Olurotimi Akinosho ((); born November 30, 1988), known professionally as Rotimi, is a Nigerian-American actor and singer. He is known for his role as Darius Morrison on the Starz series Boss, and as Andre Coleman on Power, then as Charles on The Chi; However, In June 29, 2024 that he would be joining a full-time as recurring in season 7.[1][2]
Rotimi | |
|---|---|
 Rotimi during an interview in May 2019 | |
| Born | Olurotimi Akinosho November 30, 1988 Maplewood, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Alma mater | Northwestern University |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 2011–present |
| Spouse | Vanessa Mdee |
| Children | 2 |
| Musical career | |
| Genres | |
| Instrument | Vocals |
| Labels | |
| Website | rotimimusic |
Early life and education
editRotimi was born in Maplewood, New Jersey to a Nigerian family of Yoruba heritage.[3] He attended Columbia High School, where he was on both the varsity basketball team and the choir. He continued his studies at Northwestern University and graduated with a bachelor's degree in Communication with a minor in Business in 2010.[4]
Career
editActing
editAt his first trial with acting, Rotimi auditioned and subsequently got his first acting role on Boss as drug dealer Darius Morrison.[5] Rotimi also appeared in three episodes of ABC's Betrayal.
Rotimi made his silver screen debut in the film Black Nativity (2013). Following this, he starred in Imperial Dreams at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival, which later won for "Best of NEXT".[6]
Rotimi next appeared in the high grossing film, Divergent (2014). In 2016 Rotimi also acted in the movie Deuces alongside Lance Gross and Larenz Tate.
He was added to the cast of Starz' TV series Power as a series regular, in the role of Andre Coleman, the quick-tempered young protégé of the character Ghost.[7] Rotimi was also cast in a recurring role on Battle Creek as Danny.
Music
editA contemporary R&B artist, Rotimi released two digital mixtapes, titled The Resume (March 8, 2011)[citation needed] and While You Wait (November 30, 2011).[citation needed] His videos have been featured on international and U.S. based entertainment media including MTV, MTV Base, and VH1 Soul.[citation needed]
Rotimi has performed on stage, opening for Jennifer Hudson, T.I., Estelle, and NERD; he also performed on BET's show 106 and Park[8] and appeared in R&B singer Keyshia Cole's music video "Trust and Believe" as Cole's unfaithful boyfriend.
Rotimi garnered music placement with "I'm the One" on the first episode of Boss. In 2015, American rapper and executive producer of Power, 50 Cent signed Rotimi to his label, G-Unit Records.[9] He also released his first G-Unit single "Lotto" featuring 50 Cent.
In 2016, Rotimi released "Doin it", a single from his 5-track project, Summer Bangerz.[10] In 2017 he released his debut EP called Jeep Music Vol. 1.
In 2019, he released a single titled "Love Riddim" which has garnered attention from both old fans and newly made ones.
Fashion
editRotimi is the lead model/spokesperson of rapper T.I.'s AKOO Clothing[11] 2012 Spring/Summer campaign, April 2, 2012.[12][13][14][15][16]
Personal life
editOn November 25, 2019, Rotimi shared a picture of himself and Tanzanian singer Vanessa Mdee posing in an elevator, with Vanessa also confirming their relationship by posting the same picture with a different caption.[17][18] Rotimi told the story of how the two met at a party and hit it off [19] and Vanessa also said in an interview how she knew he was her husband, only two days after meeting him.[20] In a video posted on Instagram with Rotimi who was later joined by Vanessa, the pair revealed that they both had tattoos of each other's name on their bodies; her (middle) name, Hau, on his right wrist and his name, Rotimi, on her chest.[21] They also have matching tattoos of the number 1045 on their wrists.[22]
In December 2020, Rotimi got engaged to Vanessa.[23]
The pair welcomed their first child (a boy) Seven Adeoluwa Akinosho in September 2021.[24] Similarly in March 2023, Rotimi announced the arrival of his second child (a girl) Imani Enioluwa Akinosho.
Discography
editStudio albums
- All or Nothing (2021)
Filmography
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Black Nativity | Officer Butch McDaniels | |
| 2014 | Divergent | Ezra | |
| 2015 | Darkest Before Dawn | Manny | Short film |
| 2017 | Imperial Dreams | Wayne | |
| 2017 | Burning Sands | Edwin | |
| 2017 | Deuces | Face | |
| 2018 | Acts of Violence | Frank | |
| 2020 | Singlehollic | Sam Bishop | |
| 2020 | True to The Game 2: Gena's Story | Vaughn | |
| 2021 | Coming 2 America | Idi Izzi | |
| 2021 | For the Love of Money | Tre | |
| 2023 | House Party | Guile |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Cooper and Stone | Ty | Unsold pilot |
| 2011–12 | Boss | Darius Morrison | 18 episodes |
| 2013 | Betrayal | Lil' D | 3 episodes |
| 2015 | Battle Creek | Danny | 2 episodes |
| 2015–2020 | Power[25] | Andre "Dre" Coleman | Series Regular |
| 2017 | BET Experience | Host | Television special |
| 2018 | Law & Order: Special Victims Unit | Malik | Guest Star |
| 2023 | Will Trent | Charles | Guest Star |
| 2024–present | The Chi | Charles | Recurring (season 7; guest role in season 6) |
Tours
edit- Don't Matter Tour (with August Alsina) (2017)
References
edit- ^ Carter, Corein. "Beyond The Screen:'Power' Star Rotimi Molds A New Wave Of R&B By Infusing His Nigerian Roots". Forbes. Retrieved June 3, 2023.
- ^ "My Mum Dreamt I'd Become A Musician When She Was Pregnant – Rotimi Akinosho – Independent Newspaper Nigeria". Independent Newspaper Nigeria – Breaking News from Nigeria and the World. November 23, 2019. Retrieved June 3, 2023.
- ^ Hale, Andreas (October 23, 2015) "Rotimi: Hustler, Actor, Musician, Jay Z Favorite", Rising Stars. OZY. Retrieved January 12, 2017.
- ^ "Rotimi Akinosho". www.northwestern.edu. Parrish Lewis. Retrieved May 15, 2012.
- ^ Rotimi Gives Power Season 3 Hints + Making Music with 50 Cent. YouTube (July 13, 2016). Retrieved January 12, 2017.
- ^ Review: John Boyega Shines in 'Imperial Dreams,' One of the Most Overlooked Gems of Sundance (Screens Aug. 9 in LA) | IndieWire. Blogs.indiewire.com (May 13, 2016). Retrieved January 12, 2017.
- ^ Deadline Team (September 17, 2014). "Annika Marks Joins ABC Family's 'The Fosters'; Rotimi Akinosho In Starz's 'Power'". Deadline.com. Retrieved January 12, 2017.
- ^ "Rotimi Jack of all Trades". BET. Calvin Stovall. Retrieved February 16, 2012.
- ^ 50 Cent Signs 'Power' Star Rotimi to G-Unit, Drops 'Lotto' Single. Billboard (June 19, 2015). Retrieved January 12, 2017.
- ^ Golding, Shenequa (July 17, 2016). "Rotimi new song". Retrieved July 12, 2016.
- ^ "Rotimi is a King of One Self". www.globalgrind.com. Noel Walker. May 10, 2012. Retrieved May 10, 2012.
- ^ "Rotimi Akinosho On His Role In Starz "Boss" [EXCLUSIVE]". The Urban Daily. November 10, 2011.
- ^ "Cover: Rotimi Akinosho". Northwestern Magazine. Summer 2010.
- ^ Najah Goldstein, " Rotimi Akinosho", Sheen magazine.
- ^ "NIGERIAN-AMERICAN SINGER/ACTOR ROTIMI IS THE NEW FACE OF T.I'S AKOO CLOTHING LINE", Yenih's World, March 29, 2012.
- ^ Spesh YH. "Hottie Alert: BOSS actor & AKOO Model Rotimi Akinosho". Speshs World.
- ^ Ajanma, Soomto (November 26, 2019). "Rotimi confirms relationship with girlfriend Vanessa Mdee". hotnewhiphop.com. Soomtee. Retrieved May 18, 2021.
- ^ Ajanma, Soomto (November 26, 2019). "Who is 'Power' Star Rotimi's new girlfriend?". cheatsheet.com. Soomtee. Retrieved May 18, 2021.
- ^ Ajanma, Soomto (December 31, 2020). "Rotimi and Vanessa Mdee's Love Story". essence.com. Soomtee. Retrieved May 18, 2021.
- ^ Ajanma, Soomto. "Vanessa reveals she is in a relationship with Rotimi". lovablevibes.com. Soomtee. Retrieved May 18, 2021.
- ^ Ajanma, Soomto (October 5, 2020). "Vanessa Mdee and Rotimi get matching tattoos". buzzcentral.co.ke. Soomtee. Retrieved May 18, 2021.
- ^ Ajanma, Soomto (November 12, 2020). "Vanessa Mdee and lover get matching tattoos". tuko.co.ke. Soomtee. Retrieved May 18, 2021.
- ^ Ajanma, Soomto. "Rotimi and Vanessa Mdee are engaged". revolt.tv. Soomtee. Retrieved May 18, 2021.
- ^ "Rotimi Talks About First Time Fatherhood And His Journey To Become An International Superstar". BET. Retrieved June 3, 2023.
- ^ Itodo, Sunny Green (April 21, 2023). "Singer Rotimi reveals Tiwa Savage is his cousin". Daily Post Nigeria. Retrieved June 3, 2023.