Charles Chibueze Chukwu (born 8 July 1997),[citation needed] professionally known as Crayon, is a Nigerian singer and songwriter. In 2019, he was signed to Mavin Records.[1]
Crayon | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Charles Chibueze Chukwu |
| Also known as | Crayonthis, Captain Hook |
| Born | 8 July 1997 Surulere, Lagos State, Nigeria |
| Genres | Afrobeats |
| Occupations |
|
| Instrument | Keyboard |
| Years active | 2019–present |
| Labels |
|
Early life
editCrayon was born in Orile Iganmu, a community in Surulere, a suburb in Lagos State. He hails from Ebonyi State. At age 7, he moved to Ojo, Lagos where he grew up in a family of four.[2] For his secondary education, he attended Treasure Court College, in Ojo.[3]
Career
editIn May 2019, Crayon was signed to Blowtime Entertainment, an imprint of Mavin Records.[4] On 12 July 2019, he released his debut EP Cray Cray.[5]
On 19 March 2021, Crayon released the single "Jackpot" featuring Bella Shmurda, off his second EP Twelve A.M that was released on 26 March 2021.[6] Crayon released the single "Ijo (Laba Laba)" on 6 July 2022, which peaked at number 5 on the Turntable Top 100 chart.[7][8]
Crayon's debut album, Trench to Triumph, delves into his challenging upbringing in a crowded apartment with nine people and rise to success in the music industry.[9] Crayon's musical talent was discovered by Mavin in-house producer Baby Fresh, even though Crayon did not share his music on social media at the time. He overcame a period of depression in 2015 after failing to gain admission to university.[10] Crayon has spoken openly about overcoming drug addiction with the help of Baby Fresh.[11]
Personal Struggles
editIn 2023, Crayon opened up about his struggles with drug addiction. In an interview, he revealed that the addiction had a profound impact on his mental health, leading to a psychiatric hospital stay after a breakdown outside his record label's office.[12] He credited fellow artist Rema for stepping in during the crisis, which Crayon described as a critical moment in his life. Reflecting on this period, he stated that he had almost lost everything due to his addiction and that the experience was similar to that of fellow artist Mohbad. Crayon expressed gratitude for the support he received and referred to the incident as a turning point in his personal and professional life.[13]
Discography
editStudio albums
edit| Title | Album details |
|---|---|
| Trench to Triumph[14] |
|
EPs
edit| Title | EP details |
|---|---|
| Cray Cray[15] |
|
| Twelve A.M[16][17] |
|
Singles
editAs lead artist
edit| Year | Title | Album |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | "Kpano"[18] | Non-album single |
| "Shima"[19] | ||
| "Mo Bad" | ||
| "On Code" (with. London) | ||
| "Sometime"[20] | ||
| "Do Me" | ||
| 2021 | "Jackpot" (feat. Bella Shmurda)[21] | Twelve A.M |
| "Excuse me (Rock You)" (feat. Toby Shang)[22] | Non-album single | |
| 2022 | Ijo (Laba Laba)[21][23] | |
| — | ||
| 2023 | The One (Chop Life) | — |
| Modupe | — | |
| Belle Full (with. Victony, KTIZO) | — | |
| 2024 | FADE AWAY | — |
| If I Be You | — |
As featured artist
edit| Year | Title | Album |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | "Based on Kpa" (Ladipoe feat. Crayon)[24] | Know You |
| 2022 | Overloading (Overdose) (Mavins, Crayon & Ayra Starr feat. Ladipoe, Magixx & Boy Spyce)[25] | — |
| 2023 | Sunflawa (Cheque with. Crayon) | — |
| Yo Fam! (Sarz feat. Crayon & Skrillex) | — | |
| OHEMA (with. Crayon & bella Shmurda) | — | |
| 2024 | Away (Smallgod with. Kweku Flick, Crayon, Stunn) | — |
| Reset (feat. Crayon & Bella Shmurda) | — |
Awards and nominations
edit| Year | Ceremony | Award | Nominated work | Result | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | The Headies | Rookie of the Year | Himself | Nominated | [26] |
References
edit- ^ "Mavin subsidiary, blowtime entertainment unveils new artiste, Crayon". The Guardian (Nigeria). 1 June 2019. Retrieved 19 October 2022.
- ^ Alake, Motolani (9 March 2020). "Crayon: From four UTME attempts and depression to MAVIN [Pulse Interview]". Pulse Nigeria. Archived from the original on 19 October 2022. Retrieved 19 October 2022.
- ^ Aromolaran, Michael (14 July 2022). "Crayon Discusses His New Single 'Ijo (laba laba)', Overdose, and His Time in the Music Industry". The Culture Custodian. Archived from the original on 19 October 2022. Retrieved 19 October 2022.
- ^ "I Sat For JAMB Five Times, Afrobeat Star Crayon". Dailytrust. 29 August 2022. Archived from the original on 19 October 2022. Retrieved 19 October 2022.
- ^ Peter, Dennis Ade (12 July 2019). "Watch Crayon's Debut Solo Music Video For "So Fine"". The NATIVE. Retrieved 19 October 2022.
- ^ Alake, Motolani (26 March 2021). "Crayon evolves, excels and shines on his sophomore EP, 'Twelve AM' [Pulse EP Review]". Pulse Nigeria. Archived from the original on 19 October 2022. Retrieved 19 October 2022.
- ^ Esomnofu, Emmanuel (27 July 2022). "TurnTable Top 100: Fireboy DML & Crayon Dominate This Week's Charts". The NATIVE. Retrieved 19 October 2022.
- ^ "Fireboy DML & Asake's "Bandana" Spends a Fifth Week as the No. 1 Song in Nigeria, Tiwa Savage & Zinoleesky Debuts at No. 8 with "Jaiye Foreign" on the Nigeria Top 100". www.turntablecharts.com. Archived from the original on 19 October 2022. Retrieved 19 October 2022.
- ^ "Trench to Triumph' chronicles my journey, reality – Crayon". www.premiumtimesng.com. Archived from the original on 13 June 2024. Retrieved 13 June 2024.
- ^ Damilola, Adedayo. "Crayon Reveals How Don Jazzy Discovered Him". Cool FM. Archived from the original on 13 June 2024. Retrieved 13 June 2024.
- ^ Okanlawon, Taiwo (20 November 2023). "Crayon speaks on battling drug addiction before fame". pmnewsnigeria.
- ^ "Nigerian Singer Crayon Opens Up About Past Struggle with Drug Addiction". The Herald (Nigeria). 23 September 2024. Archived from the original on 24 September 2024. Retrieved 27 September 2024.
- ^ I met Crayon, He almost Lost His Life. korty eo. 21 September 2024. Retrieved 27 September 2024 – via YouTube.
- ^ "Crayon Is Defying Genre Expectations - Okayplayer". www.okayafrica.com. Retrieved 28 October 2024.
- ^ Onabanjo, Adedamola (15 July 2019). "Crayon Debuts 6-Track EP 'Cray Cray' with So Fine Video". The Culture Custodian (Est. 2014.). Archived from the original on 10 January 2023. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
- ^ Alake, Motolani (26 March 2021). "Rema, Ayra Starr, Bella Shmurda feature on Crayon's new EP, 'Twelve AM'". Pulse Nigeria. Archived from the original on 13 April 2021. Retrieved 19 October 2022.
- ^ "Crayon Is Nigeria's Prince of Bright Pop Melodies". OkayAfrica. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
- ^ Onabanjo, Adedamola (7 February 2020). "Crayon Shares Video For First Post EP Single, 'Kpano'". The Culture Custodian. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
- ^ Onabanjo, Adedamola (24 March 2020). "Crayon Picks Up Single Run With Rhythmic London-Produced Single 'Shima'". The Culture Custodian. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
- ^ Alake, Motolani (1 August 2020). "Crayon releases new single, 'Sometime'". Pulse Nigeria. Archived from the original on 19 October 2022. Retrieved 19 October 2022.
- ^ a b "Interview: Crayon's Time Is Now". OkayAfrica. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
- ^ "Crayon... Colourful Sounds Of Football Enthusiast". The Guardian (Nigeria). 1 January 2022. Archived from the original on 10 January 2023. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
- ^ "Nigerian singer Crayon alleges corrupt officials 'killed' his Manchester United dream". Goal.com. Archived from the original on 21 October 2022. Retrieved 21 October 2022.
- ^ "Watch Mavin Records' latest signee Crayon and Stream his debut EP, 'Cray Cray'". Soundcity. 12 July 2019. Archived from the original on 10 January 2023. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
- ^ "Mavin Records Puts Out Romantic Number titled "Overdose" featuring Crayon, Ayra Starr, Ladipoe, Magixx & Boy Spyce". BellaNaija. 14 May 2022. Archived from the original on 18 October 2022. Retrieved 19 October 2022.
- ^ "Headies 2019 Nominees List: Davido, Wizkid And Burna Boy Vie For Top Awards". The Guardian (Nigeria). 1 October 2019. Archived from the original on 15 November 2020. Retrieved 19 October 2022.