Grace Idowu Ibukunoluwa best known as Grace Idowu is a Nigerian gospel singer, and songwriter, currently signed to Brand New Records, with a management deal with Brand New Entertainment. Grace's debut into the music scene was met with critical acclaim when she released "Sokale", a record co-signed by Mr Eazi, and released through Brand New Records and licensed to emPawa.
Grace Idowu | |
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Grace Idowu Ibukunoluwa |
| Born | May 3, 2000 Lagos |
| Genres | |
| Occupations |
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| Years active | 2020–present |
| Labels | Brand New Records |
She participated in the third season of emPawa Africa, a talent incubation in 2020.[1] In 2023, she was nominated for AEAUSA Rising Stars at the African Entertainment Awards USA,[2] and was nominated in the Rising Stars category at Kingdom Achievers Awards.[3]
Early life and career
editGrace Idowu Ibukunoluwa hails from Ondo State and was born on 5 May 2000 in Lagos. She studied music at Babcock University.
In January 2020, Oluwole Ogundare signed Grace to his imprint Brand New Entertainment and its flagship Brand New Records.[4] On 17 January 2020, she released her first single titled "Jesus" through Oluwole's Brand New Records and Brand New Entertainment.[5] On 26 February 2020, she was introduced to the limelight by Mr Eazi as one of the 30 artists recruited into the emPawa Africa Program.[1] She had a minor break with her debut single "Sokale", a record co-signed by Mr Eazi, and licensed to emPawa Africa.[6]
Grace's first extended play Amazing God the E.P, was released on 28 February 2020. The ep featured guest appearance from Nigerian record producer Young D, and the ep is supported by one lead single titled "Jesus".[5] After a three-year hiatus, she returned to the music scene on 12 August 2023, with an exclusive EP listening party upon the release of her second extended play More.[7] On 18 August 2023, she released her second extended play More, listed among 14 top albums by Naija women so far in 2023 by Zikoko!.[8]
Artistry
editGrace Idowu fuses contemporary gospel with style and blends of traditional gospel.
In an interview with Tribune, she says: "Her music career was inspired by the likes of American gospel singer, Kierra Sheard and Nigeria's gospel singer, Victoria Orenze".[9]
Discography
editEPs
edit| Title | Details | Peak chart positions | |
|---|---|---|---|
| NG |
NG Gospel | ||
| Amazing God the E.P |
|
— | — |
| More |
|
— | — |
As lead artist
edit| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Certifications | Album | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NG |
NG Gospel |
US | US Afrobeats |
US Christian |
UK Afrobeats | ||||
| "Jesus" (feat. Young D) | 2020 | — | — | — | — | — | — | Amazing God the E.P | |
| "Sokale" | — | — | — | — | — | — | Non-album single | ||
Accolades
edit| Year | Awards ceremony | Award description(s) | Nominated work | Results |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | African Entertainment Awards USA | AEAUSA Rising Stars | Herself | Nominated |
| Kingdom Achievers Awards | Rising Stars | Pending |
References
edit- ^ a b "Mr Eazi Reveals Artists Recruited Onto emPawa Africa Program". OkayAfrica. Okayplayer. Retrieved 25 November 2023.
- ^ Abisola, Shojobi. "AEAUSA Releases Nomination List For 2023 Edition". Independent Nigeria. Retrieved 25 November 2023.
- ^ Mix, Pulse (23 October 2023). "Kingdom Achievers awards full nomination list 2023". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 25 November 2023.
- ^ "Grace Idowu: The art of gospel music". Vanguard Nigeria. Retrieved 25 November 2023.
- ^ a b Agbana, Rotimi. "Contemporary Gospel Singer, Grace Idowu Set To Drop New Single; 'Jesus'". Independent Nigeria. Retrieved 25 November 2023.
- ^ "Mr. Eazi: Grace Idowu's new song is special to me". Vanguard Nigeria. Retrieved 25 November 2023.
- ^ "Gospel act, Grace Idowu to hold 'More' EP listening party". Vanguard Nigeria. Retrieved 25 November 2023.
- ^ Marv, Tomide (6 October 2023). "#BumpThis: 14 Top Albums by Naija Women So Far In 2023". Zikoko!. Retrieved 25 November 2023.
- ^ Omorogbe, Paul (9 January 2020). "Grace Idowu: Gospel singer with a voice that touches hearts". Tribune Online. Retrieved 25 November 2023.