Fonyuy Leonard Nsohburinka (born August 31, 1990[1]) is a Cameroonian singer known by his stage name Mr. Leo. He rose to fame after his single "E go beta" a hit aired on most Radio/TV stations in and out of Cameroon.[2] In 2016, he received three awards at the Balafon Music Awards 2016 edition in Song of the Year, Revelation of the Year, and Best Male Artist.[3] He was nominated for the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) in Lagos, Nigeria 2017 edition in the category of Best Male Central Africa.[4] As part of his career, in March 2017 he became the brand ambassador of Itel Mobile in Cameroon.[5]
Mr. Leo | |
|---|---|
 Mr Leo in 2021 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Fonyuy Leonard Nsohburinka |
| Also known as | Mr Leo |
| Born | August 31, 1990 Buea, Cameroon |
| Genres | |
| Occupation |
|
| Discography | Love Original - 2017
Jeey (Lion of Africa) - 2021 Good Vibes - 2024 |
| Years active | 2014–present |
| Labels | Lionz Muzik |
| Website | www.mrleomusic.com |
Early life and education
editMr. Leo was born Fonyuy Leonard Nsohburinka on August 21, 1990, and grew up in a military camp (Warder Barracks) in Buea, Southwest Region (Cameroon). He is a member of the Nso people who grew up in a military ghetto. He is the 3rd child in a family of 4.[6]
Career
edit
In 2016, African news aggregates AllAfrica.com published that, Mr. Leo passion for music started when he became a member of a school Choir Break Through Voices Leo finally left the camp and moved to molyko the (heart of studies and entertainment) in South west region of Cameroon. There is time for everything, Leo, professional career started when he signed a recording deal with Alpha Better Records in 2015, in the same year, Alpha Better Records released his debut single hit song titled (E go Beta) and in November 2015 his label released another of Mr.Leo single title "On Va Gérer" which means (we shall manage). Mr. Leo's career has earned the Cameroonian artist 5 awards in the following categories which include; best lyricist, best new artist, best video and best song with a message, and best Cameroonian soul music.[2][4] Leo was inspired by Seal, Lemar, 2face Idibia, and others. Mr. Leo has been recognized by awards and nominations such as the African Entertainment Awards (USA), and he was nominated for Best Francophone artist and Best Male Single in Jamais-Jamais 2017.
[7][8] In 2017, he signed an endorsement deal with Itel Mobile as brand ambassador in Cameroon and he said {Big Deal being signed with itel Mobile, I'm blessed!.}[5] Like any other artist, he has done collaboration with artists such as Wax dey, X-Maleya, Locko, Magasco, Hiro, Fanicko and others.[9]
In 2020, he founded the record label Lionn Production through which he produces Cameroonian artists Kameni and Gomez. He left Alpha Beta records Label in July 2020, after 13 years.[10]
In 2021, he was selected to part to be part of the Grammy Awards Recording Academy.[11][12]
Personal life
editMr. Leo is still single.[2]
Discography
editAlbums
edit- Love Original 2017 (13 Tracks)[13]
- Lion of Africa (Jeey) 2021 (13 tracks)[14]
- Good Vibes 2024 (14 tracks)[15]
Selected as single
edit- O'Leo (Colleta) (2012)
- No Judge Me (2012)
- E go Better (2015)
- On Va Gerer (2015)
- Femme ft Rude Bway (2015)
- C’est Faux (2016)
- Kemayo
- Jamais Jamais
- Je T’aime ft Hiro (2016)
- Partout (2017)
- Je suis désolé (2018)
- On se connait pas (2018)
- Je suis à toi (2018)
- Patronne (2019)
- Amen (2019)
- Zege Zege (2020)
- Asabe (2020)
- Time (2020)
- Jei Jei (2021)
- Choisir (2022)
Collaboration
edit- X Maleya – Maria
- Revolution – C’est Pas Ma Faute
- Better Featuring Wax Dey
- Que Ce Qui N’a Pas Marcher featuring (Alpha Better Artists)
- Higher Higher Featuring (Alpha Better Artists)
- Fap Kolo Featuring Salatiel
- Supporter Featuring Locko –
- Love na Love Remix Featuring (Charly B)
- Clando Featuring Blaise B and Salatiel
- Madame Tout le Monde Featuring (Rhythmz )
- Jamais Jamais remix Featuring Flavour N'abania[16]
Awards and recognition
edit| Year | Award | Category | Recipient | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) | Central Africa Best Male artist | himself | Nominated |
| 2016 | Balafon Music Awards | 3 wards (Song of the Year, Revelation of the Year and Best Male Vocal Performance.) | Himself | Won |
| 2017 | African Entertainment Awards (USA) | Best Male Single: Jamais-Jamais | Won |
See also
edit
References
edit- ^ An Elf (August 31, 2018). "It's Mr. Leo's Birthday But How Well Do You Know Him". Critiqsite. Retrieved January 9, 2023.
- ^ a b c "Cameroon: Mr Leo – Already Addicted to Music". AllAfrica. June 19, 2016. Archived from the original on December 27, 2017. Retrieved December 20, 2017.
- ^ "Mr. Leo stole the night at the Balafon Music Awards 2016 winning three awards out of his four nominations". December 9, 2016. Retrieved December 21, 2017.
- ^ a b "AFRIMA 2017: Locko, Montess win at music award ceremony". Retrieved December 27, 2017.
- ^ a b "Cameroun : Mr Léo, le nouvel ambassadeur de la marque Itel". March 20, 2017.
- ^ Queen, Bantou (February 23, 2020). "Mr LEO RINGS THE ALARM - Bantouqueen" (in French). Retrieved January 9, 2023.
- ^ "Mr. Leo, Charlotte Dipanda, Reniss... Nominés au African Entertainment Awards USA". August 19, 2017.
- ^ "Mr Leo invité spécial du One Africa Music Fest aux Etats-Unis - Journal du Cameroun". www.journalducameroun.com. Archived from the original on August 20, 2017.
- ^ http://www.kamermoov.cm/10538-mr-leo-ft-fanicko-je-suis-moi-comme-ca.html [bare URL]
- ^ "Après 13 ans de collaboration, Mr. Léo quitte le label Alpha Better Records". Culturebene (in French). June 8, 2020. Retrieved July 3, 2021.
- ^ "Mr. Léo sélectionné pour l'académie d'enregistrement des Grammy Awards". Journal du Cameroun (in French). Retrieved July 3, 2021.
- ^ Chi, Fabz (July 3, 2021). "Mr. Leo joins Recording Academy / GRAMMYs 2021 alongside over 2000 new members to Expand Voting Diversity. - KESA Magazine, Africa's No1 in Showbiz and Entertainment". Retrieved July 3, 2021.
- ^ "" Love Original " de MR Leo, un album de treize titres dans les bacs le 17 Novembre 2017. Découvrez en exclusivité la tracklist". November 14, 2017.
- ^ "Mr. Leo - Lion Of Africa 'Jeéy' (Album)". eNow Digital. Retrieved January 9, 2023.
- ^ NGONO, Danielle (March 21, 2024). "Mr Léo présente son nouvel album !". Culturebene (in French). Retrieved April 6, 2024.
- ^ "Mr Leo s'associe avec Flavour pour faire le remix de Jamais Jamais | Made in MBOA". madeinmboa.net. Archived from the original on April 10, 2018.