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
- Terry G aka the Akpako master was a back-up singer for Faze.
- In May 2011 Busta Rhymes stated that Faze is his favourite Afro-hiphop artist.
- Faze is one of Nigeria's marijuana-free artists.
Discography
![](../I/m/Chibuzor_'Faze'_Oji.jpg)
Solo albums
- Faze Alone (2004)
- Independent (2006)
- Originality (2008)
- ReFAZEd (2012)
With Plantashun Boyz
- Body and Soul (2000)
- Body and soul Volume II
- Sold Out (2003)
- Plan B (2007)
Compilation
- Bad Sharp Guys with various artists Vol.1 (2008)
- Bad Sharp Guys with various artists Vol.2 (2010)
Other albums
- Untitled with Ruggedman (2004) (Shelved)
Filmography
Film | |||
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Year | Film & Television | Role | Notes |
2011 | Alero's Symphony | Lovechild | Debut |
Faze awards & nominations
Nominations in Music
- MOBO Awards- Best African Act- Independent (2008)
- Channel O Awards – Best Newcomer Video – Kolomental (2007)
- Channel O Awards- Best West African Video- Loving you Everyday (2008)
- Hip-Hop World Awards- Best R&B/Pop Album of the Year- Independent (2008)
- Hip-Hop World Awards- Best Song of the Year- Kolomental (2008)
- Hip-Hop World Awards- Best Album of the Year- Independent (2008)
- Hip-Hop World Awards- Recording of the Year- Need Somebody (2008)
- Hip-Hop World Awards- Best Vocal Performance- Someone like me (2008)
- Nigeria Music Video Awards- I'm in love (2009)
- AMEN Awards- Most Popular Song- Kolomental (2007)
- AMEN Awards- Best Male Vocalist (2007)
- AMEN Awards- Best R&B Male Vocal Performance (2007)
- AMEN Awards- Best R&B Album- Independent (2007)
- AMEN Awards- Best Song of the Year- Kolomental (2007)
- AMEN Awards- Best Album of the Year- Independent (2007)
- AMEN Awards- Best Act of the Year (2007)
- Soundcity Awards- Best Male Video of the Year-Kolomental (2008)
- Soundcity Awards- Best Direction Video of the Year- Kolomental (2008)
- Soundcity Awards- Best Video of the Year- Tattoo Girls (2008)
- Soundcity Awards- Best Chereography of the Year -Kpo Kpo Di Kpo (2008)
- Soundcity Awards- Best R&B Video of the Year- Need Somebody (2008)
- Nigeria Entertainment Awards- Best male vocalist (2006)
- Nigeria Entertainment Awards- Best R&B Album of the Year (2007)
- Futures Awards- Best Artistes of the year (2008)
- 8 Fame Music Awards- Best Male Act (2006)
Won
- AMAA Awards – Achievement in Soundtrack (2012)
- SoundCity Awards- Best Chereography Video- Kpo Kpo Di Kpo (2008)
- Hip-Hop World Awards- Best Vocalist of the year (2006)
- Criteria Magazine Awards- Youth motivator(2009)
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
- Faze- Originality album "Stepping up the game", Vanguard News. Retrieved 28 September 2008.
- Lolade Sowoolu'Faze Premiere's Originality', Vanguard News. Retrieved 12 September 2008.
- Faze- King of R&B tops charts again with Originality, Vanguard News. Retrieved 13 December 2008.
- Interview with Faze, Sun newspapers. Retrieved 31 December 2003
- Faze Biography, Retrieved in May 2005