Sadiq Onifade, known popularly known as WurlD, is a Nigerian singer and songwriter. Born in Lagos, Nigeria, WurlD relocated to Atlanta, Georgia to pursue a secondary education and record music. He describes his style of music as electro-fusion.[1] He released his debut EP Evolution in 2013.[2]

WurlD
Image of Sadiq Onifade
Image of Sadiq Onifade
Background information
Birth nameSadiq Onifade
BornLagos, Nigeria
Genres
Occupations
  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • record producer
InstrumentVocals
Years active2012–present
LabelsWEAREGVDS
Websitewww.wurldmusic.com

Early life

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Born in Lagos, Nigeria, WurlD relocated to the US as a teenager and received his college education at Georgia State University, studying computer science. While in school, WurlD developed a serious interest in musical performance.

Career

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In late 2012, WurlD released his first single, "Beyond Our Dreams" from his debut EP titled Evolution, due summer 2013.[1] Coinciding with the release, SESAC held an exclusive listening party at their Atlanta office for WurlD's forthcoming Evolution EP.[3] By early 2013, WurlD was in the recording studio with Mario, writing songs for the R&B superstar's upcoming album. Shortly after, the music video for Evolution's second single, "Alive", produced by Black Shield Entertainment producer Hood Beatz, was premiered exclusively via MTV: The Wrap Up on 2 May 2013. WurlD also teamed up with Timbaland's artist, BK Brasco as a featured artist on "Beautiful Girls." He also appears in the song's video.[4]

In May 2016 WurlD released "Show You Off" an Afro-soul record featuring Walshy Fire of Major Lazer and Afro-beat producer Shizzi. In June 2016 WurlD released the collaborative track "Better Days" with Sir Felix; it became the official anthem for DelfSail 2016. WurlD (Sadiq Onifade) co-wrote the hit song "Blow my Mind" by Davido featuring Chris Brown in 2019.[5] The song was produced by Davido's long-time collaborating producer Shizzi.

In his interview with African Folder published in 2023, Wurld revealed he had wriiten over a million songs in the course of his career as a singer-songwriter. [6]

Awards and recognition

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In 2015 WurlD went certified Gold with his Sony Music release track "Follow You" with Polish DJ, Gromee[7] and in 2017, he received a nomination for Best Diaspora Act at the Nigerian Entertainment Award alongside Rotimi and Wale.[8] He has a Hit single now called 'Trobul'

Discography

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Extended plays

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Title Album details
Evolution[9][non-primary source needed]
  • Released: 20 August 2013
  • Label: Wurld Music Entertainment
  • Formats: Digital Download
Love is Contagious[10]
I love girls with Trobul (Wurld & Sarz)[11]
  • Released: 8 November 2019
  • Label: WEAREGVDS/1789
  • Formats: Digital Download
Afrosoul[12][13]
  • Released: May 15, 2020
  • Label: WEAREGVDS/IMMENSUM MUSIC
  • Formats: Digital Download

Singles

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Year Title Chart positions Album
US UK POL
2012 "Beyond Our Dreams" Evolution (EP)
2013 "Alive"
"All Night" (Gromee song)
2015 "Follow You" (Gromee song) 11 Chapter One
"Who Do You Love" (Gromee song)
"Summer Yours"
2016 "Show You Off" (ft. Shizzi & Walshy Fire)
2017 "All Night 2017" (Gromee song) Chapter One
"Mother's Prayer"
"All I Need"
2018 "Trobul" I LOVE GIRLS WITH TROBUL

(EP)

Guest appearances

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Year Title Other performer(s) Album
2013 "Beautiful Girls" BK Brasco TBA
2015 "Let You Go" Leriq The Lost Sounds
Netflix n Chill B.O.B & London Jae
2016 "Fantasies" B.O.B & Scotty ATL The Cooligan
"Let It Rain" B.O.B & Scotty ATL Live & Direct
Better Days Sir Felix
$till Aware Trinidad James & Scotty ATL
2017 I Know B.O.B Ether
Fake Friends B.O.B
2019 Sweet in the middle Davido & Naira Marley & Zlatan Ibile A Good Time

Awards and recognition

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Year Event Prize Recipient Result Ref
2019 The Headies Best Vocal Performance (Male) "Wishes and Butterflies" Won [14]
Best R&B Single Nominated [14]
Hip Hop World Revelation Himself Nominated [14]

References

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  1. ^ a b Polonsky, Sarah (8 April 2013). "Meet Rising Electro-Fusion Artist WurlD". Vibe. Retrieved 8 June 2013.
  2. ^ Brooks, Reginald. "This Is Wurld! Rising Recording Artist Talks About Introducing His Music to the World". The IMC Magazine. Retrieved 8 June 2013.
  3. ^ "SESAC Atlanta Hosts Wurld Listening Party". SESAC. 28 September 2012. Retrieved 8 June 2013.
  4. ^ "Timbaland Presents – BKBrasco featuring Wurld "Beautiful Girls"". The Source. 25 April 2013. Retrieved 8 June 2013.
  5. ^ "Listen: Davido releases Blow My Mind featuring Chris Brown". PulseNG. 27 July 2019. Retrieved 24 September 2019.
  6. ^ "WurlD : The God Of Afro-fusion". African Folder. 6 December 2023. Retrieved 12 December 2023.
  7. ^ "Gromee dostał złotą płytę!". RMF MAXXX (in Polish). 19 December 2015. Retrieved 18 March 2018.
  8. ^ "Nigerian Entertainment Awards 2017 (NEA) Full List of Nominees". 36NG (in Polish). 9 July 2017. Retrieved 16 September 2019.
  9. ^ "Evolution EP". myspace.com. Retrieved 18 March 2018.
  10. ^ "WurLD's Love is Contagious EP". thenativemag.com. Retrieved 24 September 2019.
  11. ^ "Sarz & WurlD - I Love Girls With Trobul (EP) | Download « NotJustOk". Latest Naija Nigerian Music, Songs & Video - Notjustok. 8 November 2019. Retrieved 21 May 2020.
  12. ^ "FULL EP: WurlD - Afrosoul (EP) | Download « NotJustOk". Latest Naija Nigerian Music, Songs & Video - Notjustok. 15 May 2020. Retrieved 21 May 2020.
  13. ^ "Sarz & WurlD "Mad" | Download « Jamsbase". Jamsbase.com. 1 November 2019. Retrieved 1 November 2019.
  14. ^ a b c "Headies 2019: Here is the full list of nominees – Pulse Exclusive". PulseNG. October 2019. Retrieved 10 October 2019.
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