Michael Odokara-Okigbo
Michael Odokara-Okigbo (born 8 January 1990), known professionally as Michael O, is a singer, songwriter and record producer best known for leading his college singing group, the Dartmouth Aires, to a second-place finish on the NBC show The Sing Off.
Michael O. | |
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Birth name | Michael Odokara-Okigbo |
Also known as | Michael O. |
Born | [1] New York, United States. | 8 January 1990
Genres | |
Occupation(s) |
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Years active | 2013–present |
Labels | ESM Entertainment |
Website | themichaelo |
YouTube information | |
Channels | Michael O. |
Subscribers | 5.16 Thousand |
Total views | 1.905 Million |
Last updated: 08 April 2023 |
Career
He performed songs such as "Midnight Train to Georgia", "Somebody to Love", "Higher Ground", "Pinball Wizard", and "Paradise by the Dashboard Light".[2] Ben Folds of Ben Folds Five commented that Odakara-Okigbo has a "timeless style", and Shawn Stockman of Boyz II Men declared that Odakara-Okigbo is "a freaking superstar!"[3] He has performed at Lincoln Center, the White House, and has sung the National Anthem in venues all around the country.
On August 13, 2013, Odokara-Okigbo (under the name "Michael O") released his first EP, In the Beginning, to critical acclaim.[4]
In 2015, Odakara-Okigbo appeared in the motion picture Pitch Perfect 2, and is also featured on the soundtrack (which won the AMA for best soundtrack).[5] He also appeared as the feature vocalist on tracks for DJs such as Option4, Flex Cop and Gladiator.
Odakara-Okigbo has performed at venues such as the Merrill Auditorium in Portland, Maine, the Lincoln Center, and for President Obama in the White House.
In November 2017, Odakara-Okigbo won the HAPA Award for Best Upcoming Artist for his record, Your Way.[1]
Odakara-Okigbol's single "Umbrella" was released on June 1, 2018.[1]
In addition to his music career, Odakara-Okigbo, throughout his life, has always focused on charity work. At the age of fourteen, Odakara-Okigbo founded The Mugadi Foundation, a non-profit organization that provides education in the Global South.[6]
He lives in Los Angeles and is a graduate of Dartmouth College and the Waynflete School in Portland, Maine.
Odokara-Okigbo is the grandson of Pius Okigbo.
Discography
In the Beginning (2013)
See also
References
- "About". Michael O. Retrieved 8 December 2019.
- Genzlinger, Neil (25 November 2011). "Channel Surfing: 'The Sing-Off' - NYTimes.com". Artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com. Retrieved 5 October 2012.
- Burnham, Emily (29 November 2011). "Maine native's a cappella group takes second place on NBC's 'The Sing-Off'". Bangor Daily News. Retrieved 25 February 2023.
- "Making Noise: Incredible Michael O adds to his catalog". 15 August 2013.
- "Portland's Michael Odokara-Okigbo lands his first film role, in 'Pitch Perfect 2'". Press Herald. 15 July 2014.
- "The Mugadi Foundation". The Mugadi Foundation. Retrieved 25 February 2023.