Obiwon

Obiwon
Birth name Obiora Nwokolobia-Agu
Also known as Obiora Obiwon
Born 9 June 1977
Enugu, Nigeria
Origin Udi, Enugu State
Genres Urban contemporary gospel, R&B, soul, hip hop
Occupation(s) Musician, singer, evangelist
Years active 2005–present
Labels 3Music

Obiora Nwokolobia-Agu (born 9 June 1977),[1] better known by his stage name Obiwon, is a Nigerian singer, musician, and evangelist.

Early life

Obiora Obiwon was born Obiora Nwokolobia-Agu on 9 June 1977 in Enugu, Nigeria. A passion for music started developing as early as age 5, while singing along to HipHop and R'n'B records from his elder brother's Audio Cassettes. Obiwon most likely inherited musical genes from his father, Sir Humphrey Nwokolobia-Agu, a renowned folk and classical music composer and arranger from Eastern Nigeria. At age 15 he went on to songwriting, performing on the streets and corners of the "Coal City" and finding himself balancing his education and passion for music.[2]

He graduated from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) in 2001 where he studied Agricultural Extension. Initial professional music strides merged him with the then popular HipHop music group Da Thorobreds with whom he won Best Rap Group at the maiden edition of the prestigious Nigeria's HipHop World Awards.

Education and career

Obiwon studied Agricultural extension at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN, 2001), after which he migrated to Lagos, Nigeria's music capital in 2002 for National Youth Service. It was at this point that he adopted the moniker "Obiwon", a name which a favourite uncle had fondly called him in his earlier years, after a popular science fiction hero. He initially became an employee of a bank in Lagos, opting to initially work at a commercial bank as a means of supporting himself and musical dreams. He was a part of Da Thorobreds, a now-defunct hip-hop collective. 'Da Thorobreds' was composed of rappers B-Elect, Illbliss and Elajoe.

Obiwon's debut album, Overture, released in 2006 was a mild commercial success but critically acclaimed in Nigeria. In the same year, Obiwon ditched his job as a banker to focus fully on his musical career.[3] Overture produced a classic hit ballad "Onyinye". He was nominated for three awards at 2007 Hip Hop World Awards, and won the Best Vocal Male Performance category.[4] He was also honoured as Nigeria's Voice of the Decade (21st century) at the Nigeria Music Awards.[5] The following year, Obiwon revealed he had been experiencing some faith based encounters and announced a change of musical focus to gospel music. In 2009 he released his second studio album and first Christian/Gospel album The Rebirth. The album that yielded the R&B hit and classic Nigerian wedding anthem "Obi Mu O", a song dedicated to his then wife to be.[6]

Since transiting to Christian/Gospel music, Obiwon has continued to minister at various churches, Christian and other secular events with his new sound and "The Rebirth Band", impacting the gospel music scene nationwide and worldwide, boldly declaring His salvation experience and the Christian lifestyle and inspiring the lives of many most especially his youthful audience.

In 2013 Obiwon was awarded at the National Gospel Awards as best crossover act for the song "F.a.t.h.e.r 2.0". After a major release hiatus spanning four years, Obiora Obiwon returned in November 2013 with a long awaited third album entitled "Gold Water". The album fuelled by the stellar singles "Testify", "Hail My King" and "Pour Your Love" has received good reviews and has been nominated thrice for the forthcoming 2014 Crystal Awards for excellence in the gospel music industry. .[1] In explaining the reasoning behind the album's title, he said: "Water is symbolic for cleansing and restoration while Gold symbolises glory and elevation. A combination of both is the idea."[7]

Popular songs

Obiora has recorded numerous songs which includes the number one hit songs "Obi Mu O". Some of his other songs include "Streetz of Lagos", "Hustlin' Man", "I pray", "U Made Me", "Love Nwantinti", "Refill for My Emptiness", "Break It Down", "Let's Go", "Birthday", "Bless U Lady", "My F.A.T.H.E.R", "Victorious" and "Lift Your Hands", "Hail My King", "Pour Your Love", "Testify", "F.a.t.h.e.r 2.0", "One Voice" among others.

Personal life

Obiwon married Nkechi Obioma Ezeife in 2011. The couple gave birth to their first child, a baby girl, Nmesioma in September 2012.[8]

Discography

Studio albums

Awards and nominations

Year Event Prize Nominated work Result Ref
2007 Hip Hop World Awards Best Vocal Performance (Male) Won
Best R&B Album Overture Nominated
Hip Hop World Revelation Nominated
2007 Nigeria Music Awards Male Voice of the Decade Won
2013 National Gospel Awards Best Crossover Artiste Won

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Obiwon returns with "testify"". Premium Times. 13 July 2013. Retrieved 17 March 2014.
  2. ↑ Alhassan, Amina (31 October 2009). "My songs based on my experience – Obiwon". Daily Trust. Retrieved 17 March 2014.
  3. ↑ "Nigeria: Obiwon Quits Bank for Music". AllAfrica.com (AllAfrica Global Media). 21 January 2007. Retrieved 17 March 2014.
  4. ↑ "Past Winners". Hip Hop World Magazine. Retrieved 18 March 2014.
  5. ↑ "Foreign Musicians Have No Regard For Nigerian Artistes------Obiwon". Modernghana.com. Retrieved 17 March 2014.
  6. ↑ "Obiwon berths sophomore". Vanguardngr.com (Vanguard Media). 3 October 2009. Retrieved 17 March 2014.
  7. ↑ "I make better music now – Obiwon". The Punch. 29 December 2013. Retrieved 19 March 2014.
  8. ↑ Agunanna, Chilee (14 September 2012). "Obiwon welcomes baby girl". DSTV. Retrieved 17 March 2014.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Abimboye, Micheal (12 January 2014). "INTERVIEW: Why it took me so long to release my third album – Obiwon". Premium Times. Retrieved 19 March 2014.
  10. ↑ Olapoju, Kolapo (13 February 2014). "With 'Gold Water', Obiwon has earned the right to be taken seriously". Nigerian Entertainment Today. Retrieved 19 March 2014.