Praise Ugbede Adejo (born 8 March 1985), better known by his stage name Praiz, is a Nigerian multi award-winning R&B singer, songwriter, and producer. Praiz's music career hit the limelight after he finished second runner-up at the maiden season of Project Fame West Africa.[2] He is best known for releasing hit singles like "Rich and Famous", "Sisi" and "I Love You". He contributed guest vocals to Bez's 2011 single "That Stupid Song"; the music video for the song mentioned was the first African video to make a world premiere on BET’s 106 & Park.[3] He is currently signed to Cicada Music.
Praiz | |
|---|---|
 Praiz in 2015 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Praise Ugbede Adejo |
| Also known as | Mr. Rich & Famous |
| Born | 8 March 1985[1] |
| Origin | Kogi State, Nigeria |
| Genres | R&B |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, songwriter |
| Instrument(s) | Vocals, piano |
| Years active | 2007–present |
| Labels | CICADA Music, X3M Music |
Early life and education
editPraiz, a native of Igala in Kogi State, was born in Lagos but later relocated to Kaduna in 1992 after his father was transferred there on missionary work. He is the second child out of five children.[4] He has a National Diploma in Computer Science after graduating from Kaduna Polytechnic.[5]
Career
editProject Fame West Africa
editPraiz had been doing well in music before he shot into the limelight after emerging second runner-up in the first edition of Project Fame West Africa, a music reality T.V show which Iyanya went on to win.[6] His performance in the competition increased his fan base, making him one of the next-rated stars in the Nigerian music industry.[7]
2010–present: Rich & Famous
editPraiz has worked with several artists, including Awilo Longomba, Cobhams, Wizkid, Seyi Shay, Bez and MI.[8] One of his many works is a song he collaborated with fellow Nigerian artiste Bez on the hit single "That Stupid Song", which went on to be the first African video to make a world premiere on BET’s 106 & Park.[9] On 22 July 2012, he released the hit single titled "Rich and Famous", which got positive reviews and massive airplay, thus getting him nominated in several award events.[10] On 14 December 2014, Praiz released his double studio album titled Rich & Famous [Rich] (sized A) and Rich & Famous [Famous] (sized B).[11][8]
Style of music
editKnown to be a soul and R&B artiste, Praiz also has a diverse style in making other genres of music, switching up from R&B to Afropop with commercially appealing songs like "Oshe" and "Mercy". He cites Barry White, Michael Jackson, Carl Thompson and Boyz II Men as people who influence his type of music.[12]
Personal life
editPraiz was a brand ambassador for the network service MTN. He is also involved with some charitable organizations, including Safe Motherhood Foundation and Little Big Souls, an organization geared towards helping to reduce premature maternal mortality and assisting women who cannot afford maternal care.[9]
Discography
editAlbums
edit- Rich & Famous (2014)
- 2 Minutes EP (2018)
Singles
edit- "Bubbling Under" (2010)
- "The Lockdown" (2011)
- "I Love You" (2011)
- "Jekalo" (2011)
- "A Woman's Need" (2012)
- "Rich and Famous" (2012)
- "For You" (featuring Seyi Shay) (2013)
- "I Love You" (2013)
- "Oshe" (featuring Awilo Longomba) (2013)
- "Sweet Potato" (featuring Chidinma) (2014)
- "Mercy" (2014)
- "Sisi" (featuring Wizkid) (2014)
- "Heartbeat" (2015)
- "Amazing Grace" (2015)
- "Body Hot" (2016)[13] Featuring Jesse Jagz & Stonebwoy
- "2 minutes" (2018)
- "Here and now (2018)
- "Champagne and Flowers (2018)
- "Hustle ft. Stonebwoy (2019)[14]
- "Under The Sky" (2020)
Awards and nominations
edit| Year | Award ceremony | Award description | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | The Headies 2012 | Best Vocal Performance (Male) | Nominated |
| 2012 | The Headies 2012 | Next Rated Act | Nominated |
| 2012 | 2012 Nigeria Entertainment Awards | Most Promising Act to Watch | Nominated |
| 2013 | 2013 Nigeria Entertainment Awards | Best Pop/R&B Artist of the Year | Nominated |
| 2013 | City People Awards | Best Rhythm and Blues Singer of the Year | Won[15] |
| 2013 | The Headies 2013 | Best Vocal Performance | Won[16] |
| 2014 | City People Awards | Best Pop/R&B Artist of the Year | Nominated |
| 2014 | 2014 Nigeria Entertainment Awards | Best Pop/R&B Artist of the Year | Nominated |
| 2015 | 2015 Nigeria Entertainment Awards | Best Pop/R&B Artist of the Year | Won[17] |
| 2021 | The Headies 2021 | Best Vocal Performance | Won[18] |
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Dayo Showemimo (8 March 2015). "Praiz celebrates 31st birthday with throw-back picture". The Net. Retrieved 30 July 2015.
- ^ "SURULERE: IYANYA, PRAIZ BACK IN PROJECT FAME 2008!". E247Mag. 21 May 2014. Retrieved 30 July 2015.
- ^ "BN Bytes: Bez to debut video for "That Stupid Song" on BET's 106 & Park – First-Ever African Video to World Premiere on the Show". BellaNaija. 30 January 2012. Retrieved 30 July 2015.
- ^ Adeola Adeyemo (18 August 2012). "BN Saturday Celebrity Interview: The "Rich & Famous" Crooner, Praiz takes us into His World – Meet the Man Behind that Unique Voice!". BellaNaija. Retrieved 30 July 2015.
- ^ Anna Okon (25 August 2013). "Music is my lover – Praiz". The Punch. Archived from the original on 3 June 2015. Retrieved 30 July 2015.
- ^ Michael Abimboye (21 December 2014). "Why I have a double CD debut album- Praiz". Premium Times. Retrieved 30 July 2015.
- ^ Chinedu Adiele (17 June 2015). "Praiz hangout with fans at Meet and Greet event". Tush Magazine. Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 30 July 2015.
- ^ a b Ayomide O. Tayo (14 December 2014). "Singer releases album 'Rich & Famous'". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 30 July 2015.
- ^ a b Dee Apphiaanna (29 October 2014). "[CELEBRITY BIO] Nigerian Singer Praise Adejo AKA Praiz' Biography". Star Gist. Retrieved 30 July 2015.
- ^ "Praiz – Rich And Famous". tooXclusive.com. 22 July 2014. Retrieved 30 July 2015.
- ^ Abimboye, Micheal. "Why I have a double CD debut album- Praiz". Premium Times Nigeria. Retrieved 3 March 2024.
- ^ "NIGERIAN ARTISTE PRAISE ADEJO AKA PRAIZ BIOGRAPHY". TheInfoNerds.com. 29 October 2014. Retrieved 30 July 2015.
- ^ "New Music Praiz – 'Body hot' ft Jesse Jagz, Stonebwoy". Pulse.ng. Joeuy Akan. Retrieved 5 February 2016.
- ^ "New Song Praiz – Hustle ft. Stonebwoy". 042coded.com.ng. Passstyle Onyeka. Retrieved 12 April 2019.
- ^ Braimah Sheriff (14 July 2013). "Singer Praiz wins his first music award". Entertainment Redefined. Retrieved 30 July 2015.
- ^ "Olamide wins big @ Headies 2013 + full list of winners - Vanguard News". Vanguard News. 27 December 2013. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
- ^ Tonye (19 July 2015). "Voting opens for Nigeria Entertainment Awards 2015". The Guardian. Retrieved 30 July 2015.
- ^ "Headies award 2021 winners: Wizkid, Fireboy win, Burnaboy, Naira Marley lose and oda tins wey happun for di 14th Edition to reward 2020 performance - BBC News Pidgin". BBC News Pidgin. 22 February 2021. Retrieved 25 February 2021.