wande coal

Biography

Oluwatobi Wande Ojosipe, professionally known as Wande Coal, was born on October 18, 1985, in Lagos Island, Lagos State, Nigeria, to Chief Ibukun Olufunto and Omolara Oluwayemisi Ojosipe. He was the first of two children in his family. Wande Coal's musical journey began in his church's teenage choir, where he developed his vocal skills before gaining initial recognition in the Nigerian entertainment industry as a dancer. He attended Staff Nursery and Primary School in Ijanikin, Lagos, followed by Federal Government College in Lagos, and later studied Human Kinetics at the University of Lagos.

Wande Coal's professional music career took off in 2006 when he signed with Don Jazzy's Mo' Hits Records, a pivotal moment that launched him into the mainstream. He featured prominently on D'banj's album "Rundown/Funk You Up" and became a key member of Mo' Hits Allstars, contributing significantly to their album "CV (Curriculum Vitae)." His single "Ololufe" from this project became iconic, widely regarded as one of the greatest love songs ever created by a Nigerian artist. His debut solo album "Mushin 2 Mo' Hits" achieved massive success across Nigeria, the UK, and the USA, establishing him as a major force in African R&B and Afrobeats.

In 2012, Wande Coal transitioned to Don Jazzy's newly established Mavin Records alongside Dr SID and D'Prince, before launching his own independent label, Black Diamond Entertainment, in November 2013. Throughout his career, he has collaborated with numerous prominent Nigerian artists including Phyno, Davido, and Wizkid, while releasing successful albums such as "Wanted" (2013) and "Legend or No Legend" (2020). His musical style seamlessly blends AfroPop, Afrobeats, and R&B, earning him recognition as a defining voice in contemporary African music with a Spotify popularity rating of 58 across genres including afrobeats, afropop, and afro R&B.

Fun Facts

• Wande Coal earned the nickname 'town crier' due to his distinctive performance style where he would announce D'banj's entrance while singing 'D Koko' at shows
• He performed at the prestigious Thisday Music Festival in 2006 and 2007 alongside international superstars including Jay-Z, Beyoncé, Busta Rhymes, Snoop Dogg, Missy Elliott, Ciara, P. Diddy, Ne-Yo, Rihanna, Shakira, and John Legend
• His song 'Ololufe' from the Mo' Hits Allstars CV album has been universally described as 'the greatest love song ever written by a Nigerian artist'
• He was recognized as 'Naija's Fastest Rising Superstar' at the UNIPORT Awards in 2008, before establishing his own independent record label Black Diamond Entertainment in 2013

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Don Jazzy - Record label founder and mentor who signed Wande Coal to Mo' Hits Records, providing his breakthrough opportunity and professional guidance (Mo' Hits Records label, D'banj's Rundown/Funk You Up album features, Mo' Hits Allstars CV album) [2006-2012 (Mo' Hits), 2012-2013 (Mavin Records)]

Key Collaborators

• D'banj - Featured on D'banj's album providing vocal contributions to hit singles (Rundown/Funk You Up album (songs: Loke, Tonosibe, Why Me)) [2006-2007]
• Mo' Hits Allstars - Member of the collective group, played major role in group projects (CV (Curriculum Vitae) album) [2006-2012]
• Phyno - Collaborated on various projects during the 2012-2015 period (Multiple collaborations) [2012-2015]
• Davido - Collaborated on various projects during the 2012-2015 period (Multiple collaborations) [2012-2015]
• Wizkid - Collaborated on various projects including the track Ebelebe (Ebelebe (featuring Wizkid)) [2012-2023]
• Olamide - Collaborated on single release (Kpe Paso (with Olamide)) [2023]
• Dr SID - Fellow artist at Mavin Records (Mavin Records roster) [2012-2013]
• D'Prince - Fellow artist at Mavin Records (Mavin Records roster) [2012-2013]

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. Again (Realms)
2. Iskaba
3. Ebelebe (feat. Wizkid) (Legend Or No Legend)
4. Come My Way (Legend Or No Legend)
5. So Mi So
6. Kenkele (Bad Since '97)
7. My Woman, My Everything (feat. Wandecoal)
8. Gentility
9. Ololufe (feat. Wande Coal)
10. Spell (APOLLO)

External Links

• Spotify
• [Wikipedia](Not found in search results)
• MusicBrainz

Tags: #afrobeats