By Lekan Ale
A lot of Nigerian musicians got their start as choristers. They have made it known one time or the other that they started as choristers before making a name for themselves in the music industry.
Here are top 12 Nigerian musicians who were choristers:
(1) Wizkid
Ayodeji Ibrahim, better known as Wizkid, began singing at 11 in the church choir. A few years later, he formed a boy band, SI, while running errands in the studio where musicians 2face Idibia and Jazzman Olofin recorded circa in 2004.
(2) Wande Coal
Oluwatobi Wande Ojosipe popularly known as Wande Coal started singing in the teenage choir at his church. He got his break in the industry as a dancer before he got signed to Don Jazzy’s Mo’ Hits Records in 2006.
(3) Banky W
Banky Wellington was born in the United States to Nigerian parents but the family moved back to Lagos when he was five. He started singing at a young age in his church choir.
(4) Waje
As a young singer, Waje sang gospel tunes to the delight of the late Archbishop Benson Idahosa. Idahosa was quite impressed with her singing and decided to help her during her entire secondary school days.
(5) Don Jazzy
Don Jazzy was a multi-instrumentalist in church. This informed his adroitness at music production. In 2000, Jazzy’s uncle invited him to play the drums for a local church in London and that was his first visit to London.
(6) J Martins
J. Martins inspiration came from his mother being a choir mistress. He was in the church choir and even produced for some gospel singers.
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(7) Iyanya Onoyom Mbuk
Iyanya Onoyom Mbuk popularly known as Iyanya started from the church. His grandfather was a cleric and he used to sing in his church’s choir.
Iyanya was the choirmaster for the children’s choir at 5.
(8) Darey Art Alade
Darey was born into a family of performers and like his father, he joined the wagon. Dare perfected his skills at an early age, singing with several choirs, including the National Troupe of Nigeria Choir and then the Cathedral Choir.
(9) Simi
Simisola began singing and dancing at an early age as a teenager at Daystar Christian Centre, Lagos NG. A few years back, she decided to go secular and has since been making waves in the music industry.
(10) Chidinma
Chidinma Ekile was born in Ketu, Lagos State to parents originating from Imo State. She is the sixth of seven children. Chidinma grew up with a disciplinarian father and began singing at six. She joined her church’s choir at 10.
(11) Timaya
Timaya revealed during an interview with Ndani TV’s ‘The Juice’, that he started from church before starting up as a backup for Eedris Abdulkareem for three years before exploring my music career.
(12) Seyi Shay
Seyi started singing in the choir at the age of six and was part of her secondary school choir.