Darey

Darey a.k.a. Dare Art Alade
Background information
Birth name Dare Art Alade
Origin Lagos, Nigeria
Genres R&B, jazz, blues
Occupation(s) Singer-songwriter
Years active 2004–present
Labels Soul Muzik
Associated acts 2face Idibia, 9ice, Naeto C, GT da Guitarman
Website www.darey.com

Dare Art Alade – popularly known as Darey – is a Nigerian multi-platinum selling and award-winning musician, singer-songwriter, and Idol series judge. He is the son of the renowned Nigerian entertainer, Art Alade.

Darey, though very successful in Nigeria, has his eyes on the international market and has plans to re-release his music in conjunction with a major international record label.

Biography

Early life

Dare (pronounced Da-Ray) Art Alade was born in Lagos to legendary Nigerian Jazz pioneer Art Alade and Olapeju Alade. Dare, as a child, used to rummage through his father's extensive jazz collection and tag along with him to his concerts. These early experiences gave him his first taste of 'showbiz'.

Dare honed his skills at an early age, singing with several choirs, including the National Troupe of Nigeria Choir and then the Cathedral Choir. From the age 15, he began performing extensively in clubs around Lagos, Ibadan and other cities in Nigeria. It was during one of those late night sessions he met an executive at Cool FM, a major Radio station, who appreciated his voice, and his ability to interact with his audience. The determined teenager began shuttling between Cool FM and the University of Lagos where he was studying for a degree in Music, and sang with the a cappella group The Chordwebs.[1] During his time at Cool FM, he had the opportunity to acquire the basic knowledge of radio production and marketing.

Career

Darey performing at the Carnivore in Nairobi, Kenya

Darey has over almost the past decade been a disc jockey, TV presenter, entertainment consultant, voice over artist and performing/recording artist. He has also hosted a lot of notable events and awards.

2004–06: Project Fame

Darey's big break finally came during the 2004 edition of Project Fame Academy, a well renowned Reality TV show and continent-wide talent hunt and emerged third in the contest.

2006–07: From Me 2 U

After an unfruitful record deal with Sony BMG Africa, his debut album 'From Me 2 U' hit the Nigerian market two years later on Storm Records. The album was laced with several hit singles, including 'Fuji' and 'Escalade' which enjoyed massive airplay in the Nigerian and international media. The top selling album also included the song, 'Original Naija' which was used as the theme song for the first ever edition of Big Brother Nigeria. Darey's album, 'From Me 2 U' won several awards including the Awards for Musical excellence in Nigeria (A.M.E.N)[2] and the 2006 Channel O Music Video Awards for best R&B Video in Africa.[3]

2008: Project Fame West Africa

In 2008, Darey spent several months as the host of a music based reality show 'Project Fame West Africa' from where he first hit continental fame in the South Africa edition in 2004.[4]

2009: unDAREYted

Two years after the release of his successful debut album, Darey released his highly anticipated follow up entitled 'unDAREYted', on the new start up label, Soul Muzik. The album sold over 150,000 copies across Nigeria in just two months. The album features appearances by Darey's contemporaries and friends: Cobhams Asuquo (Aṣa's producer), 2face Idibia, Naeto C, 9ice, Tee-Y Mix and the up-and-coming R&B crooner, Pheel, to mention a few. The critically acclaimed work features the smash hit ballad "Not The Girl," which has been nominated for several awards and won video of the year at the 2009 Nigerian Entertainment Awards held in Washington DC.[5]

unDAREYted caught the attention of the African American Music business legend Dick Griffey, who is credited with discovering and influencing the music careers of artists such as Shalamar, The Whispers, Babyface, L.A. Reid and Dr. Dre. Dick Griffey offered to executive-produce Darey's third album which was to break Darey further into the U.S and international markets but unfortunately he died before the project could be completed.

2010–present: Double Dare

Darey with U.S. President George W. Bush while hosting the ThisDay Awards in Abuja, Nigeria

In 2010, Darey performed at high profile shows in many cities across the World including Nairobi, Johannesburg, Abuja, Lagos and other major African cities, including a special concert with R&B legend R. Kelly in South Africa and the This Day Peace Concert Tour in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria, which had 50 Cent and Ciara as headliners. On request of the President of Nigeria, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, he was invited to perform at the presidential villa in an exclusive dinner to commemorate the Country's 50th independence Anniversary. At the event, which was broadcast live to over 200 million viewers across the world, he performed a medley of 50 songs with his 15-piece band, "Soul band" to a room filled with several African presidents and past world leaders.

Darey was the main host of both the Gulder Ultimate Search and Glo Naija Sings reality shows in 2011 and in February 2013, put together alongside his Soul Muzik team one of the biggest shows Nigeria has ever seen,[6] Darey Presents: Love Like A Movie in February 2013 which had the red carpet hosted by Kim Kardashian[7] as well as the highly successful release of the music video, "Asiko" featuring Jozi and Ice Prince.[8]

In May 2013 Darey released a new single, Special Fever, produced by internationally acclaimed producer Harmony. In June 2013, hosted[9] the launch of media mogul Mo Abudu's multi-broadcast network Ebony Life TV alongside Dolapo Oni and most recently signed on as an ambassador to Unilever's popular beverage drink – Lipton.[10]

Darey is currently a judge on Nigerian Idol, replacing Jeffrey Daniel.[11]

Charity and business

As a philanthropist and humanitarian, Darey supports several causes close to his heart including Cancer charities, Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and several foundations in Africa. He also set up the Art Foundation, whose main goal is to keep music education alive for kids in primary and secondary schools in Africa.

Apart from his accomplishments as a recording artist, music producer, TV/Radio personality and Master of ceremonies, Darey is also an accomplished businessman and philanthropist with backbone support from Soul Muzik his event and TV production company, Soul band and a state of the art production facility, Soul Muzik Studios, where he does all his production and recording.

Discography

Albums

Singles

Awards

Won

Nominated

See also

References

  1. ↑ "All About Dare". Artofdare.tripod.com. Retrieved 2014-03-20.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Linda Ikeji (11 July 2007). "Welcome to Linda Ikeji's Blog: AMEN 2007 Nominees and Winners". Lindaikeji.blogspot.com. Retrieved 2014-03-20.
  3. ↑ "Channel O Award nominees released". Bizcommunity.com. Retrieved 2014-03-20.
  4. ↑ Author Name. "Chips Off The Old Blocks: Nigerian Entertainers Who Took After Their Fathers". The Street Journal. Retrieved 2014-03-20.
  5. ↑ "Nigerian Entertainement Awards (N.E.A) Winners & Pics". Jaguda.com. Retrieved 2014-03-20.
  6. ↑ "Darey's Love Like A Movie Concert Records Large Guest Appearance – www.channelstv.com". Channelstv.com. 18 February 2013. Retrieved 2014-03-20.
  7. ↑ "Kim Kardashian Arrives Lagos for Dare Art Alade's "Love Like A Movie" Concert – Photos". Bella Naija. Retrieved 2014-03-20.
  8. ↑ "DAREY'S "ASIKO" TOPS THE MTV BASE OFFICIAL NAIJA TOP 10 CHART". Soul Muzik. Retrieved 2014-03-20.
  9. ↑ "FAB Event: Ebony Life TV Launch Highlights « FAB BLOG". Fabmagazineonline.com. Retrieved 2014-03-20.
  10. ↑ Akinloye, Dimeji (17 June 2013). "Darey Art-Alade Gets Lipton Endorsement". Hip Hop World Magazine. Retrieved 2014-03-20.
  11. ↑ New judges for Nigerian Idol season 4
  12. ↑
  13. ↑ "The Channel O Music Video Awards". Tvsa.co.za. Retrieved 2014-03-20.
  14. ↑ "Web Site Unavailable". Livebeats.net. Retrieved 2014-03-20.
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 "Nigerian Music Video Awards 2009 Nominees – Keffi, MI, Darey & Mo-Hitts Dominate". Jaguda.com. Retrieved 2014-03-20.
  16. ↑
  17. ↑ "Channel O Music Video Awards". Bella Naija. 23 October 2006. Retrieved 2014-03-20.
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 "The 2011 Headies – 2Face Idibia, Wizkid, Dr SID, M.I, Darey, Ice Prince & Sir Shina Peters rule the Winners List!". Bella Naija. 23 October 2011. Retrieved 2014-03-20.
  19. ↑ http://www.jamati.com/online/uncategorized/mtv-africa-music-award-nominees-announced/
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 "HipHop World Awards 2009 Nominees Announced". Bella Naija. 12 March 2009. Retrieved 2014-03-20.
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 "The 2011 Nigerian Music Video Awards (NMVA) …Darey & Jodie Receive The Most Nominations". 360Nobs.com. Retrieved 2014-03-20.
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 "Jodie and Darey lead NMVA Nominations' List |". Ynaija.com. Retrieved 2014-03-20.
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 23.2 Thursday, 4 August 2011 (4 August 2011). "THE HEADIES NOMINEES 2011". nigeriafilms.com. Retrieved 2014-03-22.
  24. ↑ PassionistaHub Team (16 November 2012). "– FAB AWARDS 2012: DAREY, TIFFANY AMBER, BEVERLY NAYA, DIMEJI ALARA, KINABUTI, BUNMI ADEMOKOYA, ONO BELLO, HAKEEM SALAAM, FRANK EDOHO AND OTHERS SET FOR SHOWDOWN". Passionistahub.com. Retrieved 2014-03-22.
  25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 "Darey, Tiwa Savage, Chidinma, Others Lead The Pack for 2012 Nigerian Music Video Awards". Olori Supergal. Retrieved 2014-03-22.
  26. ↑ "Nominees for the 2013 Nigeria Entertainment Awards | View the Complete List ~ BEAVER". Beavers.com.ng. 5 June 2013. Retrieved 2014-03-22.

External links