5 DAYS WRITING CHALLENGE DAY 4// MEET A GENIUS(CHINEDU OKOLIE AKA FLAVOUR ) BY @LADYOFPOLICY

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INTRODUCTION

Greetings my wonderful friends and welcome to my blog page once more today. We've been in this journey of writing challenge for sometime now and I've been seeing quite a number of genius through this contest and at the same time I've been introducing different genius to you all my friend. So today, I have an amazing genius who using music in his own unique way to touch lives and as well entertain people . His name is popularly known by his stage name Mr. Flavour.

BACKGROUND OF MR FLAVOUR

Chinedu Okolie who is popularly known by the name Flavour, who is well known for his ability to sing fluently in the Igbo language was born in Enugu State, Nigeria. His hails from Umunze in Orumba South LGA, Anambra State, Nigeria. The young artist began his music career at the age of 13. He started by playing drums in his church choir in Enugu. His music journey started when the resident pastor of his church introduced him to Chris I. Ordor, the CEO of SoundCity Communications.

CAREER HISTORY

In 1996, Flavour was invited to join the company on an educational scholarship to study music.
After playing drums for three years in his church,he started playing the drums professionally. In 1999, he moved on from playing the drums to playing keyboard. He was also backing up vocals for other musicians at SoundCity.

At the age of 19, Flavour emerged into Nigeria's musical scene as a drummer and pianist for a local band in Enugu.. After learning to play drums professionally, He received an offer to perform at City Centre, Enugu. The massive crowd there inspired him to gain new grounds and reach great heights. Flavour's educational background in music enabled him to learn music production from Dekumzy, Isi Charles and Nnachie.

EDUCATION

He attended WTC Primary School, Ogui Layout in 1989 before graduating and attending the College of Emmaculate Conception in 1994. He also studied Business Management at the the University of Nigeria, Enugu (UNN) in 2004.

ORIGIN OF THE NAME ‘FLAVOUR’.

Flavour got his stage name when he was 15 years old. As a member of Soundcity Communications, he always followed them to concerts but did not have a stage name. It always felt odd when others are being introduced.

Meanwhile, there was this fan, Flavour Shelters who always came to watch them play. Flavour Shelters was into real estate and was admired by Flavour N’abania who wanted to be like him so he named himself Flavour.

HIS ACHIEVEMENT IN THE MUSIC INDUSTRY

2005: N'abania
In 2005, Flavour released his first album N'abania through Obaino Music. The album's success was relative and limited to Eastern Nigeria, particularly Enugu State. Flavour collaborated with Mr Raw on the album's lead single titled "N'abania". The song was recorded at Kingsley Ogoro's music studio in Lagos, Nigeria.

2010: Uplifted
Following the relative success of his first album, Flavour released Uplifted in 2010. The album broke national barriers. Lolhiphop Records, an established record label in South Africa, released the album after popular demand. The album's top singles include "Nwa Baby (Ashawo Remix)", "Adamma", and Oyi Remix" featuring Tiwa Savage.

2012: Blessed
Blessed was released on 18 October 2012 through 2nite Entertainment and iROCKING LTD. The album is the successor to Uplifted. It is arguably Flavour's biggest album to date due to the number of producers who worked on it. It was launched on the same day of Flavour's 2nite Club grand opening.

2014: Thankful
Thankful was released in December 2014. The album consists of 22 tracks and runs for one hour seventeen minutes. Receiving generally positive reviews from critics, it sold thousands of copies. The album features hit tracks such as the love ballad "Ololufe" featuring Chidinma and the fast-tempo Afro-pop song "Wake Up" feat. Wande Coal.

**2017: Ijele – The Traveler **
Ijele – The Traveller was released in 2017. The album contains 17 tracks, including one featuring a blind Liberian fan.

2018
In 2018 Flavour issued two singles, "Crazy love",joining forces with Mama Africa Yemi Alade as Flavour Nabania,and "Yemi Alade".
Later that year, he released the traditional song "Awele", featuring the Igbo traditional duo Umu Obiligbo

2020
On December 4 2020, Flavour released his seventh studio album, titled Flavour of Africa, which has 16 tracks.

2021 levels
Currently,barely about one week ago a new album of his popped up titled "levels" where he featured most influential men in the country. The music is really a hit.

Although, these are not just his only Achievement in the music industry,but these are the notable ones that can't just be neglected.

HIS GREATEST FULFILLMENT

According to flavour,he said that his greatest Achievement and fulfillment in life is discovering and bringing out the talent in the young blind boy,Semah....you can read up the details below More details

HIS AWARDS

• In the year 2019, AFRIMA awarded him Best Live Act of the year.
• Same year,AFRIMMA awarded him the best Video of The Year.
• 2014 Channel O Music Video Awards Most Gifted Afro Pop "Ada Ada".
• 2014 Nigeria Entertainment Awards Indigenous Artist of the Year.
• Best Album of the Year Blessed
• Best Music Video of the year (Artist & Director) "Oh! Baby (You & I)"
• Best Collaboration
• African Muzik Magazine Awards Best Male West Africa Himself.
• Best Traditional Artist Won
• Best Video of the Year "Ada Ada"
• City People Entertainment Awards Musician of the Year (Male) Himself
• MTV Africa Music Awards 2014 Best Live Act Himself
• Ghana Music Awards African Artiste of the Year
• 2013 The Headies Artiste of the Year
• Album of the Year Blessed
• Nigeria Music Video Awards (NMVA) Video of the Year "Ada Ada" ]
• Best High Life Video
• Best Indigenous Concept
• Best use of costumes

You can get know more about his awards through this link.
Source

WHY I CHOOSE HIM

• Flavour is a young man who identified his talent at a very young age and worked towards it,and today he made it to the top and he's still going hard that's a unique quality that many young people this days lack. So I choose him because he is a man that knows his dreams,passion and talent.

• One unique thing about flavour is that he never forget his background unlike many youths today that once they think they've money they will forget their background and identity. I learnt from this young man how important it is to always remember who I am and where I started from.

• Flavour is a musician with a source. He is unique in his own way as he maintain the Igbo dialect in all his music,so many musicians forgets their language in the long run. It's a unique quality to be passionate about ones identity.

• Finally, flavour does too many charity work. Helping the blind,the less privileged and bringing out the talents in young people..this is the true quality of a leader. The best investment anyone can make is investing in human lives,flavour is living this statement.

Wow,talking about this young genius makes me happy and I believe your happy to read about him as well. Thanks friends for visiting my blog once more and I love you all.

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