Iyanya Onoyom Mbuk is a multi-award winning Nigerian singer, who is popularly known for his hit single Kukere. He was the winner of the Project Fame West Africa Season One. The award winning artiste co-founded the Made Men Music Group (MMMG).
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Iyanya Background
Iyanya was born on the 31st of October 1986, in Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria. He was born to Mr Mbuk, a forester, and Mrs Mbuk, a school headmistress. He had his early education at Qubi Centre Nursery School Calabar. His primary school was at government primary school, Calabar.
For his secondary education, he attended government science school Calabar, where he obtained his Senior Secondary School Certificate (SSCE). He then studied Business Management at the University of Calabar (UNICAL). Iyanya lost his parents, and elder brother around the same time in 2008.
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Iyanya Career
After Iyanya obtained his undergraduate degree, he got a job as a bar manager. He usually sang at Fiesta Fries Bar, Mirage Nite Club, and West-Life Night Club. Iyanya was inspired by Craig David, Bob Marley, West Life, Backstreet Boys, and R. Kelly. He decided it was time to do professional music after he watched a television programme which showcased the luxurious lifestyle of 2Face Idibia and Olu Maintain.
Iyanya gained popularity in Nigeria when he won the first edition of the MTN Project Fame Reality TV show in 2008. Afterwards, in 2009, he released his debut album – My Story. My Story was a commercial failure because of lack of proper distribution and promotion. Eventually, he came to limelight in the industry after he released Kukere in 2011.
Since then, he has been doing exploits, even though he has encountered numerous challenges.
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Iyanya’s Studio Albums
- My Story – 2009
- Desire – 2013
- Applaudise – 2015
Iyanya’s Compilation Albums
- The Evolution – 2014
Iyanya’s Singles
- Love Truly – 2009
- No Time (featuring Faze) – 2009
- Iyanya (My Story) – 2010
- Kukere – 2011
- Ur Waist (featuring Emma Nyra) – 2012
- Kukere Remix (featuring D’banj) – 2012
- Flavour – 2012
- Sexy Mama (featuring Wizkid) – 2013
- Jombolo (featuring Flavour N’abania) – 2013
- Head Swell – 2013
- She Can Get It – 2013
- Le Kwa Ukwu – 2013
- Story Story (featuring Oritse Femi) – 2014
- Mr Oreo – 2014
- Ijeoma – 2014
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Iyanya’s Singles As A Featured Artist
- Get Wild (N6 featuring Iyanya) – 2012
- Omoge (Slim Joe featuring Iyanya) – 2012
- Everything I Do (featuring Iyanya) – 2012
- Your Desire (Sammy Lee featuring Iyanya) – 2013
- Koma Roll Remix (Tillaman featuring Ice Prince, Iyanya, Burna Boy, Phyno and Trigga) – 2013
- Coupe Decale Remix (Minjin featuring Iyanya) – 2013
- Emujo (DJ Jimmy Jatt featuring Iyanya and 4×4) – 2013
- Fi Mi Le (Lola Rae featuring Iyanya) – 2013
- Felele (Ajemina featuring Iyanya) – 2013
- Fever – 2016
- Feel Alright (Wizzboy featuring Iyanya) – 2016
- Flex (Princeton featuring Iyanya) – 2016
Iyanya’s Promotional Singles
- I’m the One – 2010
- In Love Again – 2010
- South Girl (featuring Duncan Mighty) – 2011
- High (featuring Dammy Krane) – 2013
- Take It Inside (Olamide featuring Iyanya) – 2013
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Iyanya’s Music Videos
- Love Truly – 2009
- Iyanya (My Story) – 2010
- Kukere – 2012
- Ur Waist (featuring Emma Nyra) – 2012
- Flavour – 2012
- Sexy Mama (featuring Wizkid) – 2013
- Jombolo (featuring Flavour N’abania) – 2013
- Head Swell – 2013
- Le Kwa Ukwu – 2013
Iyanya’s Videos As A Featured Artist
- Get Wild (N6 featuring Iyanya) – 2013
- Everything I Do (Emma Nyra featuring Iyanya) – 2013
- Koma Roll Remix (Tillaman featuring Ice Prince, Iyanya, Burna Boy, Phyno and Trigga) – 2013
- Coupe Decale Remix (Minjin featuring Iyanya) – 2013
- Felele (featuring Iyanya) – 2013
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Iyanya’s Endorsements
- Ambassador for Solo Phones Nigeria – a mobile phone company located at Computer Village, Ikeja. The contract came with a 2014 Toyota Prado.
- He signed a one-year endorsement deal with Zinox Computers (Nigeria’s first certified branded computers).
- MTN Nigeria once endorsed him as one of its brand ambassadors.
- Brand ambassador for Dunes Center, Abuja.
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Iyanya Quotes
“…Be the change you pray to see.”
“Remember, winning in reality, is bliss. Don’t get carried away, and be forced into depression by what you see on social media!”
“Don’t cry cause it’s over, smile cause it happened that way! Have a chilled day!!!”
“Development, investment, and Nation Growth come when every individual plays an integral role in Nation building…”
“Rape is disgusting, callous and heartless. It will not be treated lightly. It’ll be so sad and heartbreaking if found of this allegation.”
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Awards And Nominations Of Iyanya
2012 – 2013
- Nigeria Music Video Awards (NMVA) nominated him as the Best Contemporary Afro (Live Beats choice) – 2012
- The Headies award for Best Pop Single – 2012
- Song of the Year nominee at the Headies – 2012
- Soul Train Music Awards nominee for Best International Performance – 2013
- Channel O Music Video Awards nominee for the Most Gifted Male Video – 2013
- Nigeria Entertainment Awards nominee for Best Pop/R&B Artist of the Year – 2013
- Hottest Single of the Year at the Nigeria Entertainment Awards – 2013
- Ghana Music Awards nominee for African Artiste of the Year – 2013
- City People Entertainment Awards nominee for Musician of the Year (Male) – 2013
- Most Popular Song of the Year at the City People Entertainment Awards – 2013
- Nigeria Music Video Awards (NMVA) nominee for Best High Life Video – 2013
- Nominated for Best Use of Choreography at the Nigeria Music Video Awards (NMVA) – 2013
- Best Use of Visual Effects nominee at the Nigeria Music Video Awards (NMVA) – 2013
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2013 – 2014
- The Headies award for Artist of the Year – 2013
- Best R&B/Pop Album nominee at the Headies – 2013
- Album of the Year nominee at the Headies – 2013
- Best Pop Single nominee at the Headies – 2013
- Song of the Year nominee at The Headies – 2013
- World Music Awards nominee for the World’s Best Song – 2014
- Nominated Le Kwa Ukwu for the World’s Best Video at the World Music Awards – 2014
- Iyanya was nominated for the World’s Best Male Artist at the World Music Awards – 2014
- World’s Best Live Act nominee at the World Music Awards – 2014
- Nominated as the World’s Best Entertainer of the Year at the World Music Awards – 2014
- City People Entertainment Awards nominated Iyanya for the Musician of the Year (Male) – 2014
- African Muzik Magazine Awards nominee for Best Male West Africa – 2014
- Best Dance in a Video at the African Muzik Magazine Awards – 2014
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Net Worth Of Iyanya
According to 360dopes.com, Iyanya was worth $4.5million in 2018.
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Life Lesson From Iyanya
Be persistent
The failure of Iyanya’s first album was enough to get him discouraged in pursuing his dreams but he never gave up until he got his big break with Kukere.
He started small and knew exactly what he wanted. He then worked hard to achieve his dreams against all odds. His music is creative and endears his fans to him which is evident of his hard work. His most recent single – Ijeoma, has left his fans raving.
As an entrepreneurs, there is no substitute for hard work in life and in business. You have to make a conscious decision to focus on your hustle and see it through no matter the challenges you experience. See every challenge as an experience and not a hindrance.
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