Faze (musician)
| Faze | |
|---|---|
 FAZE on set of the 2010 music video for his single 'Gear One' |
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Chibuzor Oji |
| Origin | Delta State, Igbo, Nigeria |
| Genres | R&B, Pop, Reggae, Nigerian hip hop |
| Occupations | Singer–songwriter, Record Producer, Actor, CEO |
| Years active | 1995–present |
| Labels | Westside Records, Nigeria (2004-2006) Independent Entertainment (2006-present) |
| Associated acts | Plantashun Boiz, Ruggedman, TuFace, BlackFace Naija, African China, MC Loph |
| Website | foreverfaze.com |
Faze (real name Chibuzor Oji) is a Nigerian musician and is a member of Nigerian hip hop group Plantashun Boiz (other members are BlackFace Naija and TuFace). The group split up in 2004 and each member of the group has gone on to launch successful solo careers.
Faze, a multi-award winning Afro-Beat sensation, has earned himself a name in the Nigerian music industry as one of the most sold Nigerian artists of all time, with his first album Faze Alone pushing out over one million copies, while his sophomore album Independent distributed over one million copies before its release date. Till date it has scored 3 million copies making it one of the most successful albums of 2007 and in Nigerian music history. His third album Originality went platinum in its first month of release. He also holds the record of being the first Nigerian artist of all-time to have three consecutive platinum albums.
Out of Nigerian contemporary male musicians Faze is known to have hit the highest vocal note. His collaborations include a recorded single with international performing artist Wyclef Jean [1]. In 2011 Faze made his acting debut starring in the lead male role of 'Lovechild', in the critically acclaimed Nigerian movie, Alero's Symphony.
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[edit] Early life and career
Chibuzor Richard Oji was born in 1977 in Festac Town, Lagos. Oji is the fourth born of a large family of nine children. All family members are said to possess good singing vocals pioneered by the long time spent during prayers.
Oji made his first attempt to gain publicity when he contested in the DBN Karaoke in 1994 and won. Prior to joining the Plantashun Boiz he was a rapper by name 'Lyrical Orge'. He would later change his stage name to 'Faze' to align with those of fellow Plantashun Boiz members Tuface and BlackFace Naija. Oji remained with the Plantashun Boiz till the group split in 2004.
[edit] Faze Alone Era
In 2004 after the split of the Plantashun Boiz, Faze got signed to Westside Music Inc. in Lagos, Nigeria, to produce his first solo album titled Faze Alone. The album would go on to gain a platinum status for sales of 1.2 million units in its first month mainly supported by the lead single 'Faze Alone', which charted strongly reaching number 1 on music charts of radio stations like Rhythm FM, Cool FM, and Ray Power FM. The single 'Faze Alone' was number 8 on Cosmo FM's biggest hits of 2004. Other singles 'Miss U' and 'Angel Gabriella' from the Faze Alone album were also well received with 'Angel Gabriella charting very strongly.
Faze Alone the album introduced Faze's signature vocals as the artist with the highest vocal note amongst all Nigerian contemporary male musicians, leading to his win at the 2006 Hip-Hop World awards for the Best Vocalist Category. The single 'Faze Alone' is noted as Faze's most memorable single ever and is generally heralded as one of the most heart-stricken, inspiring and motivating classic Nigerian songs of all-time.
His material is released through the record label he owns, Independent Entertainment.
[edit] Trivia
- Terry G award-winning singer was a back-up singer for Faze and should have been the first artiste on Faze's Independent Entertainment label.[2][3]
- In May, 2011 International singer Busta Rhymes revealed Faze as his favourite Afro-hiphip artiste.[4]
- Faze is one of Nigeria's marijuana-free artiste.[5]
[edit] Discography
[edit] Solo albums
- Faze Alone (2004)
- Independent (2006)
- Originality (2008)
- ReFAZEd (TBA)
[edit] With Plantashun Boiz
- Body and Soul (2000)
- Sold Out (2003)
- Plan B (2007)
[edit] Compilation
- Bad Sharp Guys with various artists Vol.1 (2008)
- Bad Sharp Guys with various artists Vol.2 (2010)
[edit] Other albums
- Untitled with Ruggedman (2004) (Shelved)
[edit] Filmography
| Film | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Film & Television | Role | Notes |
| 2011 | Alero's Symphony | Lovechild | Debut |
[edit] Videography
- Kolomental Video (2007)
- Originality Video (2009)
[edit] Faze awards & nominations
[edit] Nominations
- MOBO Awards- Best African Act- Independent (2008)
- Channel O Awards - Best Newcomer Video - Kolomental (2007)
- Channel O Awards- Best West African Video- Loving you Everyday (2008)
- Hip-Hop World Awards- Best R&B/Pop Album of the Year- Independent (2008)
- Hip-Hop World Awards- Best Song of the Year- Kolomental (2008)
- Hip-Hop World Awards- Best Album of the Year- Independent (2008)
- Hip-Hop World Awards- Recording of the Year- Need Somebody (2008)
- Hip-Hop World Awards- Best Vocal Performance- Someone like me (2008)
- Nigeria Music Video Awards- I'm in love (2009)
- AMEN Awards- Most Popular Song- Kolomental (2007)
- AMEN Awards- Best Male Vocalist (2007)
- AMEN Awards- Best R&B Male Vocal Performance (2007)
- AMEN Awards- Best R&B Album- Independent (2007)
- AMEN Awards- Best Song of the Year- Kolomental (2007)
- AMEN Awards- Best Album of the Year- Independent (2007)
- AMEN Awards- Best Act of the Year (2007)
- Soundcity Awards- Best Male Video of the Year-Kolomental (2008)
- Soundcity Awards- Best Direction Video of the Year- Kolomental (2008)
- Soundcity Awards- Best Video of the Year- Tattoo Girls (2008)
- Soundcity Awards- Best Chereography of the Year -Kpo Kpo Di Kpo (2008)
- Soundcity Awards- Best R&B Video of the Year- Need Somebody (2008)
- Nigeria Entertainment Awards- Best male vocalist (2006)
- Nigeria Entertainment Awards- Best R&B Album of the Year (2007)
- Futures Awards- Best Artistes of the year (2008)
- 8 Fame Music Awards- Best Male Act (2006)
[edit] Won
- SoundCity Awards- Best Chereography Video- Kpo Kpo Di Kpo (2008)
- Hip-Hop World Awards- Best Vocalist of the year (2006)
- Criteria Magazine Awards- Youth motivator(2009)
[edit] References
- Faze- Originality album "Stepping up the game", Vanguard News. Retrieved on 28-9-2008.[6]
- Lolade Sowoolu'Faze Premiere's Originality', Vanguard News. Retrieved on 12-9-2008.[7]
- Faze- King of R&B tops charts again with Originality, Vanguard News. Retrieved on 13-12-2008.[8]
- Interview with Faze, Sun newspapers. Retrieved on 31-12-2003 [9]
- Faze Biography, Retrieved in May, 2005 [10]
