Flavour (musician)

Chinedu Okoli (born 23 November 1983), better known by his stage name Flavour N'abania or simply Flavour, is a Nigerian singer. He began his musical career as a drummer for a local church. Flavour is popularly known across Africa and the world for his hit song "Nwa Baby (Ashawo Remix)". He is currently signed to 2nite Entertainment.

This article is about the Nigerian recording artist. For other uses, see Flavor Flav.

Flavour N'abania
Flavour performing at the 2014 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards
Flavour performing at the 2014 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards
Background information
Birth nameChinedu Izuchukwu Okoli
Also known as
  • Ijele, Mr. Flavour
  • Palliative Ụmụ Ashawo
Born (1983-11-23) 23 November 1983
Enugu, Enugu State, Nigeria
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Singer
  • songwriter
Years active2005–present
Labels2nite Music Group
WebsiteOfficial website

In 2005, he released his self-titled debut album N'abania. In 2010, Flavour released his second studio album, Uplifted. It was supported by the singles "Nwa Baby (Ashawo Remix)", "Adamma", and "Oyi Remix". The album's success made Flavour one of Africa's most sought out artists. He was booked to perform at numerous concerts and social events following Uplifted's release.

Early life

Flavour, who is well known for his ability to sing fluently in the Igbo language,[3] was born in Enugu State, Nigeria. His family is originally from Umunze in Orumba South LGA, Anambra State, Nigeria.[4] Flavour began his music career at the age of 13 when he started playing the drums for his church choir in Enugu. The resident pastor at his church introduced him to a friend, Chris I. Ordor, the CEO of SoundCity Communications.[5]

In 1996, Flavour was invited to join the company on an educational scholarship to study music.[5]

After three years of playing the drums, Flavour started playing the drums professionally. In 1999, he moved on from playing the drums and started playing the keyboard.[5] He also used to provide back-up vocals for other musicians at SoundCity.

Career

Career beginnings

At age 19, Flavour emerged into Nigeria's musical scene as a drummer and pianist for a local band in Enugu. After learning to play drums professionally, Flavour received an offer to perform at City Centre, Enugu. The massive crowd there inspired him to gain new grounds and reach great heights. Flavour's educational background in music enabled him to learn music production from Dekumzy, Isi Charles and Nnachie.[6]

2005: N'abania

In 2005, Flavour released his debut album N'abania through Obaino Music. The album's success was relative and limited to Eastern Nigeria, particularly Enugu State. Flavour collaborated with Mr Raw on the album's lead single titled "N'abania". The song was recorded at Kingsley Ogoro's music studio in Lagos, Nigeria.

2010: Uplifted

Following the relative success of his debut album, Flavour released Uplifted in 2010. The album broke national barriers. Lolhiphop Records, an established record label in South Africa, released the album after popular demand. The album's top singles include "Nwa Baby (Ashawo Remix)", "Adamma", and Oyi Remix" featuring Tiwa Savage.

2012: Blessed

Blessed was released on 18 October 2012 through 2nite Entertainment and iROCKING LTD. The album is the successor to Uplifted. It is arguably Flavour's biggest album to date due to the number of producers who worked on it. It was launched on the same day of Flavour's 2nite Club grand opening.[7]

In an interview with iROKTV, Flavour said: "I think I'm growing. This is my third album... Now it's time to give them the music, like define myself. I have to be more mature with my music, lyrics and instrumentation wise. I worked with tons of producers and the whole production process made sense."[8]

2014: Thankful

Thankful was released in December 2014. The album consists of 22 tracks and runs for one hour seventeen minutes. Receiving generally positive reviews from music critics, it sold thousands of copies. The album features hit tracks such as the love ballad "Ololufe" featuring Chidinma and the fast-tempo Afro-pop song "Wake Up" feat. Wande Coal.[9]

2017: Ijele – The Traveler

Ijele – The Traveller was released in 2017. The album contains 17 tracks, including one featuring Flavour's adopted son Semah G Weifur, a blind Liberian child who was spotted singing alone in a classroom,.[10]

2018

In 2018 Flavour issued two singles, "Crazy love",[11] joining forces with Mama Africa Yemi Alade as Flavour Nabania,[11] and "Yemi Alade".[11]

Later that year, he released the traditional song "Awele",[11] featuring the Igbo traditional duo Umu Obiligbo.[11]

2020

On December 4 2020, Flavour released his seventh studio album, titled Flavour of Africa, which has 16 tracks.[12][13]

Controversy

On 29 August 2012, Nigerian Entertainment Today reported that Flavour was involved in a legal battle with Ghanaian duo Wutah, over the alleged theft of "Kwarikwa". According to the article, "Kwarikwa" is an exact replica of "Kotosa", a song made by the aforementioned duo. The singing duo accused Flavour of stealing their song's rhythm, chorus, and tempo.[14]

Discography

Singles
Year Title Album Ref.
2020 "Looking Nyash" Flavour of Africa [15]
2020 "Kanayo" — [16]
2019 "Mercy" — [17]
2016 "Zoro" As featured artiste — [18]
2016 "Champion" — [19]
2010 "My Woman is Gone" Uplifted [20]
2005 "N'abania" N'abania

Videography
Year Title Album Director Ref.
2011 "Adamma" Uplifted Godfather Productions [21]
2012 "Oyi Remix" featuring Tiwa Savage Uplifted Godfather Productions [22]
2012 "Kwarikwa" featuring Fally Ipupa Blessed Masterkraft [23]
2012 "Baby Oku" Blessed Selebobo [24]
2012 "Shake" Blessed Godfather Productions [25]
2013 "Chinny Baby" Blessed Masterkraft [26]
2013 "Ada Ada" Blessed Clarence Peters [27]
2014 "Ikwokrikwo" Blessed Masterkraft [28]
2014 "Black is Beautiful" Blessed Clarence Peters [29]
2014 "Wake up" featuring Wande Coal Thankful Clarence Peters [30]
2014 "Golibe" Thankful Clarence Peters [31]
2015 "Ololufe" featuring Chidinma Thankful Godfather Productions [32]
2015 "Sexy Rosey" featuring P-Square Thankful Godfather Productions [33]
2016 "Champion" — Godfather Productions [34]
2016 "Dance" Thankful Clarence Peters [35]
2018 "Crazy Love" featuring Yemi Alade Patrick Elis
2018 "Awele" featuring Umu Obiligbo — Selebobo
2021 Levels Patrick Ellis [36]

Awards and nominations
Year Event Prize Recipient Result Ref
2019 AFRIMA Best Live Act Himself Pending [37]
Best Collaboration "Awele"

(featuring Umu Obiligbo)

 Pending
AFRIMMA Video of The Year Pending
2014 Channel O Music Video Awards Most Gifted Afro Pop "Ada Ada" Nominated [38]
2014 Nigeria Entertainment Awards Indigenous Artist of the Year Himself Nominated [39]
Best Album of the Year Blessed Nominated
Best Music Video of the year (Artist & Director) "Oh! Baby (You & I)"
(Chidinma featuring Flavour N'abania)		 Nominated
Best Collaboration Nominated
African Muzik Magazine Awards Best Male West Africa Himself Nominated [40]
Best Traditional Artist Won [41]
Best Video of the Year "Ada Ada" Won
City People Entertainment Awards Musician of the Year (Male) Himself Nominated [42]
Best Collabo of the Year "Oh! Baby (You & I)"
(Chidinma featuring Flavour N'abania)		 Nominated
Video of the Year "Ada Ada" Won
MTV Africa Music Awards 2014 Best Live Act Himself Won [43]
Ghana Music Awards African Artiste of the Year Nominated [44]
2013 The Headies Artiste of the Year Nominated [45][46]
Album of the Year Blessed Nominated
Best R&B/Pop Album Nominated
Nigeria Music Video Awards (NMVA) Video of the Year "Ada Ada" Won [47]
Best High Life Video Won
Best Indigenous Concept Won
Best use of costumes Won
Nigeria Entertainment Awards Best Indigenous Artist/Group Himself Nominated [48]
Ghana Music Awards African Artiste of the Year Nominated [49]
City People Entertainment Awards Musician of the Year (Male) Nominated [50]
Best Collabo of the Year "Give it to Me"
(Kcee featuring Flavour N'abania)		 Won [51]
2012 Nigeria Music Video Awards (NMVA) Best Highlife "Kwarikwa"
(featuring M-Jay, Wage G.Jay Dey, Elense)		 Nominated [52]
Channel O Music Video Awards Best R&B Video "Oyi Remix"
(featuring Tiwa Savage)		 Won [53]
The Headies Best Collabo "Orobo"
(Sound Sultan featuring Excel and Flavour)		 Won [54]
Nigeria Entertainment Awards Best Indigenous Artist/Group Himself Won
2011 Channel O Music Video Awards Most Gifted Afro-Pop Video "Nwa Baby (Ashawo Remix)" Nominated [55]
Most Gifted African West Video Nominated
Hip Hop World Awards (The Headies) Best R&B Single "Oyi Remix"
(featuring Tiwa Savage)		 Nominated [56]
Best Collabo "Number One"
(MI featuring Flavour N'abania)		 Won [57]
Nigeria Entertainment Awards Best High Life Video "Nwa Baby (Ashawo Remix)" Nominated [58]
2010 Ghana Music Awards African Artiste of the Year Himself Nominated [59]

See also

References
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