Waje is an award-winning Nigerian singer, songwriter, voice coach, and one of the judges of The Voice Africa. Her music genres are Pop, R&B, Soul, Blues, and Rock.
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Waje’s Background
Waje’s birth names are Aituaje Aina Vivian Ebele Iruobe. She was born in Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria, but grew up in Benin City, Edo State Nigeria. Waje is the first child of her parents who divorced when she was still a young girl. Waje is blessed with a beautiful daughter, Emerald.
She schooled at Word of Faith Group of Schools and became a member of the school choir. When she was young, she used to sing for late Archbishop Benson Idahosa. Her music always delighted the Bishop, so he decided to fund her secondary school education.
After secondary school, she went to the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) to study social works. While at UNN, she performed at school concerts and fellowships. Her inspiration came from her role models Whitney Houston and Aretha Franklin.
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Waje’s Career
Waje started music professionally in 2007 while a student. She did free shows and gigs. She featured in ‘Do Me’ by P-Square, the song gained popularity in Africa and some parts of Europe. Waje took part in Advanced Warning – a reality TV show for artists about to get their career breakthrough. The organisers of the reality show were MTV Base South Africa and Zain Nigeria. She left the house as the runner up.
Waje debuted her first studio album titled W.A.J.E in 2013. She also debuted her acting career in 2014 in the movie Tunnel alongside popular actors like Femi Jacobs, Patrick Doyle, Nse Ikpe-Etim, and Lepacious Bose.
She was one of the few Nigerian artistes that performed at a show in South Africa sharing a stage with Wyclef Jean. Waje released a single titled ‘Left for good’ featuring Patoranking and Godwin Strings in August 2015. In the same year, she featured in the theme song for One Poverty’s Sexist Campaign. Also, Waje is one of the Judges on The Voice Nigeria.
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Is Waje Still In The Music Industry?
In March 2019, Waje posted a video saying she no longer believes in her music career. She said she invests so much in music, yet she doesn’t get the expected profit. However, in April 2019, Waje and Omawumi did the soundtrack of the movie She is.
Hermanes Media
Waje and Omawumi established Hermanes Media, in 2017. The media house provide services such as film/TV production, TV adverts, content curation, brand event activation, and creative digital marketing.
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Waje’s Albums
- W.A.J.E – 2013
- Red Velvet – 2018
Waje As A Philanthropist
Waje established the Waje’s Safe House which works together with other NGOs. Their first project was working with the Mental and Environmental Development Initiative for Children (MEDIC), assisting the Project HELP (Help Educate the Less Privileged). They raised funds to keep the children of Makoko in school through ring back tones of Waje’s songs Oko Mi and I Wish.
Waje was one of the musicians that collaborated with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to fight against electoral manipulation, vote-buying, violence, and thuggery.
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Quotes Of Waje
“We must never confuse elegance for snobbery”
“Life gets tough for everyone, but we must learn to slow down and smell the roses with people that put us in a positive space. Energy is everything!”
“I love being a working girl. I love meeting other working ladies… Hey ladies, let’s work, shop and rock at the same time.”
“I love our anthem; it gives me hope. One day our leaders and every citizen will value every word and act on the words we sing.”
“Man’s schemes are inferior to those made by heaven.”
“When life throws you lemons, make some lemonade, put as much sugar as you would like, then drink it… and make life watch!”
“The fact that we are always on the move makes it hard to be still. We must stop, and find that quiet zone that we all have inside of us, nature does that for me, and it gave me the fix I needed.”
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Nominations Of Waje
- Best New Video at the Nigerian Music Video Awards (Nominee) – 2009
- Nominated at the Dynamix Awards for the Best New Act – 2009
- Best Vocals nominee at the Headies – 2010
- City People Awards nominated Waje as the Best R&B Female – 2011
- Best pop/R&B artist of the year nominee at the Nigerian Entertainment Awards – 2011
- Nominee for Best New Act of the Year at the Nigerian Entertainment Awards – 2011
- Best Vocal Performer Female nominee at the Headies – 2011
- Nominated at the Headies for the Best R&B Single – 2011
- Female Music Art of the Year nominee at the Exquisite Ladies of the Year Award – 2011
- Nominated for the Most Gifted Female Video at the Channel O Music Video Awards – 2011
- Best Contemporary Afro Video nominee at the Nigerian Music Video Awards – 2011
- Best International Act nominee at the Black Canadian Awards – 2014
- W.A.J.E was nominated as the Best World Album at the World Music Awards – 2014
- World Best Live Act nominee at the World Music Awards – 2014
- Nominee for World Best Female Entertainer at the World Music Awards – 2014
- World Music Awards nominated her for the category of the World Best Entertainer – 2014
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Awards Of Waje
- At the South-South Awards, Waje bagged the Best Vocal Performance award – 2010
- Best Female Vocalist award at the Nigerian Entertainment Awards – 2011
- Deafa Afro-Europe Entertainment Awards named her as the Best African Act – 2011
- Best Female Vocalist award at the Hip Hop World Awards in 2011
- At the South-South Awards, she was named Best Female Performer in 2012
- I wish in the W.A.J.E ALBUM was named Best Reggae/Dancehall in 2013
- Best Female Artist at the Eloy Awards in 2014
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Life Lesson From Waje
The importance of training and having a mentor to look up in your chosen career cannot be overemphasized. Waje knew she could sing, she also knew that she could be better which is why she always listened to her role models. From her voice texture, you will agree with me that she does vocal exercises too.
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Image Credit: @OfficialWaje (Instagram)
