Runtown

Runtown
Runtown
	Runtown in 2018
Background information
Birth name	Douglas Jack Agu
Born	19 August 1989 (age 34)
Origin	Enugu State, Nigeria
Genres	R&B, Afro-fusion, hip hop, reggae
Occupation(s)	Singer, songwriter, producer
Instrument(s)	Vocals
Years active	2010–present
Labels	Soundgod Music Group

Douglas Jack Agu (born 19 August 1989), better known by his stage name Runtown, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter and producer.

Biography

Runtown was born on 19 August 1989 in Enugu the capital city of Enugu State in the southeastern region of Nigeria but grew up partly in Abuja the federal capital territory of Nigeria and in Lagos State in southwestern Nigeria, where he finished his primary education. After the death of his father, he moved to Abuja with his mother, who was working in the Ministry of Health.^{[citation needed]}

In 2014 he released "Gallardo", a song which features vocals from Davido and was released as the first single off his debut studio album Ghetto University.^[3] Gallardo went on to win "Best Collaboration of the Year" at the 2014 edition of the Nigeria Entertainment Awards.^[4] On 23 November 2015, Runtown released his debut studio album titled Ghetto University via MTN Music Plus through Eric Many Entertainment.^[5] The album generated over ₦35million on the music portal thus earning him a spot in the list of "Top 5 Most Streamed Artist".^[6]

On 4 November 2016, Runtown released the ballad "Mad Over You", which charted at number 38 on the Billboard Twitter Top Tracks chart.^[7]^[8] Joey Akan from Pulse Nigeria described the song as a "self-produced track that draws inspiration from the Ghanaian Alkayida sound".^[9] Runtown told The Fader magazine that the song was inspired by African beauty.^[10]

On December 16, 2022, Runtown released the 'Signs' album, which Deborah Jayeoba from African Folder described as a "sign for Runtown to have a grip on his career because this recent taste of him doesn’t please the music palate".^[11]

Controversies

Ownership of "Aye"

In 2014, there were reports in the media that Runtown wrote "Aye". In an interview with the Nigerian Tribune, Runtown said, "A lot of people have been asking me that question. Davido has had a number of interviews where he addressed how the song came about. So if you want to learn more about Aye ask Davido or read his interviews".^[12]

Release of Kini Issue

In September 2020, He released his 2nd song since the pandemic called "Kini Issue". The song is from his forthcoming album Soundgod Fest Reloaded.^[13]

Exit from Eric Manny Entertainment

Runtown's contract with Eric Manny Entertainment expired in June 2018. He subsequently started his own label, Soundgod Music Group.^[14]

Discography

Ghetto University (2015)
Tradition^[15] (2020)
Signs^[16] (2022)

Awards and nominations

Year	Award ceremony	Prize	Result
2014	2014 Nigeria Entertainment Awards	Best Collaboration of The Year^[17]	Nominated
2014	The Headies 2014	Next Rated Act	Nominated^[18]
2015	2015 Nigeria Entertainment Awards	Best Pop Artiste	Nominated^[19]
2015	City People Entertainment Awards	Artiste of The Year	Nominated^[20]
2017	Vodafone Ghana Music Awards	African Artiste Of The Year	Won^[21]
2017	Soundcity MVP Awards Festival	Best Collaboration of The Year	Won^[22]
		Viewers Choice	Won^[23]
		Listeners Choice	Nominated^[24]