IllBliss: From #Powerful To ILLYGATI …The Beat Goes On

From his days as a member of the defunct hip-hop group, Da Thoroughbreds, which comprised of hip-hop acts like Elajoe, Obiwon and B-Elect to his journey as a solo artiste in 2008, ‘illBliss’, ‘Dat Igbo Boy’ or ‘Oga Boss’ as he is fondly always make a statement with his music.

Christened Tobechukwu Melvin Ejiofor, he was born and raised in Enugu state, popularly known as Coal City, where he acquired primary and secondary education between 1983and 1994, and subsequently gained admission to study political science/international relations in the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) in 1995.

Over the years, illBliss has endeared himself and warmed his way into the hearts of music pundits and lover in Nigeria and across the globe with his monster hits ranging from U Go Wound, Dat Ibo Boy, Aiye Po Gan (enough space), Bank Alert, Oga Boss, Powerful and the latest Nku, a single off his fourth studio album.

He announced his name as a solo artiste into music game with the street anthem U Go Wound O, and won the Best Hip-Hop Video of the Year at the maiden edition of Soundcity Music Video Awards (SMVA) 2008.

The award was presented to him by the Nigerian-US born rapper, NAS. In 2009, he released his debut album Dat Ibo Boy, which received massive airplay in radio and TV stations across the country and spun hit singles such as U Go Wound, Dat Ibo Boy and Aiye Po Gan (meaning enough space).

The Nkwerre in Imo State singer, rapper, producer and record label chief represents have three things that stands him out as an entertainer — consciousness, lyricism and creativity. His diverse approach to the hip-hop genre ranges from social issues to love/relationships, peer pressure and other topics that the average head can relate to, while retaining elements of hip-hop and ethnic content, a virtue which sets him apart from the crowd.

He was nominated in no fewer than three categories including Best Rap Album and Best Collaboration at the Hiphop World Awards in 2010. In the same year, he adopted an executive approach towards the music business by setting up an artiste management firm called The Goretti Company, which has been responsible for moulding and launching the music careers of MTN Project Fame winners: Mike Anyasodo, Chidinma, Monica Ogah and Ayoola.

In 2011, the former assistant bank manager returned to the studio to commence the recording of his much anticipated sophomore album titled Oga Boss, which dropped late November 2012, while the singles Anamachi Kwanu and My Heart Beats enjoyed massive airplay. The video for Anamachi kwanu caused quite a stir and remains one of the top music videos in Nigeria as it went on to win Best Hip-hop video at the Nigerian Music Video Awards (NMVA) 2012.

Following awesome reviews from industry pundits and music fans, Oga Boss was nominated in the Best Rap Album category at the 2013 Headies. The album features collaborations with some of Nigeria’s A-list artistes such as Timaya, Naeto C, Ice Prince Zamani, Chidinma, Phyno, Del’ Bas, Banky W, Wizkid, Tha Suspect and UK based Silvastone.

His third album titled Powerful, which dropped mid-2015, with hit tracks WTF, featuring Olamide, Bank Alert, and Chukwu Agozigomi received rave reviews among music buffs and scored a great deal of commercial success across Nigeria and the West Africa sub region. The songs got massive airplay on major radio stations, clubs and TV stations across the country. Following the critical acclaim of the song Bank Alert, buzzy rappers, Ice Prince, Eva Alordiah and Oringo singer, Phyno jumped on the remix.

Early June 2015, his co-produced CAPital nation all-star collaborative tune titled Finally (Adekunle) featuring Tha Suspect, Chidinma, Fefe and Mz Kiss, was released and it received strong accolades from music lovers and pundits with good airplay time in various airwaves.

Currently working on his fourth studio album, which illBliss said when completed will be title ILLYGATI, and would be released later in the year under the CAPital Hill Records and Gorretti Company venture, which he jointly manages with Clearance Peters, Tha Suspect.

The latest offering, Nku is the rapper’s first official single in the year 2016 and title of the song in Igbo language literally mean ‘Abundant Wealth’. Produced by Kezy Klef, a fast-rising producer based in Enugu, the new hit, features Ada Ada crooner, Flavour and Stormrex, who are notable for their unique contemporary Hip-life genre of music in Africa.