IYANYA : THE KUKERE MASTER

In addition to his solo career, Iyanya has collaborated with various artists within and outside Nigeria, further expanding his musical reach.
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Iyanya, whose full name is Iyanya Onoyom Mbuk, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, and performer. He rose to prominence after winning the first season of the music competition show “Project Fame West Africa” in 2008, which kick-started his music career. Before he began his career, he began as a rapper and he was known as “Lofty” before changing his name.

Iyanya’s music style is primarily Afrobeat, R&B, and pop, with influences from various African and Western musical genres. He gained popularity with his debut single “Kukere” in 2012, which became a massive hit and introduced him to a wider audience. The song’s catchy rhythm and dance moves earned him widespread acclaim and established him as a prominent figure in the Nigerian music industry. He cited his musical influences to be British singer Craig David and American hip hop artist R.Kelly.

Following the success of “Kukere”, Iyanya released several other hit songs, including “Ur Waist”, “Flavour”, “Sexy Mama”, “Jombolo”, “Mr. Oreo”, “Le Kwa Ukwu”, “Like” amongst many others. He just released a latest video entitled “Away”. His music often features infectious melodies, energetic performances, and relatable lyrics, which contributed to his growing fan base in Nigeria and across Africa.

In addition to his solo career, Iyanya has collaborated with various artists within and outside Nigeria, further expanding his musical reach. He has worked with notable musicians such as D’Banj, Wizkid, Flavour, Kizz Daniel, Davido, and Tiwa Savage, among others.

Iyanya released several albums which includes; “My Story” (2009), “Desire” (2013), “Applaudise” (2015) and many others.

Alongside his music, Iyanya has also ventured into acting. He has appeared in a number of Nollywood movies, showcasing his versatility as an entertainer. He featured in the series “Shuga” in the third season.

Iyanya’s contributions to the Nigerian music industry have earned him numerous accolades, including awards such as; The Headies, the Nigeria Entertainment Awards, Channel O Music Video Awards, Soul Train Music Awards, Ghana Music Awards, City People Entertainment Awards and many other renowned awards. He continues to release new music, perform at concerts and events, and engage with his fans.

He was born on October 31, 1986, in Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria. Both his parents died in 2008 and he went to leave with his grandfather. Iyanya began the love for singing when he joined his church choir. He had his tertiary education at the University of Calabar, where he studied Business Management.

Throughout his career, Iyanya has demonstrated his ability to evolve and adapt to changing musical trends, keeping his sound fresh and relevant. His talent, charisma, and entrepreneurial spirit have solidified him as one of Nigeria’s prominent music acts, and he remains a respected figure in the African music scene.

Delia Nyadi

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