Runtown
Douglas Jack Agu (born 19 August 1989), better known by his stage name Runtown, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter and producer.
Runtown | |
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Runtown for FV magazine. | |
Background information | |
Birth name | Douglas Jack Agu |
Born | [1] | 19 August 1989
Origin | Enugu State, Nigeria |
Genres | R&B, Afro-fusion, hip hop, reggae |
Occupation(s) | Singer, songwriter, producer |
Instruments | Vocals |
Years active | 2010–present |
Labels | Soundgod Music Group |
Associated acts | Davido, Nasty C, phyno |
Biography
Runtown was born on 19 August 1989 in Enugu but grew up partly in Abuja and Lagos, where he finished his primary education. After the death of his father, he moved to Abuja with his mother, who was working in the Ministry of Health.
In 2014 he released "Gallardo", a song which features vocals from Davido and was released as the first single off his debut studio album Ghetto University.[2] Gallardo went on to win "Best Collaboration of the Year" at the 2014 edition of the Nigeria Entertainment Awards.[3] On 23 November 2015, Runtown released his debut studio album titled Ghetto University via MTN Music Plus through Eric Many Entertainment.[4] The album generated over ₦35million on the music portal thus earning him a spot in the list of "Top 5 Most Streamed Artist".[5]
On 4 November 2016, Runtown released the ballad "Mad Over You", which charted at number 38 on the Billboard Twitter Top Tracks chart.[6][7] Joey Akan from Pulse Nigeria described the song as a "self-produced track that draws inspiration from the Ghanaian Alkayida sound".[8] Runtown told The Fader magazine that the song was inspired by African beauty.[9]
Controversies
Ownership of "Aye"
In 2014, there were reports in the media that Runtown wrote "Aye". In an interview with the Nigerian Tribune, Runtown said, "A lot of people have been asking me that question. Davido has had a number of interviews where he addressed how the song came about. So if you want to learn more about Aye ask David or read his interviews".[10]
Exit from Eric Manny Entertainment
Runtown's contract with Eric Manny Entertainment expired in June 2018. He subsequently started his own label, Soundgod Music Group.[11]
Discography
Awards and nominations
Year | Award ceremony | Prize | Result
Larry award |
2014 | 2014 Nigeria Entertainment Awards | Best Collaboration of The Year[13] |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
The Headies 2014 | Next Rated Act | Nominated[14] | ||||
2015 | 2015 Nigeria Entertainment Awards | Best Pop Artiste | Nominated[15] | |||
2015 City People Entertainment Awards | Artiste of The Year | Nominated[16] | ||||
2017 | Ghana Music Awards 2017 | African Artiste Of The Year | Won[17] | |||
2017 | Soundcity Music MVP Awards 2017 | Best Collaboration of The Year | Won[18] | |||
Soundcity Music MVP Awards 2017 | Viewers Choice | Won[19] | ||||
Soundcity Music MVP Awards 2017 | Listeners Choice | Nominated[20] | ||||
See also
References
- "The full story of the drama between singer and his record label Eric Many". pulseNg. 2018-03-28.
- Nduka, Echezonachukwu (7 February 2016). "Album Review: Running through Runtown's Ghetto University". Praxis Magazine. Retrieved 31 May 2016.
- Sholola, Damilola (12 December 2014). "Runtown dreams of marrying Rihanna". Vanguard Newspaper. Retrieved 31 May 2016.
- Donnet, Jim (23 November 2015). "Runtown Premieres Debut Album "Ghetto University" + Listen To Hot Track Picks From The Album". tooXclusive. Retrieved 31 May 2016.
- Oghene, Michael (6 April 2016). "RUNTOWN: The Rising Profile of Africa's Next 'BIG THING'". 360Nobs. Retrieved 31 May 2016.
- "Runtown's "Mad over You" debuts on Billboard ranking". soundcityTv.
- Salihu, Idoko (7 January 2017). "Wizkid, Runtown make Billboard Twitter Top Tracks chart". Premium Times.
- Akan, Joey (12 January 2017). "'Mad Over You' remix should have Mr Eazi and Sarkodie on it". Pulse.
- Alexander, Amber (4 November 2016). "Nigerian Star Runtown Is In Love With Ghanaian Beauty On "Mad Over You"". The Fader.
- "It's nobody's business if I sold Aye to Davido —Runtown". Nigerian Tribune. 26 July 2014. Retrieved 5 December 2014.
- "Singer launches indie music company, 'Sound God Music Group'". pulseNg. 2018-06-26.
- "International Badman Killa - Runtown". Naijapals. Retrieved 29 May 2019.
- "Runtown Wins NEA Awards". ThisDay Live. 27 September 2014. Retrieved 19 November 2015.
- Micheal Abimboye (30 September 2014). "Orezi, Patoranking, RunTown, Skales up for Next Rated at Headies Awards". Premium Times. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
- "Nigerian Entertainment Awards Unveils 2015 Nominees". Daily Independent. 12 June 2015. Retrieved 2015-07-25.
- "City People Awards 2015 Nominees List – tooXclusive, Lil Kesh, Others Nominated…". tooXclusive. 13 July 2015. Retrieved 19 November 2015.
- "Runtown wins 'Artiste of the year' award for second time in one month". vanguard.
- "SOUND CITY MVP AWARDS 2017 WINNERS LIST". PulseNg.
- "SOUND CITY MVP AWARDS 2017 WINNERS LIST". PulseNg. 2018-01-12.
- "SOUND CITY MVP AWARDS 2017 WINNERS LIST". PulseNg. 2018-01-12.