Waje
Aituaje Iruobe, known professionally as Waje, is a Nigerian singer whose vocal range covers three octaves. She first gained recognition after being featured on the remake of P-Square’s "Omoge Mi". Waje was also featured on the duo's 2008 hit track "Do Me". Moreover, she contributed vocals to Banky W's "Thief My Kele" and M.I's "One Naira". In 2016, Waje was one of the four judges in the inaugural season of "The Voice" Nigeria. In 2018, on its final season of Africa Magic telenovela, "Battleground", Waje was recurred. Early life. Waje was born September 1 , in Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria. She is the firstborn and the first daughter in her family. She grew up in Benin City, following her parents' relocation. Her parents got divorced when she was young, and she had to overcome the difficulty that accompanied her parents' separation. Waje got pregnant when she was writing the West African Senior Secondary Certificate Examinations. She was in her final year at the Senior Secondary School at that time. She did not tell her mother about the pregnancy until 5 months into the pregnancy. She was temporarily banned from singing in the choir of her  church for being pregnant outside marriage. She sang gospel tunes to the delight of the late Archbishop Benson Idahosa. Idahosa was quite impressed with her singing and decided to help her during her entire secondary school days. Waje later relocated to Nsukka to attend the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, earning a degree in social work from the school. During her time at UNN, she performed at school concerts and fellowships. She listened to singers such as Whitney Houston and Aretha Franklin to improve her craft. Career. 2007–14:Musical releases and collaborations. Waje's vocal range covers three octaves. She was  found singing in church. She studied social work at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) and worked part-time in tourism. In 2007, Waje launched her music career. She was still a student at the time and paid her dues by doing many free shows and gigs. In 2008, she featured in the P-Square hit track titled "Do Me". This track was widely known across Africa and some parts of Europe. She participated in Advanced Warning (a reality TV show which featured artists that are on the verge of a breakthrough). The reality show was organised by MTV Base  South Africa and Zain Nigeria, where she was the runner up. In 2010, 360nobs.com did a special spotlight on Waje with the emphasis "Words Aren’t Just Enough….I’m Speechless" Waje has shared the stage with artists such as Wyclef Jean in South Africa, opening for Kerry Hilson during a show organised in Calabar, and has also worked with artists who had hit singles, including "One Naira" with M.I and "Do Me" with P-Square. She collaborated with Dencia on "True Love" and has songs that have received awards and nominations. She released her self-titled debut studio album Words  Aren't Just Enough in 2013. Waje made her acting debut in the 2014 film Tunnel, alongside Femi Jacobs, Patrick Doyle, Nse Ikpe-Etim and Lepacious Bose. Directed by Stanlee Ohikhuare, the film is centred around a young pastor's life. In November 2014, she released the music video for the Diamond Platnumz-assisted "Coco Baby". In August 2015, she released the single "Left for Good", featuring Patoranking and Godwin Strings. Waje was featured on "Strong Girl", the theme song for One's Poverty is Sexist campaign, and also joined Bono for the Lagos campaign in 2015. Waje was announced  as one of the judges on "The Voice Nigeria", alongside 2face Idibia, Timi Dakolo and Patoranking. 2019–present: Hermanes Media and "She Is". In January 2019, Waje and Omawumi launched Hermanes Media, a media company that specializes in film and TV production, adverts, content curation, brand event activation, and creative digital marketing. In March 2019, Waje revealed her intentions to quit music professionally. She said she was considering quitting because of the lack of support towards her music. In April 2019, Waje was featured in the Somkele Idhalama-produced movie "She Is". She worked with Omawumi to record the movie 's soundtrack. In December 2019, she teamed up with another Nigerian rap artiste, Zoro, to release a single titled ‘Ngwa’. The song is a ballad styled song produced by Philkeyz. The lyrics of the song is in Igbo Language. This song followed her earlier released single called ‘Udue’ where she featured Johnny Drille, an artist from the Mavin records. Personal life. Waje is a single mother. Her sister, Amaka Iruobe is an actress who has had bit parts in popular soap opera "Tinsel" and the movie "First Cut". Waje worked with the youths of her community through an organisation "Waje 's Safe House", where she teams up with other NGOs quarterly to help fight for their cause. The first project supported under Waje's Safe House was the Mental and Environmental Development Initiative for Children, assisting the Project HELP (Help Educate the Less Privileged) which the goal of raising funds for allowing children to continue their studies in the school in Makoko, through Ring Back Tones with her singles "Oko Mi" and "I Wish". She was one of the notable Nigerian entertainers who collaborated with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Nigeria to stand against electoral manipulation, vote-buying , violence and thuggery.