{{Short description|Nigerian singer-songwriter (born 2001)}} {{For|his eponymous debut EP|Boy Spyce (EP)}}{{distinguish}} {{Use dmy dates|date=January 2024}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = Boy Spyce | image = Boy_Spyce_2.jpg | image_size = 220px | caption = Boy Spyce | birth_name = Ugbekile David Osemeke<ref>{{cite web|url=https://culturecustodian.com/review-boy-spyce-has-come-like-a-thief-in-the-night/|last=Michael|first=Aromolaran|title=Boy Spyce Has Come Like a Thief in the Night|date=April 21, 2022 |access-date=January 29, 2024|website=The Culture Custodian (Est. 2014) |archive-date=May 18, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230518120156/https://culturecustodian.com/review-boy-spyce-has-come-like-a-thief-in-the-night/|url-status=live}}</ref> | alias = | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|2001|05|10|df=y}} | birth_place = Isolo, Lagos, Nigeria | origin = Igbanke, Edo State, Nigeria | genre = {{hlist|Afrobeats|afrofusion}} | occupation = {{hlist|Singer|songwriter<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tori.ng/news/256945/singer-boy-spyce-reacts-after-being-called-out-for.html|last=Samuel|title=Singer, Boy Spyce Reacts After Being Called Out For Storming Off The Stage|date=December 20, 2023 |access-date=January 28, 2024|website=Tori.ng|archive-date=January 6, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240106102518/https://www.tori.ng/news/256945/singer-boy-spyce-reacts-after-being-called-out-for.html|url-status=live}}</ref>}} | instrument = {{hlist|Keyboard|vocals|ukulele}} | years_active = 2019{{ndash}}present | label = Mavin | website = {{URL|https://www.boyspyce.com/|boyspyce.com}} | module = {{Infobox youtuber | child = yes | youtube_handle = boyspyce | youtube_display_name = Boy Spyce | youtube_years_active = 2019–present | youtube_genre = {{flatlist| * Music<ref name="socialblade.com">{{cite web|url=https://socialblade.com/youtube/channel/UCFOma6uRrqRCaVPXYfDFlaQ| title = USER STATISTICS FOR BOY SPYCE| website = socialblade.com| access-date = January 30, 2024}}</ref> * vlogging<ref name="socialblade.com"/> }} | youtube_subscribers = 130 thousand<!-- PLEASE DO NOT CHANGE WITHOUT UPDATING stats_update BELOW --> | youtube_views = 29.8 million<!-- PLEASE DO NOT CHANGE WITHOUT UPDATING stats_update BELOW --> | stats_update = July 10, 2025 }} }} '''Ugbekile David Osemeke''' (born 10 May 2001), known professionally as '''Boy Spyce''', is a Nigerian singer and songwriter. He gained recognition following his 2021 cover of Wizkid's song "Essence". Its success led him to sign a recording contract with Mavin Records, which released his debut extended play, self-titled ''Boy Spyce'', in 2022 receiving moderate commercial reception.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://guardian.ng/saturday-magazine/mavin-records-unveils-boy-spyce/|location=Lagos, Nigeria|last=Chinonso|first=Ihekere|title=Mavin Records unveils Boy Spyce|date=April 23, 2022 |access-date=January 28, 2024|newspaper=The Guardian|archive-date=July 5, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230705225853/https://guardian.ng/saturday-magazine/mavin-records-unveils-boy-spyce/|url-status=live}}</ref>
== Early life == Boy Spyce was born in Isolo, Lagos State, but hails from Edo State.<ref>{{cite interview|url=https://digimillennials.com/music/boy-spyce-a-paradox-of-intention-and-serendipity/|author=Itty Okim|title=Interview: Boy Spyce, A Paradox Of Intention And Serendipity|date=March 23, 2022 |access-date=January 28, 2024|work=Millenials|archive-date=July 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230707064021/https://digimillennials.com/music/boy-spyce-a-paradox-of-intention-and-serendipity/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theculturenewspaper.com/i-pray-the-universe-helps-me-because-i-dream-of-being-a-global-superstar-boy-spyce/|last=Araayo|first=Akande|title=I pray the universe helps me because I dream of being a global superstar – Boy Spyce |date=May 22, 2022 |access-date=January 28, 2024|website=The Culture Newspaper|archive-date=November 28, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221128010240/https://www.theculturenewspaper.com/i-pray-the-universe-helps-me-because-i-dream-of-being-a-global-superstar-boy-spyce/|url-status=live}}</ref> He grew up living in Jakande Estate, Isolo. For his secondary education, he attended Lagos State Model College Kankon, Badagry, and he is the last born in a family of seven.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://thescoove.africa/boy-spyce-biography-age-songs/|last=The Scoove|title=Boy Spyce: Biography, Age |access-date=January 29, 2024|website=The Scoove Africa|archive-date=November 28, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231128201115/https://thescoove.africa/boy-spyce-biography-age-songs/|url-status=live}}</ref>
== Career == Boy Spyce launched his music career by posting song covers on social media platforms in 2019. In 2021, he gained recognition after posting a cover of Wizkid's hit song "Essence" featuring Tems. The cover caught the attention of Don Jazzy, the founder of Mavin Records, who offered him a recording deal and introduced him to the public on 14 April 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kossy |first=Derrick |date=2022-04-14 |title=Boy Spyce get signed to Mavin Records|url=https://www.kossyderrickent.com/2022/04/videos-boy-spyce-gets-signed-to-mavin.html?m=1 |access-date=2024-01-29|language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.withinnigeria.com/entertainment/2022/04/15/video-don-jazzy-signs-boy-spyce-the-talented-kid-who-went-viral-for-doing-a-cover-of-wizkids-essence/|last=Ifeoluwa|title=Don Jazzy signs Boy Spyce, the talented kid who went viral for doing a cover of Wizkid’s Essence|date=April 15, 2022 |access-date=January 29, 2024|website=Within Nigeria |archive-date=September 26, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230926014425/https://www.withinnigeria.com/entertainment/2022/04/15/video-don-jazzy-signs-boy-spyce-the-talented-kid-who-went-viral-for-doing-a-cover-of-wizkids-essence/|url-status=live}}</ref> He then released his debut EP, self-titled ''Boy Spyce'', on April 15, 2022, which peaked at number one on Nigeria's Apple Music chart.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/music/mavin-records-unlocks-boy-spyce-and-his-new-ep/01w94sl|last=Onyema|first=Courage|title=Mavin Records unlocks Boy Spyce and his new EP|date=April 15, 2022 |access-date=January 29, 2024|newspaper=Pulse Nigeria|archive-date=July 6, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220706041632/https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/music/mavin-records-unlocks-boy-spyce-and-his-new-ep/01w94sl|url-status=live}}</ref> Emmanuel Esomnofu, reviewing for The Native, described the EP as "a collage of vibrant sounds and tradition" that generated significant buzz for the young artist.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://thenativemag.com/essentials-boy-spyce-debut-ep/|last=Emmanuel|first=Esomnofu|title=Essentials: Boy Spyce Renders Emotive Tales on Debut Eponymous EP|date=April 19, 2022 |access-date=January 29, 2024|website=The Native|archive-date=February 3, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230203225246/https://thenativemag.com/essentials-boy-spyce-debut-ep/|url-status=dead}}</ref> On 7 May 2022, Boy Spyce's single "Bad Things" led Pulse Nigeria's Future Sounds Vol. 6 playlist.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/music/future-sounds-vol6-featuring-boy-spyce-sam-sun-boy-adequate-maradona-and-more/heze9fd|last=Onyema|first=Courage|title=Future Sounds Vol.6 featuring Boy Spyce, Sam Sun, Boy Adequate, Maradona, and more|date=May 7, 2022 |access-date=January 29, 2024|newspaper=Pulse Nigeria|archive-date=August 31, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220831091041/https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/music/future-sounds-vol6-featuring-boy-spyce-sam-sun-boy-adequate-maradona-and-more/heze9fd|url-status=live}}</ref>
Boy Spyce was featured on Mavin's hit song "Overdose" alongside Crayon and Ayra Starr on 13 May 2022.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bellanaija.com/2022/05/mavin-records-overdose/|last=BellaNaija|title=Mavin Records Puts Out Romantic Number titled "Overdose" featuring Crayon, Ayra Starr, Ladipoe, Magixx & Boy Spyce|date=May 14, 2022 |access-date=January 30, 2024|website=BellaNaija |archive-date=March 29, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230329190211/https://www.bellanaija.com/2022/05/mavin-records-overdose/|url-status=live}}</ref> The song ranked number 1 on TheCable's list of 10 TCL radio pick of the week on 28 May 2022.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://lifestyle.thecable.ng/tcl-radio-picks-mavin-records-leads-the-pack-with-overdose/|last=Kunle|first=Daramola|title=TCL radio picks: Mavin Records leads the pack with ‘Overdose’|date=May 28, 2022 |access-date=January 30, 2024|newspaper=TheCable|archive-date=June 30, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220630000921/https://lifestyle.thecable.ng/tcl-radio-picks-mavin-records-leads-the-pack-with-overdose/|url-status=live}}</ref>
On 29 May 2022, Boy Spyce revealed how a direct message from Don Jazzy changed his life, sharing that he received a text message from Don Jazzy on Christmas Day in 2019. He disclosed this during an interview with the Nigerian Tribune.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://tribuneonlineng.com/don-jazzys-text-on-christmas-day-shocked-me-boy-spyce/|last=Tribune online|title=Don Jazzy’s text on Christmas Day shocked me, Boy Spyce|date=May 29, 2022 |access-date=January 29, 2024|newspaper=Nigerian Tribune|archive-date=September 9, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220909231305/https://tribuneonlineng.com/don-jazzys-text-on-christmas-day-shocked-me-boy-spyce/|url-status=live}}</ref> On 30 May 2022, Spyce performed with Glitch Africa Choir for his song "Nobody".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bellanaija.com/2022/05/boy-spyce-nobody-glitch-africa/|last=BNTV|title=Boy Spyce Beautifully Performs "Nobody" Alongside Glitch Africa’s Choir|date=May 30, 2022 |access-date=January 29, 2024|website=BellaNaija |archive-date=June 13, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220613170345/https://www.bellanaija.com/2022/05/boy-spyce-nobody-glitch-africa/|url-status=live}}</ref>
In November 2022, he performed alongside Rema, Ayra Starr, Magixx, Ladipoe, Crayon, Johnny Drille, and Bayanni on Mavin's hit single "Wan Da Mo", earning him his second appearance on TurnTable charts.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tela |first=Wangeci |date=2022-12-14 |title=TurnTable Top 100: Mavins' "Won Da Mo" Leads the Chart|website=The Native|url=https://thenativemag.com/turntable-top-100-mavins-won-da/|access-date=2024-01-29|language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=BellaNaija |date=November 9, 2022 |title=Mavin Records Puts Out New Single "Won Da Mo" featuring Rema, Boy Spyce, Magixx|website=BellaNaija|url=https://www.bellanaija.com/2022/11/won-da-mo-mavin-records/|access-date=January 29, 2024|language=en-GB}}</ref>
In January 2023, he released his first single "Folake" after his debut EP, which peaked at number 5 on the Nigeria ''TurnTable'' Top 100.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.turntablecharts.com/charts/1|title=Official Nigeria Top 100|date=January 18, 2024 |access-date=January 29, 2024|website=TurnTable charts|archive-date=January 24, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240124205344/https://www.turntablecharts.com/charts/1|url-status=live}}</ref> "Folake" was produced by Sparrq Beatz, and its accompanying music video, directed by Ahmed Moss, currently has 5 million views on YouTube as of January 2024.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/music/boy-spyce-returns-with-new-single-folake/cfszg0j|title=Boy Spyce returns with new single, 'Folake'|date=January 26, 2023 |access-date=January 29, 2024|newspaper=Pulse Nigeria|archive-date=March 24, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230324170922/https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/music/boy-spyce-returns-with-new-single-folake/cfszg0j|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://rhythm937.com/new-video-boy-spyce-folake/|last=Ogugua|first=Ifezulike|title=New Video: Boy Spyce – Folake|date=March 1, 2023 |access-date=January 30, 2024|website=Rhythm|archive-date=March 28, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230328093234/https://rhythm937.com/new-video-boy-spyce-folake/|url-status=live}}</ref>
On 24 January 2023, ''OkayAfrica'' cited him as one of the emerging artists to watch in 2023, alongside Khaid and Odumodublvck.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.okayafrica.com/12-nigerian-artists-to-watch-in-2023/207848|title=12 Nigerian Artists to Watch in 2023|date=January 24, 2023 |access-date=January 29, 2024|website=OkayAfrica|archive-date=June 5, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230605171353/https://www.okayafrica.com/amp/nigerian-music-artists-watch-2023-2659304045|url-status=live}}</ref>
On 7 December 2023, he released "Pepe", which peaked at number 23 on the ''TurnTable'' Nigeria Top 100 on 12 January 2024, and debuted at number 13 on the Top Streaming Songs on 18 January 2024.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://albumtalks.com/boy-spyce-closes-2023-with-single-pepe/|title=Boy Spyce Closes 2023 With Single, "Pepe"|date=December 14, 2023 |access-date=January 29, 2024|website=Album Talks}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Official Nigeria Top 100|url=https://www.turntablecharts.com/charts/1 |website=www.turntablecharts.com |publisher=TurnTable |access-date=18 January 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Official Streaming Songs |url=https://www.turntablecharts.com/charts/4 |website=TurnTable charts |publisher=TurnTable |access-date=29 January 2024}}</ref>
==Discography== ===EPs=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |+ List of extended plays, with selected details ! scope="col"| Title ! scope="col"| Details |- !scope="row"|''Boy Spyce''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bellanaija.com/2022/04/mavin-records-ep-boy-spyce/|last=BellaNaija|title=Mavin Records’ New Signee Proves He’s the One to Watch With Self-Titled EP "Boy Spyce"|date=April 15, 2022 |access-date=January 29, 2024|website=BellaNaija |archive-date=May 16, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220516180355/https://www.bellanaija.com/2022/04/mavin-records-ep-boy-spyce/|url-status=live}}</ref> | * Released: 15 April 2022 * Label: Mavin * Formats: Digital download |}
===Singles=== ====As lead artist==== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |+List of singles as lead artist, with year released and album shown ! scope="col" | Title ! scope="col" | Year ! scope="col" | Album |- ! scope="row" | "Dreams" | rowspan="5" | 2022 | rowspan="5" | ''Boy Spyce'' |- ! scope="row" | "Bad Things" |- ! scope="row" | "Wayo" |- ! scope="row" | "Destiny" |- ! scope="row" | "Nobody" |- ! scope="row" | "Folake" | rowspan="4" |2023 | rowspan="10" {{Non-album singles}} |- ! scope="row" | "Relationship" |- ! scope="row" | "So Bad" |- ! scope="row" | "Pepe" |- ! scope="row" | "I Don't Care" (with Khaid) <ref>{{cite web |title=Boy Spyce tops Rema, Wizkid on the list of the most googled songs in Nigeria in 2024 {{!}} Pulse Nigeria |url=https://www.pulse.ng/articles/entertainment/music/boy-spyce-tops-rema-wizkid-on-the-list-of-the-most-googled-songs-in-nigeria-in-2024-2024121016343263280 |website=www.pulse.ng |language=en}}</ref> | rowspan="4" | 2024 |- ! scope="row" | "You (Rum & Schnapp)" |- ! scope="row" | "Shout" |- ! scope="row" | "Talk" |- ! scope="row" | "I'll Be There" | rowspan="2" | 2025 |- ! scope="row" | "Achalugo" (with Jeriq) |}
====As featured artist==== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |+List of singles as featured artist, with year released and album shown ! scope="col" | Title ! scope="col" | Year ! scope="col" | Album |- ! scope="row" | "Won Da Mo" and "Overloading (Overdose)"<br />{{small|(Mavins, Crayon and Ayra Starr featuring Ladipoe, Magixx and Boy Spyce)}} | 2022 | ''Chapter X'' |- ! scope="row" | "Carry Me Go"<br />{{small|(Khaid featuring Boy Spyce)}} | 2023 | rowspan="2" {{Non-album singles}} |- ! scope="row" | "Doh"<br />{{small|(T-Classic featuring Boy Spyce)}} | 2024 |}
== References == {{Reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Spyce, Boy}} Category:2001 births Category:Living people Category:21st-century Nigerian musicians Category:21st-century Nigerian male singers Category:21st-century Nigerian singers Category:Nigerian Afrobeats musicians Category:Mavin Records artists