The Nigerian Entertainment Awards were established in New York City in January 2006. The awards recognize the contributions of African entertainers with a special focus on Nigerians.
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 pivotal 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.
Remilekun Khalid Safaru, known by his stage names Reminisce and Alaga Ibile, is a Nigerian singer, rapper, songwriter, and actor originating from Ogun State. He performs in English and in his native language, Yoruba.
Baddest Guy Ever Liveth is the third studio album by Nigerian musician Olamide. It was released on November 7, 2013, by YBNL Nation. Recorded between 2012 and 2013, the album features collaborations with Pheelz, Ice Prince, Pepenazi, Phyno and Bez, among others. Baddest Guy Ever Liveth was produced entirely by Pheelz, except for the thirteenth track "Sitting on the Throne".
YBNL is the second studio album by Nigerian musician Olamide. It was released by YBNL Nation on November 12, 2012. A follow-up to his debut studio album, Rapsodi (2011), YBNL features from Kayswitch, Tiwa Savage, Dammy Krane, Davido, Kida Kudz, and Reminisce and Base One, among others. Its production was handled by Pheelz, Samklef, I.D Cabasa, 2Kriss and Tyrone. YBNL was supported by the singles "Ilefo Illuminati", "First of All", "Stupid Love" and "Voice of the Street".
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".
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.
2 Kings is a collaborative studio album by Nigerian rappers Olamide and Phyno. It was released through Cloud 9 and the iTunes Store with little announcement on 1 April 2015, by Penthauze Music and YBNL Nation. The album features collaborations with producers and guest artists such as Wizkid, Lil Kesh, Storm Rex, Pheelz, Major Bangz, B.Banks and Young John. Prior to recording the album, Olamide and Phyno frequently collaborated with each other on several songs, including "Ghost Mode" and "Dope Money". The album produced the singles "Une" and "Confam Ni".
Oludemilade Martin Alejo, known professionally as Ycee, is a Nigerian rapper, singer and songwriter. He gained popularity after his single "Condo", which features vocals by Patoranking, earned him two nominations at the 2015 Nigeria Entertainment Awards. He was also nominated for Best Artist in African Pop at the 2015 All Africa Music Awards and for Next Rated at The Headies 2016. Ycee signed a record deal with Sony Music in October 2016, but terminated his contract with the label in February 2018.
Opeyemi Gbenga Kayode, known by his stage name Pepenazi, is a Nigerian singer and songwriter.
Olayiwola Olabanji Kokumo, better known as Koker, is a Nigerian afro-pop singer, songwriter and performing artists. He currently has a record deal with Chocolate City.
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.
Triumph Grandeur is a Nigerian record producer.
The Glory is the sixth studio album by Nigerian rapper Olamide. It was released on 26 December 2016 through YBNL Nation, and features guest appearances from Davolee, Wande Coal, Burna Boy, Phyno, Sossick and Akuchi. Production was handled by Pheelz, Shizzi, Paul Cleverlee, Young Jonn, DwillsHarmony, Major Bangz, H.O.D, 2Kriss and Sossick while mixing and mastering was handled by B.Banks. The album serves as a follow-up to Eyan Mayweather (2015).
El-Hadj is the fourth studio album by the Nigerian rapper Reminisce, released on 29 August 2016. The album features artists such as 2Baba, Olamide, Seriki, 9ice, Ice Prince, Solidstar, and Mr Eazi, as well as collaborations with his label signees Sojay and Oladips.
Larry Ndianefo, professionally known as Larry Gaaga, is a Nigerian songwriter, recording artist, music producer, and record label executive. He gained fame with the success of ‘Gaaga Shuffle’, a song he performed alongside Innocent ‘2Baba’ Idibia.
Chibuike Benjamin Nnonah, born in Enugu State, better known as Benjamz, is a Nigerian record producer who has worked with artists including Phyno, Burna Boy, Dremo, Tekno, Illbliss and Yung6ix. He was born and raised in Enugu. Benjamz produced six tracks from Phyno's The Playmaker album. He is most notable for co-producing African Giant by Burna Boy with Kel-P, which was nominated for a Grammy Award. He also produced "Gum Body" featuring Jorja Smith from the same album and "Stfu" from Codename Vol. 2 by Dremo.
Oga Boss is the second studio album by Nigerian rapper Illbliss. It was released on 24 September 2012, by Capital Hill Music. The album features guest appearances from Chidinma, Tha Suspect, Ice Prince, Phyno, Del B, Timaya, Banky W., Silvastone, Naeto C, Wizboyy, Stormrex and R Cube. The album's production was handled by Tha Suspect, Phyno, Legendury Beatz, XYZ, Silvastone, Wizboyy, Wazzbeat, and Del B. Oga Boss was supported by the singles, "Illyminate", "Emi Ni Baller", "Anamachi Kwanu", "My Heart Beats", and "Naalu Ekene". The album was primarily recorded in English, Pidgin English, and Igbo.
Gladiator is the eighth studio album by Nigerian afro pop artist Timaya. It was released on 15 August 2024, by Dem Mama Records and Empire. The album features guest appearances from Alpha P, Tiwa Savage, Olamide, Phyno, Konshens, Eugy and Mr. Killa. The album featured producers such as Masterkraft, Spotless, Yung Alpha, Jonny Blaze, Semzi, Young D, Michon, Hylander, Scarlet Sounds, Michon and Xtreme the Producer. Gladiator houses the singles "Get My Money Right", "Sweet Us", "Dey Your Dey", and "In My Head". The album serves as a follow-up to Gratitude (2020).
"Who You Epp?" is a song by Nigerian rapper Olamide. It was released on 2 April 2016 and was produced by Shizzi. The song gained traction from an open-verse challenge, where the rapper left 16 bars remaining in the song, for artists to add their own vocals to it. Many artists participated, whether mainstream or non-mainstream artists. Phyno collaborated with Olamide for the official remix of "Who You Epp?," and Wande Coal's verse was later added. Olamide won Best Street-Hop Artiste for the song at the 2016 edition of the Headies.
