Draft:Minz (singer)
Minz | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Olúwadámilọ́lá Adédọlápọ̀ Amínù |
| Born | Lagos State |
| Origin |  Nigeria |
| Genres | Afro-fusion |
| Occupation(s) | |
| Years active | 2016–present |
| Labels | |
Olúwadámilọ́lá Adédọlápọ̀ Amínù better known by his stage name Minz, is a Nigerian Afro-fusion singer-songwriter, and producer. He currently has a distribution deal with emPawa in partnership with his imprint Never Stop Elevating, an entertainment and clothing apparel. He is known for his breakthrough single "wo wo", released in 2022 as one of the lead singles off his studio album By Any Minz. On 19 January 2023, he released the remix of "wo wo" with BNXN, and Blaqbonez through NSE, and emPawa, which peaked on the week on 30 January 2023 at number 15 on the Nigeria Top 100 songs,[1][2][3] and number 16 on the U.K Afrobeats chart.[4]
Early life[edit]
NSE, which stands for Never Stop Elevating, started as a little project among 3 friends back in uni, it had a different meaning back then lol. When I got out of uni, I was the only one still using that abbreviation so I gave it a new meaning.
-Minz speaking to GQ South Africa
Olúwadámilọ́lá Adédọlápọ̀ Amínù grew up in Surulere and Ajah within Lagos State.[5] He had his primary and secondary education in Lagos, before relocating to Ogun State for his tertiary education, where he studied International Law and Diplomacy at Babcock University, and graduated in 2016 with a Bachelor of Laws.[6] After his secondary education, Adédọlápọ̀ began making music as a rapper. While in the university, he began taking music production classes.[5]
Career[edit]
In 2016, he launched his music career as a record producer, singer, and songwriter on SoundCloud. On 12 June 2016, he released "Aunty Patricia" on SoundCloud, which earned him his first airplay in Nigeria.[7][8] In 2018, Minz signed a distribution deal with emPawa in partnership with his imprint Never Stop Elevating.[6][9] In 2022, he launched Never Stop Elevating fashion line (aka. NSE Supply) and went on to released "Lady" through NSE on 7 July 2022 in-collaboration with emPawa.[10] On 17 November 2022, Minz released "wo wo", which became a major hit in Nigeria. On 12 January 2023, Minz released a remix for "wo wo" with BNXN and Blaqbonez, which debuted on Apple Music Top 100 in Nigeria at number 8,[11] and earned him his first entry on TurnTable Official Nigeria Top 100 at number 15 and on the U.K Afrobeats Singles chart at number 16.
In 2023, OkayAfrica named "wo wo" as one of the best Afrobeats songs out right now.[12] On 25 May 2023, Minz released the music video for "wo wo" directed by Ua.x.[13] On 23 June 2023, he released "sokoto" with Zinoleesky, through NSE & emPawa.[14] On 28 August 2023, Minz released the music video for "sokoto" with Zinoleesky, directed by Luqman Soleman.[15] On 3 November 2023, he released "BLESSING$" through NSE and under an executive license with emPawa Africa.[16] On 1 December 2023, Billboard listed "BLESSING$" as one of its Afrobeats Fresh Picks of the Week.[17] On 12 April 2024, Minz released "shadow" with Germany musician 255. On 18 April 2024, he released the music for "shadow" directed by 255, and shot in Lagos and Berlin for NSE and emPawa.[18] On 30 April 2024, Billboard listed "shadow" as one of its Afrobeats Fresh Picks of the Week.[19]
On 17 May 2024, Minz released "wap" with Davido through NSE and emPawa.[20] Its accompanying music video was directed by Jyde Ajala. Shortly after the release of "wap", Minz confirmed the release date of his most anticipated studio album By Any Minz to be released on 2 August 2024, with guest appearances yet to be unveiled aside from BNXN, Blaqbonez, Zinoleesky, 255, and Davido. The project name was first unveiled on 14 April 2023 by Minz during an interview with Viper Magazine,[21] before embarking on a 14 university tour he titled "By Any Minz Tour", which began on 3rd June 2023 and ended in June 2023.[22]
Artistry[edit]
Minz is known for blending and fusing a variety of sounds, from Pop and R&B sounds to Afrobeats to create his sound which he named Afro-fusion.[23]
Discography[edit]
Albums[edit]
| Title | Details | Peak chart positions |
|---|---|---|
| NG | ||
| By Any Minz |
|
— |
As lead artist[edit]
| Title | Year | Chart positions | Certifications | Album | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NG |
UK |
UK Afrobeats |
US |
US Afrobeats | ||||
| "Neva Stop" | 2016 | — | — | — | — | — | Non-album single | |
| "Aunty Patricia" | — | — | — | — | — | |||
| "Talk" | — | — | — | — | — | |||
| "Odoyewu" | 2017 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| "Story" | — | — | — | — | — | |||
| "Show Me Love"
(feat. Donzer & YVY Realkillah) |
2018 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| "Calling Me"
(with. DJ Hol Up) |
— | — | — | — | — | |||
| "Back It Up" | — | — | — | — | — | |||
| "Skin" | — | — | — | — | — | |||
| "Beautiful" | 2019 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| "Gyal" | — | — | — | — | — | Nasty / Gyal | ||
| "Nasty" | — | — | — | — | — | |||
| "Quarantino" | 2020 | — | — | — | — | — | Non-album single | |
| "Julie"
(with Boybreed) |
— | — | — | — | — | |||
| "BDMN" | — | — | — | — | — | |||
| "234" | 2021 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| "Trouble" (with. DJ R-Wan) |
2022 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| "Naya's Riddim" (with. Jaylon) |
— | — | — | — | — | |||
| "Diamonds" | — | — | — | — | — | |||
| "Lady" | — | — | — | — | — | |||
| "wo wo" | — | — | — | — | — | By Any Minz | ||
| "wo wo (remix)" (with. BNXN & Blaqbonez) |
2023 | 15 | — | 16 | — | — | ||
| "sokoto" (with. Zinoleesky) |
— | — | — | — | — | |||
| "BLESSING$" | — | — | — | — | — | TBA | ||
| "shadow" (with. 255) |
2024 | 95 | — | — | — | — | By Any Minz | |
| "wap" (with. Davido) |
38 | — | — | — | — | |||
Accolades[edit]
| Year | Awards ceremony | Award description(s) | Nominated work | Results |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Nigerian Teens Choice Awards | Choice Afrobeat/Pop Act | Himself | Nominated |
References[edit]
- ^ "Official Nigeria Top 100". TurnTable Charts. TurnTable. Retrieved 24 May 2024.
- ^ Esomnofu, Emmanuel (26 January 2023). "Minz's "Wo Wo (Remix)" Makes Chart History". The NATIVE. Retrieved 24 May 2024.
- ^ Daramola, Kunle. "TCL radio picks: Joeboy's 'Body & Soul' debuts as Minz features with 'Wo Wo'". TheCable Lifestyle. Retrieved 24 May 2024.
- ^ "WO WO". Official Charts. 4 February 2023. Retrieved 24 May 2024.
- ^ a b "Minz Has A Story To Tell, And He Wants Everyone To Hear it". The NATIVE. Retrieved 24 May 2024.
- ^ a b "Afro-fusion star Minz creating waves with his unique sound". GQ South Africa. Retrieved 24 May 2024.
- ^ "SPOTLIGHT: How Minz got ahead through Soundcloud". TheCable Lifestyle. Retrieved 24 May 2024.
- ^ "Music : Talk : Minz". The Culture Custodian. 25 October 2016. Retrieved 24 May 2024.
- ^ "Minz Puts his Knowledge of African Music to Test on emPawa Africa". BellaNaija. 29 July 2020. Retrieved 24 May 2024.
- ^ Adebiyi, Adeayo (8 July 2022). "Talented rising star Minz drops new single 'Lady'". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 24 May 2024.
- ^ "Minz is ravenous on the charts with his 'Wowo' remix - Radr Africa". radrafrica.com. 27 January 2023. Retrieved 24 May 2024.
- ^ "The Best Afrobeats Songs Out Right Now - Okayplayer". www.okayafrica.com. Retrieved 24 May 2024.
- ^ "New Video: Minz — Wo Wo". BellaNaija. 25 May 2023. Retrieved 24 May 2024.
- ^ "Minz taps Zinoleesky for his latest drop 'SOKOTO'". NotjustOk. 23 June 2023. Retrieved 24 May 2024.
- ^ Ifezulike, Ogugua (28 August 2023). "New Video: Minz Feat. Zinoleesky – Sokoto". Rhythm FM. Retrieved 24 May 2024.
- ^ "New Music: Minz — BLESSING$". BellaNaija. 6 November 2023. Retrieved 24 May 2024.
- ^ Mamo, Heran; Rys, Dan (1 December 2023). "Afrobeats Fresh Picks: Teni, Oxlade, Minz, Victony, Young Jonn & More". Billboard. Retrieved 24 May 2024.
- ^ "New Video: Minz feat. 255 – Shadow". BellaNaija. 20 April 2024. Retrieved 24 May 2024.
- ^ Mamo, Heran; Rys, Dan (30 April 2024). "Afrobeats Fresh Picks: Young Jonn, Bloody Civilian, Ruger x Bnxn, Tems, Black Sherif & More". Billboard. Retrieved 24 May 2024.
- ^ "Minz, Davido serve vibrant RnB anthem, WAP". The Guardian Nigeria. 17 May 2024. Retrieved 24 May 2024.
- ^ Mercer, Lily (14 April 2023). "[INTERVIEW] MINZ ON THE RISE OF AFROBEATS AND HIS HUGE START TO 2023". Viper Mag. Retrieved 24 May 2024.
- ^ Anifowose, Bomi (17 June 2023). "Minz: The Afro-Fusion Monster". African Folder. Retrieved 24 May 2024.
- ^ "SPOTLIGHT MONDAY: MINZ". The49thStreet. 11 July 2022. Retrieved 24 May 2024.