerian recording artist, Olu Maintain. It was officially released in February 2014 from his debut album, Chosen One. The song was recorded in Nigeria and produced by Tayo Adeyemi, a Nigerian music producer that produced Yahooze "Hypnotize me" and Yahooze.
Olalekan Babatunde Olayade, popularly known by his stage name "LKT" is a Nigerian recording artist, songwriter and performer.
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.
Folarin Falana, better known by his stage name Falz, is a Nigerian rapper, songwriter, and actor. He began his career in secondary school after forming a group called The School Boys with a friend, before launching his professional music career as a music artist began in 2009. Falz gained wider recognition after releasing the song "Marry Me" featuring vocals from Poe and Yemi Alade.
Sodiq Abubakar Yusuf popularly known by his stage name CDQ, is a Nigerian indigenous rapper, singer and songwriter best known for his single "Nowo E Soke" featuring Wizkid and Masterkraft's Indomie where he was featured alongside Olamide. While the former is instrumental for launching his career into the Nigerian music industry, the later won him his first career award at the 2016 Nigerian Music Video Awards. Signed to his label No Struggle No Success Entertainment, CDQ's repertoire of music includes rapping in Yoruba language with addition of ad-libs such as the popular "Woss Wobi" which he invented.
Akauveh Erumena Glenn, stage name Glenn Mena, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, and instrumentalist.
Adewale Mayowa Emmanuel, known professionally as Mayorkun, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, pianist and dancer. He released a cover of Davido's "The Money" single and was discovered by the singer on Twitter. Mayorkun was signed to Davido's record label DMW from 2016 to 2021; his debut single "Eleko" was released under the label. Mayorkun released his debut studio album The Mayor of Lagos in November 2018. After his exit from DMW in 2021; he released "Let Me Know" and his second studio album Back In Office in October 2021, under the Sony Music West Africa division.
Abiola Ahmed Akinbiyi, known professionally as Bella Shmurda, is a Nigerian singer and songwriter. He rose to prominence in 2019 with the release of the song "Vision 2020", and a follow-up remix which featured Olamide. He is also the leader of Dangbana Republik; a collective of creatives in Lagos providing community and humanitarian contributions.