Ever since the massively exceptional and creative contributions which have followed the inrush of Nigeria’s young talented music stars and artistes, the Nigerian music industry cannot herself deny the deluge of international attention she has hitherto received. Needless to say that, much of these contributions are observed as unique elements that resonate with the various old and new genres of African music.
By Samuel Odunayo Afolabi
Flavour the Ijele 1 of Africa. That name has famously become a household moniker on the tongue of every music lover and African youth, particularly Nigerian, in the international music scene.
Past the shadow of any doubts, the highlife star has successfully cut a uniquely big niche and brand for himself ever since he stormed the Nigerian entertainment industry, majorly, in 2010. As a music wizard with African melodious uniqueness, consistency has never stopped to paint him bold and clear on the graffiti of memory.
Background
Popularly known as Chinedu Okoli, Flavour N’abania or rather Flavour began his musical career as a drummer for a local church when he was quite young. It was from there that he discovered fully that he was to become a great musician, given his ability to play several musical instruments without stress.
Born on the 23rd November, 1983 in Enugu State, Nigeria, Flavour attended schools and grew to see light from a world that is far apart from the academic journey. It was following this discovery that he was later helped by his pastor to join SoundCity Communications through scholarship when he was around the age of 13.
The pastor had seen a great deal of knack for drumming which would not only help him discover other talents but also mark him for greatness in the music world; hence, he (the pastor) connected our music star to Chris I. Ordor, the CEO of SoundCity Communications so he might have better training as addition to his natural gift.
Special Gifts
Flavour, whose family originally comes from Umunze in Orumba South LGA, Anambra State, is a famous music star all over Africa and beyond borders around the world. The very known distinguishing gifts which have brought him into the limelight are his ability to sing fluently in the Igbo language, his skills at beating drums, playing the keyboards, and certainly, his great looks which make him the ladies’ heartthrob.
Education
After the discovery of the talent that motivated his resident pastor’s decision, Flavour was invited to join the company on an educational scholarship to study music in 1996. After learning to play drums professionally in the academy, this background in music enabled him to learn music production from Dekumzy, Isi Charles and Nnachie moving forward.
During this period, around the age of 19, he went on receiving a career-changing offer to perform at City Centre, Enugu. The massive crowd there inspired him to gain new grounds and reach great heights.
Stardom and Limelight
Flavour’s popularity and fame across Africa and the world began after the release of his hot single, Nwa Baby (Ashawo Remix). Although he had put to bed his first self-titled debut album, N’abania (2005), which then never really saw the bright lights simply because of the novelty with which it came, it was his second studio album, Uplifted, that shot him into the sky of fame owing to the deeply sensational and lyrically melodious outfits he had in the album. Many of these are Nwa Baby (Ashawo Remix), Adamma, and Oyi Remix.
Following this production, the N’abania icon successfully began to register his name in the industry as one of Africa’s most sought out artistes. It is evidently so, as his wealth grew in leaps and bounds as much as his fan base too. There came a breakthrough in the way he was being booked to perform at numerous concerts and social events across the country.
Genres
Much of Flavour’s strengths are found in these special genres of music: Afro-Pop and Highlife.
Recognition
In spite of his chosen genre, Flavour has featured several other African international artistes in many of his songs and he is no doubt one of the best himself. Many awards and nominations are currently attached to his name. He has won the African Muzik Magazine Awards, City People Entertainment Awards, MTV Africa Music Awards 2014, Nigeria Music Video Awards (NMVA), Ghana Music Awards, Channel O Music Video Awards, The Headies, and many more.
Discography
- N’abania (2005)
- Uplifted (2010)
- Blessed (2012)
- Thankful (2014)
- Ijele the Traveler (2017)
- Awele (2018)
- Flavour of Africa (2020)
