Ladybrille Magazine, over the years, has introduced you all to the next big artists and sounds. If you are a longtime reader, you have seen many of our predictions become reality. To wrap up 2011, we introduce you to yet another talented artist to watch. His name is Michael Word.
While Africa’s music industry and particularly Nigeria’s continues to grow in leaps and bounds, there is simply no denial of the over-saturation of the hip-hop genre in the music industry. There is a dire need for diversity in sounds and talents. There is also a need to portray African and Black love, in general, in a highly sophisticated and sensual tone than most of what is portrayed on many of the African music videos we see from African artists. Michael Word brings such diversity to the mix. A deviation from the norm, the singer, producer and songwriter is guaranteed to make the hardest of hearts melt with his beautiful vocals matched to soulful rhythm and blues ( R &B). His music videos also have a classy and sophisticated edge to them. Word understands music and from his lyrics to musical composition/arrangements, listeners are guaranteed to have a good time.
The British-Nigerian R & B crooner has a crossover appeal that we believe can and will be successful across Africa, UK and the USA. In 2012, we expect him to gain even more buzz and you should expect to see more of him on Ladybrille. We also hope his record label (RMG) steps it up a bit more aggressively on marketing and promoting this very talented young man; including establishing a stronger online presence so we have more to share with you.
In the meantime, watch his latest music clip below and read his biography culled from Justjoentertainment.com.
“Michael Word (real name Michael Bolutife Ojo) was born on the 14th of March 1985 in Kainji New Bussau Niger State Nigeria to Christian parents. Originally from Kogi State, Michael’s father was a musician of sorts and even though he was an Engineer by profession he played a number of musical instruments and was the Choir Director at the local Church where the family worshiped. (Before clocking) seven (years old) Michael was already a soloist and lead vocalist for the youth choir and had begun taking piano lessons.
At a young age, Michael had to painstakingly study and practise music on a daily basis. Gradually, he developed skills that would be key to his development as a musician and producer later on in life. Through his High School years he picked up a few other interests like dance, drama and basketball and became quite proficient at them, but the innate love for music kept drawing him to the Choirs and music bands (and anywhere he could find music).
After gaining admission into the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) (in Nigeria) for a five year course (BTech Industrial Chemistry), he soon joined the Rhema Chapel mass choir which at the time was the best contemporary choir in LAUTECH and very soon he (earned a spot as) lead vocalist/soloist. (word) began to build a reputation as a singer/composer/songwriter and soon he was writing and composing music for choirs, groups and solo acts all over the country. At this point in his life he began to see that music was the one thing that he really was meant to do.
After a couple of years of ministering at gospel concerts and playing small shows just to get his music heard and trying to raise enough cash for a standard demo project, while still in University, in 2006 he auditioned for the maiden edition of a TV reality show called Creative Academii. (The audition took place in the city of) Calabar, (Cross River State in Eastern) Nigeria. After a few months of intense competition against fierce opposition on the show, for the price money of $120,000, he finished second in the music category with the winner taking all and no compensation for the runner up. During the show, he had caught the eye of the co-director of the show, Ayo Shonaiya, who would later sign him onto his management company RMG.
Since 2010 Michael has been working on his first album, recording songs produced by himself and by other producers such as Puffy T and Sarz. With Puffy T he has appeared on songs by Nigerian actor Jim Iyke and superstar 2face Idibia, and has travelled to South Africa, Ghana and the United Kingdom to perform opening for other Nigerian acts.
Michael has released 2 singles from his upcoming album Do It For Love and Pop Sugar and has shot 3 music videos to date. He is scheduled to release his first album titled Euphony later in 2011.”
Unconditional
Visit Michael Word’s Facebook fan page for more info. him.
Follow Michael Word on Twitter @iammichaelword
-Uduak Oduok
Founded in 2007, Ladybrille® Magazine is a California based pioneer digital publication demystifying the image of Africans in the west through contemporary African fashion and celebrating the brilliant woman in business and leadership, with an emphasis on the African woman in the diaspora. Our coverage includes stories on capital, access to markets, expertise, hiring and retention, sales, marketing, and promotions.
