Chinedu Izuchukwu Okoli well known by his stage name Flavour N’abania or simply Flavour (born 23 November 1983), is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and performer. The popular celebrity began his musical career as a drummer for a local church in his hometown of Enugu State. Flavour is popularly known across Africa and the world for his hit song “Nwa Baby ( Ashawo Remix)”. He is currently signed to 2nite Entertainment.
In 2005, he released his self -titled debut album N’abania. In 2010, Flavour released his second studio album Uplifted. It was supported by the singles ” Nwa Baby (Ashawo Remix)”, Adamma, and Oyi Remix. The album’s success made Flavour one of Africa’s most sought out artists. Flavour was booked to perform at numerous concerts and social events following Uplifted’s release.
Flavour, who is well known for his ability to sing fluently in the Igbo language was born in Enugu State, Nigeria. His family is originally from Umunze in Orumba South LGA, Anambra State, Nigeria. Flavour is the first son of a large family of four siblings and seven step-siblings. Flavour began his music career at the age of 13 when he started playing the drums for his church choir in Enugu. The resident pastor at his church introduced him to a friend, Chris I. Ordor, the CEO of SoundCity Communications. Mr Ordor had just started a musical company aimed at training young musicians on the basics of music and nurturing them all the way to a professional level. In 1996, Flavour was invited to join the company on an educational scholarship to study music. After three years of playing the drums, Flavour started playing the drums professionally. In 1999, Flavour moved on from playing the drums and started playing the keyboard. He also used to provide backing vocals for other musicians at SoundCity.
Music career of Flavour
Career beginnings
Flavour is a versatile instrumentalist, capable of playing the drums, piano and guitar. He gleaned this skills professionally while in music school. He was a professional drummer before venturing into singing, playing for city centre Enugu. Through his knowledge of music, he was able to learn music production effortlessly. In 1996, Flavour was invited to join professional music company on an educational scholarship to study music. After three years of playing the drums, Flavour started playing the drums professionally. In 1999, Flavour moved on from playing the drums and started playing the keyboard.
At the age of 19, Flavour emerged unto Nigeria’s musical scene as a drummer and pianist for a local Enugu band. After learning to play drums professionally, Flavour received an offer to perform at City Centre, Enugu. The massive crowd at City Centre inspired him to gain new grounds and reach great heights. Flavour’s educational background in music enabled him to learn music production from Dekumzy, Isi Charles and Nnachie. Today, he is a songwriter, Singer, dancer and a producer. He has served a little from his traditional high life into contemporary music and he’s not doing badly in that direction. He inspires with his songs and creates a romantic ambience with it.
2005: N’abania
In 2005, Flavour released his debut album N’abania through Obaino Music. The album’s success was relative and limited to Eastern Nigeria, particularly Enugu State. Flavour collaborated with Mr Raw on the album’s lead single titled “N’abania”. The song was recorded at Kingsley Ogoro’s music studio in Lagos, Nigeria.
2010: Uplifted
Following the relative success of his debut album, Flavour released Uplifted in 2010. While working on the album, Flavour believed the album would surpass his previous works. Flavour’s projection came true when the album broke national barriers. Lolhiphop Records, an established record label in South Africa, released the album after popular demand. The album’s top singles include “Nwa Baby (Ashawo Remix)”, “Adamma”, and “Oyi Remix” featuring Tiwa Savage.
2012: Blessed
Blessed was released on 18 October 2012 through 2nite Entertainment and iROCKING LTD. The album is the successor to Uplifted. It is arguably Flavour’s biggest album to date due to the number of producers that worked on it. It was launched on the same day of Flavour’s 2nite Club grand opening. In an interview with iROKTV, Flavour said: “I think I’m growing. This is my third album… Now it’s time to give them the music, like define myself. I have to be more mature with my music, lyrics and instrumentation-wise. I worked with tons of producers and the whole production process made sense.”
2014: Thankful
Thankful was released in December 2014. With 22 tracks and running for one hour, seventeen minutes, Thankful features hit tracks such as “Ololufe” featuring Chidinma, Flavour tries his hand on a mellow love duet. Potentially, it, Wakeup call feat. Wande Coal, The slow and breezy “Wiser” featuring Phyno and M.I, Golibe is the Igbo love ballad.
2017: Ijele – The Traveler
Ijele The Traveller is the latest album released in 2017. It contains 17 tracks – including a track featuring a blind Sierra Leonean fan.
Family Life
Flavour is the first son of a large family consisting of four siblings and seven step-siblings. Flavour currently dwells in Lagos, Nigeria. Flavour’s family wasn’t very fond of his musical ambitions; they often dismissed it as a pipe dream. His mother, in particular, believed that his musical ambitions wouldn’t amount to anything. He is still a single man and not yet hooked up but a father as he has a daughter with Sandra Okagbue named Gabrielle and another with Ex-beauty queen and actress Anna Ebiere Banner named Sophia.
Discography
- N’abania (2005)
- Uplifted (2010)
- Blessed (2012)
- Thankful (2014)
- Ijele – The Traveller (2017)
Singles
| Year | Title | Album | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Zoro as featured artiste | N/A | |
| 2016 | Champion | N/A | |
| 2010 | My Woman is Gone | Uplifted | |
| 2005 | N’abania | N ‘abania |
Videography
| Year | Title | Album | Director | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Adamma | Uplifted | God Father Production | |
| Oyi Remix | Uplifted | God Father Production | ||
| 2012 | Kwarikwa featuring Fally Ipupa | Blessed | Master Kraft | |
| 2012 | Baby oku | Blessed | Selebobo | |
| 2012 | Shake | Blessed | Godfather Productions | |
| 2013 | Chinny Baby | Blessed | Masterkraft | |
| 2013 | Ada Ada | Blessed | Clarence Peters | |
| 2014 | Ikwokrikwo | Blessed | Masterkraft | |
| 2014 | Black is Beautiful | Blessed | ||
| 2014 | Wake up featuring Wande Coal | Thankful | Clarence Peters | |
| 2014 | Gollibe | Thankful | ||
| 2015 | Ololufe featuring Chidinma | Thankful | Godfather Productions | |
| 2015 | Sexy Rosey featuring P-Square | Thankful | Godfather Productions | |
| 2016 | Champion | N/A | Godfather Productions |
Awards and Nominations
| Year | Event | Prize | Recipient | Result | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Channel O Music Video Awards | Most Gifted Afro Pop | “Ada Ada” | Nominated | |
| Nigeria Entertainment Awards | Indigenous Artist of the Year | Himself | Nominated | ||
| Best Album of the year | Blessed | Nominated | |||
| Best Music Video of the year (Artist & Director) | “Oh! Baby (You & I)” (Chidinma featuring Flavour N’abania) | Nominated | |||
| Best Collaboration | Nominated | ||||
| African Muzik Magazine Awards | Best Male West Africa | Himself | Nominated | ||
| Best Traditional Artist | Won | ||||
| Best Video of the Year | “Ada Ada” | Won | |||
| City People Entertainment Awards | Musician Of The Year (Male) | Himself | Nominated | ||
| Best Collabo of the Year | “Oh! Baby (You & I)” (Chidinma featuring Flavour N’abania) | Nominated | |||
| Video of the Year | “Ada Ada” | Won | |||
| MTV Africa Music Awards | Best Live Act | Himself | Won | ||
| Ghana Music Awards | African Artiste of the Year | Nominated | |||
| 2013 | The Headies | Artiste of the Year | Nominated | ||
| Album of the year | Blessed | Nominated | |||
| Best R&B/Pop Album | Nominated | ||||
| Nigeria Music Video Awards (NMVA) | Video of the Year | “Ada Ada” | Won | ||
| Best High Life Video | Won | ||||
| Best Indigenous Concept | Won | ||||
| Best use of costumes | Won | ||||
| Nigeria Entertainment Awards | Best Indigenous Artist/Group | Himself | Nominated | ||
| Ghana Music Awards | African Artiste of the Year | Nominated | |||
| City People Entertainment Awards | Musician of the Year (Male) | Nominated | |||
| Best Collabo of the Year | “Give it to Me” (Kcee featuring Flavour N’abania) | Won | |||
| 2012 | Nigeria Music Video Awards (NMVA) | Best Highlife | “Kwarikwa” (featuring M-Jay, Wage G.Jay Dey, Elense) | Nominated | |
| Channel O Music Video Awards | Best R&B Video | “Oyi Remix” (featuring Tiwa Savage ) | Won | ||
| The Headies | Best Collabo | “Orobo” (Sound Sultan featuring Excel and Flavour) | Won | ||
| Nigeria Entertainment Awards | Best Indigenous Artist/Group | Himself | Won | ||
| 2011 | Channel O Music Video Awards | Most Gifted Afro-Pop Video | “Nwa Baby ( Ashawo Remix) | Nominated | |
| Most Gifted African West Video | Nominated | ||||
| Hip Hop World Awards (The Headies) | Best R&B Single | “Oyi Remix” (featuring Tiwa Savage) | Nominated | ||
| Best Collabo | “Number One” (M.I featuring Flavour N’abania) | Won | |||
| Nigeria Entertainment Awards | Best High Life Video | “Nwa Baby (Ashawo Remix)” | Nominated | ||
| 2010 | Ghana Music Awards | African Artiste of the Year | Himself | Nominated |
Net Worth
The popular celebrity is estimated to be worth $28,000,000.00. His source of wealth is his music and record label. Flavour is an owner of various cars and houses in Nigeria.
