1. Iyanya
The
winner of the 2008 MTN Project Fame reality show is currently one of
the hottest and most sought after musician in Nigeria. Iyanya bounced to
stardom after the failure of his debut album with the release of
monster hit ‘Kukere’. He would later release hit singles like, ‘Your
waist’ and ‘Flavour’ before dropping a second album, Iyanya vs Desire,
which became a success.
Iyanya
who is the co-founder of his record label, Made Men Music, alongside
his manager and business partner, Ubi Franklin, recently signed
Abuja-based budding singer, Teckno.
2. Omawumi Megbele
This
graduate of Law from Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, did not win the
first edition of West African Idol as she came second, but the mother
of one returned to the studio after the show and released her first
single ‘In The Music’, which became an instant anthem among Nigerians.
Omawumi
became popular and was embraced as a brand ambassador by Globacom,
Konga and Mortein. She also won the “Next Rated Act” award of the
Headies and released her debut album ‘Wonder Woman’ in 2010. She
returned to the scene in 2012 with a hit ‘Bottom Belle’ featuring
afro-highlife act, Flavour, before treating her fans to her second
studio album ‘The Lasso Of Truth’ in 2013.
3. O.C. Ukeje
O.C.
Ukeje was born on July 15, 1981. He is arguably the biggest Nigerian
actor to have emerged from a reality TV show. O.C. Ukeje began his
career in acting from his first year at the University of Lagos, where
he played a lead role in a stage play. He was a stage actor for four
years before attempting and winning the reality TV show for actors,
Amstel Malta Box Office (AMBO).
He
began a full career with a merger of stage and screen performances.
His first screen appearance was in White Waters in 2008 alongside star
actresses Joke Silva and Rita Dominic.
O.C
Ukeje has since become a seasoned actor with appearances in movies
like Comrade, Confusion Na Wa, Half of a Yellow Sun, HoodRush, Black
November amongst others.
He was also on the repertory team that showcased three stage plays for the Nigeria House at the London Cultural Olympiad (2012).
4. Dare Art-Alade ‘Darey’
Darey
is probably the first Nigerian celebrity to rise to fame on the back
of a reality TV show after he participated at the 2004 edition of
Project Fame Academy, a renowned reality TV show and emerged third in
the contest. The award-winning musician and song writer is the son of
iconic Nigerian entertainer, Art Alade.
Darey
isn’t just a musician; he has over the past decade been a disc jockey,
TV presenter, entertainment consultant, voice-over artiste and
performing/recording artist and event host.
Darey’s
real music journey started in 2006/2007 as his debut album ‘From Me 2
U’ which was laced with several hit singles, including ‘Fuji’ and
‘Escalade’ hit the Nigerian market under Storm Records. He returned to
the studio, producing a highly anticipated follow-up album entitled
‘unDAREYted’. The album sold over 150,000 copies across Nigeria in its
first two months of release.
The
Soul Musik label executive would later cook a third album ‘Double
Dare’ in 2010. He currently has female singer Zaina and R&B artiste
MoEazy signed to his label while also organizing his own special
valentine event, ‘Love Like A Movie’ in 2013 that featured American
reality TV star, Kim Kardashian.
5. Uti Nwachukwu
Uni was born on August 3, 1982. He is one celebrity who has participated in multiple reality TV shows.
He
first participated at the celebrated Next Movie Star before contesting
at the highly watched Big Brother Africa reality TV show in 2008.
He
was evicted from the house on the 5th October 2008, spending only 42
days. He returned to the house in 2010 as a contestant in Big Brother
Africa 5: All-Stars in which he lasted 91 days and ultimately won by
defeating Munya with a final vote of 8 to 7.
Uti
has since become a celebrity as he co-hosts the popular African Magic
program, Jara while becoming a major event host across all sectors in
Nigeria.
6. Chidinma
Chidinma EKILE is of eastern Nigerian Descent and the fifth out of six siblings.
She grew up under strict Christian parents and became very involved in
the church choir from a very tender age of ten. She attended primary and
secondary schools in Ketu Lagos before the family relocated to
Ikorodu.
In 2009, she discovered MTN Project Fame West Africa music reality TV
show on television and followed the maiden edition keenly from the
television in her living room, wishing to be part of the huge show
someday.
Her dreams began to take shape when a close friend of hers encouraged
her to go for the Lagos auditions of the third edition of Project Fame.
She caught a bus from Ikorodu to ULTIMA Studios, the audition venue and
joined the long queue of over 8,000 contestants, with only four
hundred naira in her pocket. All she had was Belief.
Chidinma was short listed amongst the last eighteen contestants to go
into the Fame academy. For the next ten weeks, she lived under strict
tutelage from the Faculty comprising voice coaches, choreography,
inspirational visits and sessions with established musicians and music
business service providers, tough rehearsal drills etc.
The Kora award winner was born in the late 80’s and is a business
promoter and student in Lagos. She loves singing and listening to the
radio. On September 26, 2011 Chidinma won the third edition of Project
Fame West Africa, alongside the hearts of millions of Nigerians who
grew to love the petite and endearing twenty one year old girl.
Her first single is titled JANKOLIKO! and features Nigerian music
veteran Sound Sultan. The video was directed by award winning
cinematographer Clarence Peters.
Her musical influences include Alicia Keys, Whitney Houston, Mariah
Carey, Fela Kuti, Omawunmi, Onyeka Onwenu, Bob Marley, Lagbaja, and Dare
Art Alade. etc. Her style is predominantly afrocentric pop music, with
a lot of “Nigerianness” to it, clearly evident in her song writing and
thematic range.
7. Timi Dakolo
Timi Dakolo (born in Ghana on January 20, 1981) is a Nigerian singer.
Although he was born in Ghana, to a Nigerian father, Bayelsa-native
David and a Ghanaian mother, Norah, who died when Dakolo was thirteen.
Dakolo however does not claim dual citizenship and holds a Nigerian
passport. He is the winner of the first season of Idols West Africa. He
was declared the winner on May 26, 2007 at the home of Idols, Planet
One. The show was televised the next day. He beat out runner-up, Omawumi
Megbele getting 63% of the votes. With his victory, he took home many
prizes including a recording contract with Sony BMG.
After winning Idol West Africa in 2007, on January 1, 2008, on New
Years Day, Timi Dakolo was shot at the lobby of the Presidential Hotel
in Port Harcourt. He had gone to the hotel to attend a church service in
the company of his friends. The attack was a random act of violence by a
faction of Niger Delta militants and did not target Timi. Although a
hotel security guard was murdered in the attack, Timi escaped with a
flesh wound, was rushed to the hospital, treated and discharged on the
same day.
Timi Dakolo released his first single comprising three songs in October 2009.
In 2011, he released the song "There's a Cry". The music video was
filmed in Nigeria. He is currently signed with Lone Records/Now Muzik.
