Obafemi Awolowo University is one of the most popular university in Nigeria. OAU is not only known for it’s great academic achievement but also has also produced quite a number of powerful alumni at various fields across the country and these alumni are famous round the world and this set of people are said to have always had interest in music ever since their studies on campus.
IOI picks 5 famous OAU musicians that started their music in school and also graduated from Obafemi Awolowo University.
1. CHEQUE
Akanbi Bamidele Brett popularly known as SUPER-BOY CHEQUE is a talented Nigerian singer and rapper. He obtained a his B.Sc in Chemical Engineering from Obafemi Awolowo university in osun state. After graduating, he moved to Lagos to focus on his music career. He started his music career while studying at the Obafemi Awolowo University and got signed to Phyno’s penthauze Records in February, 2019 .The first song he released under the label was a collaborative effort with his label mates on the hit track they titled “NYEM SPACE” which was released in March 2019 .
In July 2020, he released his first EP in Penthauze music titled ‘Razor’ which had the hit track ‘Zoom. He also did a remix of ‘Zoom’ with Davido and Wale afterwards. In September 2021, Cheque featured Olamide in a single titled LOML (Love Of My Life) and later released his debut studio album ‘Bravo’ on 24 September 2021. Some of his latest hit song are History, call me baby, sweet love.
2. Chinko Ekun
Oladipo Olamide Emmanuel popularly know has chinko Ekun is fast rising Nigeria rappel. His Nickname “Chinko Ekun” is just an alias which he adopted as his stage name. Chinko Ekun obtained his degree as a Law student in Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, osun State. He began his music career properly in 2011. Ekun was his first official track. After making some waves, he caught the attention of Olamide after listening to one of his songs. Olamide Badoo signed him to his YBNL Nation label.Chinko Ekun featured at the Olamide Live in Concert (OLC).
He has released chart topping songs like “fierce” where he featured with layon, “Home Alone”, ” History” featuring fireboy and one of his 2022 hit songs “Jafafa” featuring Mohbad. Chinko Ekun is one artist who is on top of his game.
3. Fireboy DML
Adedamola Adefolahan, popularly known by the stage name, Fireboy DML is a Nigerian singer, songwriter and entertainer.The Afro-pop artiste came into limelight with his hit single “Jealous” which was massively airplay on media platforms.He obtained a bachelor’s degree in English from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. His love for music heightened while studying at the university in Ile-Ife .He clinched a nomination and award for the breakthrough single. He is signed to YBNL Nation, an independent record label founded by Nigerian rapper Olamide.
He got signed to YBNL music label in 2018 and In 2019 and was nominated for Next Rated, Viewer’s choice and song of the Year awards at the headies. In 2021, Fireboy DML released his single “Peru,” and also remixed it with Ed sheeran in 2022. He was featured on Ladipoe’s hit “Running” and Cheque’s single “History.” In 2022 he dropped one of the biggest hot song in town “playboy”
4. Blaqbonez
Emeka Akumefule professionally called Blaq Bonez is a Nigerian rapper currently signed to 100 crowns an imprints of chocolate city. He obtained a degree in Engineering at Obafemi Awolowo University.Blaqbonez discovered his rap talent at the age of 13 and by the time he was 16, he was already exploring his rap skills.He later released his first single “Stronger” off his “Hip hop in Blaq Mixtape”.His album “Bad Boy Blaq” was listed by SoundCityTv among the Album of the Year alongside Burna Boy’s “YE” and M.I Abaga’s “Rendevouz”.
His first studio album sex over love topped many charts when it was released on the 30th of april 2021. It featured many A list stars like Buju, Joeboy, Nasty C amongst others. In the recent years Balqbonez released some of his hit track such as “Run my race”, “Medicine”.and dropped one of his biggest hit in 2022″ commander”
5. Lagbaja
Bisade Ologunde popularly known as Lagbaja which means ‘anonymous’ or ‘faceless one’ in Yoruba land.He attended Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, Osun State. He is an ambassador of the Telecommunication company, Globacom.He mentioned in an interview that the mask and the name “Lagbaja” symbolizes the faceless, the voiceless in the society, particularly in Africa. He released his first album titled “we before me” and over the years he has dropped so many hit song. He did a remix of the song “konkon below” in the year 2022 and dropped one of the biggest hit in 2022 titled “charmer”
This set of people are not only famous in Nigerian also famous across the nation.This people saw music as life, something worth doing, a dream to achieve. Nevertheless, this set of people have really made impact in life.
