Chidinma

Chidinma Ekile (born 2 May 1991), known professionally as Chidinma, is a Nigerian singer and songwriter.[2][3] In 2010, she rose to stardom after winning the third season of Project Fame West Africa.[4] Following the release of the music video for her "Emi Ni Baller" single, she became the first female musician to peak at number 1 on the MTV Base Official Naija Top 10 chart.[5] In 2011, she released the Sound Sultan-assisted single "Jankoliko".[6] Her eponymous debut album Chidinma was released through the music platform Spinlet; it was supported by the singles "Jankoliko", "Carry You Go", "Kedike" and "Run Dia Mouth". The album features guest appearances from Sound Sultan, Tha Suspect, Olamide and Muna.[7] Chidinma won Best Female West African Act at the 2012 Kora Awards and performed "Kedike" at the ceremony.[8]

Chidinma
Birth nameChidinma Ekile
Born (1991-05-02) 2 May 1991
Ketu, Kosofe, Lagos State
OriginIkorodu, Lagos State
GenresAfropop
Occupation(s)
  • Singer
  • songwriter
Years active2011–present
LabelsCapital Hill (former)[1]
Associated acts

Early life, educational pursuits, and public image

Chidinma Ekile was born in Ketu, Kosofe, Lagos State, to parents originating from Imo State. She is the sixth of seven children.[4][9] Chidinma grew up with a disciplinarian father and began singing at the age of six.[10] When she was 10 years old, she joined her church's choir.[11] Chidinma attended primary and secondary school in Ketu before relocating to Ikorodu with her family. She worked as a business promoter in Lagos prior to auditioning for the third season of Project Fame West Africa. Chidinma wanted to study mass communication but ended up attaining a sociology degree from the University of Lagos.[12] Chidinma initially declined her admission to the University of Lagos due to her advancement in Project Fame West Africa. In an interview with YNaija, she said she has always taken school seriously and her decision to enroll at Unilag was inevitable. She also said music wasn't always on her agenda, but decided to give it a try after winning the music competition.[13] After dying her hair red and getting a mohawk, people started perceiving her as a good girl gone bad. In an interview posted on the Daily Independent website, Chidinma said she is still the same and that she's evolving and growing as a musician.[14]

Music career

Project Fame

Before auditioning for the third edition of Project Fame West Africa, she dreamt of being part of the reality television show. With the help and support from her close knit friend, Chidinma left her home in Ikorodu and went to Ultima Studios. She was among the eight thousand contestants that went that year to showcase their talents. Subsequently, Chidinma joined 17 other contestants in the Fame Academy round. For 10 weeks, Chidinma and the other contestants were coached by musical professionals: voice coaches, inspirational speakers, established musicians, and music business service providers. Moreover, contestants were taught choreography and several rehearsal drills.[15] Chidinma was announced as the competition's winner on 26 September 2010. She won a number of prizes, including ₦2.5 million, a 2011 Toyota RAV4, and a production deal.[16] In May 2013, Chidinma signed an endorsement deal with MTN Nigeria.[17]

2011–2012:Chidinma

Chidinma started working on her eponymous debut studio album Chidinma after releasing a collaborative project with other season 3 finalists.[18] The album was scheduled for release in the fourth quarter of 2011. Chidinma spoke about the album briefly and said she put a lot of energy into it.[6] She worked with a number of producers, including Cobhams Asuquo, Tee-Y Mix, WazBeat and Oscar Heman Ackah.[19] She released the Sound Sultan-assisted single "Jankoliko" and "Carry You Go" on 22 February 2011. Both songs were written and produced by Oscar Heman Ackah.[18] In an interview posted on the Weekly Trust website, Chidinma said she was pleased with the positive response she received after the songs were released, and is working hard to improve her craft.[6] On 4 June 2011, Chidinma released the Clarence Peters-directed music video for "Jankoliko".[20] On 11 October 2011, she released "Kedike" as the album's third single. The song translates to "Heartbeat" and was produced by Cobhams Asuquo. In an interview with Entertainment Rave, Chidinma revealed she and her producers invented the song's name and further said it depicts love.[21] The Clarance Peters-directed music video for "Kedike" was released on 24 January 2012. Nigerian singer Dammy Krane played Chidinma's love interest in the video.[22] On 11 October 2011, she also released the album's fourth single "Run Dia Mouth".[23]

2013–2014: Standalone releases

On 14 September 2012, she released the Illbliss and Tha Suspect-assisted single "Emi Ni Baller". The song was produced by Legendury Beatz.[24] It peaked at number 7 on Vanguard's list of the Top 10 songs that made 2013.[25] The official remix for "Emi Ni Baller" was released on 22 February 2013. It features vocals by Wizkid and was also produced by Legendury Beatz.[26] Capital Dreams Pictures released the music video for "Emi Ni Baller" on 12 June 2013. It was shot and directed in the U.K by Clarence Peters.[27] On 10 June 2013, Chidinma released three singles: "Bless My Hustle", "Kite" and "Jolly", all of which were produced by Tha Suspect, Del B and Wizzboy, respectively.[28]

On 14 September 2013, Chidinma released "Oh Baby". Its remix was released on 29 January 2014 and features vocals by Flavour N'abania. Both songs were produced by Young D.[29] On 2 May 2014, Chidinma released the music video for "Oh Baby (You & I)". It was directed by Clarence Peters and stars Ngozi Nwosu and OC Ukeje.[30]

Notable performances

Chidinma performed with Dr SID at the MTN Power of 10 Concerts, a ten-city tour that celebrated MTN Nigeria's ten-year anniversary; the tour kicked off in Makurdi on 9 September 2011.[31] Chidinma was one of the supporting acts on the 2013 Hennessy Artistry Club Tour headlined by D'banj.[32][33] On 3 November 2013, she performed at the Guinness World of More Concert alongside P-Square, D'banj, Wizkid, Ice Prince, Burna Boy, Olamide, Phyno, Waje, Davido and Tiwa Savage.[34] On 9 November 2013, Chidinma performed with Blackstreet at the Butterscotch Evening Experience, a concert held at the Eko Hotels and Suites.[35] On 14 February 2014, she performed at the MTN Valentine Rave Party, alongside Tiwa Savage, Mario and Sound Sultan.[36] Chidinma has performed in several countries in Africa, including the Republic of Benin, Sierra Leone, Côte d'Ivoire, Kenya, Cameroun, Equatorial Guinea, Niger and Ghana.

Acting Career

Chindinma started her acting career by featuring in a 2017 movie, The bridge (2017 movie) directed by Kunle Afolayan.

Accomplishments and musical influences

Chidinma won Best Female West African Act at the 2012 Kora Awards. Her award plaque was presented to her by Didier Drogba. She toppled Omawumi and five others for the honour. After winning the award, Chidinma said, "It was a huge honour to me. I’m grateful to God, my fans and people, who have been part of my success story. Winning KORA is a big achievement for me and I know it is the beginning of better things to come."[12][37] Chidinma has cited Michael Jackson, Bob Marley, Alicia Keys, Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, Fela Kuti, Omawumi, Onyeka Onwenu, Lagbaja and Darey Art Alade as her biggest musical influences.[10][15][38]

Awards and nominations
Year Event Prize Recipient Result Ref
2014 City People Entertainment Awards Musician of the Year (Female) Herself Nominated [39]
Best Collabo of the Year "Oh! Baby (You & I)"
(featuring Flavour N'abania)		 Nominated
2014 Nigeria Entertainment Awards Best Pop/R&B Artist of the Year Herself Nominated [40]
Female Artist of the Year Nominated
Best Music Video of the Year (Artist & Director) "Oh! Baby (You & I)"
(featuring Flavour N'abania)		 Nominated
Best Collaboration Nominated
African Muzik Magazine Awards Best Female West Africa Herself Nominated [41]
MTV Africa Music Awards 2014 Best Female Nominated [42]
2013 The Headies Best Collabo "Emi Ni Baller"
(featuring Tha Suspect and IllBliss)		 Nominated [43]
Nigeria Music Video Awards (NMVA) Video of the Year Nominated [44]
Best Pop Extra Video Won
Best Afro Hip Hop Video "I Am Sorry"
(IllBliss featuring Chidinma)		 Nominated
Channel O Music Video Awards Most Gifted African West "Emi Ni Baller"
(featuring Tha Suspect and IllBliss)		 Nominated [45]
Nigeria Entertainment Awards Best Collabo Nominated [46]
City People Entertainment Awards Musician of the Year (Female) Herself Nominated [47]
2012 The Headies Best Vocal Performance (Female) "Kedike" Nominated [48]
Nigeria Music Video Awards (NMVA) Best Afro Pop Nominated [49]
Best Indigenous Concept Nominated
Nigeria Entertainment Awards Best New Act of the Year Herself Nominated [50]
Best Pop/R&B Artist of the Year Nominated
Kora Awards Best Female West African Act "Kedike" Won [51]

Discography

Studio albums
Title Album details Notes
Chidinma
No.TitleLength
1."I'm in Luv"4:12
2."Jankoliko" (featuring Sound Sultan)3:36
3."Kedike"3:55
4."Run Dia Mouth"3:55
5."Be Myself" (featuring Suspect)3:49
6."Carry You Go"3:52
7."Direction"5:20
8."Kedike (Remix)" (featuring Olamide)3:58
9."Run Dia Mouth (Remix)" (featuring Muna and Blaise)4:14
10."Winner" (featuring Project Fame 3 All Stars)4:54
11."Make My World Go Round"3:01

Singles
As lead artist
Year Title Album
2011 "I Am A Winner" (with MTN Project Fame All Stars) N/A
"Jankoliko" (featuring Sound Sultan) Chidinma
"Carry You Go"
"Kedike"
"Run Dia Mouth"
2012 "Emi Ni Baller" (featuring Tha Suspect and iLLBliss) TBA
2013 "Emi Ni Baller (Remix)" (featuring WizKid)
"Bless My Hustle" (featuring Phyno)
"Kite"
"Jolly"
"Oh Baby"
"Sweet Like Shuga" (with Flavour, KCee, Sound Sultan, and Professor) N/A
"CAPITAL Krismas" (with Tha Suspect, iLLBliss, Tesh Carter, and Clarence Peters) Non-album single
2014 "Oh Baby (You & I)" (featuring Flavour) TBA
"Kuli Kache"
"Martha"[52]
As featured artist
Year Title Album
2012 "In The Air" (Tesh Carter featuring Chidinma) TBA
2013 "One Kain Love" (Mystro featuring Chidinma)
"Oga DJ" (Mr 2kay featuring Chidinma)
"Only Human" (Silvastone featuring Chidinma)
"Suddenly" (Monica Ogah featuring Chidinma) Sometime in August
"Powerful" (iLLBliss featuring Chidinma) TBA
"I Am Sorry" (iLLBliss featuring Chidinma) Oga Boss
"Ije Love" (Dubie featuring Chidinma) DUBIE
"Doxology" (Mike Aremu featuring Chidinma) Coat of Many Colours
2014 "ODUNAYO" (Creddy-F featuring Chidinma and Phyno) TBA
"Sweet Potato" (Praiz featuring Chidinma) Rich and Famous
"Our Voices" (DaSuki featuring Chidinma) TBA
2015 ''All I Want Is You'' (Banky W featuring Chidinma)[53] TBA
Music videos
Year Title Director(s)
2011 "I Am A Winner" (with MTN Project Fame All Stars) Bayo Alawiye[54]
"Jankoliko" (featuring Sound Sultan) Clarence Peters[55]
2012 "Kedike"
"In The Air" (Tesh Carter featuring Chidinma)
2013 "Only Human" (Silvastone featuring Chidinma)
"Emi Ni Baller" (featuring Tha Suspect and iLLBliss)
"One Kain Love" (Mystro featuring Chidinma)
"I Am Sorry" (iLLBliss featuring Chidinma)
"Sweet Like Shuga" (with Flavour, KCee, Sound Sultan, and Professor)
"Oh Baby (You & I)" (featuring Flavour)
2018 "Yanga" Mex
gollark: So, like I said, they hypnotize people into BELIEVING it's NOT nothing, and edit the pictures.
gollark: Well, exactly. And they want people to go.
gollark: You can't operate the holoprojectors because there are no holoprojectors. The entire area is empty. They cover it up to preserve tourism.
gollark: There is no "outer shell". There's *nothing there*, not even a hologram.
gollark: The pyramids do not actually exist. The government just hypnotizes people into believing they do after they leave the area.

See also

References
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