Wikipedia

Charles Onyeabor

Charles Onyekachi Onyeabor is an Italian-Nigerian singer, songwriter and businessman. He is the eldest son of electro Afro-funk pioneer William Onyeabor.[1] After debuting in 2020, his debut studio album, Like Father, Like Son was released in November 2023. As described by BBC, Charles Onyeabor continues to keep his father's legacy alive in his music.[2]

Charles Onyeabor
Born
Charles Onyekachi Onyeabor

Enugu, Nigeria
Citizenship
  • Nigerian
  • Italian
Alma materEnugu State University of Science and Technology
Occupations
  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • businessman
Years active2020-present
FatherWilliam Onyeabor
Musical career
Genres
InstrumentsVocals
Websitecharlesonyeabor.com

Early life and education

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I can’t say I chose a particular style. I write songs the way I hear it in my head. Being around my father also inspired my taste of music. If you listen to my music, there is always a story around it. My father always had something to say within his music and it made me want to do the kind of music that I am doing. So, I would say my father inspired me to have my own style.

— The Guardian[3]

Charles Onyeabor is the first son of William Onyeabor—a pioneer of electro-funk music genre. He is an alumnus of Enugu State University of Science and Technology.[4] His grandparents were merchant traders who moved goods across Nigeria.[5]

Career

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Onyeabor performing at Ruger’s Europe Tour in Bologna (2024)

Onyeabor was influenced by the music of his father and followed his footsteps as a funk musician.[4] Onyeabor, who left Nigeria for Italy in 2003, started his music career after the death of his father, having started a business there due to racial discrimination.[4][6]

In 2020 Onyeabor released his first funk single, "They Can't Pull Us Down" featuring Miriam Taylor, and was followed by "Do It Your Way" featuring Enrico Matheis.[7][8] The official video of his single "We All Need More Love" featuring Italian-Nigerian singer Evry, screened on MTV. According to Onyeabor, his creative  process happens mostly in the car and when he’s alone in the house.[9]

In 2022, Onyeabor won Africa’s Diaspora Artist at the 2022 Scream African Women Awards.[10] In March 2023 he performed in Germany at Afrobeat Invasion alongside Psquare, Otile Brown, Abrantee and May7ven.[11] In August the same year, he performed at the 36th Sanremo Rock Festival which is part of the RAI organized Sanremo Music Festival in Sanremo, Linguria.[12] In November 2023, Onyeabor released his 20-track debut album, Like Father, Like Son, which met with positive reviews.[13] Drawing from its title and cover art which symbolizes Charles and his father, The Nation described the album as Charles’ way of expressing deep gratitude and admiration for his dad’s influence.[14]

Onyeabor was one of the contestants of Una voce per San Marino in 2022.[15] His singles, "They Can't Pull Us Down" and "Ije Nwoke" were featured in Lonzo Nzekwe's 2023 crime thriller Orah, which screened at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2023.[16]

In March 2024, Onyeabor released “Black or White” featuring Luna, the lead single for his sophomore album, described by Afrocritik as an anthem for unity and love.[17][18] He followed “Black or White” with “Fine Girl” which expresses appreciation to women. He followed it with “Money Talks” where he tackled societal ills.[19][20] In August 2024, Onyeabor performed at Kwaku Festival in Amsterdam, the same month he released “The Future of Africa, a track which comprises elements of soul and reggae that pays tribute to the unique characteristics of Africa. He followed it with “I’m Human” released later that same month.[21][22]

The following month, he released his sophomore studio album, Onyekachi, a 10-track project that explores futuristic themes, personal stories, and cultural reflections.[23] In September 21st of that same year, he performed at Ruger’s Europe Tour in Bologna, Italy where he was the only supporting and opening act.[24]

Artistry

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Charles Onyeabor is genre-fluid.[25]

Discography

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Onyeabor performing in Bologna

Singles[26][27]

  • "They Can't Pull Us Down" ft. Miriam Taylor[8][28]
  • "Do It Your Way" ft. Enrico Matheis[8][29]
  • "Bye Bye To My Ex Love"[28]
  • "We Fell In Love On Christmas"
  • "Jolly"
  • We All Need More Love"
  • "Still Your Baby"
  • "Ije Nwoke" ft Ejima042
  • "Sawa"
  • "Low" ft Emeka Onyeabor
  • Come And Roll" ft Vic2kul
  • "Sawa (Refix)"
  • "Like Father Like Son" ft Magnito
  • "Grateful"
  • "Dance Your Troubles Away"
  • "Anyi no o na-eme"
  • "Black or White"
  • "Fine Girl"
  • "Money Talks"
  • "The Future of Africa"
  • "I’m Human"
  • "They Can’t Pull Us Down - Trap Version"

Albums

References

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  1. ^ Pareles, Jon (2017-01-19). "William Onyeabor, Reclusive African Electro-Funk Pioneer, Dies at 70". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-12-11.
  2. ^ "William Onyeabor: One of modern music's greatest enigmas". www.bbc.com. Retrieved 2024-02-13.
  3. ^ "CHARLES ONYEABOR…LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON". The Guardian. Guardian Saturday Magazine. 10 February 2024. Retrieved 13 February 2024.
  4. ^ a b c Adeleye, Taiwo (27 January 2023). "Who is Charles Onyeabor, William Onyeabor's Son? Tracing the Musical Legacy". P.M. News. Retrieved 3 December 2023.
  5. ^ "William Onyeabor: One of modern music's greatest enigmas". www.bbc.com. Retrieved 2024-02-13.
  6. ^ Obey, Yinka (27 October 2021). "William Onyeabor Is the Fela of the East, Africa Needs To Celebrate Him: Son Declares, Talks About His Music Wednesday". Legit.ng. Retrieved 3 December 2023.
  7. ^ Tomiwa (21 November 2023). "Charles Onyeabor – "They Can't Pull Us Down" ft. Miriam Taylor". tooXclusive. Retrieved 3 December 2023.
  8. ^ a b c Tomiwa (20 December 2022). "Charles Onyeabor — "Do It Your Way" ft. Enrico Matheis (Evry)". TooXclusive. Retrieved 3 December 2023.
  9. ^ "Charles Onyeabor…Like Father, Like Son". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. 2024-02-10. Retrieved 2024-02-13.
  10. ^ Akinyemi, Bioluwatife (2022-10-14). "Onyeabor's Son bags Africa's Diaspora Artiste Award at 2022 Scream African Women Awards". Tribune Online. Retrieved 2023-12-13.
  11. ^ "Charles Onyeabor delivers spectacular performance at Afrobeat Invasion in Germany". The Sun.
  12. ^ "Charles Onyeabor steals show at 36th Sanremo Rock Festival". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. 2023-08-05. Retrieved 2023-12-15.
  13. ^ a b "Charles Onyeabor drops debut album, Like Father, Like Son". Vanguard. 17 November 2023. Retrieved 3 December 2023.
  14. ^ Abiodun, Alao. "Echoes of Genius: Charles Onyeabor's tribute album 'like father like son'". The Nation.
  15. ^ Granger, Anthony (2021-12-11). "🇸🇲 San Marino: Una voce per San Marino – Emerging Acts Casting Line-Up Revised". Eurovoix. Retrieved 2023-12-11.
  16. ^ Ibeh, Ifeanyi (21 August 2023). "Charles Onyeabor's Music Strikes A Chord In Canadian Film Directed By Lonzo Nzekwe". The Guardian. Retrieved 3 December 2023.
  17. ^ Okoro, Emmanuel (2024-04-02). "Charles Onyeabor's "Black or White" Inspires Global Unity Across Diverse Lines - Afrocritik". Retrieved 2024-09-25.
  18. ^ Kamasah, Andreas (2024-05-21). "Charles Onyeabor unveils new single 'Fine Girl,' celebrating women's beauty and strength". Pulse Ghana. Retrieved 2024-09-25.
  19. ^ "5 Minutes with Charles Onyeabor". www.gq.co.za. Retrieved 2024-09-25.
  20. ^ "Charles Onyeabor Tackles Societal Ills On "Money Talks"". The Culture Custodian (Est. 2014.). 2024-07-01. Retrieved 2024-09-25.
  21. ^ "Charles Onyeabor steals the show at 2024 Kwaku Festival, Amsterdam". NotjustOk. Retrieved 2024-09-25.
  22. ^ Ibeh, Ifeanyi (2024-08-27). "Charles Onyeabor drops inspiring reggae anthem, 'The Future of Africa'". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. Retrieved 2024-09-25.
  23. ^ "Charles Onyeabor releases sophomore album 'Onyekachi'". Vanguard. 1 September 2021.
  24. ^ "Charles Onyeabor Captivates The Crowd At Ruger's Sold-Out Concert In Bologna, Italy – Independent Newspaper Nigeria". 2024-09-22. Retrieved 2024-09-25.
  25. ^ "5 Minutes with Charles Onyeabor". www.gq.co.za. Retrieved 2024-09-25.
  26. ^ "Charles Onyeabor". Spotify. Retrieved 2023-12-11.
  27. ^ "Spotify". open.spotify.com. Retrieved 2024-09-25.
  28. ^ a b Alake, Motolani (28 January 2022). "Legendary William Onyeabor's son, Charles Onyeabor sees his song hit No. 12 on Spotify's top 100". Pulse.ng. Retrieved 3 December 2023.
  29. ^ "Charles Onyeabor il nuovo singolo "Do it your way" feat. Enrico Matheis (Evry)". L'Ora. 2021. Retrieved 3 December 2023.
  30. ^ "Charles Onyeabor Releases Sophomore Album 'Onyekachi'". NotjustOk. Retrieved 2024-09-25.
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