Faze (musician)

Faze

FAZE on set of the 2010 music video for his single 'Gear One'
Background information
Birth name Chibuzor Oji
Origin Delta State, Igbo, Nigeria
Genres R&B, Pop, Reggae, Nigerian hip hop
Occupation(s) Singer–songwriter, record producer, actor
Years active 1995–present
Labels Westside Records, Nigeria (2004–2006)
Independent Entertainment (2006–present)
Associated acts

Plantashun Boyz, Ruggedman, TuFace, BlackFace Naija, African China, MC Loph, Wyclef Jean, sound sultan, Akon, [[busta ryme

]], mode9

Chibuzor Oji better known by his stage name Faze is a Nigerian musician and actor. He is a member of the defunct Nigerian hip hop group Plantashun Boyz, along with BlackFace Naija and TuFace (better known as 2face Idibia. The group split up in 2004 and each member of the group has gone on to launch successful solo careers.

Faze is a best-selling Nigerian artist. His first album Faze Alone sold over three million copies, while his second album Independent has sold over 7 million copies. His third album Originality went platinum in its first month of release. He is the first Nigerian artist to have three consecutive platinum albums. Faze is known for his ability to sing the highest vocal note out of Nigerian contemporary male musicians . He is the most inspirational and gifted artiste in Africa. Award winning singer and one of the greatest Artist in Africa. He is a crowd puller any day, making him one of the most popular and powerful artist in Africa. His collaborations include a recorded single with Wyclef Jean titled "Proud to Be African".

In 2011 Faze made his acting debut starring in the lead male role of 'Lovechild' in the critically acclaimed Nigerian movie Alero's Symphony. He also provided the movie's soundtrack for which he won an Africa Movie Academy Award in 2012, in the category of Achievement in Soundtrack.

Early life

Chibuzor Oji was born in 1977 in Festac Town, Lagos. Oji is the fourth of a large family of nine children. All family members are said to possess good singing vocals perfected by the long time spent singing praises during prayers.

Oji made his first attempt to gain publicity when he won the 1994 DBN Karaoke contest. He performed as a rap musician under the name 'Lyrical Orge' until he joined the Plantashun Boiz.

Plantashun Boyz

Upon joining Plantashun Boyz as a trio with BlackFace Naija and Tuface (2face Idibia), he changed his stage name to Faze. The band released two albums in the process: Body and Soul in 2000 and Sold Out in 2003. The period was marred by a developing beef about "Faze versus 2Face" in the band that led to the eventual break-up of the band in 2004. The band reunited in 2007 just for one more album Plan B.

Solo career

After the split of the Plantashun Boyz in 2004, Faze signed to Solomon Arueya's Westside Music Label of Lagos, Nigeria, to produce his first solo album titled Faze Alone. The album achieved platinum status with sales of 1.2 million units in its first month. It featured the single "Faze Alone", a song seen by many as one of the most inspiring and motivating classic Nigerian songs of all-time. The single "Faze Alone" did enormously well on Nigerian music charts, reaching number 1 on music charts of notable radio stations like Rhythm FM, Cool FM, and Ray Power FM. The singles "Miss U" and "Angel Gabriella" from the Faze Alone album were also well received. The album introduced Faze's signature vocals including his ability to sing the highest note by a male in the Nigerian music industry. In 2006 he won the Hip-Hop World award for Best Vocalist. He releases his material through the record label he owns, Independent Entertainment. He is 7 octaves in voice note.

Trivia

Discography

FAZE

Solo albums

With Plantashun Boyz

Compilation

Other albums

Filmography

Film
Year Film & Television Role Notes
2011 Alero's Symphony Lovechild Debut

Faze awards & nominations

Nominations in Music

Won

Nominations in film

Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) – Achievement in Soundtrack (Alero's Symphony) (2012)

Won

Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) – Achievement in Soundtrack (Alero's Symphony) (2012)

References

    External links