Olumide Edwards Adegbulu (born September 1976), known by his stage name Olu Maintain (sometimes called Mr. Yahooze), is a Nigerian singer. He co-founded the musical group known as Maintain with his cousin, Tolu Ogunniyi. Adeboye Bammeke, popularly known as Big Bamo, joined the group, which released six albums between 1998 and 2004 with the hit songs "I Catch Cold", "Domitila" and "Alo" before they separated in 2004.[1][2]
Olu Maintain | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Olumide Edwards Adegbulu |
| Born | September 1976 Lagos, Nigeria |
| Genres | |
| Occupation | Singer |
| Years active | 1997–present |
| Labels | Kentro World Maintain (former) |
Olu rose to prominence in May 2007 with the release of the hit song "Yahooze" which literarily hail internet fraud and lavish spending from his debut studio album, Yahooze (2007), and a second album, Maintain Reloaded (2008). He featured Big Bamo in the single "Kowonje". "Yahooze" was named Hottest Single of the Year at the Nigeria Entertainment Awards. Olu Maintain's "Yahooze" was the genesis of an open declaration of support for internet fraud and lavish spending by an "A list" artiste which is now a norm in the Nigeria music industry.[3]
In 2008, he performed "Yahooze" at the Royal Albert Hall, London and brought on stage Colin Powell, the former United States Secretary of State.[4]
Biography
editHe was born in September 1976 in Lagos State, western Nigeria, but hails from then Ondo State, southwestern Nigeria. His parents are medical practitioners; his father is a medical doctor and his mother is a nurse.[5]
In 2001, he obtained a diploma certificate in accountancy from The Polytechnic, Ibadan, but began his music career in 1997. The same year, he released his first album, Domitila. The music was aired in October 1998.[6]
On 27 July 2009, he released the album With All Due Respect, Press Play with a hit single titled "What a Man Can Do" featuring Kentro World.[7]
In January 2012, he released a single, "Nawti", which earned the Nigeria Entertainment Awards for Best Video of the Year and Best Reggae/Dancehall Video of the Year at the Nigeria Music Video Awards.[8] On 4 January 2013, he released two songs, titled "Hypnotize Me", featuring 50 Cent and Olivia, and "Oya Dancia", featuring Fatman Scoop.[9]
Discography
edit- Compilation albums
- Olu Maintain (2017)
- Singles (partial)
Awards and nominations
edit
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| Totals[a] | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wins | 5 | ||||||||||||||||
| Nominations | 3 | ||||||||||||||||
Note
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References
edit- ^ "Fading groups on Nigeria's music scene". The Punch – Nigeria's Most Widely Read Newspaper. Retrieved 15 June 2015.
- ^ "You don't see me often because I'm a legend – Olu Maintain – Vanguard News". Vanguard News. 3 April 2015. Retrieved 15 June 2015.
- ^ "Sex is like breathing – Olu Maintain – Vanguard News". Vanguard News. 20 February 2015. Retrieved 15 June 2015.
- ^ "Save the last dance". The Punch – Nigeria's Most Widely Read Newspaper. Archived from the original on 4 July 2012. Retrieved 15 June 2015.
- ^ "Why I abandoned my newly bought house for a hotel -----Olu Maintain". Modern Ghana. Retrieved 15 June 2015.
- ^ "Nigeria's music industry making global impact, says Olu Maintain – Vanguard News". Vanguard News. 20 May 2014. Retrieved 15 June 2015.
- ^ "Olu Maintain drops new single "What a man can do" – Vanguard News". Vanguard News. 12 July 2009. Retrieved 15 June 2015.
- ^ "Olu Maintain drops 2 new-year singles". Vanguard News. 4 January 2013. Retrieved 15 June 2015.
- ^ "Olu Maintain: My Collabo With 50 Cent, Articles – THISDAY LIVE". thisdaylive.com. Archived from the original on 18 May 2013. Retrieved 15 June 2015.
- ^ "New Music Olu Maintain – 'Cinderella' ft. 2face Idibia". Pulse Nigeria. Joey Akan. 16 June 2015. Retrieved 16 June 2015.