# Iyanya

Iyanya Onoyom Mbuk (born 31 October 1986), better known as Iyanya, is a Nigerian singer and songwriter. Born and raised in Calabar, he rose to fame after winning the first season of Project Fame West Africa. In 2009, Iyanya released his debut studio album My Story, which was supported by the singles "No Time" and "Love Truly". He co-founded the record label Made Men Music Group with Ubi Franklin in 2011. His second studio album Desire, which was released in February 2013, produced the singles "Kukere", "Ur Waist", "Flavour", "Sexy Mama", and "Jombolo". Iyanya has won several awards, including Artist of the Year at The Headies 2013. In October 2016, he announced on Instagram that he signed a record deal with Mavin Records. Prior to signing with Mavin, he inked a management deal with Temple Management Company. Iyanya first announced his intentions to leave Made Men Music Group in July 2016.

## Early life and education

Iyanya was born on Palm Street in Calabar, Cross River State. His mother was a head mistress and his father was a forester. Iyanya has described his mother as the household disciplinarian, while his father was the gentler of the two. His parents both died in 2008, and his older brother died around the same time. Iyanya's grandfather was a clergyman where Iyanya sang in his church's choir and was the choir master for the children's choir at age five.
Mbuk completed his primary, secondary, and university education in Calabar. He is a business management graduate from the University of Calabar.

## Career

After graduating from the University of Calabar, he worked in a hotel and sang karaoke at a local bar he managed. Iyanya began developing his vocal abilities at local bars which include: Fiesta Fries Bar, Mirage Nite Club, and West-Life. Iyanya cited British singer Craig David and American hip hop artist R. Kelly as his key musical influences. Iyanya was motivated to pursue music professionally after watching the celebrity lifestyle of 2 Face Idibia and Olu Maintain. Iyanya started as a rapper, going by the name "Lofty".

### MTN Project Fame

In 2008, KCee from KC Presh convinced Iyanya to partake in the first season of Project Fame West Africa. Iyanya went on and emerged the winner of the competition after battling numerous people who had the same aspirations as him. The 2008 MTN-sponsored Project Fame competition was the beginning of Iyanya's musical career. Unlike many people who dwindle after a major competition, Iyanya's success had just begun.

### 2009: My Story

After winning MTN's Project Fame West Africa, Iyanya began recording his debut album My Story. It was released by CN Media Imprint. The album showed Iyanya's versatility as an R&B artist, particularly on the self-titled track "Iyanya" and "Love Truly". Iyanya's debut album was a commercial failure due to problems with distribution and promotion.

### 2012–2013: Desire

After visiting his hometown of Calabar and seeing people's affection for the Etighi dance, Iyanya decided to do a song that would popularize the dance that originated in Calabar. He teamed up with producer DTunes and recorded "Kukere", a single that achieved global success, particularly in Nigeria, Ghana and the United Kingdom. The song was succeeded by the album's second single entitled "Ur Waist", which features additional vocals from Emma Nyra.

### Endorsements

On 16 October 2013, 360Nobs reported that Iyanya became an ambassador for Solo Phones Nigeria, a mobile phone company situated at Computer Village, Ikeja. The one-year deal was reportedly worth $220,000 (35 million naira). In addition, Iyanya got a 2014 Toyota Prado from the deal. In 2013, the Daily Independent newspaper reported that Iyanya also signed a one-year deal with Zinox Computers (Nigeria's first certified branded computers) worth $300,000. The deal will feature Iyanya on Zinox billboards and in TV commercials.

### Musical style

Iyanya started performing ballads, particularly on his debut album My Story. In an interview with Toolz on Ndani TV, he said he wants to be a versatile artist and wants to be known for his R&B and Afrobeats abilities. In the same interview, he also said he switched from R&B to Afrobeat because he wanted to make money and wanted fans to see his versatility.

### International appearances

On 25 November 2012, Iyanya performed at comedian AY Makun show held at the INDIGO2 arena. To promote his second album in the UK, Iyanya headlined the Iyanya vs. Desire concert. It started in London and ended in Manchester. The London concert was held at the INDIGO2 arena on 9 June 2013. It featured performances from Tonto Dikeh and Emma Nyra. On 14 June 2013, the Manchester concert commenced and featured performances from Emma Nyra and DRB Lasgidi. Iyanya and his label mate Emma Nyra went on a mini tour across the US and Canada in early 2013. Iyanya performed at the Shrine in Chicago on 11 April 2013. He also performed at the African Muzik Magazine launch on 12 April 2013, which was held in Dallas, Texas. Iyanya serenaded Grammy Award nominee Melanie Fiona at the LTB Jean store in Soho, New York, and performed at the world-renowned New York Fashion Week.

### Films and television

Television :
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref |
| 2013 | Shuga (season 3) | Himself | Cameo appearance | |

## Awards and nominations

| Year | Event | Prize | Recipient | Result |
| 2014 | City People Entertainment Awards | Musician of the Year (Male) | Himself | Nominated |
| 2014 | African Muzik Magazine Awards | Best Male West Africa | Himself | Nominated |
| 2014 | African Muzik Magazine Awards | Best Dance in a Video | "Le Kwa Ukwu" | Won |
| 2014 | World Music Awards | World's Best Song | "Away" | Nominated |
| 2014 | World Music Awards | World's Best Song | "Le Kwa Ukwu" | Nominated |
| 2014 | World Music Awards | World's Best Video | "Le Kwa Ukwu" | Nominated |
| 2014 | World Music Awards | World's Best Male Artist | Himself | Nominated |
| 2014 | World Music Awards | World's Best Live Act | Himself | Nominated |
| 2014 | World Music Awards | World's Best Entertainer of The Year | Himself | Nominated |
| 2013 | The Headies | Artist of the Year | Himself | Won |
| 2013 | The Headies | Best R&B/Pop Album | Desire | Nominated |
| 2013 | The Headies | Album of the Year | Desire | Nominated |
| 2013 | The Headies | Best Pop Single | "Ur Waist" | Nominated |
| 2013 | The Headies | Song of the Year | "Ur Waist" | Nominated |
| 2013 | Nigeria Music Video Awards (NMVA) | Best High Life Video | "Jombolo" (Iyanya featuring Flavour N'abania) | Nominated |
| 2013 | Nigeria Music Video Awards (NMVA) | Best Use of Choreography | "Jombolo" (Iyanya featuring Flavour N'abania) | — |
| 2013 | Nigeria Music Video Awards (NMVA) | Best Use of Visual Effects | "Sexy Mama" (Iyanya featuring Wizkid) | Nominated |
| 2013 | Soul Train Music Awards | Best International Performance | "Ur Waist" (Iyanya featuring Emma Nyra) | Nominated |
| 2013 | Channel O Music Video Awards | Most Gifted Male Video | "Flavour" | Nominated |
| 2013 | Nigeria Entertainment Awards | Best Pop/R&B Artiste of the Year | Himself | Nominated |
| 2013 | Nigeria Entertainment Awards | Hottest Single of the Year | "Kukere" | Won |
| 2013 | Ghana Music Awards | African Artiste of the Year | Himself | Nominated |
| 2013 | City People Entertainment Awards | Musician of the Year (Male) | Himself | Nominated |
| 2013 | City People Entertainment Awards | Most Popular Song of the Year | "Kukere" | Nominated |
| 2012 | Nigeria Music Video Awards (NMVA) | Best Contemporary Afro (Live Beats choice) | "Kukere" | Nominated |
| 2012 | The Headies | Best Pop Single | "Kukere" | Won |
| 2012 | The Headies | Song of the Year | "Kukere" | Nominated |

## Discography

The discography of Iyanya consists of three studio albums, twenty two singles (including ten as featured artist), five promotional singles, and fourteen music videos.

### Studio albums

| Title | Album details |
| My Story | Released: 2009 Label: CN. Media Format: CD, digital download |
| Desire | Released: 6 February 2013 Label: Made Men Music Group Format: CD, digital download |
| Applaudise | Released: 19 September 2015 Label: Made Men Music Group Format: CD, digital download |

### Compilation albums

| Title | Album details |
| The Evolution | Released: 29 May 2014 Label: Made Men Music Group Format: CD, digital download |

### Singles
#### As lead artist

List of singles as lead artist, with selected chart positions :
| Title | Year | Album |
| "Love Truly" | 2009 | My Story |
| "No Time" (featuring Faze) | 2009 | My Story |
| "Iyanya (My Story)" | 2010 | My Story |
| "Kukere" | 2011 | Desire |
| "Ur Waist" (featuring Emma Nyra) | 2012 | Desire |
| "Kukere Remix" (featuring D'banj) | 2012 | Desire |
| "Flavour" | 2012 | Desire |
| "Sexy Mama" (featuring Wizkid) | 2013 | Desire |
| "Jombolo" (featuring Flavour N'abania) | 2013 | Desire |
| "Head Swell" | 2013 | TBA |
| "She Can Get It" | 2013 | TBA |
| "Le Kwa Ukwu" | 2013 | TBA |
| "Story Story" (featuring Oritse Femi) | 2014 | TBA |
| "Mr Oreo" | 2014 | Applaudise |
| "Ijeoma" (featuring Peruzzi) | 2019 | Non-album singles |
| "Like" (featuring Kizz Daniel and Davido) | 2022 | Non-album singles |

#### As featured artist

List of singles as featured artist :
| Title | Year | Album |
| "Get Wild" (N6 featuring Iyanya) | 2012 | BiznessB4Pleasure |
| "Omoge" (Slim Joe featuring Iyanya) | 2012 | Non-album singles |
| "Everything I Do" (featuring Iyanya) | 2012 | Non-album singles |
| "Your Desire" (Sammy Lee featuring Iyanya) | 2013 | Non-album singles |
| "Koma Roll Remix" (Tillaman featuring Ice Prince, Iyanya, Burna Boy, Phyno and Trigga) | 2013 | Non-album singles |
| "Coupe Decale Remix" (Minjin featuring Iyanya) | 2013 | Non-album singles |
| "Emujo" (DJ Jimmy Jatt featuring Iyanya and 4×4) | 2013 | Non-album singles |
| "Fi Mi Le" (Lola Rae featuring Iyanya) | 2013 | Non-album singles |
| "Felele" (Ajemina featuring Iyanya) | 2013 | Non-album singles |
| "Fever" | 2016 | Non-album singles |
| "Feel Alright" (Wizzboy featuring Iyanya) | 2016 | Testimoney |
| "Flex" (Princeton featuring Iyanya) | 2016 | Non-album single |

### Promotional singles

List of promotional singles :
| Title | Year | Album |
| "I'm the One" | 2010 | Non-album singles |
| "In Love Again" | 2010 | Non-album singles |
| "South Girl" (featuring Duncan Mighty) | 2011 | Non-album singles |
| "High" (featuring Dammy Krane) | | Non-album singles |
| "Take It Inside" (Olamide featuring Iyanya) | | Non-album singles |

### Music videos
#### As lead artist

List of music videos as lead artist, showing date released and directors :
| Title | Video release date | Director(s) |
| "Le Kwa Ukwu" | 12 November 2013 | Sesan |
| "Head Swell" | 1 August 2013 | Mr. Moe Musa |
| "Jombolo" (featuring Flavour N'abania) | 12 June 2013 | Sesan |
| "Sexy Mama" (featuring Wizkid) | 26 April 2013 | Sesan |
| "Flavour" | 24 December 2012 | Mr Moe Musa |
| "Ur Waist" (featuring Emma Nyra) | 14 September 2012 | Clarence Peters |
| "Kukere" | 24 March 2012 | Patrick Ellis |
| "Iyanya (My Story)" | 7 March 2010 | |
| "Love Truly" | 10 July 2009 | |

#### As featured artist

List of music videos as featured artist, showing date released and directors :
| Title | Video release date | Director(s) |
| "Felele" (featuring Iyanya) | 17 June 2013 | Don P Films |
| "Coupe Decale Remix" (Minjin featuring Iyanya) | 12 June 2013 | Unlimited LA |
| "Koma Roll Remix" (Tillaman featuring Ice Prince, Iyanya, Burna Boy, Phyno and Trigga) | 2 May 2013 | Patrick Elis |
| "Everything I Do" (Emma Nyra featuring Iyanya) | 25 March 2013 | Mr Moe Musa |
| "Get Wild" (N6 featuring Iyanya) | 3 March 2013 | Lanre Tyson |