Rotimi (actor) explained

Rotimi
Birth Name:Olurotimi Akinosho
Birth Date:1988 11, mf=yes
Birth Place:Maplewood, New Jersey, U.S.
Years Active:2011–present
Alma Mater:Northwestern University
Spouse:Vanessa Mdee
Children:2
Module:
Embed:yes
Instrument:Vocals

Olurotimi Akinosho (; born November 30, 1988), known professionally as Rotimi, is a Nigerian-American actor and singer. He is known for his role as Darius Morrison on the Starz series Boss, and as Andre Coleman on Power, then as Charles on The Chi.[1] [2]

Early life and education

Rotimi was born in Maplewood, New Jersey to a Nigerian family of Yoruba heritage.[3] He attended Columbia High School, where he was on both the varsity basketball team and the choir. He continued his studies at Northwestern University and graduated with a bachelor's degree in Communication with a minor in Business in 2010.[4]

Career

Acting

At his first trial with acting, Rotimi auditioned and subsequently got his first acting role on Boss as drug dealer Darius Morrison.[5] Rotimi also appeared in three episodes of ABC's Betrayal.

Rotimi made his silver screen debut in the film Black Nativity (2013). Following this, he starred in Imperial Dreams at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival, which later won for "Best of NEXT".[6]

Rotimi next appeared in the high grossing film, Divergent (2014). In 2016 Rotimi also acted in the movie Deuces alongside Lance Gross and Larenz Tate.

He was added to the cast of Starz' TV series Power as a series regular, in the role of Andre Coleman, the quick-tempered young protégé of the character Ghost.[7] Rotimi was also cast in a recurring role on Battle Creek as Danny.

Music

A contemporary R&B artist, Rotimi released two digital mixtapes, titled The Resume (March 8, 2011) and While You Wait (November 30, 2011). His videos have been featured on international and U.S. based entertainment media including MTV, MTV Base, and VH1 Soul.

Rotimi has performed on stage, opening for Jennifer Hudson, T.I., Estelle, and NERD; he also performed on BET's show 106 and Park[8] and appeared in R&B singer Keyshia Cole's music video "Trust and Believe" as Cole's unfaithful boyfriend.

Rotimi garnered music placement with "I'm the One" on the first episode of Boss. In 2015, American rapper and executive producer of Power, 50 Cent signed Rotimi to his label, G-Unit Records.[9] He also released his first G-Unit single "Lotto" featuring 50 Cent.

In 2016, Rotimi released "Doin it", a single from his 5-track project, Summer Bangerz.[10] In 2017 he released his debut EP called Jeep Music Vol. 1.

In 2019, he released a single titled "Love Riddim" which has garnered attention from both old fans and newly made ones.

Fashion

Rotimi is the lead model/spokesperson of rapper T.I.'s AKOO Clothing[11] 2012 Spring/Summer campaign, April 2, 2012.[12] [13] [14] [15] [16]

Personal life

On November 25, 2019, Rotimi shared a picture of himself and Tanzanian singer Vanessa Mdee posing in an elevator, with Vanessa also confirming their relationship by posting the same picture with a different caption.[17] [18] Rotimi told the story of how the two met at a party and hit it off [19] and Vanessa also said in an interview how she knew he was her husband, only two days after meeting him.[20] In a video posted on Instagram with Rotimi who was later joined by Vanessa, the pair revealed that they both had tattoos of each other's name on their bodies; her (middle) name, Hau, on his right wrist and his name, Rotimi, on her chest.[21] They also have matching tattoos of the number 1045 on their wrists.[22]

In December 2020, Rotimi got engaged to Vanessa.[23]

The pair welcomed their first child (a boy) Seven Adeoluwa Akinosho in September 2021.[24] Similarly in March 2023, Rotimi announced the arrival of his second child (a girl) Imani Enioluwa Akinosho.

Discography

See main article: Rotimi discography.

Studio albums

Filmography

Film
YearTitleRoleNotes
2013Black NativityOfficer Butch McDaniels
2014DivergentEzra
2015Darkest Before DawnMannyShort film
2017Imperial DreamsWayne
2017Burning SandsEdwin
2017DeucesFace
2018Acts of ViolenceFrank
2020SinglehollicSam Bishop
2020True to The Game 2: Gena's StoryVaughn
2021Coming 2 AmericaIdi Izzi
2021For the Love of MoneyTre
2023House PartyGuile
Television
YearTitleRoleNotes
2011Cooper and StoneTyUnsold pilot
2011–12BossDarius Morrison18 episodes
2013BetrayalLil' D3 episodes
2015Battle CreekDanny2 episodes
2015–2020Power[25] Andre "Dre" ColemanSeries Regular
2017BET ExperienceHostTelevision special
2018 MalikGuest Star
2023Will Trent CharlesGuest Star
2024The ChiCharlesRecurring (guest role in season 6)

Tours

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Carter . Corein . Beyond The Screen:'Power' Star Rotimi Molds A New Wave Of R&B By Infusing His Nigerian Roots . 2023-06-03 . Forbes . en.
  2. Web site: My Mum Dreamt I'd Become A Musician When She Was Pregnant – Rotimi Akinosho – Independent Newspaper Nigeria . Independent Newspaper Nigeria – Breaking News from Nigeria and the World . 2019-11-23 . 2023-06-03.
  3. Hale, Andreas (October 23, 2015) "Rotimi: Hustler, Actor, Musician, Jay Z Favorite", Rising Stars. OZY. Retrieved January 12, 2017.
  4. Web site: Rotimi Akinosho. www.northwestern.edu. Parrish Lewis. May 15, 2012.
  5. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VOdndmrdBvk Rotimi Gives Power Season 3 Hints + Making Music with 50 Cent
  6. http://blogs.indiewire.com/shadowandact/review-john-boyega-shines-in-imperial-dreams-one-of-the-most-overlooked-gems-of-sundance-screens-aug-9-in-la-20140731 Review: John Boyega Shines in 'Imperial Dreams,' One of the Most Overlooked Gems of Sundance (Screens Aug. 9 in LA) | IndieWire
  7. Deadline Team (September 17, 2014). "Annika Marks Joins ABC Family's 'The Fosters'; Rotimi Akinosho In Starz's 'Power'". Deadline.com. Retrieved January 12, 2017.
  8. Web site: Rotimi Jack of all Trades. BET. Calvin Stovall. February 16, 2012.
  9. https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/the-juice/6605451/50-cent-rotimi-g-unit 50 Cent Signs 'Power' Star Rotimi to G-Unit, Drops 'Lotto' Single
  10. Web site: Rotimi new song . Golding . Shenequa . July 17, 2016 . July 12, 2016.
  11. Web site: Rotimi is a King of One Self. www.globalgrind.com. May 10, 2012. Noel Walker. May 10, 2012.
  12. News: Rotimi Akinosho On His Role In Starz "Boss" [EXCLUSIVE] ]. The Urban Daily. November 10, 2011.
  13. Cover: Rotimi Akinosho. Northwestern Magazine. Summer 2010.
  14. Najah Goldstein, " Rotimi Akinosho", Sheen magazine.
  15. https://web.archive.org/web/20120401132615/http://www.yenihsworld.com/2012/03/nigerian-american-singeractor-rotimi-is.html "NIGERIAN-AMERICAN SINGER/ACTOR ROTIMI IS THE NEW FACE OF T.I'S AKOO CLOTHING LINE"
  16. Spesh YH. "Hottie Alert: BOSS actor & AKOO Model Rotimi Akinosho". Speshs World.
  17. Web site: Ajanma . Soomto . Rotimi confirms relationship with girlfriend Vanessa Mdee . hotnewhiphop.com . November 26, 2019 . Soomtee . May 18, 2021.
  18. Web site: Ajanma . Soomto . Who is 'Power' Star Rotimi's new girlfriend? . cheatsheet.com . November 26, 2019 . Soomtee . May 18, 2021.
  19. Web site: Ajanma . Soomto . Rotimi and Vanessa Mdee's Love Story . essence.com . December 31, 2020 . Soomtee . May 18, 2021.
  20. Web site: Ajanma . Soomto . Vanessa reveals she is in a relationship with Rotimi . lovablevibes.com . Soomtee . May 18, 2021.
  21. Web site: Ajanma . Soomto . Vanessa Mdee and Rotimi get matching tattoos . buzzcentral.co.ke . October 5, 2020 . Soomtee . May 18, 2021.
  22. Web site: Ajanma . Soomto . Vanessa Mdee and lover get matching tattoos . tuko.co.ke . November 12, 2020 . Soomtee . May 18, 2021.
  23. Web site: Ajanma . Soomto . Rotimi and Vanessa Mdee are engaged.. revolt.tv . Soomtee . May 18, 2021.
  24. Web site: Rotimi Talks About First Time Fatherhood And His Journey To Become An International Superstar . 2023-06-03 . BET . en.
  25. Web site: Itodo . Sunny Green . Singer Rotimi reveals Tiwa Savage is his cousin . Daily Post Nigeria . 2023-04-21 . 2023-06-03.