Facts: Most Gifted Afro Pop Nominees

Afro pop forms an intersection between unique African sounds and modern uptempo dance influences. This year, Mafikizolo, Flavour, Iyanya, Davido and Diamond are all deserving CHOAMVA14 nominees in the Most Gifted Afro Pop category, representing the continent’s finest talent in the genre. Take a look at some interesting facts about these artists.
 Mafikizolo

• The group initially comprised of three members, Nhlanhla, Theo and Tebogo. The latter passed away in 2004, but the group decided to continue without replacing him.
• They are best digital selling kwaito group of all times.
• Their name means newcomer in isiNguni, but the group decided to keep the name even though they have been producing #1 hits for over a decade.

Flavour

• His real name is Chinedu Okoli.
• He first stormed into the music scene in 2005 when he released his debut album entitled ”N’abania.”
• The Nigerian artist avoids listening to American music, prioritising local African music instead. He has said he wouldn’t mind a collaboration with Rihanna and Lil Wayne though.

Iyanya

• His real name is Iyanya Onoyom Mbuk
• He first gained his fame as the winner of the 2008 MTN Project Fame West Africa, but has since proven to have undeniable staying power.
• Before becoming a well known artist, Iyanya worked as a hotel manager. This is where he spent his free time singing Karaoke songs to guests.

Davido

• His real name is David Adedeji Adeleke.
• He was born in money. He is the son of Nigerian billionaire and Adekele University founder Mr Deji Adeleke. His grandfather also started Banana Island, Africa’s first artificial island with the highest sales and rent rates on the continent.
• He made history this year as the only African to make it on The Soul Train Awards nominee list.

 Diamond Platnumz

• His real name is Nasibu Abdul Juma
• He is an ambassador for an agricultural initiative called One.Org “Do Agric” to highlighted agricultural issues and attract talent and investment to the field.
• The Tanzanian rapper is worth over 1 billion Tanzanian shillings

To vote for your favourite in this category, go to the CHOAMVA Voting Page. Channel O is also on Twitter, on Facebook and on Instagram so join the online community for exclusive interviews and all the latest updates.