Flavour N’abania
Flavour performing at the 2014 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards
Background information
Birth name	Chinedu Izuchukwu Okoli
Also known as	Ijele Palliative Ụmụ Ashawo
Born	23 November 1983 (age 37) Enugu, Enugu State, Nigeria
Genres	Igbo highlife gospel.[1][2]
Occupation(s)	Singer songwriter multi-instrumentalist
Instruments	Guitar piano drums
Years active	2005–present
Labels	2nite Music Group
Associated acts	MI Tiwa Savage Kcee Phyno Chidinma P-Square Fally Ipupa Yemi Alade Zoro Masterkraft Mr Raw Tekno Diamond Platnumz[3] Patoranking[4] Beenie Man Wizkid[5] Burna Boy[6] Sarkodie[7] Larry Gaaga
Website	Official website

Chinedu Okoli (born 23 November 1983), better known by his stage name Flavour N’abania or simply Flavour, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. He began his musical career as a drummer for a local church. 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. He was booked to perform at numerous concerts and social events following Uplifted‘s release.

Early life[edit]

Flavour, who is well known for his ability to sing fluently in the Igbo language,^[8] was born in Enugu State, Nigeria. His family is originally from Umunze in Orumba South LGA, Anambra State, Nigeria.^[9] 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.^[10]

In 1996, Flavour was invited to join the company on an educational scholarship to study music.^[10]

After three years of playing the drums, Flavour started playing the drums professionally. In 1999, he moved on from playing the drums and started playing the keyboard.^[10] He also used to provide backing vocals for other musicians at SoundCity.

Career[edit]

Career beginnings[edit]

At age 19, Flavour emerged into Nigeria’s musical scene as a drummer and pianist for a local Enugu band. After learning to play drums professionally, Flheavour received an offer to perform at City Centre, Enugu. The massive crowd there 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.^[11]

2005: N’abania[edit]

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[edit]

Following the relative success of his debut album, Flavour released Uplifted in 2010. The album broke national barriers.^{[clarification needed]} 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[edit]

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 who worked on it. It was launched on the same day of Flavour’s 2nite Club grand opening.^[12]

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.”^[13]

2014: Thankful[edit]

Thankful was released in December 2014. The album consists of 22 tracks and runs for one hour seventeen minutes. Receiving generally positive reviews from critics, it sold thousands of copies. The album features hit tracks such as the love ballad “Ololufe” featuring Chidinma and the fast-tempo Afro-pop song “Wake Up” feat. Wande Coal.^[14]

2017: Ijele – The Traveler[edit]

Ijele – The Traveller was released in 2017. The album contains 17 tracks, including one featuring a blind Liberian fan.^[15]

2018[edit]

In 2018 Flavour issued two singles, “Crazy love”,^[16] joining forces with Mama Africa Yemi Alade as Flavour Nabania,^[16] and “Yemi Alade”.^[16]

Later that year, he released the traditional song “Awele”,^[16] featuring the Igbo traditional duo Umu Obiligbo.^[16]

2020[edit]

On December 4 2020, Flavour released his seventh studio album, titled Flavour of Africa, which has 16 tracks.^[17][18]

Controversy[edit]

On 29 August 2012, Nigerian Entertainment Today reported that Flavour was involved in a legal battle with Ghanaian duo Wutah, over the alleged theft of “Kwarikwa”. According to the article, “Kwarikwa” is an exact replica of “Kotosa”, a song made by the aforementioned duo. The singing duo accused Flavour of stealing their song’s rhythm, chorus, and tempo.^[19]

Discography[edit]

• N’abania (2005)
• Uplifted (2010)
• Blessed (2012)
• Thankful (2014)
• Ijele the Traveler (2017)
• Awele (2018)
• Flavour of Africa (2020)

Singles[edit]

This list is incomplete; you can help by adding missing items. (January 2016)

Year	Title	Album	Ref.
2020	“Looking Nyash”	Flavour of Africa	[20]
2020	“Kanayo”	N/A	[21]
2019	“Mercy”	N/A	[22]
2016	“Zoro” As featured artiste	N/A	[23]
2016	“Champion”	N/A	[24]
2010	“My Woman is Gone”	Uplifted	[25]
2005	“N’abania”	N’abania

Videography[edit]

Year	Title	Album	Director	Ref.
2011	“Adamma”	Uplifted	Godfather Productions	[26]
2012	“Oyi Remix” featuring Tiwa Savage	Uplifted	Godfather Productions	[27]
2012	“Kwarikwa” featuring Fally Ipupa	Blessed	Masterkraft	[28]
2012	“Baby oku”	Blessed	Selebobo	[29]
2012	“Shake”	Blessed	Godfather Productions	[30]
2013	“Chinny Baby”	Blessed	Masterkraft	[31]
2013	“Ada Ada”	Blessed	Clarence Peters	[32]
2014	“Ikwokrikwo”	Blessed	Masterkraft	[33]
2014	“Black is Beautiful”	Blessed	Clarence Peters	[34]
2014	“Wake up” featuring Wande Coal	Thankful	Clarence Peters	[35]
2014	“Gollibe”	Thankful	Clarence Peters	[36]
2015	“Ololufe” featuring Chidinma	Thankful	Godfather Productions	[37]
2015	“Sexy Rosey” featuring P-Square	Thankful	Godfather Productions	[38]
2016	“Champion”	N/A	Godfather Productions	[39]
2016	“Dance”	Thankful	Clarence Peters	[40]
2018	“Crazy Love” featuring Yemi Alade		Patrick Elis
2018	“Awele” featuring Umu Obiligbo	N/A	Selebobo

Awards and nominations[edit]

This list is incomplete; you can help by adding missing items. (August 2014)

Year	Event	Prize	Recipient	Result	Ref
2019	AFRIMA	Best Live Act	Himself	Pending	[41]
		Best Collaboration	“Awele”(featuring Umu Obiligbo)	Pending
		AFRIMMA Video of The Year		Pending
2014	Channel O Music Video Awards	Most Gifted Afro Pop	“Ada Ada”	Nominated	[42]
	2014 Nigeria Entertainment Awards	Indigenous Artist of the Year	Himself	Nominated	[43]
		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	[44]
		Best Traditional Artist		Won	[45]
		Best Video of the Year	“Ada Ada”	Won
	City People Entertainment Awards	Musician of the Year (Male)	Himself	Nominated	[46]
		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 2014	Best Live Act	Himself	Won	[47]
	Ghana Music Awards		African Artiste of the Year	Nominated	[48]
2013	The Headies		Artiste of the Year	Nominated	[49][50]
		Album of the Year	Blessed	Nominated
		Best R&B/Pop Album		Nominated
	Nigeria Music Video Awards (NMVA)	Video of the Year	“Ada Ada”	Won	[51]
		Best High Life Video		Won
		Best Indigenous Concept		Won
		Best use of costumes		Won
	Nigeria Entertainment Awards	Best Indigenous Artist/Group	Himself	Nominated	[52]
	Ghana Music Awards	African Artiste of the Year		Nominated	[53]
	City People Entertainment Awards	Musician of the Year (Male)		Nominated	[54]
		Best Collabo of the Year	“Give it to Me” (Kcee featuring Flavour N’abania)	Won	[55]
2012	Nigeria Music Video Awards (NMVA)	Best Highlife	“Kwarikwa” (featuring M-Jay, Wage G.Jay Dey, Elense)	Nominated	[56]
	Channel O Music Video Awards	Best R&B Video	“Oyi Remix” (featuring Tiwa Savage)	Won	[57]
	The Headies	Best Collabo	“Orobo” (Sound Sultan featuring Excel and Flavour)	Won	[58]
	Nigeria Entertainment Awards	Best Indigenous Artist/Group	Himself	Won	[citation needed]
2011	Channel O Music Video Awards	Most Gifted Afro-Pop Video	“Nwa Baby (Ashawo Remix)”	Nominated	[59]
		Most Gifted African West Video		Nominated
	Hip Hop World Awards (The Headies)	Best R&B Single	“Oyi Remix” (featuring Tiwa Savage)	Nominated	[60]
		Best Collabo	“Number One” (MI featuring Flavour N’abania)	Won	[61]
	Nigeria Entertainment Awards	Best High Life Video	“Nwa Baby (Ashawo Remix)”	Nominated	[62]
2010	Ghana Music Awards	African Artiste of the Year	Himself	Nominated	[63]