{{Short description|British-Nigerian musician}} {{Use dmy dates|date=February 2023}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = Ibejii | image = | birth_place = London, England | genre = Alté, afro-soul | occupation = Musician | years_active = 2016–present }}
'''Ibejii''' is a British-Nigerian alternative and afro-soul singer-songwriter, whose fifth studio album, ''Intermission'', won the Best alternative album at the Headies Awards of 2022.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Obinna |first=Emelike |date=8 July 2022 |title=TILX: The Phoenix returns with a bang |url=https://businessday.ng/life-arts/article/tilx-the-phoenix-returns-with-a-bang/ |location=Lagos, Nigeria|access-date=2023-02-19 |newspaper=BusinessDay|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=5 September 2022 |title=2022 Headies: Full List Of Winners |url=https://editor.guardian.ng/life/music/2022-headies-full-list-of-winners/ |location=Lagos, Nigeria|access-date=2023-02-19 |newspaper=The Guardian|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Grein |first=Paul |date=5 September 2022 |title=Wizkid & Tems Are Top Winners at 2022 Headies Awards (Full Winners List) |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/awards/2022-headies-awards-full-winners-list-1235134815/ |access-date=2023-02-19 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}}</ref>
== Early life == Born in London, England, and raised between the Northern Nigeria and the United Kingdom. Ibejii grew up with his siblings and grew up with a sense of abandonment because his parents were discrete with their feud, where one of them would often leave the country for days or weeks to escape each other.<ref>{{Cite news |date=8 June 2019 |title=The Ibejii Live Experience … sophisticated, thoughtful, dynamic and inquisitive |url=https://guardian.ng/saturday-magazine/the-ibejii-live-experience-sophisticated-thoughtful-dynamic-and-inquisitive/ |location=Lagos, Nigeria|access-date=2023-02-21 |newspaper=The Guardian|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Ruka |date=22 August 2021 |title=I've Done Most Things I Dreamt Of — Man Like Ibejii |url=https://www.zikoko.com/man/ive-done-most-things-i-dreamt-of-man-like-ibejii/ |access-date=2023-02-21 |website=Zikoko! |language=en-US}}</ref>
Ibejii studied law at the university, he has a twin brother and grew up listening to rock, jùjú, electronic music, jazz and R&B.<ref>{{Cite web |date=26 June 2020 |title=In conversation with Ibejii |url=https://www.musicinafrica.net/magazine/conversation-ibejii |access-date=2023-02-19 |website=Music in Africa |language=en}}</ref> An essential part of his music-making journey which influences his African and international motifs stems from Yoruba culture and from a musical household that favoured the rich mix tunes of 1960s, 1970s and 1980s.<ref>{{Cite news |date=10 May 2018 |title=SPOTLIGHT: Introducing Ibejii, an avant-garde artiste and skillful storyteller |url=https://lifestyle.thecable.ng/ibejii-ayanfe-tabuarassa-singer/ |access-date=2023-02-21 |newspaper=TheCable|language=en-US}}</ref><ref name="auto1">{{Cite news |date=23 March 2019 |title=Afro-retro artiste, IBEJII, live in concert today |url=https://guardian.ng/saturday-magazine/weekend-beats/afro-retro-artiste-ibejii-live-in-concert-today/ |location=Lagos, Nigeria|access-date=2023-02-21 |newspaper=The Guardian|language=en-US}}</ref>
== Career == === 2016: Early beginnings === Ibejii's stage name is rooted from and inspired by coming into this world as a twin.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ibejii Just Wants To Sing – OkayAfrica |url=https://www.okayafrica.com/ibejii-best-alternative-album-headies/ |access-date=2023-02-21 |website=www.okayafrica.com |language=en}}</ref> In 2016, he released his debut single titled "Ayanfe" which is in Yoruba language. According to ''Premium Times'', "Ayanfe" is solidly rooted in the western Nigerian culture, renowned for its high incidence of twins and musical giants.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Afro-Juju artiste, IBE-Jii, drops new single |url=https://www.premiumtimesng.com/entertainment/music/217847-afro-juju-artiste-ibe-jii-drops-new-single.html?tztc=1 |access-date=2023-02-19 |newspaper=Premium Times}}</ref>
=== 2017: ''GreenWhiteDope 001'' and ''GreenWhiteDope 002'' debut albums === In 2017 Ibejii released his debut studio albums, ''GreenWhiteDope 001'' and ''GreenWhiteDope 002'' which he launched together,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Grace |first=Ihesiulo |date=2020-03-05 |title=Eclectic singer and Storyteller, Ibejii speaks... |url=https://dailytimesng.com/eclectic-singer-and-storyteller-ibejii-speaks-against-societal-ills/ |location=Lagos, Nigeria|access-date=2023-11-09 |newspaper=Daily Times|language=en-GB}}</ref> ''Pulse Nigeria'' described the project as "a tasteful party: one who seeks to paint pictures, tell stories and drive action with the power of his music."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Nigeria |first=Pulse |date=2017-09-05 |title=Musician debuts great sound with tasteful party |url=https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/music/ibejii-musician-debuts-great-sound-with-tasteful-party/hz7t177 |access-date=2023-02-21 |newspaper=Pulse Nigeria|language=en}}</ref> The same year, three songs from the album, "Ojo", "Kirakita" and "Alejo" were accompanied with music videos. The videos depicted storytelling and portrayed African culture.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Ibejii Debuts Great Sounds with Tasteful Party|url=https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2017/09/15/ibejii-debuts-great-sounds-with-tasteful-party/ |access-date=2023-02-21 |newspaper=This Day|date=15 September 2017 }}</ref>
=== 2018–2021: ''Tribal Marks, Music Saved My Life, Ìlù Ìlú'' and ''Intermission'' === He followed ''GreenWhiteDope 001'' and ''GreenWhiteDope 002'' with a third studio album, ''Tribal Marks'' released in 2018,<ref>{{Cite news |title=Ibejii Launches 3rd Album – P.M. News |url=https://pmnewsnigeria.com/2018/09/21/ibejii-launches-3rd-album/ |location=Lagos, Nigeria|access-date=2023-02-21 |language=en-US|newspaper=P.M. News}}</ref> "which was noted for its storytelling, African rhythms and classic jazz". "As well as themes of spirituality, love, politics, and menace and perils in the society". According to him, the album is a celebration of man, culture people and our place society. ''The Guardian'' described the project as "an establishment of Ibejii’s leading status within the alternative music universe".<ref>{{Cite news |date=29 September 2018 |title=Ibejii returns with third album "Tribal Marks" |url=https://guardian.ng/saturday-magazine/ibejii-returns-with-third-album-tribal-marks/ |location=Lagos, Nigeria|access-date=2023-02-21 |newspaper=The Guardian|language=en-US}}</ref> The following year, Ibejii released his fourth studio album ''MSML (Music Saved My Life).''<ref name="auto2">{{Cite news |title=Ibejii Reflects on Global Chaos in New Song|url=https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2019/09/22/ibejii-reflects-on-global-chaos-in-new-song/ |access-date=2023-02-21 |newspaper=This Day|date=22 September 2019 }}</ref> Since then he has released three more studio albums, including ''Ìlù Ìlú'' his fifth studio album released in 2020,<ref>{{Cite web |date=24 June 2020 |title=IBEJII's ILÙ ILÚ Is A Beautifully Timeless Work {{!}} STREAM HERE |url=https://notjustok.com/mp3-songs/new-albums/ibejiis-ilu-ilu-is-a-beautifully-timeless-work-stream-here/ |access-date=2023-02-21 |website=NotjustOk |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=NollywoodTmies |title=Ibejii Music releases 9-track fourth body of work, 'Ilu Ilu' |url=https://www.nollywoodtimes.com/2020/06/ibejii-music-releases-9-track-fourth.html |access-date=2023-02-21 |website=Simply Entertainment Reports and News- Nollywood Times |language=en-us}}</ref> and ''Intermission,'' his sixth collection released in 2021, which won the Best alternative album at the Headies Awards of 2022,<ref>{{Cite news |date=22 October 2021 |title=Ibejii releases Electro-Soul EP, 'Intermission' {{!}} The Nation Newspaper |language=en-US |work=The Nation Newspaper |url=https://thenationonlineng.net/ibejii-releases-electro-soul-ep-intermission/ |access-date=2023-02-21}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Ibejii tackles societal ills with new EP 'Intermission' |url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2021/10/ibejii-tackles-societal-ills-with-new-ep-intermission/ |location=Lagos, Nigeria|newspaper=Vanguard|date=22 October 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=5 September 2022 |title=Headies Awards 2022: Wizkid & Tems are among top winners. Here is full list of winners |work=The Economic Times |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/us/headies-awards-2022-wizkid-tems-are-among-top-winners-here-is-full-list-of-winners/articleshow/94008503.cms?from=mdr |access-date=2023-02-21 |issn=0013-0389}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=5 September 2022 |title=Headies Awards 2022: Wizkid, Tems, Bnxn win Big plus oda winners |url=https://www.bbc.com/pidgin/articles/cv2eevqn8rmo |access-date=2023-02-21 |website=BBC News Pidgin}}</ref> "Gonto", the lead single from the album, was nominated for Best alternative song at the Headies 2022. "Gonto", which he said was inspired by the actions of Nigerian youths during the End SARS protest, was later accompanied with a music video, which starred some of Nollywood actors and actresses, and was short lived on stage at Terra Kulture in Lagos, Nigeria.<ref>{{Cite news |title=2022 Headies Full List Nominees |url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2022/05/2022-headies-full-list-nominees/|location=Lagos, Nigeria|newspaper=Vanguard}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Omotayo |first=Yusuf |date=5 September 2022 |title=Headies 2022: 'Doings' By Flavour Wins Best Alternative Song Award |url=https://thenet.ng/headies-2022-doings-by-flavour-wins-best-alternative-song-award/ |location=Lagos, Nigeria|access-date=2023-02-21 |newspaper=The NET|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Onabanjo |first=Adedamola |date=18 June 2021 |title=Ibejii Teases His Forthcoming Movie in the Video for Gonto |url=https://culturecustodian.com/ibejii-gonto/ |access-date=2023-02-21 |website=The Culture Custodian (Est. 2014.) |language=en-GB}}</ref> Ibejii songs has been featured on movies including ''The Wedding Party'', ''Catch.er,'' and ''Chief Daddy.''<ref>{{Cite web |date=22 June 2020 |title=IBEJII DELIVERS A TALE OF LOVE AND LOSS IN NEW PROJECT 'ILU ILU' |url=https://the49thstreet.com/ibejii-delivers-a-tale-of-love-and-loss-in-ne-project-ilu-ilu/ |access-date=2023-02-21 |website=The49thStreet |language=en-US}}</ref>
=== 2022–present: ''POST-19'' === ''POST-19'' his seventh album was released in 2022.<ref>{{Cite news |date=18 May 2022 |title=Ibejii steps out with new album 'Post-19' {{!}} The Nation Newspaper |language=en-US |work=The Nation Newspaper |url=https://thenationonlineng-net.webpkgcache.com/doc/-/s/thenationonlineng.net/ibejii-steps-out-with-new-album-post-19/ |access-date=2023-02-21}}</ref> A seven-track studio album which was later accompanied with music videos each. ''Business Day'' in Nigeria described ''POST-19'' as "Ibejii's hyperbolic emotional encounter with lockdown and its offerings which meanders through the innocence and transition of time, life and love and also highlights other issues".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Okeke-Korieocha |first=Ifeoma |date=20 May 2022 |title=Ibejii releases new album, Post-19, today |url=https://businessday.ng/arts-and-life/article/ibejii-releases-new-album-post-19-today/ |location=Lagos, Nigeria|access-date=2023-02-21 |newspaper=BusinessDay|language=en-US}}</ref> A listening party was held for the album at Ikoyi, Lagos State which welcomed guests like Motolani Alake, and Brand Ambassador at Diageo, Tinya Alonge.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Ibejii: Drawn to His African Roots|url=https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2019/07/26/ibejii-drawn-to-his-african-roots/ |access-date=2023-02-19 |newspaper=This Day|date=26 July 2019 }}</ref><ref name="auto3">{{Cite web |date=13 May 2022 |title=Following the "Post-19" Listening Event, Ibejii's "Blown" is out. Listen here |url=https://www.morebranches.com/a-recap-from-ibejiis-post-19-listening-event/ |access-date=2023-02-21 |website=MoreBranches |language=en-US}}</ref>
=== The Ibejii Live Experience === Ibejii established a musical festival tagged "The Ibejii Live Experience", an annual music festival that hosts on every Nigerian Democracy Day.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Ibejii Live Experience: Ibejii set to thrill fans – P.M. News |url=https://pmnewsnigeria.com/2018/05/23/ibejii-live-experience-ibejii-set-to-thrill-fans/ |location=Lagos, Nigeria|access-date=2023-02-21 |language=en-US|newspaper=P.M. News}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |author=Daily Post Staff |date=5 July 2022 |title=TILX: The phoenix returns with a bang as fans converge on Terra Kulture on July 10 |url=https://dailypost.ng/2022/07/05/tilx-the-phoenix-returns-with-a-bang-as-fans-converge-on-terra-kulture-on-july-10/ |location=Lagos, Nigeria|access-date=2023-02-21 |newspaper=Daily Post|language=en-US}}</ref>
== Artistry == Ibejii music is described as multiple genres, fusion of West African percussive sounds with contemporary global music. His style has been described by ''The Guardian'' and ''Vanguard'' as eclectic, poet, thinker, and a storyteller who uses folklore, metaphor and vernacular to clothe his music and deliver in a unique and sensitive manner, exploring traditional Yoruba folk, Jazz, Dance, RnB, and Juju. Ibejii has listed Marvin Gaye, Fela Kuti, Brymo and Aṣa as some of his musical influences.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Eclectic African storyteller thrills in album listening revelry. |url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/09/eclectic-african-storyteller-thrills-album-listening-revelry/ |location=Lagos, Nigeria|newspaper=Vanguard|date=3 September 2017 }}</ref><ref name="auto">{{Cite news |date=10 June 2021 |title=Ibejii Sets To Release New Music 'Gonto' |url=https://editor.guardian.ng/life/music/ibejii-sets-to-release-new-music-gonto/ |location=Lagos, Nigeria|access-date=2023-02-21 |newspaper=The Guardian|language=en-US}}</ref> Ibejii is also known for his retro afro style.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Odoh |first=Chux |date=10 May 2018 |title=Ibejii: Meet The Mysterious Retro Afro Artiste |url=https://thenet.ng/ibejii-meet-mysterious-retro-afro-artiste/ |location=Lagos, Nigeria|access-date=2023-02-21 |newspaper=The NET|language=en-US}}</ref><ref name="auto1"/>
== Critical reception == In 2021, ''The Native'' magazine described "Gonto" as "a candid but soulful rebuke of the casual insensitivity of governments across the world in the wake of the tragedies of 2021 as well as a celebration of a new age of awakening, and ''Intermission'' as "a project about finding hope and exhilaration even in the strangest of places".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Native |first=The |date=7 December 2021 |title=11 Projects That Flew Under the Radar |url=https://thenativemag.com/11-projects-may-have-missed-2021/ |access-date=2023-02-21 |website=The NATIVE |language=en-US}}</ref>
== Discography == === Albums === * ''GreenWhiteDope 001'' (2017) * ''GreenWhiteDope 002'' (2017) * ''Tribal Marks (2018)''<ref>{{Cite news |date=27 September 2018 |title=Highlights of Artist Ibejii 'Tribal Marks' Album Launch |url=https://guardian.ng/life/highlights-of-artist-ibejii-tribal-marks-album-launch/ |location=Lagos, Nigeria|access-date=2023-02-21 |newspaper=The Guardian|language=en-US}}</ref> * ''MSML (Music Saved My Life)'' (2019) * ''Ìlù Ìlú'' (2020) * ''Intermission'' (2021) * ''POST-19'' (2022)
=== Singles === {| class="wikitable" |+ {| class="wikitable" |List of singles as lead artist, with selected chart positions and certifications, showing year released and album name |} !Title !Year !Certifications !Album |- |"Ayanfe"<ref>{{Cite news |last=abiola |date=10 November 2016 |title=Ibejii – 'Ayanfe' |url=https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/music/new-music-ibejii-ayanfe/kw6dl9v |access-date=2023-02-21 |newspaper=Pulse Nigeria|language=en}}</ref> |2016 | | rowspan="4" |Non-album singles |- |"Brexit Horribliss"<ref name="auto2"/> |2019 | |- |"Fruit of Her Womb" | rowspan="2" |2020 | |- |"Lekeleke"<ref>{{Cite web |last=Godson |first=Betty |date=15 March 2021 |title=Radr Essentials Vol. 9: Ibejii, Jumoke Verissimo And More. |url=https://radrafrica.com/lifestyle/radr-essentials-vol-9-ibejiijumoke-verissimo-and-more/ |access-date=2023-02-21 |website=Radr Africa |language=en-US}}</ref> | |- |"Gonto"<ref name="auto"/><ref>{{Cite news |last=Online |first=Tribune |date=2 July 2021 |title='Gonto' springs to life in Ibejii's official music video release |url=https://tribuneonlineng.com/gonto-springs-to-life-in-ibejiis-official-music-video-release/ |access-date=2023-02-21 |newspaper=Nigerian Tribune|language=en-GB}}</ref> | rowspan="2" |2021 | | rowspan="2" |''Intermission'' |- |"Happy Me"<ref>{{Cite news |last=Rapheal |date=3 September 2021 |title=Ibejii releases Happy Me |url=https://www.sunnewsonline.com/ibejii-releases-happy-me/ |location=Lagos, Nigeria|access-date=2023-02-21 |newspaper=The Sun|language=en-us}}</ref> | |- |"Blown" {{Small|(with Wavy the Creator)}}<ref name="auto3"/> |2022 | |''POST-19'' |}
== References == {{Reflist}}
{{Portal bar|Biography|Music|Nigeria|United Kingdom}}
Category:Living people Category:English male singer-songwriters Category:English singer-songwriters Category:English people of Nigerian descent Category:British indie pop musicians Category:English soul singers Category:Year of birth missing (living people)