Harrysong
Harrysong Tare | |
---|---|
Birth name | Harrison Tare Okiri |
Also known as | Mr. Songz |
Born | Warri, Delta State, Nigeria |
Genres | R&B, afropop, african hip hop, dancehall, highlife |
Occupation(s) | Versatile Singer, songwriter, instrumentalist and performer |
Instrument(s) | Vocals, piano, drums, conga, guitar |
Years active | 2008—present |
Labels | Current
|
Website | www |
Harrison Tare Okiri, better known by his stage name Harrysong, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter and instrumentalist who rose to fame after his tribute song to Nelson Mandela won the "Most Downloaded Callertune Award" at The Headies 2013.[1] Harrysong was born in Warri, Delta State, Nigeria to Ijaw parents but moved to Lagos in 2007 after spending some of his early life in Port Harcourt. Prior to signing to QuestionMark Entertainment, Harrysong used to perform at night clubs until he met Kcee who introduced him to top music personalities.[2] In 2014, Harrysong was nominated in the "Best Pop/R&B Artist of the Year" category at the 2014 Nigeria Entertainment Awards after the release of his chart-topping song "Beta Pikin".[3]
Early life and education
Harrysong was born as the only child to Ijaw parents in Warri, Delta State. After the death of his mother, a strained relationship between him and his step-mother led to his drop-out from school and his involvement with music grew after moving to Port Harcourt.[4]
Career
At age eleven, Harrysong's music career started as a congarist in the church his mother served as the music director before he went on to learn contemporary gospel music. In 2007, he moved to Lagos as the lead singer of a live band who perform in night clubs until he met Kcee which led to him signing for Five Star Music.[4] His rise to fame came when he released the single "I'm In Love" and "Taiye & Kehinde" with the music video of the former topping music video charts including Trace TV. He went on to release his debut album Testify through QuestionMark Entertainment in 2012.[5]
Discography
Selected singles
- "I'm in Love"
- "I Want You (Gyptian cover)"
- "Obu Ego (Hustle)"
- "Taiye & Kehinde"
- "I'm in Love Remix"(featuring Olamide)
- "When She Loves"
- "Better Pikin"
- "Kolombo"
- "Ofeshe"
- "Reggae Blues"(featuring Olamide, Iyanya, Kcee, Orezi)
- "Baba for the girls"(featuring Kcee)
- "Arabanko"
- "Comsa"
Albums
- Testify (2012)
Awards and nominations
Year | Award ceremony | Prize | Recipient/Nominated work | Result | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2013 | 8th Nigeria Music Video Awards | Best Pop Extra Video | "I'm in Love (Remix)" | Nominated | [6] |
The Headies 2015 | Most Downloaded Callertune | "Tribute to Mandela" | Won | [7] | |
2014 | 2014 Nigeria Entertainment Awards | Best Pop/R&B Artist of the Year | Himself | Nominated | [8] |
9th Nigeria Music Video Awards | Best Contemporary Afro Video | "Kolombo" | Won | [9] | |
Best Pop Extra Video | "My Story" | Won | [10] | ||
2015 | The Sun Awards 2015 | Creative Person of the Year | Himself | Won | |
2016 | 2016 Ghana Music Awards | African Artiste of the Year | Himself | Nominated | [11] |
2016 Nigeria Entertainment Awards | Best Collabo | "Reggae Blues" | Nominated | [12] |
References
- ^ "The Headies 2013: First Photos & Full List of Winners: Olamide, Phyno, Davido, Sean Tizzle & Waje". BellaNaija. 27 December 2013. Retrieved 16 October 2015.
- ^ "Harrysong: I Once Slept Under the Bridge in Lagos While Still Struggling". ThisDay Newspaper. 6 September 2014. Retrieved 16 October 2015.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "2014 NEA Awards – Nominees Submission". NotJustOk. 3 April 2014. Retrieved 16 October 2015.
- ^ a b Aina, Iyabo; Ebirim, Juliet (18 April 2014). "Presently, I don't have any woman in my life — Harrysong". Vanguard Newspaper. Retrieved 16 October 2015.
- ^ "2014 NEA Awards – Nominees Submission". NotJustOk. 3 April 2014. Retrieved 16 October 2015.
- ^ "2013 Nigeria Music Video Awards Nominees List: Flavour, Tiwa Savage, D'banj, Goldie, Waje, Kcee & More". 10 October 2013. Retrieved 26 July 2016.
- ^ "Olamide, Phyno, Davido, others win big at the Headies 2013". Premium Times. 27 December 2013. Retrieved 16 October 2015.
- ^ "Genevieve Nnaji, Don Jazzy, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Tiwa Savage, Bovi, Davido – Nigeria Entertainment Awards Nominees List". BellaNaija. 29 May 2014. Retrieved 16 October 2015.
- ^ Ayomide O. Tayo (27 November 2014). "NMVAs 2014: Olamide, Harry Song win big". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 26 July 2016.
- ^ Chrysanthus Ikeh (27 November 2014). "How Harrysong beat Davido, Olamide, others to NMVA 2014 Best Pop Extra Video award". Nigerian Entertainment Today. Retrieved 26 July 2016.
- ^ "Wizkid beats Olamide, Harrysong to win GMA African Artiste of the year". sirkenayo.com. 8 May 2016. Retrieved 26 July 2016.
- ^ Adedayo Showemimo (17 June 2016). "FULL nominee list for 2016 Nigerian Entertainment Awards (NEA)". Nigerian Entertainment Today. Retrieved 26 July 2016.