# Johnny Drille

John Ighodaro (born July 5, 1990), professionally known as Johnny Drille, is a Nigerian singer and songwriter. He first came into the spotlight when he released a cover of "Awww" by Di'Ja. He is currently signed to Mavin Records.

## Early life and education

Johnny Drille was born and raised in Edo State, Nigeria. His father is a school principal and clergyman. He has four siblings.
He started singing in his father's church at an early age. He attended the University of Benin, Benin City, where he studied English and Literature.

## Career

Johnny Drille began his musical career in church. He was one of the contestants on the sixth season of Project Fame West Africa in 2013. In 2015, he released a cover of Di'Ja's "Awww", which caught the attention of Mavin's CEO Don Jazzy.
His debut single "Wait for Me" was released in 2015. It was nominated for Best Alternative Song at The Headies 2016. He teamed up with Niniola, a fellow season 6 contestant, to record "Start All Over" in 2016.
In February 2017, he signed a record deal with Mavin Records.
On September 3, 2021, he released his debut album, a fourteen track project, titled 'Before We Fall Asleep' featuring Nigerian artists Ayra Starr, Ladipoe, Lagos community choir, Don Jazzy, Chylde, Kwitte, Cilsoul and the classic afro R&B group, Styl-Plus under the label Mavin Records.

## Personal life

Johnny is married to music executive Rima Tahini. In November 2023, they announced the birth of their daughter Amaris Esohe Ighodaro.

## Discography
### Album

List of studio albums with selected details :
| Title | Album details | Ref. |
| Before We Fall Asleep | Released: September 3, 2021 Label: Mavin Records Formats: Digital download, streaming | |

### EP

List of extended plays, with selected details and chart positions :
| Title | Details | Peak chart positions |
| Title | Details | NG |
| Home | Released: October 28, 2022 Label: Mavin Records Formats: Digital download, streaming | 12 |
| Hard Guy Confessions (with Don Jazzy) | Released: November 13, 2024 Label: Mavin Records Formats: Digital download, streaming |

### Singles

* 2015 - "Wait for Me"
* 2015 - "Love Don't Lie"
* 2016 - "My Beautiful Love"
* 2016 - "Start All Over (Featuring Niniola)
* 2017 - "Romeo & Juliet"
* 2018 - "Halleluya" (featuring Simi)
* 2018 - "Awa Love"
* 2019 - "Forever"
* 2019 - "Shine"
* 2019 - "Finding Efe"
* 2019 - "Papa"
* 2019 - "Dear Future Wife"
* 2019 - "Count on You"
* 2020 - "Something Better"
* 2020 - "Mystery Girl"
* 2021 - "Ova"
* 2021 - "Bad Dancer"
* 2021 - "Loving Is Harder"
* 2021 - "Odo"
* 2021 - "Sister"
* 2021 - "In the light"
* 2021 - "Sell my soul"
* 2022 - "How Are You (My Friend)"
* 2022 - "All I'm saying"
* 2022 - " Love and life"
* 2022 - "Journey of our lives
* 2023 - "Believe me"
* 2023 - "The Best Part"
* 2023 - "Stay"
* 2023 - "Spending"
* 2024 - "`For You"
* 2024 - "Palava"
* 2024 - "Count My Blessings"

## Awards and nominations

| Year | Event | Prize | Recipient | Result |
| 2016 | The Headies | Best Alternative Song | "Wait for Me" | Nominated |
| 2018 | The Headies | Best Vocal Performance (Male) | "Romeo & Juliet" | Nominated |
| 2018 | The Headies | Best R&B Single | "Romeo & Juliet" | Nominated |
| 2018 | The Headies | Best Alternative Song | "Romeo & Juliet" | Nominated |
| 2018 | The Headies | Next Rated | Himself | Nominated |
| 2019 | The Headies | Best Alternative Song | "Finding Efe" | Won |
| 2019 | The Headies | Best Vocal Performance (Male) | "Finding Efe" | Nominated |