Chike (singer)

Chike
Background information
Birth nameChike Ezekpeazu Osebuka
Born (1993-01-28) 28 January 1993 (age 31)
Onitsha, Anambra State, Nigeria
GenresAfrobeats, R&B, Afropop, Highlife & Soul
Occupations
  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • Actor
Years active2016–present

Chike Ezekpeazu Osebuka (born 28 January 1993), popularly known by his stage name Chike, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter and actor. He gained prominence by participating in the Nigerian reality competition Project Fame West Africa. Additionally, he showcased his talents on The Voice Nigeria, where he achieved the second position during Season 1. Chike ventured into acting by making his debut as Mayowa Badmus on the Africa Magic Showcase telenovela Battleground. He also appeared in the production Gang of Lagos, portraying the character Ify.

Chike released his first album, titled "Boo of the Booless," on 14 February 2020. Following his debut, he subsequently released his second album, "The Brother's Keeper," in 2022.

Early life and education

Chike is a native of Onitsha, Anambra State in the south-eastern region of Nigeria and is one of four children. Chike's decision to pursue a career in music was influenced by his family.[1] He is a graduate of Covenant University with a bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering.[2]

Career

Project Fame

Chike was featured as a contestant on Project Fame West Africa however, was then eliminated after reaching the Top 10.[3]

The Voice Nigeria

Chike auditioned for The Voice Nigeria with a cover of James Arthur's "Roses" and he opted to join Team Patoranking.[4]

In the battle round, he performed Mario's "Let Me Love You" with another Team Patoranking contestant and was chosen to move to the next round. In the first week of live shows, he performed "Not the Girl" by co-coach Dare Art Alade and earned a 'save' from his coach. In the second week of live shows, he performed The Weeknd's "Earned It" and was saved by public votes. He also performed a rendition of "I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)" by The Proclaimers and earned his coach's final save of the season. For the semi-finals, he performed "Pullover" by Kcee and Wizkid. In the finale, Chike performed covers of Bob Marley and the Wailers's "No Woman No Cry" and Kiss Daniel's "Mama". He finished as the runner-up of The Voice Nigeria' season, with A'rese from Team Waje coming in first place.[5]

After The Voice Nigeria

2016

After The Voice Nigeria, Chike was signed to Universal Republic along with the other top four contestants on the show.[6] He released his debut single Fancy U in December 2016 under Universal Republic, with its music video being released in early 2017. Chike was also made an ambassador for Airtel Nigeria along with the other seven finalists of The Voice Nigeria.[7]

2017-2019

In April 2017, Chike had been cast by Africa Magic to play the role of Mayowa Badmus in a television drama named Battleground.[8] Chike departed from Universal Republic in November 2017 to become an independent artist. He released his next single, titled "Beautiful People," in February 2018.[9]

2020

Chike released his 14-track album titled Boo of the Booless.' during his special guest performance on the 2020 Big Brother Lockdown TV show.[10]

2023

In September 2023, Chike was announced as a brand ambassador for Glo telecommunication alongside Asake, Kizz Daniel.[11][12][13]

2024

In 2024, Chike announced his third studio album, Son of Chike, set for release on July 19, 2024. The album includes 12 tracks, such as “Unto You,” “Lifetime Love,” and “Ego Oyibo.” It features collaborations with prominent Nigerian artists like Olamide, Ladipoe, and Qing Madi. Chike has described the album as a deeply personal project that reflects his cultural heritage and experiences, aiming to connect with listeners on an emotional level.[14]

Discography

Albums

Soundtracks

Filmography

  • Gangs of Lagos (2023) as Ify [17][18]
  • Knee Down (2022) as Chima
  • Life as It Is (2019 TV Mini Series) as Junior
  • AMCOP: Clandestine (2019) as George
  • Battle Ground: Africa Magic (2017 TV Series) as Mayowa Bhadmus

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Recipient Result Ref
2020 City People Music Awards Album of the Year "Boo of the Booless" Won
The Headies 2020 Best Vocal Performance (Male) "Chike – "Forgive" Nominated
Best R&B Album Boo of the Booless – Chike Nominated
Album of the Year Boo of the Booless – Chike Nominated
2021 Net Honours Most Played RnB Song "Running to You" (featuring Simi) Nominated [19]
2022 The Headies 2022 Best R&B Single "Running (To You)" – Chike feat. Simi Nominated [20][21]
Best Music Video "Roju" – (Chike) – Directed by Pink Nominated [22][23]
Best Collaboration "Running (To You)" – Chike feat. Simi Nominated [24][25]
Best Rap Single "Breathe" – A-Q feat Chike Nominated [26]

[27]

2023 The Headies 2023 Best R&B Single "Hard to Find" – Chike Nominated [28]
Best Vocal Performance (Male) "Spell (remix)" – Chike Nominated [29]
Best Music Video "Spell" – (Chike) – Directed by Pink Nominated [30]
Best R&B Album "The Brother’s Keeper" – Chike Won [31]

References

  1. ^ "The Voice Nigeria". The Voice Nigeria. Archived from the original on 3 February 2017. Retrieved 21 December 2017.
  2. ^ Ada, Igboanugo (19 July 2024). "Chike Release a new project titled Son of Chike". Np ogaigo. Retrieved 19 July 2024.
  3. ^ Izuzu, Chidumga. "Project Fame 8: One evicted, judges pull surprise as race for prize gets intense [Video]". Retrieved 21 December 2017.
  4. ^ "The Voice Nigeria Chike 'Ranking' Goes to Battle – THISDAYLIVE". www.thisdaylive.com. Retrieved 10 July 2022.
  5. ^ Isaac, Michael (29 February 2020). "SPOTLIGHT: Meet The Creative Mind Of Actor, Singer Chike". Information Nigeria. Retrieved 22 January 2021.
  6. ^ "Free Download: Top 5 songs by Chike - Daily Trust". dailytrust.com. Retrieved 4 June 2023.
  7. ^ GossipBoyz (4 March 2017). "AUDIO+VIDEO: The Voice Nigeria's First Runner Up, Chike debuts new song – 'Fancy U' [DOWNLOAD]". GossipBoyz. Retrieved 22 January 2021.
  8. ^ Battleground: Africa Magic (TV Series 2017– ) - IMDb, retrieved 22 January 2021
  9. ^ "Chike - Beautiful People (Prod by Doron Clinton) « tooXclusive". tooXclusive. 28 January 2018. Archived from the original on 28 January 2021. Retrieved 22 January 2021.
  10. ^ "BBNaija: Housemates Go Wild as Chike Performs Live for Them at the Lipton Finale Party". Legit. 3 October 2022. Retrieved 31 January 2024.
  11. ^ "Asake, Kizz Daniel, Chike sign multi-million Naira deals with Glo". Thenation. 1 October 2023. Retrieved 31 January 2024.
  12. ^ "Globacom signs Asake, Kizz Daniel, Chike to inspire young Nigerians". Businessday. 3 October 2022. Retrieved 31 January 2024.
  13. ^ "Asake, Chike, Kizz Daniel Join Glo League Of Ambassadors". Independent. 30 September 2022. Retrieved 31 January 2024.
  14. ^ "Chike Announces New Album, "Son of Chike"". 3 July 2024. Retrieved 11 September 2024.
  15. ^ BellaNaija.com (11 April 2023). "Listen to Chiké's Latest Single "On Fire (Pana Time)" for Prime Video's "Gangs of Lagos"". BellaNaija. Retrieved 7 November 2023.
  16. ^ Onye, Harry (11 April 2023). "Music: Chike's 'On Fire (Pana Time)'; The new soundtrack to your weekend parties". Kemi Filani News. Retrieved 7 November 2023.
  17. ^ Udodiong, Inemesit (7 April 2023). "Tobi Bakre, Adesua Etomi, Chike talk heart, stunts, violence of 'Gangs of Lagos' [Pulse Interview]". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 7 November 2023.
  18. ^ Johnson-Omodiagbe, Conrad (8 April 2023). "Chike on the Hardest Scene He Had to Shoot in "Gangs of Lagos"". Zikoko!. Retrieved 7 November 2023.
  19. ^ "Chike – Ego Oyibo (Full Lyrics)". Codedwap. Retrieved 22 July 2023.
  20. ^ "Wizkid Leads 2022 Headies Awards Nominees See CompleteList". Billboard. 26 July 2022. Retrieved 1 September 2022.
  21. ^ "HEADIES 2022: Wizkid, Davido, Portable bag nominations (FULL NOMINATION LIST)". Premium Times Nigeria. 24 May 2022. Retrieved 1 September 2022.
  22. ^ "2022 Headies Awards: Wizkid,Tems,Others Lead Nominees List". Leadership. 29 July 2022. Retrieved 1 September 2022.
  23. ^ "Academy announce nominations for Headies Awards 2022 [Full Nominee List]". Pulse Nigeria. 24 May 2022. Retrieved 1 September 2022.
  24. ^ "HEADIES RELEASES 2022 NEXT RATED NOMINEES LIST". Guardian Nigeria. 24 May 2022. Retrieved 1 September 2022.
  25. ^ "Headies 2022: Full list of nominees". Tribune Nigeria. 24 May 2022. Retrieved 1 September 2022.
  26. ^ "Full list: Wizkid, Davido get 2022 Headies nominations". Punch Nigeria. 24 May 2022. Retrieved 1 September 2022.
  27. ^ "Headies award 2022 nominees: Portable, Ayra Starr, Tems, see oda artistes wey make dis year nomination". BBC. 24 May 2022. Retrieved 1 September 2022.
  28. ^ "Burna Boy Leads in 2023 Headies Awards NominationsFull ListExclusive". Billboard. 28 August 2023. Retrieved 31 January 2024.
  29. ^ "Full list: 2023 Headies nominations". Punch. 12 July 2023. Retrieved 31 January 2024.
  30. ^ "Burna Boy, Asake, Tiwa Savage plus oda artistes wey make di 2023 Headies nomination list". BBC. 12 July 2023. Retrieved 31 January 2024.
  31. ^ "2023 Headies Awards: Full Winners List". Vanguard. 4 September 2023. Retrieved 31 January 2024.