BOJ (musician) explained

Birth Name:Bolaji Odojukan
Birth Date:22 April 1994
Birth Place:London, England
Origin:Gbagada, Lagos, Nigeria
Years Active:2007–present
Label:MOVES Recordings
Current Member Of:DRB LasGidi (2007-present)
Module:
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Education:Malvern College

Bolaji Odojukan[1] (born 22 April 1994),[2] better known by his stage name BOJ, is an English-Nigerian singer, songwriter and record producer. He is one-third of the musical group DRB LasGidi with TeeZee and Fresh L, and is known as a pioneer of alté.[3]

Early life

Bolaji Odojukan was born in London, England and was raised in both the UK and Nigeria. He studied Business Management and Audio Engineering in university. After graduating, he moved back to Lagos in 2015.[4] Bolaji parents were responsible for his music education, while growing up they played Lauryn Hill, Lagbaja, and Wyclef records in the house.[5] In year 9 (JSS 3), Bolaji began making music while still schooling at Malvern College, in Malvern, Worcestershire, England.[6]

Career

Boj joined the group DRB LasGidi in 2007 with his school friends Teezee and Fresh L.[1] On 21 February 2014, Boj released his first solo mixtape titled #BOTM,[7] including the single "Bolaji On The Microphone", abbreviated as "BOTM". On December 14, 2014, the single won the Best Alternative Song, at ninth edition of The Headie Awards.[8] The deluxe was later released on 13 April 2016.[9] On 13 July 2016, he signed a recording contract with HF Music,[10] and released his first debut album Magic, on October 13, 2017.[11] He released two collaborative extended play's titled Make E No Cause Fight in 2018,[12] with Ajebutter22 and Make E No Cause Fight 2 in 2019 with Ajebutter22 & Falz.[13]

On October 14, 2018, BOJ was part of the "Smooth Taste, That's Why" campaign that launched on thirteen billboards around Lagos and Abuja, by Jameson Irish Whiskey.[14] In 2019, he signed a publishing and distribution deal with MOVES Recordings, with the release of "Your Love (Mogbe)", with Afro Nation, featuring Tiwa Savage. On 18 September 2020, Boj released the single "Abracadabra" featuring Davido and Mr Eazi.[15] On 7 July 2021, he released the single "Money & Laughter" featuring Nigerian singer Zamir and Ghanaian singer Amaarae.[16] On 23 July 2021, he appeared on Dave's album We're All Alone in This Together on the song "Lazarus".[17] On December 10, 2021, MOVES Recordings featured "Your Love (Mogbe)", and "Abracadabra", in its double compilation album, 5 Years of Culture: Afrobeats, and 5 Years of Culture: Rap & Drill.[18]

On 22 April 2022, Boj released his album Gbagada Express including guest appearances from Davido, Mr Eazi, Wizkid, Fireboy DML, Buju, Enny, Tiwa Savage, Darkovibes, Kofi Jamar, Joey B, Amaarae, Obongjayar, Moliy, Mellissa, Teezee, Zamir, Fresh L, Victony, and Afro Nation.[19]

Artistry

Boj credits artists such as Wyclef Jean, Lauryn Hill, Bob Marley, Fela Kuti, Lagbaja, and Sean Paul as his musical influences.[20] Boj is widely recognized as one of the pioneers of the fusion genre Alté, which incorporates musical influences from afrobeats, dancehall, reggae, hip hop, and alternative R&B.[21] The term was first coined by Boj on his 2014 song "Paper", and was later used to describe left-field styles of music. Boj said in an interview that the term alté means "freedom to express yourself without boundaries, without the constraints of the mainstream in whatever sector, whether that's fashion, whether that's music, whether that's photography, whatever it is man."[22]

Discography

Studio albums

TitleAlbum details
Magic
  • Released: 13 October 2017
  • Label: HF Music
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
Gbagada Express
  • Released: 22 April 2022
  • Label: Moves Recordings
  • Format: Digital download, streaming

Extended plays

TitleAlbum details
Make E No Cause Fight
  • Released: 17 May 2018
  • Label: Jungle Entertainment Ventures
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
Make E No Cause Fight 2
  • Released: 29 November 2019
  • Label: Jungle Entertainment Ventures
  • Format: Digital download, streaming

Mixtapes

Tours

Supporting

Concerts

Co-headlining

Supporting

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 'I'm an Alté Guy': Nigerian Musician BOJ Is Pioneering a Whole New Genre . www.vice.com . 22 April 2022 . en.
  2. Web site: Tayo . Ayomide O. . BOJ turns 21 today . Pulse Nigeria . 22 April 2022 . en . 22 April 2015.
  3. Web site: DRB LasGidi: "Altê's not a genre, it's not a type of music, it's just being different.". The Face.
  4. Web site: GET FAMILIAR: BOJ ON THE MICROPHONE . Patta.
  5. Web site: BOJ: Leader Of The New School . The Guardian Nigeria . 22 April 2022 . 6 September 2020.
  6. Web site: On the Microphone: The exclusive NET interview with BOJ . Nigerian Entertainment Today . 23 April 2022 . 11 July 2014.
  7. Web site: BN Download: Boj (of DRB Lasgidi) – Boj On The Microphone – the Mixtape (#BOTM) . BellaNaija . 22 April 2022 . 22 April 2013.
  8. Web site: ‘Winning the Headies was my best highlight of 2014’ – BOJ . Nigerian Entertainment Today . 22 April 2022 . 23 January 2015.
  9. Web site: DEEP CUTS: REVISITING BOJ’S "BOTM" PLACES HIS TRAJECTORY INTO PERSPECTIVE . The Native Mag.
  10. Web site: After three albums, singer BOJ signs recording contract with HF Music . Nigerian Entertainment Today . 23 April 2022 . 13 July 2016.
  11. Web site: BOJ Releases New Album "Magic" . The Guardian Nigeria News . 22 April 2022 . 14 October 2017.
  12. Web site: Make E No Cause Fight! Boj & Ajebutter22 drop Joint EP Stream on BN . BellaNaija . 22 April 2022 . 18 May 2018.
  13. Web site: AJEBUTTER22, BOJ & FALZ RELEASE JOINT EP, ‘MAKE E NO CAUSE FIGHT 2’ . The Native Mag.
  14. Web site: Jameson Irish Whiskey unveils new campaign to deepen brand penetration . The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News . 23 April 2022 . 14 October 2018.
  15. Web site: Premiere: Afrobeats A-Listers Boj, Davido And Mr. Eazi Unite For "Abracadabra" . Complex . 23 April 2022 . en.
  16. Web site: Premiere: BOJ Calls In Amaarae & Zamir For Smooth, Seductive "Money And Laughter" . Complex . 23 April 2022 . en.
  17. Web site: Dave's New Album "We're All Alone In This Together" features Wizkid, Stormzy & BOJ Listen . BellaNaija . 22 April 2022 . 23 July 2021.
  18. Web site: Thomas . Katie . MOVES Recordings celebrates five years with two compilations of Afrobeats, rap and drill . Resident Advisor Ltd. . 23 April 2022.
  19. Web site: Courage . Onyema . BOJ continues to shine in new album 'Gbagada Express' . Pulse Nigeria . 23 April 2022 . en . 22 April 2022.
  20. Web site: ‘I have no role models in music’ – BOJ . Nigerian Entertainment Today . 23 April 2022 . 28 January 2015.
  21. Web site: DRB give an introduction to alté, the alternative sound of Nigeria. 2020-10-17. Red Bull. en.
  22. Web site: GRM EXCLUSIVE: BOJ TALKS ALTÉ, DAVE COLLABORATION & UPCOMING ALBUM . GRM Daily.
  23. Web site: Falana's chapter one tour has launched in lagos with 3 more cities to go . The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News . 22 April 2022 . 18 August 2019.
  24. Web site: The fun, the excitement of One Mic Naija . The Guardian Nigeria News . 23 April 2022 . 7 March 2015.
  25. Web site: When Lagosians defy the rain to party at Gidi Fest 2017 . The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News . 22 April 2022 . 22 April 2017.
  26. Web site: Teni, BOJ, Odunsi, Ajebutter22 Shut Down the Porkoyum Food Fest . The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News . 22 April 2022 . 8 November 2018.
  27. Web site: Jameson Connect hosts Independence Day celebration at the Shrine . The Guardian Nigeria News . 23 April 2022 . 5 October 2018.
  28. Web site: Stars Shut Down Lagos For ART X Live! . The Guardian Nigeria News . 23 April 2022 . 17 November 2018.
  29. Web site: BOJ, Ajebutter22, Dakore Egbuson, Noble Igwe, ShowDemCamp and Waye, Others Redefine Style At Tiger's "Uncage Party" . Nigerian Entertainment Today . 23 April 2022 . 20 September 2019.
  30. Web site: Milimo . Dennis . Sauti Sol, Diamond and Chris Brown to perform at 2021's Afro Nation in Portugal (Full List) . Pulselive Kenya . 23 April 2022 . en . 2 September 2020.
  31. Web site: Seyi Shay, Naeto-C, Falz Thrill Fans At 2015 COPA Lagos After Party . The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News . 23 April 2022 . 2 January 2016.
  32. Web site: akande . segun . Skepta, J Hus, Burna Boy perform as London meets Lagos at concert . Pulse Nigeria . 23 April 2022 . en . 23 December 2016.
  33. Web site: Black Sherif, Fireboy, BNXN, others to headline Homecoming Festival . The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News . 22 April 2022 . 16 April 2022.
  34. Web site: Afro Nation Announce Third Wave of 2020 Lineup - Festicket Magazine . Festicket . 23 April 2022 . en.
  35. Web site: Turn Up! Nonso Amadi's "Homecoming" Concert Comes Up Monday . The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News . 23 April 2022 . 15 December 2017.
  36. Web site: More artistes for Gidi Fest 2016 . The Guardian Nigeria News . 23 April 2022 . 18 March 2016.
  37. Web site: Olamide's OLIC2: The Beast Mode… Shut Down Lagos . The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News . 23 April 2022 . 2 January 2016.
  38. Web site: ‘Rare’ Live Concert: Odunsi The Engine brings Alte into the light . The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News . 23 April 2022 . 28 December 2018.
  39. Web site: Burna Boy, Jidenna and Olamide To Headline Red TV Party . The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News . 22 April 2022 . 25 November 2019.

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