FULL /REAL NAME: Iyanya Mbuk
STATE NAME : Iyanya
DATE OF BIRTH: 31 October 1986[ 31 years old]
OCCUPATION: Nigerian recording artist, singer, performer
MARITAL STATUS: Not Married
GIRLFRIEND : Dated Yvonne Nelson and Freda Francis
STATE OF ORIGIN : Cross River
NET WORTH :
RECORD LABEL : Mavin Records
ALBUMS : 2009: My Story , (2012):”Kukere”, 2012/2013: Iyanya vs. Desire

Born Iyanya Onoyom Mbuk but better known by his stage name “Iyanya the Kukere master”, is a Nigerian recording artist and performer who currently singed to Don Jazzy’s Mavin Records. The former Tipple MG front-line artiste rose to fame after winning the first season of Project Fame West Africa, and is best known for his hit single “Kukere”. Iyanya with a collaborated effort from Ubi Franklin founded the record label Made Men Music Group in 2011 but later left the label in 2016 to join Mavin Records.

Iyanya Onoyom Mbuk is one Nigerian musician that is synonymous with several well-recived hit singles and albums . His first ever studio album titled “My Story” was released in the year 2011 and this critically acclaim album featured the singles “No Time” and “Love Truly”. Following the success of his first album, he went ahead to release another album titled “Desire” supported by tracks like “Kukere” his best hit ever, “Ur Waist”, “Flavour”, “Se3y Mama”, and “Jombolo”. He have won several awards and graced lots of nominations , He won the Artist of the Year award at The Headies 2013. Iyanya officially joined Mavin Records on October 2016 just few months after signing a management deal with Temple Management Company  . Meanwhile, the Kukere crooner had earlier on announced his intentions to leave Made Man Music Group in July 2016 but finally signed the contract three months later October 2016 precisely. To confirm this development, Iyanya took to Instagram account to confirm the record deal with Mavin Records.

Iyanya’s Biography | Early Life , Background And Education

Iyanya is one of the most successful Nigerian musician who is widely called “Kukere master” and popularly known by the dance Ethigi which he used in his hit song Kukere. The little frame musician with a lot of muscles was born on Palm Street in Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria. He was birthed on the 31st of October 1986 by a woman who was a head mistress and his father was a forester. According to the “Hold On” singer, he described his mother as the household disciplinarian, while his father was the gentler of the two. Unfortunately, he lost his both parents in 2008 , his mother died at the age of forty two(42)  and his father at the age of fifty(50) . As if that wasn’t enough , he later lost his elder brother few months after the death of his parents and it wasn’t a good experience for the singer as he almost lost all hopes of becoming a musician.

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At this time his grand father who was a clergy man was still very much alive and healthy . Iyanya started singing in his church’s choir when he was appointed as the children’s choir master when he was only 5 years old. He was introduced into music at a very early age which is why he was able to master his art on time and become of the most sought for Nigerian musician today. He had his first taste of education in Calabar , where he completed his primary, secondary, and university education in . He obtained a degree in business management from the prestigious University of Calabar before he dived into his music career professionally.

Music Career Beginning

After completing his basic and university education , he was employed in a hotel and sang karaoke at a local bar he managed. He used this opportunity to master and develop his vocal abilities at local bars which include: Fiesta Fries Bar, Mirage Nite Club, and West-Life. He revealed in a chat that his key musical influences are British singer Craig David and American hip hop artist R Kelly. Initially, music to him was just for fun because it keeps him occupied but he was later motivated to pursue music professionally after watching the celebrity lifestyle of 2 Face Idibia and Olu Maintain. He was carried away by their luxurious life-style and wanted to be like them in the future, that was how his musical ambition came about. He kicked started his music career as a rapper going by the stage name “Lofty” but he later changed his name to Iyanya when he started singing professionally .

Iyanya Partaking In MTN Project Fame

In 2008, Iyanya was convinced to partake in MTN’s first ever Project Fame singing competition by KC from KC Presh group. He yielded to the advise and participated in the competition and fortunately emerged the winner of the competition after battling numerous people who had the same aspirations as him. The 2008 MTN Project Fame Competition marked the beginning of Iyanya’s musical career. Iyanya’s success began from that point unlike many people who ambition will die down after a major competition but his determination for fame kept him going and at the end he was able to put his name on the map.

Iyanya’s Albums Since The Beginning of His Career

• 2009: My Story
• (2012):”Kukere”
• 2012/2013: Iyanya vs. Desire

Iyanya: Endorsements

• Iyanya signed an endorsement deal with Solo Phones Nigeria, a mobile phone company situated at Computer Village, Ikeja. According to reports by 360nobs , the one year deal is allegedly worth $220,000 (35 million niara). He also got a 2014 Toyota Prado from the deal.
• Iyanya also signed a one year deal with Zinox Computers (Nigeria’s first certified branded computers), worth $300,000. The deal featured Iyanya on Zinox billboards and in TV commcercials. This news was later confirmed by Daily Independent in 2013.

Iyayan Music Style

Iyanya officially started off his career performing ballads, which is obvious on his debut album, My Story. In an interview with Toolz on Ndani TV, he said he wants to be a versatile artist and wants to be known for his R&B and Afrobeat abilities. In addition, he also disclosed in the same interview that he switched from R&B to Afrobeat because he wanted to make money and wanted fans to see his versatility.

Iyanya’s International Appearances

On November 25, 2012, Iyanya performed at comedian AY Makun’s show held at the INDIGO2 arena. To promote his second studio album in the UK, Iyanya headlined the Iyanya vs. Desire concert. The concert started in London and ended in Manchester. The London concert went down at the INDIGO2 arena on 9 June 2013 and it featured performances from Tonto Dikeh and Emma Nyra. And in early 2013, Iyanya and his label mate Emma Nyra went on a mini tour across the U.S and Canada Iyanya performed at the Shrine in Chicago on 11 April 2013. He was also one of the lined-up artiste to perform at the African Muzik Magazine launch on 12 April 2013, which was held in Dallas, Texas. Iyanya have also performed at the world-renowned New York Fashion Week .

Iyanya: Net Worth 2017

His estimated net worth is ($3.5million)

Iyanya: House and Cars

Iyanya is well-known for his luxurious life-style and high taste for fancy things. He own a duplex worth over 150million Naira according to an insider. The Kukere crooner have a soft spot for fancy automobiles which is frequently shown of on social media.

In 2013, Iyanya acquires four (4) powerful cars for himself as a new year gift . They include

• Two Range Rovers Evogue Sports Utility Vehicle costing 13million Naira each which makes it 26million Naira,
• One Mercedes Benz 2013 E-350 worth 22million Naira, and
• One BMW X-6 worth 17million Naira,
• One Bentley Continental GT worth 18million Naira,
• One Black Land Cruiser Prado SUV worth 16.5million and one 2012 Aston Martin Vanquish worth 18.5million Naira. The total worth of Iyanya’s cars cost a whooping ($3.5million)

Iyanya’s Girlfriend

Iyanya is one guy that have taste when it comes to selecting women. He has been romantically involved with some popular names in Nigerian and outside Nigeria. He has dated Ghanaian beauty, Yvonne Nelson and Freda Francis . The singer is yet to show off his new girlfriend.

Why Iyanya Left Made Men Music Group

When Iyanya joined Tripple MG newly things was going well with them , but things started going wrong when the label had to get-rid-of two artistes, Emma Nyra and Baci, which according to sources, did not go down well with Iyanya. Meanwhile, Baci, most especially had a special bond with Iyanya. Financial mismanagement issues are also a huge part of the disagreement. Iyanya and Ubi have long not seen eye to eye over the remittance of booking and appearance fees. According to our source, there have been concerns over Ubi’s handling of the business finances .

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Things got worse during and after Ubi’s celebrity wedding to Nollywood actress, Lilian Esoro, in November 2015. After some time , Iyanya announced his intention to join Mavin Records which he finally did in October 2016. He has released one hit single under the new imprint titiled Up To Something featuring Don Jazzy and Dr Sid.

Iyanya Awards

Iyanya awards are so numerous and i am going to be listing out some selected once.

His Nomination include;

• Musician of the Year (Male) at City People Entertainment Awards, Best Male West Africa and Best Dance in a Video (WON) at African Muzik Magazine Awards ,
• Nominatd for World’s Best Song, World’s Best Video, World’s Best Male Artist, World’s Best Live Act and World’s Best Entertainer of The Year at 2014 World Music Awards
• Nominated for Best R&B/Pop Album, Album of the Year, Best Pop Single and Song of the Year at The Headies
• Nominated for Best High Life Video, Best Use of Choreography, Best Use of Visual Effects at Nigeria Music Video Awards (NMVA)
• Nominated for Best International Performance at Soul Train Music Awards
• Channel O Music Video Awards | Most Gifted Male Video,
• Best Pop/R&B Artiste of the Year, Hottest Single of the Year at Nigeria Entertainment Awards
• Ghana Music Awards | African Artiste of the Year
• Musician of the Year (Male) and Most Popular Song of the Year at City People Entertainment Awards
• Nominated for Best Contemporary Afro (Live Beats choice) at Nigeria Music Video Awards (NMVA)
• Nominated for Song of the Year at 2012 The Headies award

Awards Won By Iyanya

• Won African Muzik Magazine Awards
• Won Best Dance in a Video “Le Kwa Ukwu”
• won 2014 The Headies Artist of the Year
• Won Nigeria Entertainment Award Hottest Single of the Year “Kukere”
• Won Artist of the Year at The Headies
• Won Hottest Single of the Year at Nigeria Entertainment Awards
• Won Best Pop Single at The Headies 2012.

List of Singles as Lead Artist

• “Love Truly”
• “No Time”
• (featuring Faze)
• “Iyanya (My Story)”
• “Kukere”
• “Ur Waist”
• (featuring Emma Nyra)
• “Kukere Remix”
• (featuring D’banj)
• “Flavour”
• “Sexy Mama”
• (featuring Wizkid)
• “Jombolo”
• (featuring Flavour N’abania)
• “Head Swell”
• “She Can Get It”
• “Le Kwa Ukwu”
• “Story Story”
• (featuring Oritse Femi)
• “Mr Oreo”

As Featured Artist

• “Get Wild”
• (N6 featuring Iyanya)
• “Omoge”
• (Slim Joe featuring Iyanya)
• “Everything I Do”
• (featuring Iyanya)
• “Your Desire”
• (Sammy Lee featuring Iyanya)
• “Koma Roll Remix
• (Tillaman featuring Ice Prince, Iyanya, Burna Boy, Phyno and Trigga) —
• “Coupe Decale Remix”
• (Minjin featuring Iyanya)
• “Emujo”
• (DJ Jimmy Jatt featuring Iyanya and 4×4)
• “Fi Mi Le”
• (Lola Rae featuring Iyanya)
• “Felele”
• (Ajemina featuring Iyanya)
• “Fever”
• “Feel Alright”
• (Wizzboy featuring Iyanya)
• “Flex
• (Princeton featuring Iyanya)

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Promotional Singles

• “I’m the One”
• “In Love Again”
• “South Girl”
• (featuring Duncan Mighty)
• “High”
• (featuring Dammy Krane)
• “Take It Inside”
• (Olamide featuring Iyanya)

SOURCE:  www.bionetworth.com.ng and www.wkipedia.org

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