Jaywon

The singer then moved to Lagos in 2005 and under a year after, secured collaborations with Ray G, Sound Sultan, W4, Slizzy E and 2face.

In 2009, Jaywon bagged a chance to perform at the packed Kennis Music Easter Fiesta, he made a huge impact and Organisers of the event immediately stroke an interest in him. Later that same year, Jaywon signed a record deal with Kennis Music Record Label. He went one to be described as ‘Jaywon has one of the most recognizable voices in the industry.’ [2] In December 2012, He released the ‘Odun Yi (This Year)’ single to critical and commercial acclaim in 2013. He later signed an endorsement deal with PZ Cusson which enabled the company to use his hit song, ‘This Year’ for promotional purposes.

Next World Music and ‘Oba Orin’ album
After going indie, He released his anticipated and third album titled ‘Oba Orin’ after four singles featuring Vector, Reminisce and Reekado Banks. This is the follow up to the two albums he released on Kennis Music.

360nobs reviewed the album writing: ‘Oba Orin is a fine collection of sounds that reflects Jaywon’s superior talent and the state of pop music. It is rich, live, refreshing, timely and timeless all at once. Jaywon may make a bold claim but none can say he doesn’t work for it every step of the way. Only time will tell if he has indeed earned the title.

Jaywon ft. Olamide – Ayinde Wasiu (Official Video)

while PulseNG rates it 3/5 and wrote: ‘By the end of the album, you get a feeling that Jaywon has poured out his soul, connecting his influences and having his very creative essence flowing through you. It’s like Jaywon performed personally for you, in a crowded local venue.

‘Oba Orin’ which translates to ‘King of Songs’ from Yoruba language is an album with 21 tracks which production credits from Mr Ejor, Benjossy, Blaq Jerzey and Young Jonn. Jaywon gave first two weeks return of his ‘Oba Orin’ album to an Orphanage.The singer attended the 2016 ACIA Awards in Atlanta, United States and bagged the “Best Indigenous Act” award.

2014–present: Singles recorded under Next World Music
Jaywon premiered the remix for “Madantin” in 2014 featuring Phyno, Olamide and May D under the Next World Music imprint then following up with ‘Tanawole’ featuring Reminisce[6] weeks after. He also worked with rapper Vector tha Viper on ‘Back to Sender.

The story of P-Square began in St. Mulumba secondary school, a small Catholic school in Jos, Nigeria. Identical twins Peter and Paul joined their school music and drama club where they began singing, dancing, and mimicking songs by MC Hammer, Bobby Brown and Michael Jackson. They later formed a cappella quartet called “MMMPP” (M Clef a.k.a. Itemoh, Michael, Melvin, Peter, and Paul). Drawing inspiration from their music idol Michael Jackson, they began to break dancing, formed the group called “Smooth Criminals” in 1997. They dropped M Clef from the group “MMMPP” which later was changed to “MMPP”. Their talent and precise dance routine soon made them household names in the city of Jos, where they performed at school functions and other occasions.

Later in 1999, Peter and Paul returned to music school to develop their skills on keyboard, drums, bass and rhythm guitar. Their work includes the soundtracks for a number of films like Tobi, Mama Sunday, Moment of Bitterness and Evas River. Later in 1999, they applied to the University of Abuja to study Business Administration. The Smooth Criminals became loose when its members left to study in various other universities. Subsequently, Peter and Paul formed their own group, variously called “Double P”, “P&P”, “Da Pees” etc, until they eventually settled on “P Square”. They are managed by Bayo Odusami aka Howie T, a seasoned concert promoter and the CEO of Adrot Nigeria Limited.

In 2001, “P-Square” won the “Grab Da Mic” competition, and hence Benson & Hedges sponsored their debut album, titled Last Nite, which was released under Timbuk2 music label. P-Square was also nominated as “Most Promising African Group” in the Kora Awards three months after the release of their debut album. They eventually won the 2003 Amen Award for “Best R&B Group”

In 2005, P Square released their second album, Get Squared under their own label, Square Records. This album was marketed nationwide by TJoe Enterprises, although they were still managed by Howie T of Adrot Nigeria Limited. The video for the second album held the #1 position on the MTV Base chart for four straight weeks.

They have ever growing fans based across South Africa with a particular stronghold of diehard fans in Cape Town. Late in 2007, they released their best selling album so far, “Game Over.” It sold 8 million copies worldwide.

In 2009, P-Square released their fourth studio album, “Danger”. The album features collaborations with 2-Face Idibia, J Martins, and Frenzy. The first single called “Danger” is a hip-hop song with cutting synths and a frog bass baseline similar to an Eminem song. The video affirms this with the presence of clowns and staggered movements in front of the camera reminiscent of comical videos by Eminem. It was on the 18th January 2009 that Akon’s label, Konvict signed Wizkid, Psquare, Tuface. Psquare has performed alongside the following international artists like Ginuwine, Sean Paul, Akon and Busola Keshiro. Meanwhile, P-Square is now located in Lagos as their residence in Nigeria.

In August 2012, P Square released a single titled “Alingo”, it became a smashing hit that took the whole of Africa by storm. The video shot and co-directed by their elder brother Jude “Engees” Okoye and Clarence Peters of Capital hill Production was rated as the best video that year. Their latest smash hit again “Personally” released in mid-June 2013. The video is a tribute to late Michael Jackson who inspired their musical career to date. The video and song was such a hit that it got the attention of Jermaine Jackson, late Michael Jackson’s brother who commanded the stars for doing such a tremendous job and hoped to meet with them.

The duo is reported to handle most of their production/beat making in-house. The band has been faced with many controversies for their habit of sampling western songs and popular hits in their records. They have addressed the issue many times in interviews as well as in the lyrics of their songs. Technically speaking, P Square does more in the line of reconstructing the drum patterns, chord progressions or lyrics of the sampled songs as against actually cutting parts of the song and directly sampling into their production. This accounts for the largely electronic feel of their sound. Some of the songs which have been called upon this account include “Get Squared”, “Game Over”, “Danger” and others.

On 4th April 2010, P-Square was named the Artist of the Year at the KORA All Africa Music Awards in Ouagadougou, Burkina-Faso while they were in London for a Concert at the Troxy, and they will receive a whopping sum of $1 Million Dollars as the Award Winners, in Ebebiyin City.

These perfect twins as people say have undoubtedly gained the hearts of their numerous fans all over the world. Some desperate ladies as Peter called them in one of his interviews about their embarrassing moments, kissed and romanced them in public place.

No doubt, P Square is the most successful African artists, and this is evident with the massive success of their numerous concerts in the continent. Over the years, the three-time MTV award-winning group has made an enviable impact in Africa, doing sold out concerts. And till date, the demand is still waxing stronger.

Below are some of the awards they have won over time:

– Hip Hop World Awards 2006 – Best R&B Album (Get Squared)

– Hip Hop World Awards 2006 – Best Music Video (Get Squared)

– Hip Hop World Awards 2006 – Album Of The Year (Get Squared)

– Hip Hop World Awards 2006 – Song Of The Year (Bizzy Body)

– City Mag 9th Awards Show (2006) – Best Hip Hop Group

– Nigerian Music Awards (NMA) 2006 – Album of the year (Get Squared)

– Nigerian Music Awards (NMA) 2006 – Music Video of the year (Get Squared)

– 2007 Channel O Music Video Awards – Best Duo Or Group

– 2008 Channel O Music Video Awards – Best Duo Or Group

– 2008 Channel O Music Video Awards – Video Of The Year (“Do Me”)

– 2010 Channel O Music Video Awards- Best Group

– MTV Africa Music Awards 2008 – Best Group

– MTV Africa Music Awards 2009 – Best Group

– MTV Africa Music Awards 2010

– KORA Awards 2010 – Artiste of the Year

In 2013, Paul Okoye, one half of the musical duo, P-Square, was involved in a paternity scandal with a lady named Elshamah Igbanoi who claimed that Paul impregnated her; it was subsequently brought to our notice that he accepted the baby after agreeing to go for a DNA test to ascertain the paternity of the baby boy. These Nigerian celebrities are both married. Peter Okoye has been married to Lola Omotayo since November 2013 while the brother Paul Nonso Okoye is married to Anita Tonye Isama on March 2014.

Life and music career

Patoranking was born on 27 May 1990 to Mr. and Mrs. Okorie. He grew up in Ijegun Egba Satellite Town and later relocated to Ebute Metta. He attended Citizen Comprehensive College Epe, and later attended Jibril Martin Memorial Grammar School in Iponri. Patoranking started his performing arts career as a street jam and carnival dancer. In a 2012 interview with Entertainment Express, he said that his stage name was given to him by a Jamaican artist whom he met at Alpha Beach in Lagos. Patoranking has cited Buju Banton, Bob Marley, Fela Kuti, Lucky Dube, Chaka Demus, Majek Fashek, Blackky, Blackface, Tuface and Marvelous Benjy as his key musical influences. In the aforementioned interview with Entertainment Express, he said he references socio-political issues in his music. He has described his music as a morally inclined variation of dancehall.

In May 2012, Patoranking released a single titled “Iya Bisi” featuring Qdot and Kbaj. The song, which is a fusion of dancehall and Fuji, was produced by Drumphase. Patoranking told Entertainment Express that Qdot and Kbaj helped compose the song by sharing ideas with him.

On 12 September 2013, Patoranking released the video and audio for “Alubarika” simultaneously. The song literally translates to “God’s Blessings” and features vocals from Timaya. The music video for “Alubarika”, which was shot by AJE Films, ran for 4 minutes and 16 seconds. According to an article posted by Victor Akande of The Nation, Patoranking described the song as a summary of his life as a musician. He also said that the song opened doors for him in terms of building a fan base and working with established musicians.

In February 2014, Patoranking signed a record deal with Foston Musik and ended his affiliations with Dem Mama Records. During an interview with Toolz on NdaniTv’s The Juice, Timaya said that Patoranking left his label and was never officially signed.

On 4 February 2014, Patoranking released “Girlie O”, a song produced by WizzyPro. The music video for the song was shot and directed in London by Moe Musa. It was released on 5 February 2014, a day after the audio release. In the music video, Patoranking liberates his next door neighbor from domestic violence by expressing his innate feelings to her.

Foston Musik released “Girlie O Remix” on 19 May 2014 to critical acclaim. The song features vocals from Tiwa Savage. It debuted at number 9 on MTV Base’s Official Naija Top 10 chart. Tiwa Savage told Ehiz of the aforementioned chart show that she admires Patoranking’s music and decided to reach out to him to do the remix. The music video for “Girlie O Remix” was also shot and directed in London by Moe Musa. Joey Akan of the Pulse commented on the song and said that “On the new remix, the basic winning elements were not discarded. They were retained and improved. The beat, chorus, and dynamism were held onto, and major work put into the lyrics.”

Patoranking was featured on Seyi Shay’s “Murda” single alongside Shaydee. The song was produced by Dokta Frabz and released on 1 April 2014. On 11 May 2014, the music video for “Murda” was uploaded onto Vevo. It was directed by Meji Alabi for JM Films.

2015 marked a successful year for Patoranking as 2 of his singles; “Daniella Whine” and “My Woman, My Everything” was chart toppers on the MTV base Official Naija Top 10 Chart. “Daniella Whine” debuted at number 4 in May and went on top of the chart at number 1 in June. “My Woman, My Everything” also made the chart when it was released, peaking at the number 2 spot.

He adopted the stage name D’banj, a combination of his first name Dapo his surname Oyebanjo. D’banj is currently best known internationally for his 2012 summer hit “Oliver Twist”, an uptempo dance fusion of Afrobeat and electronic dance music that topped the African charts 2011 and was a top 10 hit in the UK singles chart in 2012 reaching No. 2 on the UK R&B chart.

Childhood

D’banj was born in Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria to a military officer who commanded an artillery regiment and a church dignitary mother who hailed from Shagamu in Ogun State. Due to his father’s profession, he moved several times within Nigeria and later moved to England. D’banj was expected to follow his father’s military career and was enrolled to the Nigerian Military School at age eleven. However, D’banj resisted the system and disenrolled from the school after three years. While at the Military school he was a member of the elite drum corps of the Nigerian Army. From the Nigerian Military School, he proceeded to another military owned institution Nigerian Navy Secondary School, Ibara, Abeokuta where he completed his secondary school education.

Musical beginning

D’banj was introduced to the harmonica by his late older brother, Femi Oyebanjo, who died in a plane crash at age seventeen. With D’banj’s love for music being greater than his parents’ military aspirations, he struggled for his parents’ approval; this can be best heard through an album track, All Da Way from his debut album.

Following the death of his 17-year-old brother, D’banj arranged all his possessions on his bed after they were brought home and just picked up his harmonica. I’d play it to remember him.” Later, at university, he realized what his new skills with the instrument could bring him. “I’d go to the female hostel after lectures, and even if there was no electricity I could play there.” He remembers learning Celine Dion’s “My Heart Will Go On” after Titanic came out – “and that got me a lot of girls!”

Plans to continue his studies as a mechanical engineer in London were derailed when he arrived in the UK in 2001, and met Don Jazzy who was trying to make it as a songwriter and producer. D’Banj started hanging around the studio, making ends meet while working as a security guard. “It was OK, because I did nights,” he says, “so I could listen to music on my headphones.”

Don Jazzy told D’Banj he thought he was a star in the making, and sensing that the music scene in Nigeria was “blossoming”, the pair returned to Lagos in 2004. That same year came the single “Tongolo”; the video was paid for by D’Banj’s mother. His first endorsement was with an energy drink called Power Fist.

BET Interview

In April 2011, D’banj was interviewed by BET’s April Woodard. The interview, titled “Welcome to America”, was a platform for D’banj to introduce himself to the American Music Industry and audience which he stated he was going to get into. In the interview, D’banj spoke on a wide range of topics including his music, artists he’d like to work with, his parents, Mo’Hits Records, his love life, and his role models: Kanye West, Usher, Jay-Z, R. Kelly, and others. The interview lasted 125 minutes and was the avenue used to formally declare his determination to lead African music into many quarters that its yet to reach.

Music career

As a tribute to his mentor Fela, D’banj uses a fusion of Afrobeat and Afropop to bring his music to life and into the 21st century with breathless enthusiasm as well as a good dose of humor. His songs are based on his life, often hilarious but with a deeper meaning which documents the struggle of a young Nigerian trying to achieve his dreams. He performs in Yoruba, English and Pidgin English.

2005: No Long Thing

D’banj’s debut album, No Long Thing, was released in 2005. It yielded several singles with Tongolo as the lead single. This proved to be his breakthrough single and a hit. It also provided his Koko Master persona, with the term, Koko, taking on a variety of meanings. D’banj’s debut success led to collaborations with other artists, including Dare Art Alade and Ikechukwu. D’Banj’s single Koko was used by the PDP (ruling political party in Nigeria) as its campaign theme for the 2007 general elections.

Lil Kesh was born and raised in Bariga, a suburb of Lagos State. His music career started in 2012 while rapping among his peers in Bariga until he released “Lyrically”, a single that quickly became popular in Nigerian Universities.

In 2015, he was nominated in the Best New Act to Watch category at the 2015 Nigeria Entertainment Awards. Affiliated to YBNL Nation as a recording artist, Lil Kesh is currently signed under his record label YAGI Records, an acronym for “Young And Getting It

Kiss Daniel was born Oluwatobiloba Daniel Anidugbe in Ogun State, Nigeria. He hails from Abeokuta North, a local government area in Ogun State. He graduated from the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), in 2013, with a degree in Water Resources Management and Agrometeorology (Water Engineering). While at FUNAAB, he decided to pursue music as a career alongside his studies

Kiss Daniel showed an interest in music from an early age and was encouraged by his father.[3] He started his music career professionally in 2013 after his tertiary education, when he came across G-Worldwide Entertainment CEO, Emperor Geezy. After being signed to G-Worldwide entertainment, he released his first official single “Shoye” which was produced by Beatburx on May 1, 2014, along with a music video was directed by MEX.[4] Daniel released his second single “Woju”, produced by Dj Coublon on September 1, 2014. The video for Woju was directed by Adasa Cookey, shot in Lagos, Nigeria. The song spent eleven weeks on the MTV Base Official Naija Top Ten, including six weeks at the number one spot

Daniel then recorded and released a remix of “Woju” featuring Tiwa Savage and Davido. “Woju” and its remix peaked at Number 1 and Number 2 respectively on the MTV Base Official Naija Top 10, the first time that an original song and its remix would peak at the first and second positions on the chart. A cover of the song performed by 2face Idibia appeared online

In May 2015, Daniel released a third follow up single “Laye” on his birthday, along with a video two weeks later which was shot in different locations in the eastern part of Africa and was directed by AJE FILMS. In September 2015, Daniel won two awards within the space of three weeks

Runtown grew up in Abuja and Lagos. He moved to Enugu in 2002. He stayed there till 2008 and met Phyno in 2007. They later moved to Lagos to hustle harder in the business of music.

When he moved to Lagos, he was leaving with J Martins. He was also featured in some of his songs. They worked together for a long time and later met Timaya through J Martins.

According to him, he revealed he was never in the choir while he was in the seminary school. He further revealed that whenever it was choir rehearsal he would run into hiding. He was a complete academic student. He was always reading. And it surprised a lot of his friends why he finally chose music as a career.

In 2014, Runtown has several chart topping songs which include his monster hit collaboration with Davido on the song titled ‘Gallardo’, ‘Succesfull’ and his latest effort ‘Baby AnswPrior the release of Gallardo, Runtown has kept his hustle going as an underground artiste working with top notch acts, he featured on J Martins second album on the 5th track titled “Tonight”, and he went on to drop his very first sing ‘Party Like It’s 1980’ (Kinorbor) in 2010, the song was popular but the artiste didn’t get known. Determined to make an impact, Runtown kept on recording new songs.

Runtown’s career took a huge step after he signed a recording contract with Eric-Manny Entertainment through his friend, releasing “Successful” and “Domot” which received frequent airplay.

Runtown was featured on WizzyPro’s “Emergency” song which also featured Skales and Patoranking. The song was produced by WizzyPro and had The video for “Emergency” directed by Patrick Elis.

He worked so hard on his album and released it in 2015 entitled “Ghetto University”. The album features songs like Money Bag ft. Dj Khaled, Let me love You, Gallardo ft. Davido, The Banger ft. Uhuru, Kilofoshi, Talk for me Ima Ndi Anyi Bu ft. Phyno, Omalicha Nwa Tuwo Shinkafa ft. Barbapappa Ghetto University, Bend Down Pause ft. Wizkid and others.

He has the following achievements so far:

Nigeria Entertainment Awards 2014 – Best Collaboration of the Year Won

The Headies 2014 -Next Rated Act – Nominated –

Nigeria Entertainment Awards 2015 Best Pop Artiste -Nominated-

City People Entertainment Awards 2015 Artiste of the Year -Nominated-

Early life

Yemi Eberechi Alade was born on March 13, 1989, in Abia State, Nigeria. Her father James Alade is of Yoruba origin while her mother Helen Uzoma is of Igbo origin resulting in her being referred to as “Yoruba-Igbo girl”. Alade is the fifth of the seven children in her family. She attended St Saviour British Primary School, then went on to Victory Grammar School, Lagos, before obtaining a degree in Geography at the University of Lagos.

Music career

Yemi Alade made her debut in a girl group named Noty Spices in 2005. Her musical discovery began after she won the Peak Talent Show in 2009. She later released her first single “Fimisile” under the Jus’ Kiddin’ label.

In 2012, she signed to music label Effyzzie Music Group and released her single “Ghen Ghen Love”.

In July of 2013, Alade released the emotive video for her romantic afro-R&B “Bamboo”, produced by Fliptyce. “Bamboo” went on to be a moderate hit and a massive love and wedding anthem. In the last quarter of 2013, she broke records when her most recent hit single, “Johnny”, produced by Selebobo, was leaked on the internet. The dance number received major critical acclaim and became an instant smash hit, topping and dominating countless music charts across the globe. It has been listed as one of the best songs of 2013 despite the fact it was released towards the end of the year without a video.

Alade has featured on the covers of a number of magazines and has performed around the world, sharing the stage and songs with Mary J. Blige, Shina Peters, M.I, Wizkid, Becca, May D, Waje and Yemi Sax, headlined the Super Diva’s Nite at the 2013 Calabar Festival, and also was called upon to open the 2013 edition of the televised Headies Awards ceremony (popularly referred to as the “Nigerian Grammys”) with an electrifying performance.

In 2014, Alade was featured on Yung6ix’s album on the critically acclaimed track “Lights” and also on the remix of the smash hit “Sebiwo” by Beninese Afropop star Lace. Alade teamed up with award-winning cinematographer Clarence Peters to create movie-like visuals for her international smash hit “Johnny”. The music video for “Johnny” was released in March 2014 to critical acclaim and now has more than 16 million views on VeVo/YouTube. “Johnny” became an international smash hit as the single dominated the top of music charts and became an anthem in countries like Tanzania, Kenya, Ghana, South Africa, Liberia, Uganda, Zimbabwe, The United Kingdom and more.

Yemi Alade joined M.I. Waje, Timi Dakolo and Burna Boy on the UNESCO World Book Capital 2014 theme song for the Port Harcourt World Book Capital, a project urging the new generation to read and stay in school. Shortly after that Alade released a new single entitled “Tangerine”, featuring Selebobo; the critically acclaimed track charted across Africa. She also appeared on Falz’ debut album as a guest artist.

She released her debut album, King of Queens, on 2 October 2014 and is currently touring.

2Face has received one MTV Europe Music Award, one World Music Award, five Headies Awards (Hip-hop award), four Channel O Music Video Awards and one BET award for his musical work, four MTV Africa Music Awards, one MOBO award, one KORA award, and numerous additional nominations.

Early life

Innocent Idibia was born in Jos, Nigeria. He is from the Idoma ethnic group in the southern part of Benue State, in central Nigeria. He attended Saint Gabriel’s Secondary School in Makurdi, Benue State. He enrolled at Institute of Management & Technology, Enugu (IMT), where he did his preliminary National Diploma course in business administration and management. While attending IMT, he performed at school organized shows and parties, as well as other regional schools such as the University of Nigeria and Enugu State University of Science & Technology. He eventually dropped out to pursue his music career. While attending IMT, 2face Idibia started composing and singing jingles at the GB Fan Club at Enugu State Broadcasting Services (ESBS) in 1996.

Also in 1996, he adopted the stage name “2Face” (Tuface). He cited the reason as “trying to demarcate my personal life with my business life.

In Plantashun Boyz

He moved to Lagos and started performing with rapper BlackFace Naija. He had met BlackFace while attending IMT. With Blackface (Ahmedu Augustine Obiabo) and with musician Faze (Chibuzor Oji), he went on to form the trio band Plantashun Boyz.

Plantashun Boyz released two successful albums: Body and Soul (2000) and Sold Out (2003)under the Nelson Brown’s owned Label (Dove Records) before disbanding in 2004. Relations were marred for many years during which the band broke up and started their solo careers. Long after the break-up known as the “Faze vs Tuface” beef, the band came back together in 2007 for the purpose of recording a third and final album entitled Plan B (2007).

Solo career

After the disbandment of Plantashun Boyz in 2004, all band members sought separate musical careers. 2face Idibia released his debut solo album Face 2 Face (2004), which established him as a viable solo artist.

Following the release of his debut album, he released his second album Grass 2 Grace in 2006, which contained hits “One Love”, “True Love, “4 Instance”. He is the founder of Hypertek Entertainment.

In 2006, his song “African Queen” was used in the soundtrack for the film Phat Girlz, which was released internationally.

He released a promotion album in 2008 called The Unstoppable releasing the single “Enter the Place”. Problems with album distribution in 2007 caused as a shift of the release date of the album from 2008 to early 2009. In 2010, 2face released an “international edition” of the same under the title The Unstoppable International Edition making him the first Nigerian artist to have an appropriately priced international album. 2face released two more singles from the international version of his Unstoppable album. The international edition of the album won two awards at the 2010 SoundCity Music Video Awards. He also won the Channel O Music Video Awards Best African Western award and the MTV Africa Music Awards for Best Male and Artist of the year.

Upon leaving the music label Kennis Music, he set up his own record label known as Hypertek Entertainment. He is part of the Sony All African One8 Project alongside seven other musicians across Africa recording a single with R. Kelly and Prince Lee titled “Hands Across the World”. He is the first non-Liberian to become an honorary member of the Liberian music society in recognition for his outstanding contribution to the growth of music in Africa. He has been named Red cross ambassador society of Nigeria. 2face has several collaborations all over the globe, giving his collaborators the opportunity to win an award for each duet such as street credibility by 9ice, possibility by p-square and lots more. He is adored by his colleagues and every entertainer in Nigeria music industry as a role model. 2face and heavyweight American Rapper Jay Z met in NYC in 2014.

2face Idibia has also been an ambassador for quite a number of brands including Guinness, Nigerian Breweries e.t.c He is also the brand ambassador for National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control.

Fortyfied All-Star Tribute Concert

The FORTYfied All-Star Tribute Concert, stylized as #FORTYfied, was an all-star tribute concert organized by 2face Idibia to celebrate his 40th birthday and influence in the music of Nigeria. Hosted by Basketmouth, the STAR Lager Beer-sponsored concert was held on 20 September 2015 at the Eko Hotel and Suites Convention Centre. The concert was attended by dignitaries and featured performances from notable musicians including Wizkid, Burna Boy, Timaya, D’banj, Sound Sultan, Patoranking, Vector tha Viper, Wande Coal and Seyi Shay.

Personal life

2Face has experienced near-death events, including gunshots from an armed robbery.

On 2 May 2012, 2Face Idibia and Annie Macaulay married in Lagos, Nigeria in a private ceremony. 2face announced his marriage via his Twitter page. Annie Macaulay and 2Face had their traditional wedding on 8 March 2013 in Eket, Akwa-Ibom State Nigeria. The couple also had a white wedding in Dubai, on Saturday 23 March 2013 with Nigerian and Ghanaian celebrities all present to see the long-term couple tie the knot.

His wife, Annie Idibia, August 17, 2015, announced that she has opened a beauty salon in Atlanta called BeOlive Hair Studio.

Philanthropy

2Face has established an NGO called 2Face Idibia Reach-Out Foundation. which motto is service to humanity. In 2009, 2Face was appointed as ambassador by National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control. He released a song “Man Unkind” to raise awareness on the menace of fake and sub-standard food and drug products in Nigeria. In 2009, he was presented with the prestigious International Youth Ambassador for Peace Summit and the Nigeria Youth Merit Award by the National Youth Council of Nigeria in recognition of his contributions to youth development in Nigeria.

Life and music career

Azubuike Chibuzo Nelson was born and raised in Enugu State. His stage name Phyno, which is derived from the word phenomenal, was the nickname given to him by one of his high school friends named Emeka. Phyno developed an interest for music production during his secondary school days. He initially wanted to become a pilot but was told that he could be a doctor. Throughout high school, he learned to play the drums and piano. He also learned to create his own rendition of every recording he heard. He studied public administration at the Institute of Management and Technology in Enugu and started profiting from music during his second year at IMT. Phyno told Ifeoma Onoye that Mr. Raw is one of the few people he looks up to. Phyno started rapping in 2010 and relocated to Lagos to continue his music career.

2012–present: No Guts No Glory, Guinness campaign, and 2 Kings

Main articles: No Guts No Glory (Phyno album) and 2 Kings (album)

Phyno started recording his debut studio album, No Guts No Glory, in 2012. The album features guest appearances from Stormrex, Omawumi, Olamide, Efa, P-Square, Timaya, Flavour N’abania, Mr. Raw, M.I, Ice Prince and Runtown. It was primarily recorded in Igbo and Nigerian Pidgin. Phyno told Joan Omionawle and Netwon-Ray Ukwuoma of the Nigerian Tribune that rapping in his native language is his strong suit.

On 25 September 2012, he released “Ghost Mode” as the album’s lead single. The song features Olamide and was released to critical acclaim. It won Best Collabo at both 2012 The Headies Awards and 2013 Nigeria Entertainment Awards. The music video for “Ghost Mode” was released on 7 December 2012. It was shot and directed in Lagos by Clarence Peters.

Sputnet Records released the album’s second single, “Man of the Year (Obago)”, on 23 March 2013. The song, which was produced by Phyno, managed to win the Best Rap Single category at 2012 The Headies Awards. The music video for “Man of the Year (Obago)” was uploaded onto YouTube on 20 August 2013. It was also shot and directed by Clarence Peters in Abakpa Nike, and features a cameo appearance from Illbliss. In September 2013, the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation banned the music video from being broadcast.

“Parcel”, the third single off the album, was released on 11 October 2013. The song was originally titled “Parcel (a BIG Nwa)”. The music video for “Parcel” was released on 19 February 2014 and shot by Clarence Peters. On 4 March 2014, “O Set” was announced as the album’s fourth single. The song was produced by WizzyPro and features P-Square. The music video for the song was directed by Jude Engees Okoye and uploaded onto YouTube at approximately 4 minutes.

On 22 May 2014, Phyno released the music video for “Alobam” which was directed by Clarence Peters. The song, which is an Igbo slang for “My Guy”, was produced by Major Bangz. In the video, Phyno paid tribute to some of his peers including Ice Prince, Flavour, P-Square, Olamide and J Martins.

On 31 August 2014, Thisday reported that Phyno became an ambassador of Guinness Nigeria’s Made of Black campaign alongside Olamide and Eva Alordiah. Phyno performed at the campaign’s launch and was featured in the campaign’s television commercial. On 2 September 2014, Phyno released the Clarence Peters directed visuals to his “Authe (Authentic)” song with Flavour N’abania.

On 7 October 2014, Phyno released the Major Bangz produced “Yayo”. The song debuted at number 8 on the Pulse Music Video Charts. The music video for the song, directed by Clarence Peters, premiered on 5 January 2015. Opeoluwani Akintayo of The Daily Times of Nigeria gave the video an overall rating of 8 out of 10 stars, while commending the use of props like burning tyres, shirtless guys, a throne made of cutlass, the video vixen’s butt, isolated location, papered and painted walls, smoky floor, and multi-coloured painted cars.

Phyno’s collaborative album with Olamide, titled 2 Kings, was released on 1 April 2015. Plans for the album were first announced in January 2014 by both rappers via social media.

Notable performances

In June 2013, Phyno performed for 25 minutes in Owerri as part of the Star Music Trek tour. Phyno toured with D’banj, Burna Boy, Chidinma, Vector, Pucado, Seyi Shay, Show Dem Camp, Kay Switch and Sean Tizzle as a supporting act on the Hennessy Artistry 2013 Club Tour. In April 2014, he performed at the 2014 edition of the Star Music Trek tour in Nsukka, Enugu State.

Artistry and sound

Phyno is widely known as the ambassador of rap music in the Igbo Language. He told the Nigerian Tribune that he raps in Igbo because he respects his culture and loves being himself. Although he primarily raps in Igbo, he combines a bit of Nigerian Pidgin and English in his music. Phyno believes that the elements of music make it borderless.

Personal life

In a 2014 interview with The Punch newspaper, Phyno denied reports about impregnating a woman named Rita Edmond.

Discography

Album

No Guts No Glory (2014)
2 Kings (2015) (with Olamide)