Waje
When it comes to having great and successful years, I don’t think you can argue with the fact that Ms. W.A.J.E is having the best year of her career.
Ituaje Iruobe (born September 1), popularly known as WAJE which is the acronym for ‘Words aren’t just enough’ is a singer whose vocal range covers three octaves. Waje is the lady behind the remake of P-Square’s ‘Omoge Mi’ and the female voice in the duo’s 2008 hit track ‘Do Me,’ Banky W’s ‘Thief my Kele’ and M.I’s ‘One Naira.’
She was born in Akure as a young and gifted singer, once sang gospel tunes to the delight of the late Archbishop Benson Idahosa of the Word of Faith Church, Benin who was quite impressed by her gift and decided to cater for her all through her secondary school days after which she moved to Enugu for a degree in Social Work at the University of Nigeria. While in school, Waje was very much in touch with her musical side by making sure she performed in school concerts and fellowship.
She started singing professionally in 2005 and has since taken over the scene. In 2008, she participated in the Zain/MTV Africa’s Advance Warning competition and was among the top three.
She released ‘Somewhere’ which got a Hip Hop World Award nomination for Best Vocal Performance (Female), while ‘Kolo’ got her a nomination at the Nigeria Music Video Awards for Best New Video. Another track of hers is ‘Adaku.’ In 2011 Waje released a hit single entitled ‘So Inspired’ featuring Muna.
Her breakthrough
Mid-last year only a few people outside the entertainment industry really knew Waje, her name only rang a bell when you remember the girl that did top class songs with various notable faces.” The talent was never in question and though she was already building up her fan base and followership, she almost immediately sky-rocketed to everyone’s living rooms with the release of her single ‘So Inspired’ featuring Muna and ‘One Naira’ a collabo with MI on his album ‘MI2.’ These might have been the rockets that shot her into mainstream stardom going into 2011.
Comparing her to any upcoming musician is like taking 2face to be an upcoming. Waje is one of the most popular female R&B acts out of Nigeria, and for all the right reasons.
With that amount of success comes heavy recognition. The awards and nominations flowed in this year for Waje. Headies, NMVA, Channel O, NEAs all penned down her name as a nominee and she’s won a couple from that list.
She has also landed major Magazine covers. From Vanguard Allure to Genevieve Magazine; everyone is trying to catch a piece of Waje.
What major concert or show hasn’t she been a part of? Headies, MI2 Launch in UK, NEA Awards, P-Square Invasion, and a host of others that we probably can’t list here.
With a host of collaborations over the past year, a hot single ‘Na The Way’ featuring J-Martins, a solid Christmas tune, ‘Christmas=Jollification’ with Omawumi and a yet to be released album, we don’t see Waje losing steam going into 2012. She is pulling out all the stops going in the positive direction full force with pumping of brakes. Who can contest?!
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‘Tiwa Savage
No DJ at any club or party event completes his musical mix without playing ‘Kele Kele Love’ by Tiwa Savage, to show the extent at which she has carved a niche for herself in the male dominated music industry in Nigeria. Less than a year into the Nigeria music industry, Tiwa Sawage has broken all barriers and has established herself as an artist to be reckoned with in the country.
Born and bred in Lagos State, Nigeria, she however had her education on music abroad. She graduated from the renowned Berklee College of Music in 2007 and has since then been working with music producers in the industry.
Tiwa began her musical career in the UK, touring as a background singer for artists such as Mary J Blige, STING, George Michael, Kelly Clarkson and Spice Girls. She has worked with notable A–list artists such as Fantasia, AKON, Snoop Dogg and Babyface and shared the stage with the likes of Beyonce, Black eyed Peas and 50 Cents.
Tiwa Savage has been dubbed Nigerian Rihanna due to her singing style and she carries an aura of sensuality around her which has earned her the right to be called the hottest female artiste in Nigeria, relegating some of her female peers to the background. When she came out with ‘Kele Kele Love,’ many thought she was just a flash in the pan, a one hit wonder, but she raised the bar with her second single, ‘Love Me Love Me’ which gave her the status of a diva in the country.
Her style is a blend of songs in Yoruba and some straight up R&B soulful pop .What stands her out from the rest of the female artists in Nigeria is her vocals and delivery; she has the appeal and the ability to connect with her fans and her sultry, sexy and sassy style has endeared her to the male fans in Nigeria.
She is collaborating with Don Jazzy who is regarded as the best producer in Nigeria in her next single, ‘Without My Heart.’ Tiwa Savage has definitely come to stay and on course to be one of Nigeria’s greatest female entertainers of all time.