Port Harcourt is the capital and largest city in Rivers State, Nigeria. It is the fifth most populous city in Nigeria after Lagos, Kano, Ibadan and Kaduna. It lies along the Bonny River and is located in the Niger Delta. As of 2016, the Port Harcourt urban area had an estimated population of 1,865,000 inhabitants, up from 1,382,592 as of 2006. The population of the metropolitan area of Port Harcourt is almost twice its urban area population with a 2021 United Nations estimate of 3,171,076. In 1950, the population of Port Harcourt was 59,752. Port Harcourt has grown by 150,844 since 2015, which represents a 4.99% annual change. Historically it has been known as Obomuotu Country within which a few other smaller areas were called Diobu or Igweocha (city).
Inetimi Timaya Odon , better known by his stage name Timaya, is a multiple award-winning Nigerian singer and songwriter. He hails from Odi, Bayelsa state, South-South Nigeria. He is fondly called the Egberi Papa 1 of Bayelsa as a tribute to his roots, to which he has given a lot back. Timaya became one of Nigeria's most popular performers by turbocharging Nigerian pop with elements of dancehall, hip-hop, and soca. Dubbed the king of the Afro-Soca music genre, Timaya is well known for his incredible blend of Afro-Caribbean/Dancehall music and other music genres. He is the founder of DM Records Limited, which he is also signed to.
Teria Yarhere is a Nigerian rapper from Delta State who performs under the name M Trill. He released his debut studio album Number One in 2008 along with a follow-up mixtape entitled Ladies and Gentlemen (2010). That same year, he won the "Best West African Act" at the Channel O Music Video Awards for his single "Bounce". M Trill has been featured on songs with Timaya, Cyrus da Virus, Ruggedman, Slim Burna, 2shots, A-Q, Kraftmatiks, Modenine, Godwon, Evaezi, and Pyrelli among others. He was ranked by BellaNaija magazine as one of the illest rappers in the game.
Duncan Wene Mighty Okechukwu, simply known as Duncan Mighty, is a Nigerian musician, singer, and music producer from Obio-Akpor, Rivers State. Though his musical style demonstrates a high-level of genre versatility, it is also heavily influenced by the sounds and culture of his people as most of his songs are sung in his native Ikwerre language.
Jesse James Enoch, better known by his stage name Lyrikal, is a Nigerian rapper, record producer, and songwriter. He started his professional music career in 2003 with Port Harcourt city based record label Tuck Tyght and released his first official single 'Learn Something'. His second single 'Can U Relate' showed his boldness and ability to address sensitive topics like Socio-political issues in Nigeria. Lyrikal has since become a voice for the gifted and the oppressed.
Port Harcourt, a city of Rivers State located to the south of Nigeria, has a thriving music scene encompassing both native African and foreign-influenced genres. It plays host to numerous radio stations, prominent recording studios, such as the Street Rhymes Studios and other music institutions. As a state capital, Port Harcourt has of one of the liveliest club scenes in the country as well as music venues, bars and restaurants. As of 2015, hip hop, pop, highlife and reggae are most popular music styles among young people in the city.
Gift Iyumame Eke, professionally known as Muma Gee, meaning "do good Gift", is a Nigerian singer-songwriter, actress, businesswoman, fashion designer, television personality and politician. She was born, raised, and resides in Port Harcourt. Uwame's first taste of stardom came through her song "Kade", which became the title track of her first official album, released in 2006. The single's accompanying music video directed by Wudi Awa, received five nominations, including two from the AMEN Awards and one each from the Nigerian Music Video Awards, the Headies Awards, and the Sound City Music Video Awards.
Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu, known professionally 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 Bad Habit/Atlantic Records in the United States and Warner Music Group internationally. His third studio album, Outside, marked his major-label debut.
This is a timeline of the history of Port Harcourt, the capital of Rivers State, Nigeria.
Number One is the debut studio album by Nigerian rapper M Trill. It was released on 17 October 2008 by Grafton Records with distribution by Afrobest Productions. Supported by the hit single "Bounce" which gained airplay on several major radio stations, the album contains guest appearances from 2Shotz, Ruggedman, Timaya, Uchie, Korkormikor, Frank D Nero, ShoBoi and vocals from Ghanaian singer Fire. All songs on Number One were written solely by Teria Yarhere. Although the record involved a lot more rap music, it also encompassed a distinct highlife/hip hop sound.
Tamunotonye Soipiriala Adonye Ibiama, commonly known as Tonye Ibiama and also known as Big T is a Nigerian businessman, talent manager and record label executive based in the UK. Ibiama grew up primarily in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. He is the founder, CEO and head of Grafton Entertainment and has helped launch the careers of many famous artists including De Indispensables, M Trill, Idahams, Tha IBZ, and Mr. 2Kay.
Grafton Entertainment, sometimes referred to as Grafton Records, is an artist management company and record label, with dual-headquarters in both United Kingdom and Nigeria.
The Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria Rivers State Branch is an organization existing to promote the music profession and oversee the welfare of musicians in Rivers State, Nigeria. It is the state affiliate of the national Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN). Its state headquarters are in Port Harcourt.
Abinye David Jumbo born, known by his stage name Mr 2Kay, is a Nigerian singer and songwriter. He was formally signed Grafton Entertainment, but left the label in 2018 to start his own imprint Better Life Entertainment.
Outside is the third studio album by Nigerian singer Burna Boy. It was released on January 26, 2018, through Spaceship Entertainment, Bad Habit and Atlantic Records. The album is the follow-up to his debut extended play Redemption (2016). Described by the singer as a mixtape, Outside consists mostly of Afrobeats, dancehall, reggae and road rap. It features guest vocals from English musicians J Hus, Lily Allen and Mabel. Outside was supported by six singles: "Rock Your Body", "Streets of Africa", "Koni Baje", "Sekkle Down", "Heaven's Gate" and "Ye". Its production was handled by various producers, including Juls, Leriq, P2J, Jae 5, FRED and Phantom.
Hart Idawarifagha Ishmael, known professionally as Idahams, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter and record producer. He secured a record deal with Grafton Entertainment in 2016 and joined the Universal Music Nigeria roaster in 2019. Idahams made his first break in 2018 through the song "God Can Bless Anybody" by Mr 2Kay which he wrote and also featured on, the song topped the ITunes Chart barely a week after release.
Ayorinde Kehinde Okiki, known professionally as DJ Kaywise is a Nigerian disc jockey and record producer. Kaywise broke into the mixtape market in Alaba in the year 2010. He has since gained prominence as a DJ in Nigeria and has released chart topping songs with many Nigerian music stars.
