Orezi

Nigerian musician

  • Reggae
  • dancehall
Occupation(s)
  • Singer
  • songwriter
Years active2009–presentLabels
  • Culbeed Music
  • Sprisal Entertainment
Websiteiamorezi.com
Musical artist

Esegine Allen (born 28 March 1986), better known by his stage name Orezi, is a Nigerian musician from Delta State. He rose to prominence with his song "Rihanna" in 2013.[2][3]

In a chat with Showtime's The Cooking Pot the singer said that in the Nigerian music industry, having talent without money is a waste of time.[4]

Early life and education

Esegine "Orezi" Allen was born and raised in Owhelogbo, Isoko, Delta State. He is the first born of five children. Orezi attended the Command Secondary School in Abakaliki. He graduated from the University of Lagos and completed the mandatory one-year NYSC program.[5]

Music career

Orezi began his music career in early 2009. He has worked with several producers, including Kiddominant, Del B and Dokta Frabz.[6][7] Orezi's debut song "I No Fit Lie" became Radio Continental's theme song. He headlined a show named after the song; the show was organised by the Continental Broadcasting Services (CBS).[8] The music video for "I No Fit Lie" was shot in South Africa. In 2010, Orezi released the single "High B.P". The music video for the song was endorsed by MTV Base.[9] In late 2010, he released the DJ JamJam-assisted track "Jamilaya".[10]

In early 2011, Orezi was featured on "Emoti" alongside Danagog, Igho and DJ Debby. The song was played on Trace TV, MTV Base, Soundcity and One Music. He was also featured on Jatt's single "Komije" alongside Sauce Kid, Muna and Igho. Orezi released the music video for the song "Booty Bounce"; it features cameo appearances from Karen Igho, Bovi, Wande Coal, Kay Switch, Sina Rambo, Vina, Danagog, Skuki and General Pype, among others. For several weeks, "Booty Bounce" was one of the top ten African songs on Trace Urban, Channel O and MTV. The music video for "Booty Bounce" was nominated for Most Gifted Reggae Video of the Year at the 2012 Channel O Music Video Awards.[11]

In 2010, Orezi performed during Star Music Trek's visit to Kaduna and Makurdi, and also performed at an event celebrating Nigeria's 50th Independence Day. In early 2011, Orezi performed at DJ Jimmy Jatt's "Jump Off" show held at the Get Arena in Lekki. He has performed in several club tours in Nigeria and South Africa. He was part of the Emoti Tour organized by DJ Debby. Orezi performed at Club Inc in South Africa. In 2012, he performed at the Rhythm Unplugged concert in Ibadan, and toured with Trace Urban and St. Remy.[12]

In March 2014, Orezi released the French version of his single "Shoki".[13] He released the single "You Garrit" in 2014; the song's music video was released in September 2014.[14] Orezi released his debut album The Ghen Ghen Album in September 2015. It features collaborations with 9ice, Davido, Flavour, Ice Prince, M.I Abaga, Timaya and Wizkid. Pulse Nigeria awarded the album 3 stars out of 5.[15] In November 2015, Orezi released the music video for his single "Ogede". In September 2016, he released the controversial single "Call the Police".[16]

Awards

Year Award Category Result
2014 2014 Nigeria Entertainment Awards Best New Act of the Year [17] Nominated
City People Entertainment Awards Dancehall/Reggae Act of the Year[18] Nominated
2013 NMVA (Nigerian Music Video Awards) Best Reggae Dancehall Artiste Won
SSMA. (South South Music Awards) Won
The Headies Best Reggae Dancehall Song Nominated
AMMA Award (Abuja Meritorious Music Awards) Best Club Banger Won
The Prestigious ChannelO Music Video Awards Reggae Dancehall Nominated
UNILAG Awards Best New Act Won

Discography

Albums and EPs

  • I No Fit Lie (EP) (2010)
  • Ghen Ghen (2015)

Singles (partial)

  • "Jamilaya" (featuring DJ Jam-Jam) (2010)
  • "Rihanna" (2013)
  • "Booty Bounce"
  • "What Is the Need"
  • "You Garrit"
  • "Shoki"[19]
  • "Onome" (featuring DJ Akaba)[20]
  • "Shuperu"
  • "Shuperu (Remix)" (featuring Davido)
  • "Yagolono" (2016)[21]
  • "Sweet Yarinya"[22]
  • "My Queen" (2019)
  • "Your Body" featuring Teni (2020)[23]

References

  1. ^ Osagie Alonge (30 November 2012). "Photos: Orezi tattoos 'Dat ghen ghen guy' across his chest". Nigerian Entertainment Today. Retrieved 29 March 2020.
  2. ^ "I have crush on Rihanna – Orezi". Vanguardngr. 30 August 2013. Retrieved 30 August 2013.
  3. ^ "Orezi tours South Africa, shoots 'Rihanna' video". Vanguardngr. 16 August 2013. Retrieved 17 August 2013.
  4. ^ "Talent without money a waste of time - Orezi". Vanguard News. 29 June 2019. Retrieved 27 February 2021.
  5. ^ "New Music: Orezi – Zarokome + You Garrit". Jaguda. 15 November 2013. Retrieved 15 November 2013.
  6. ^ "Orezi – Zarokome + You Garrit". TooXclusive. 15 November 2013. Retrieved 15 November 2013.
  7. ^ "Orezi Laments Over Losing at the Headies To Waje". Information Nigeria. 28 December 2013. Retrieved 28 December 2013.
  8. ^ "NEW MUSIC VIDEO: Orezi – Booty Bounce". NaijaMoyor. Retrieved 20 April 2012.
  9. ^ "VIDEO: Orezi Samples Next Single "Zarokome" on Nigezie TV". NotJustOk. Retrieved 19 November 2013.
  10. ^ "LEAK: Orezi ft Terry G – Don't Compare Me". NotJustOk. Retrieved 23 October 2010.
  11. ^ "2Face Idibia, Davido, D'Banj, P-Square, Tiwa Savage, Wande Coal, Wizkid & Six More Nigerian Artists Nominated For the 2012 Channel O Music Video Awards". Bellnaija. September 2012. Retrieved 1 September 2012.
  12. ^ "My search for Rihana paid off when her look-alike emerged —Orezi". HallMarkNews. Retrieved 6 September 2013.
  13. ^ "Orezi – Shoki French Version". View Nigeria. Retrieved 7 September 2014.
  14. ^ "DOWNLOAD:VIDEO: Orezi - You Garrit". notjustOk. Retrieved 27 December 2015.
  15. ^ "Pulse Album Review: Orezi's 'The Ghen Ghen' album is all that Nigeria currently wants". pulse.ng. 6 October 2015. Retrieved 27 December 2015.
  16. ^ "Orezi - Call The Police | Jaguda.com". jaguda.com. 27 September 2016. Retrieved 5 December 2017.
  17. ^ "NEA Awards 2014 Winners List". tooxclusive. 1 September 2014. Retrieved 2 September 2014.
  18. ^ Jasanya, Olamide (24 June 2014). "Who won what at City People Entertainment Awards 2014". Nigerian Entertainment Today. Archived from the original on 28 June 2014. Retrieved 29 July 2014.
  19. ^ Oluwayemi, Victoria (October 2023). "Afrobeats lacks something special without my presence - Orezi". PM News.
  20. ^ "DJ Akaba – Onome ft. Orezi". View Nigeria. Retrieved 4 November 2014.
  21. ^ "New Music Orezi – 'Yagolono'". Pulse.ng. Joey Akan. 27 January 2016. Retrieved 27 January 2016.
  22. ^ "New Music Orezi - 'Sweet Yarinya'". Pulse.ng. Joey Akan. 12 February 2016. Retrieved 12 February 2016.
  23. ^ "Listen to Orezi & Teni's New Collab, "Your Body"". Notjustok. 26 March 2020. Retrieved 21 May 2020.

External links

  • Verified Twitter Account