Olamide Gbenga Adedeji is a Nigerian rapper,singer,songwriter,and record executive. He is regarded as one of the most influential artists in Nigeria and has been crucial to the creative and commercial success of several Afrobeats music stars,and is consistently praised for his role in elevating street pop to mainstream recognition as a distinct music genre. He records in Yoruba and English. In 2011,he released his debut studio album Rapsodi while signed to Coded Tunes. YBNL,his follow-up album,was released under his label imprint "Yahoo Boy No Laptop",also known as YBNL Nation. The album was supported by the singles "First of All","Voice of the Street","Stupid Love",and "Ilefo Illuminati". On 7 November 2013,he released his third studio album Baddest Guy Ever Liveth. The album's singles include "Durosoke" and "Yemi My Lover". On 17 July 2013,Olamide became the first Nigerian to sign an endorsement deal with Cîroc.
Iyanya Onoyom Mbuk,better known as Iyanya,is a Nigerian singer and songwriter. Born and raised in Calabar,he rose to fame after winning the first season of Project Fame West Africa. In 2009,Iyanya released his debut studio album My Story,which was supported by the singles "No Time" and "Love Truly". He co-founded the record label Made Men Music Group with Ubi Franklin in 2011. His second studio album Desire,which was released in February 2013,produced the singles "Kukere","Ur Waist","Flavour","Sexy Mama",and "Jombolo". Iyanya has won several awards,including Artist of the Year at The Headies 2013. In October 2016,he announced on Instagram that he signed a record deal with Mavin Records. Prior to signing with Mavin,he inked a management deal with Temple Management Company. Iyanya first announced his intentions to leave Made Men Music Group in July 2016.
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.
"Gobe" is a song by Nigerian singer Davido,released on February 25,2013. It peaked at number one on the MTV Base Official Naija Top Ten chart,surpassing Banky W.'s "Yes/No". The song stayed atop the music chart for three weeks and was eventually toppled by Kcee's "Limpopo". "Gobe" was nominated for Most Popular Song of the Year at the 2013 City People Entertainment Awards and for Best Pop Single at The Headies 2013. The music video for "Gobe" was nominated for Most Gifted Afro Pop Video at the 2013 Channel O Music Video Awards,and for Best Pop Extra Video at the 2013 Nigeria Music Video Awards (NMVA). Furthermore,it was nominated for Best African Act Video at the 2013 4Syte TV Music Video Awards.
The Headies 2013 was the 8th edition of The Headies. It was held on 26 December 2013,at the Oriental Hotel in Lagos. The show was hosted by Tiwa Savage and Dr SID. Olamide was the biggest awardee of the night,winning three awards from seven nominations. Phyno won the Best Rap Single category for his song "Man of the Year". D'Tunes,Praiz,and Blackmagic all won for the first time. Sean Tizzle won the Next Rated category and was later awarded a Hyundai Tucson. Davido took home two awards,including Best R&B/Pop Album for Omo Baba Olowo. Iyanya only received one award from five nominations. Veteran Fuji artist Wasiu Ayinde Marshall was inducted into the Headies Hall of Fame. 2 Face Idibia,Banky W.,Waje,Nikki Laoye,Mode 9,Dr SID and Kcee all went home with a plaque. Harrysong's tribute song to Nelson Mandela,titled "Mandela",won the Most Downloaded Callertune award.
Esegine Allen,better known by his stage name Orezi,is a Nigerian musician from Delta State. He rose to prominence with his song "Rihanna" in 2013.
"Rihanna" is a song by Nigerian singer Orezi. It was produced by Kiddominant and released on February 18,2013. Orezi recorded "Rihanna" while signed to Culbeed Music. The music video for "Rihanna" peaked at number 1 on the Pulse Nigeria music video chart. Orezi recorded the video after signing with Sprisal Entertainment,a record label owned by Jibola Fatgbems of Fatgbems Oil.
The 2014 Nigeria Entertainment Awards took place on 31 August 2014,at the Skirball Center for the Performing Arts in New York City. The eligibility period was from March 2013 to March 2014. In April 2014,the NEA reviewing committee began collecting submissions for the 2014 edition. The deadline for submission was April 30,2014,and the nominations were announced on May 29,2014. Tiwa Savage and Davido received the most nominations with 5 each. Don Jazzy,Flavour N'abania and Wizkid all got four nominations each,while Olamide,Patoranking,Chidinma and Oritse Femi followed closely with three nominations.
No Guts No Glory is the debut studio album by Nigerian rapper Phyno. It was released by Sputnet Records and Penthauze Music on March 20,2014. The album features guest appearances from P-Square,Omawumi,Olamide,Stormrex,Efa,Flavour N'abania,Runtown,Ice Prince,M.I,Mr Raw,Timaya and Illbliss. Phyno enlisted Major Bangz,WizzyPro,Chopstix and JStunt to assist with production. Primarily recorded in Igbo and Nigerian Pidgin,No Guts No Glory was supported by the singles "Ghost Mode","Man of the Year","Parcel" and "O Set". The album received generally positive reviews from music critics,who commended its indigenous sound and lyrical depth.
Kingsley Chinweike Okonkwo,better known as Kcee,is a Nigerian singer and songwriter. He was formerly in the Hip Hop duo group called Kc Presh. He is from Amaputu in Uli in Ihiala local government area in Anambra State Nigeria. He currently has a record deal with Five Star Music. He worked with Del B,a record producer known for producing Kcee's popular song "Limpopo". He is the elder brother to E-money.
Harrison Tare Okiri,better known by his stage name Harrysong,is a Nigerian singer,songwriter and instrumentalist who rose to fame after his tribute song to Nelson Mandela won the "Most Downloaded Callertune Award" at The Headies 2013. Harrysong was born in Warri,Delta State,Nigeria to Ijaw parents but moved to Lagos in 2007 after spending some of his early life in Port Harcourt. Prior to signing to QuestionMark Entertainment,Harrysong used to perform at night clubs until he met Kcee who introduced him to top music personalities. In 2014,Harrysong was nominated in the "Best Pop/R&B Artist of the Year" category at the 2014 Nigeria Entertainment Awards after the release of his chart-topping song "Beta Pikin".
Adekunle Almoruf Kosoko,known professionally as Adekunle Gold and AG Baby,is a Nigerian Afrobeats singer and songwriter currently signed to Def Jam Recordings. He gained widespread attention after releasing the 2015 hit single "Sade",a highlife cover of One Direction's "Story of My Life". He signed a record deal with YBNL Nation and released his 2015 debut studio album Gold,which debuted at number 7 on the Billboard World Albums chart. Gold was preceded by the release of three singles:"Sade","Orente" and "Pick Up". Adekunle Gold revealed to Nigerian Entertainment Today that prior to signing with YBNL,he designed the label's official logo and completed other designs for Lil Kesh,Viktoh and Olamide. In 2023,he released Tequila Ever After,his fifth studio album and first under Def Jam.
Seyi or Shay is the debut studio album by Nigerian singer-songwriter Seyi Shay. Formerly scheduled for release on 13 November 2015,the album was later shifted to 16 November 2015. Released through Island Records and Stargurl Limited,the album generally features guest appearances from Femi Kuti,Wizkid,Iyanya,Banky W.,Olamide,Patoranking,D'banj,Sound Sultan,Timaya,and Cynthia Morgan and production handled by Legendury Beatz,Princeton,Mike Okoigun,Pheelz,Spax,Otee Beatz,Phame,Dokta Frabz,Johan Hugo,Tee-Y Mix,Jerome Williams,Harmony Samuels and Del B.
The Headies 2015 was the 10th edition of The Headies. It was held on January 1,2016,at the Landmark Events Centre in Victoria Island,Lagos. Themed "Flip the Script",the event was hosted by Bovi and Kaffy. It was previously scheduled to hold on December 30,2015,but the organizers of the event postponed it to January 1,2016 without citing any reason. Olamide won a total of four awards,while Timi Dakolo won three. Wizkid was nominated seven times across the twenty-one award categories. 2face Idibia was honored with the Hall of Fame award,while Don Jazzy received the Special Recognition award. Reekado Banks won the Next Rated award. His win was criticized by music critics,who challenged the "fairness of the award process".
The 2016 MTV Africa Music Awards were held on October 22,2016,at Ticketpro Dome in Johannesburg,South Africa. It recognised and rewarded musicians and achievers who made an impact on African music and youth culture during the eligibility period. The awards ceremony aired live on MTV Base,MTV and BET. It was transmitted worldwide on partner stations and content platforms,including BET International. The show was hosted by Nomzamo Mbatha,Yemi Alade and Bonang Matheba. It featured performances from Future,Yemi Alade,Nasty C,Babes Wodumo,Cassper Nyovest and Patoranking,among others.
Applaudise is the third studio album by Nigerian singer and songwriter Iyanya. It was released on 19 September 2015 by Made Men Music Group. The album features guest appearances from Olamide,Lil Kesh,Victoria Kimani,Kcee,Sarkodie,Diamond Platnumz,Don Jazzy,Patoranking,Efya,Harrysong,MC Galaxy,Seyi Shay,Mystro,Banky W.,Tekno and Selebobo. Production was handled by Mystro,London Boys,Blaq Jerzee,Mr. Chidoo,Dr. Amir,Selebobo,Princeton,Spellz,and DJ Coublon.
The Headies 2016 was the 11th edition of The Headies. It was held on December 22,2016 at the Eko Convention Centre in Victoria Island,Lagos. Themed "Think,Create,Recreate." The event was hosted by Adesua Etomi and Falz. The nominees were announced by the award's organizers in November 2016. Tekno was nominated for the Next Rated award,but ended up being disqualified due to his refusal to honour the category and support the campaign. Jazzman Olofin and Adewale Ayuba jointly performed the song "Raise the Roof". Aramide performed her song "Funmi Lowo" with assistance from Ras Kimono. The ceremony also featured additional performances from Falz,2Baba,Seyi Shay and Flavour. Olamide received eight nominations and won a total of four,including Best Rap Single for his single "Eyan Mayweather". Mr Eazi won the Next Rated category and was awarded a SUV at a later date. Mayorkun toppled Dice Ailes and Koker for the Rookie of the Year award. Laolu Akins was honored with the Hall of Fame award,while Flavour received the Special Recognition award.
Naked is the fourth studio album by Nigerian R&B and Afro-soul singer Darey. It was released on 13 October 2015 through Livespot Entertainment. Featuring a blend of Afrobeat,Afropop,jùjú,R&B,highlife,and soul,the album features guest appearances from singer Aṣa,rapper Olamide,and the South African band Soweto Gospel Choir. Production was primarily handled by Oscar Heman-Ackah,with other production from Vtek,Cobhams Asuquo,and Darey himself serving as the executive producer.
The Playmaker is the second studio album by Nigerian rapper Phyno,released on 1 November 2016,under Penthauze Music. The album features guest appearances from M.I,Flavour,Onyeka Onwenu,Tidinz,Mr Eazi,Olamide,DeCarlo,2Baba,Burna Boy,P-Square,and Zoro. Production was handled by Del B,Masterkraft,Major Bangz,Benjamz,Tunex,Chris Stringz,TSpize,and Kezyklef. The Playmaker features singles like "Connect," "Ezege," "Fada Fada," "E Sure For Me," and "Pino Pino," and was predominantly recorded in Igbo and Nigerian Pidgin. The Playmaker is a follow-up to No Guts No Glory (2014).
According to X is the debut studio album by British-Nigerian disc jockey and record producer DJ Xclusive. It was released 29 June 2015,through Empire Mates Entertainment and Superstar DJ Xclusive,and features guest appearances from Wizkid,Olamide,Davido,Phyno,Ice Prince,Tiwa Savage,Burna Boy,Timaya,2Face Idibia,Patoranking,Banky W.,Skales,Seyi Shay,Lil Kesh,CDQ,Niyola,Sarkodie,Cassper Nyovest,Ajebutter22,Trafic,May D,D'Prince,Fiesta Black,Reekado Banks,Kcee,Pepenazi,Terry G,Tillaman and a skit from comedian Bovi. Production was handled by Altims,Del B,Don Jazzy,Masterkraft,Orbeat,Pheelz,Phyno,Sammy Gyang,Spellz,Studio Magic,Terry G,Tyrone,Vinnie and Xclusive himself.
