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BOJ (musician)

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Bolaji Odojukan[1] (born 22 April 1994),[2] better known by his stage name BOJ, is an English-Nigerian singer, songwriter and record producer. He is one-third of the musical group DRB LasGidi with TeeZee and Fresh L, and is known as a pioneer of alté.[3]

BOJ
BOJ performing in 2014
BOJ performing in 2014
Background information
Birth nameBolaji Odojukan
Born (1994-04-22) April 22, 1994 (age 30)
London, England
OriginGbagada, Lagos, Nigeria
Genres
Occupations
  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • record producer
  • rapper
Years active2007–present
LabelsMOVES Recordings
Member ofDRB LasGidi (2007-present)
EducationMalvern College

Early life

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Bolaji Odojukan was born in London, England and was raised in both the UK and Nigeria. He studied Business Management and Audio Engineering in university. After graduating, he moved back to Lagos in 2015.[4] Bolaji parents were responsible for his music education, while growing up they played Lauryn Hill, Lagbaja, and Wyclef records in the house.[5] In year 9 (JSS 3), Bolaji began making music[5] while still schooling at Malvern College, in Malvern, Worcestershire, England.[6]

Career

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Boj joined the group DRB LasGidi in 2007 with his school friends Teezee and Fresh L.[1] On 21 February 2014, Boj released his first solo mixtape titled #BOTM,[7] including the single "Bolaji On The Microphone", abbreviated as "BOTM". On December 14, 2014, the single won the Best Alternative Song, at the ninth edition of the Headies Awards.[8] The deluxe was later released on 13 April 2016.[9] On 13 July 2016, he signed a recording contract with HF Music,[10] and released his first debut album Magic, on October 13, 2017.[11] He released two collaborative extended play's titled Make E No Cause Fight in 2018,[12] with Ajebutter22 and Make E No Cause Fight 2 in 2019 with Ajebutter22 & Falz.[13]

On October 14, 2018, BOJ was part of the "Smooth Taste, That's Why" campaign that launched on thirteen billboards around Lagos and Abuja, by Jameson Irish Whiskey.[14] In 2019, he signed a publishing and distribution deal with MOVES Recordings, with the release of "Your Love (Mogbe)", with Afro Nation, featuring Tiwa Savage. On 18 September 2020, Boj released the single "Abracadabra" featuring Davido and Mr Eazi.[15] On 7 July 2021, he released the single "Money & Laughter" featuring Nigerian singer Zamir and Ghanaian singer Amaarae.[16] On 23 July 2021, he appeared on Dave's album We're All Alone in This Together on the song "Lazarus".[17] On December 10, 2021, MOVES Recordings featured "Your Love (Mogbe)", and "Abracadabra", in its double compilation album, 5 Years of Culture: Afrobeats, and 5 Years of Culture: Rap & Drill.[18]

On 22 April 2022, Boj released his album Gbagada Express including guest appearances from Davido, Mr Eazi, Wizkid, Fireboy DML, Buju, Enny, Tiwa Savage, Darkovibes, Kofi Jamar, Joey B, Amaarae, Obongjayar, Moliy, Mellissa, Teezee, Zamir, Fresh L, Victony, and Afro Nation.[19]

Artistry

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Boj credits artists such as Wyclef Jean, Lauryn Hill, Bob Marley, Fela Kuti, Lagbaja, and Sean Paul as his musical influences.[20] Boj is widely recognized as one of the pioneers of the fusion genre Alté, which incorporates musical influences from afrobeats, dancehall, reggae, hip hop, and alternative R&B.[21] The term was first coined by Boj on his 2014 song "Paper", and was later used to describe left-field styles of music.[1] Boj said in an interview that the term alté means "freedom to express yourself without boundaries, without the constraints of the mainstream in whatever sector, whether that's fashion, whether that's music, whether that's photography, whatever it is man."[22]

Discography

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Studio albums

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Title Album details
Magic
  • Released: 13 October 2017
  • Label: HF Music
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
Gbagada Express
  • Released: 22 April 2022
  • Label: Moves Recordings
  • Format: Digital download, streaming

Extended plays

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Title Album details
Make E No Cause Fight
(with Ajebutter22)
  • Released: 17 May 2018
  • Label: Jungle Entertainment Ventures
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
Make E No Cause Fight 2
(with Ajebutter22 & Falz)
  • Released: 29 November 2019
  • Label: Jungle Entertainment Ventures
  • Format: Digital download, streaming

Mixtapes

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Title Album details
#BOTM
  • Released: 21 February 2014
  • Deluxe: 13 April 2016
  • Label: Jungle Entertainment Ventures
  • Format: Digital download, streaming

Tours

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Supporting

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  • Chapter One Tour (with Falana) (2019)[23]

Concerts

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Co-headlining

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Supporting

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References

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  1. ^ a b c "'I'm an Alté Guy': Nigerian Musician BOJ Is Pioneering a Whole New Genre". www.vice.com. Retrieved 22 April 2022.
  2. ^ Tayo, Ayomide O. (22 April 2015). "BOJ turns 21 today". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 22 April 2022.
  3. ^ "DRB LasGidi: "Altê's not a genre, it's not a type of music, it's just being different."". The Face.
  4. ^ "GET FAMILIAR: BOJ ON THE MICROPHONE". Patta.
  5. ^ a b "BOJ: Leader Of The New School". The Guardian Nigeria. 6 September 2020. Retrieved 22 April 2022.
  6. ^ "On the Microphone: The exclusive NET interview with BOJ". Nigerian Entertainment Today. 11 July 2014. Retrieved 23 April 2022.
  7. ^ "BN Download: Boj (of DRB Lasgidi) – Boj On The Microphone – the Mixtape (#BOTM)". BellaNaija. 22 April 2013. Retrieved 22 April 2022.
  8. ^ "'Winning the Headies was my best highlight of 2014' – BOJ". Nigerian Entertainment Today. 23 January 2015. Retrieved 22 April 2022.
  9. ^ "DEEP CUTS: REVISITING BOJ'S "BOTM" PLACES HIS TRAJECTORY INTO PERSPECTIVE". The Native Mag.
  10. ^ "After three albums, singer BOJ signs recording contract with HF Music". Nigerian Entertainment Today. 13 July 2016. Retrieved 23 April 2022.
  11. ^ "BOJ Releases New Album "Magic"". The Guardian Nigeria News. 14 October 2017. Retrieved 22 April 2022.
  12. ^ "Make E No Cause Fight! Boj & Ajebutter22 drop Joint EP | Stream on BN". BellaNaija. 18 May 2018. Retrieved 22 April 2022.
  13. ^ "AJEBUTTER22, BOJ & FALZ RELEASE JOINT EP, 'MAKE E NO CAUSE FIGHT 2'". The Native Mag.
  14. ^ "Jameson Irish Whiskey unveils new campaign to deepen brand penetration". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. 14 October 2018. Retrieved 23 April 2022.
  15. ^ "Premiere: Afrobeats A-Listers Boj, Davido And Mr. Eazi Unite For "Abracadabra"". Complex. Retrieved 23 April 2022.
  16. ^ "Premiere: BOJ Calls In Amaarae & Zamir For Smooth, Seductive "Money And Laughter"". Complex. Retrieved 23 April 2022.
  17. ^ "Dave's New Album "We're All Alone In This Together" features Wizkid, Stormzy & BOJ | Listen". BellaNaija. 23 July 2021. Retrieved 22 April 2022.
  18. ^ Thomas, Katie. "MOVES Recordings celebrates five years with two compilations of Afrobeats, rap and drill". Resident Advisor Ltd. Retrieved 23 April 2022.
  19. ^ Courage, Onyema (22 April 2022). "BOJ continues to shine in new album 'Gbagada Express'". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 23 April 2022.
  20. ^ "'I have no role models in music' – BOJ". Nigerian Entertainment Today. 28 January 2015. Retrieved 23 April 2022.
  21. ^ "DRB give an introduction to alté, the alternative sound of Nigeria". Red Bull. Retrieved 2020-10-17.
  22. ^ "GRM EXCLUSIVE: BOJ TALKS ALTÉ, DAVE COLLABORATION & UPCOMING ALBUM". GRM Daily.
  23. ^ "Falana's chapter one tour has launched in lagos with 3 more cities to go". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. 18 August 2019. Retrieved 22 April 2022.
  24. ^ "The fun, the excitement of One Mic Naija". The Guardian Nigeria News. 7 March 2015. Retrieved 23 April 2022.
  25. ^ "When Lagosians defy the rain to party at Gidi Fest 2017". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. 22 April 2017. Retrieved 22 April 2022.
  26. ^ "Teni, BOJ, Odunsi, Ajebutter22 Shut Down the Porkoyum Food Fest". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. 8 November 2018. Retrieved 22 April 2022.
  27. ^ "Jameson Connect hosts Independence Day celebration at the Shrine". The Guardian Nigeria News. 5 October 2018. Retrieved 23 April 2022.
  28. ^ "Stars Shut Down Lagos For ART X Live!". The Guardian Nigeria News. 17 November 2018. Retrieved 23 April 2022.
  29. ^ "BOJ, Ajebutter22, Dakore Egbuson, Noble Igwe, ShowDemCamp and Waye, Others Redefine Style At Tiger's "Uncage Party"". Nigerian Entertainment Today. 20 September 2019. Retrieved 23 April 2022.
  30. ^ Milimo, Dennis (2 September 2020). "Sauti Sol, Diamond and Chris Brown to perform at 2021's Afro Nation in Portugal (Full List)". Pulselive Kenya. Retrieved 23 April 2022.
  31. ^ "Seyi Shay, Naeto-C, Falz Thrill Fans At 2015 COPA Lagos After Party". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. 2 January 2016. Retrieved 23 April 2022.
  32. ^ akande, segun (23 December 2016). "Skepta, J Hus, Burna Boy perform as London meets Lagos at concert". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 23 April 2022.
  33. ^ "Black Sherif, Fireboy, BNXN, others to headline Homecoming Festival". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. 16 April 2022. Retrieved 22 April 2022.
  34. ^ "Afro Nation Announce Third Wave of 2020 Lineup - Festicket Magazine". Festicket. Retrieved 23 April 2022.
  35. ^ "Turn Up! Nonso Amadi's "Homecoming" Concert Comes Up Monday". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. 15 December 2017. Retrieved 23 April 2022.
  36. ^ "More artistes for Gidi Fest 2016". The Guardian Nigeria News. 18 March 2016. Retrieved 23 April 2022.
  37. ^ "Olamide's OLIC2: The Beast Mode… Shut Down Lagos". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. 2 January 2016. Retrieved 23 April 2022.
  38. ^ "'Rare' Live Concert: Odunsi The Engine brings Alte into the light". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. 28 December 2018. Retrieved 23 April 2022.
  39. ^ "Burna Boy, Jidenna and Olamide To Headline Red TV Party". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. 25 November 2019. Retrieved 22 April 2022.
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