Ibejii

Ibejii is a British-Nigerian alternative and afro-soul singer-songwriter, whose fifth studio album, Intermission, won the Best alternative album at the Headies Awards of 2022.[1][2][3]

Ibejii
BornLondon, England
GenresAlté, afro-soul
Occupation(s)Musician
Years active2016–present

Early life

Born in London, England, and raised between the Northern Nigeria and the United Kingdom. Ibejii grew up with his siblings and grew up with a sense of abandonment because his parents were discrete with their feud, where one of them would often leave the country for days or weeks to escape each other.[4][5]

Ibejii studied law at the university, he has a twin brother and grew up listening to rock, jùjú, electronic music, jazz and R&B.[6] An essential part of his music-making journey which influences his African and international motifs stems from Yoruba culture and from a musical household that favoured the rich mix tunes of 1960s, 1970s and 1980s.[7][8]

Career

2016: Early beginnings

Ibejii's stage name is rooted from and inspired by coming into this world as a twin.[9] In 2016, he released his debut single titled "Ayanfe" which is in Yoruba language. According to Premium Times, "Ayanfe" is solidly rooted in the western Nigerian culture, renowned for its high incidence of twins and musical giants.[10]

2017: GreenWhiteDope 001 and GreenWhiteDope 002 debut albums

In 2017 Ibejii released his debut studio albums, GreenWhiteDope 001 and GreenWhiteDope 002 which he launched together, Pulse Nigeria described the project as "a tasteful party: one who seeks to paint pictures, tell stories and drive action with the power of his music."[11] The album received critical reviews from music critics and journalists and was endorsed and aired on radio stations suchn as Classic Fm and Beat Fm. The same year, three songs from the album, "Ojo", "Kirakita" and "Alejo" were accompanied with music videos. The videos depicted storytelling and portrayed African culture.[12]

2018–2021: Tribal Marks, Music Saved My Life, Ìlù Ìlú and Intermission

He followed GreenWhiteDope 001 and GreenWhiteDope 002 with a third studio album, Tribal Marks released in 2018,[13] "which was noted for its storytelling, African rhythms and classic jazz". "As well as themes of spirituality, love, politics, and menace and perils in the society". According to him, the album is a celebration of man, culture people and our place society. The Guardian described the project as "an establishment of Ibejii’s leading status within the alternative music universe".[14] The following year, Ibejii released his fourth studio album MSML (Music Saved My Life).[15] Since then he has released three more studio albums, including Ìlù Ìlú his fifth studio album released in 2020,[16][17] and Intermission, his sixth collection released in 2021, which won the Best alternative album at the Headies Awards of 2022,[18][19][20][21] "Gonto", the lead single from the album, was nominated for Best alternative song at the Headies 2022. "Gonto", which he said was inspired by the actions of Nigerian youths during the End SARS protest, was later accompanied with a music video, which starred some of Nollywood actors and actresses, and was short lived on stage at Terra Kulture in Lagos, Nigeria.[22][23][24] Ibejii songs has been featured on movies including The Wedding Party, Catch.er, and Chief Daddy.[25]

2022–present: POST-19

POST-19 his seventh album was released in 2022.[26] A seven-track studio album which was later accompanied with music videos each. Business Day in Nigeria described POST-19 as "Ibejii's hyperbolic emotional encounter with lockdown and its offerings which meanders through the innocence and transition of time, life and love and also highlights other issues".[27] A listening party was held for the album at Ikoyi, Lagos State which welcomed guests like Motolani Alake, and Brand Ambassador at Diageo, Tinya Alonge.[28][29]

The Ibejii Live Experience

Ibejii established a musical festival tagged "The Ibejii Live Experience", an annual music festival that hosts on every Nigerian Democracy Day.[30][31]

Artistry

Ibejii music has been described as multiple genres, fusion of West African percussive sounds with contemporary global music. His style has been described by The Guardian and Vanguard as eclectic, poet, thinker, and a storyteller who uses folklore, metaphor and vernacular to clothe his music and deliver in a unique and sensitive manner, exploring traditional Yoruba folk, Jazz, Dance, RnB, and Juju. Ibejii has listed Marvin Gaye, Fela Kuti, Brymo and Aṣa as some of his musical influences.[32][33] Ibejii is also known for his retro afro style.[34][8]

Critical reception

In 2021, The Native magazine described "Gonto" as "a candid but soulful rebuke of the casual insensitivity of governments across the world in the wake of the tragedies of 2021 as well as a celebration of a new age of awakening, and Intermission as "a project about finding hope and exhilaration even in the strangest of places".[35]

Discography

Albums
  • GreenWhiteDope 001 (2017)
  • GreenWhiteDope 002 (2017)
  • Tribal Marks (2018)[36]
  • MSML (Music Saved My Life) (2019)
  • Ìlù Ìlú (2020)
  • Intermission (2021)
  • POST-19 (2022)

Singles
List of singles as lead artist, with selected chart positions and certifications, showing year released and album name
Title Year Certifications Album
"Ayanfe"[37] 2016 Non-album singles
"Brexit Horribliss"[15] 2019
"Fruit of Her Womb" 2020
"Lekeleke"[38]
"Gonto"[33][39] 2021 Intermission
"Happy Me"[40]
"Blown" (with Wavy the Creator)[29] 2022 POST-19

References
  1. Obinna, Emelike (8 July 2022). "TILX: The Phoenix returns with a bang". Businessday NG. Retrieved 19 February 2023.
  2. "2022 Headies: Full List Of Winners". The Guardian Nigeria News – Nigeria and World News. 5 September 2022. Retrieved 19 February 2023.
  3. Grein, Paul (5 September 2022). "Wizkid & Tems Are Top Winners at 2022 Headies Awards (Full Winners List)". Billboard. Retrieved 19 February 2023.
  4. "The Ibejii Live Experience … sophisticated, thoughtful, dynamic and inquisitive". The Guardian Nigeria News – Nigeria and World News. 8 June 2019. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
  5. Ruka (22 August 2021). "I've Done Most Things I Dreamt Of — Man Like Ibejii". Zikoko!. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
  6. "In conversation with Ibejii". Music in Africa. 26 June 2020. Retrieved 19 February 2023.
  7. "SPOTLIGHT: Introducing Ibejii, an avant-garde artiste and skillful storyteller". TheCable Lifestyle. 10 May 2018. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
  8. "Afro-retro artiste, IBEJII, live in concert today". The Guardian Nigeria News – Nigeria and World News. 23 March 2019. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
  9. "Ibejii Just Wants To Sing – OkayAfrica". www.okayafrica.com. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
  10. "Afro-Juju artiste, IBE-Jii, drops new single". www.premiumtimesng.com. Retrieved 19 February 2023.
  11. Nigeria, Pulse (5 September 2017). "Musician debuts great sound with tasteful party". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
  12. "Ibejii Debuts Great Sounds with Tasteful Party – THISDAYLIVE". Thisdaylive.com. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
  13. "Ibejii Launches 3rd Album – P.M. News". Retrieved 21 February 2023.
  14. "Ibejii returns with third album "Tribal Marks"". The Guardian Nigeria News – Nigeria and World News. 29 September 2018. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
  15. "Ibejii Reflects on Global Chaos in New Song – THISDAYLIVE". www.thisdaylive.com. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
  16. "IBEJII's ILÙ ILÚ Is A Beautifully Timeless Work | STREAM HERE". NotjustOk. 24 June 2020. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
  17. NollywoodTmies. "Ibejii Music releases 9-track fourth body of work, 'Ilu Ilu'". Simply Entertainment Reports and News- Nollywood Times. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
  18. "Ibejii releases Electro-Soul EP, 'Intermission' | The Nation Newspaper". The Nation Newspaper. 22 October 2021. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
  19. "Ibejii tackles societal ills with new EP 'Intermission'". Vanguard Nigeria.
  20. "Headies Awards 2022: Wizkid & Tems are among top winners. Here is full list of winners". The Economic Times. 5 September 2022. ISSN 0013-0389. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
  21. "Headies Awards 2022: Wizkid, Tems, Bnxn win Big plus oda winners". BBC News Pidgin. 5 September 2022. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
  22. "2022 Headies Full List Nominees". Vanguard Nigeria.
  23. Omotayo, Yusuf (5 September 2022). "Headies 2022: 'Doings' By Flavour Wins Best Alternative Song Award". Nigerian Entertainment Today. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
  24. Onabanjo, Adedamola (18 June 2021). "Ibejii Teases His Forthcoming Movie in the Video for Gonto". The Culture Custodian (Est. 2014.). Retrieved 21 February 2023.
  25. "IBEJII DELIVERS A TALE OF LOVE AND LOSS IN NEW PROJECT 'ILU ILU'". The49thStreet. 22 June 2020. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
  26. "Ibejii steps out with new album 'Post-19' | The Nation Newspaper". The Nation Newspaper. 18 May 2022. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
  27. Okeke-Korieocha, Ifeoma (20 May 2022). "Ibejii releases new album, Post-19, today". Businessday NG. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
  28. "Ibejii: Drawn to His African Roots – THISDAYLIVE". www.thisdaylive.com. Retrieved 19 February 2023.
  29. "Following the "Post-19" Listening Event, Ibejii's "Blown" is out. Listen here". MoreBranches. 13 May 2022. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
  30. "Ibejii Live Experience: Ibejii set to thrill fans – P.M. News". Retrieved 21 February 2023.
  31. Staff, Daily Post (5 July 2022). "TILX: The phoenix returns with a bang as fans converge on Terra Kulture on July 10". Daily Post Nigeria. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
  32. "Eclectic African storyteller thrills in album listening revelry". Vanguard Nigeria.
  33. "Ibejii Sets To Release New Music 'Gonto'". The Guardian Nigeria News – Nigeria and World News. 10 June 2021. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
  34. Odoh, Chux (10 May 2018). "Ibejii: Meet The Mysterious Retro Afro Artiste". Nigerian Entertainment Today. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
  35. Native, The (7 December 2021). "11 Projects That Flew Under the Radar". The NATIVE. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
  36. "Highlights of Artist Ibejii 'Tribal Marks' Album Launch". The Guardian Nigeria News – Nigeria and World News. 27 September 2018. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
  37. abiola (10 November 2016). "Ibejii – 'Ayanfe'". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
  38. Godson, Betty (15 March 2021). "Radr Essentials Vol. 9: Ibejii,Jumoke Verissimo And More". Radr Africa. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
  39. Online, Tribune (2 July 2021). "'Gonto' springs to life in Ibejii's official music video release". Tribune Online. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
  40. Rapheal (3 September 2021). "Ibejii releases Happy Me". The Sun Nigeria. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
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