Ajumoke Nwaeze
| Ajumoke Nwaeze | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Ajumoke Beatrice Nwaeze |
| Also known as | AJ, Apple Juice, CheckOutAJ |
| Born | 4 June 1987 Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. |
| Genres | |
| Occupation(s) | |
| Instruments | |
| Years active | 2008 - Present |
| Associated acts | |
Ajumoke Nwaeze, also known as AJ, is a Nigerian singer-songwriter, actor, writer, podcaster, content creator, producer, and recording artiste; former Star Quest winner and Nigerian Idol finalist.[1]
She was born and bred in Port-Harcourt and is an indigene of Omoku in Rivers State, Nigeria.
Early Life & Music[edit]
She gathered music influences from her older sister's songbooks and her father's collection of music records. She later picked interest in the works of Beyonce, Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, Asa, Adele, and other pop singers with similar music taste.
At the age of eight, Ajumoke joined the children's choir of her home church, All Saints Anglican, where she had her first public solo performance. Having a background in classical music and a flair for contemporary, she explored both genres. In 2004, she formed a contemporary girl band, "Dynamic Voices," where she was the lead singer of the trio.
Music Competitions and Reality TV Shows[edit]
| Year | Show | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Street2Star | Top 7 |
| 2007 | West African Idol | Top 100 (Regional) |
| 2008 | Star Quest | Winner[2] |
| 2011 | Nigerian Idol | Top 10 |
| 2015 | The Next Titan | 2nd runner-up |
| 2017 | The Voice Nigeria | Top 100 |
Star Quest & Diamonds[edit]
Star Quest influenced Ajumoke's decision to relocate to Lagos. She was the lead singer and only female in the six-man band, which was also home to popular guitarist, Fiokee, and afrobeat singer, WondaBoy. Diamonds was signed Kennis Music, and in 2009, released their debut album, Omo Naija.[3] The 12-track album was managed by the label owner, Kenny Ogungbe, and co-produced by Kelly Handsome, Masterkraft, and OJB Jezreel. While with Kennis Music, Ajumoke recorded background vocals for Ghanaian hip hop group, VIP, and her label mate Jaywon in his song, "Bebe Nlo".
In 2011, Ajumoke left Diamonds[4] after a slight disagreement over her participation in Nigerian Idol. Thereafter, rumour had it that she was being porched by popular rapper and CEO of Syndic8 Records, Lynxxx.[5] The rumour died as quickly as it rose as there was no sign of a record deal between the two parties.
2011 – Present[edit]
Ajumoke participated in the premiere edition of Nigerian Idol and was a top 10 finalist. Thereafter, she released a couple of songs as an independent artiste. One of her her songs, "Wash" was tagged by Nigerian Entertainment Blog, Pulse.ng, 'a must-listen' as it was featured on their Top 10 Songs of the week.[6]
In August 2020, Ajumoke announced her collaboration with highlife duo, The Cavemen on a new single "Live Up".[7]
Discography[edit]
| Year | Song title | Album | Producer | Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | "I Like It" | Untitled | Nomso Amadi | Nil |
| 2009 | "Stay With Me" | Omo Naija | Masterkraft | Nil |
| 2009 | "With U" | Omo Naija | OJB Jezreel | Nasty |
| 2016 | "Mon Ami" | Untitled | Raven Beats | Dra K |
| 2017 | "Lil Mama" | Black Gold | Don Adah | Nil |
| 2018 | "Wash" | Black Gold | Kel Centric | Nil |
| 2020 | "Live Up" | Black Gold | Reinhard Tega | The Cavemen |
Features[edit]
| Year | Song title | Artiste | Producer | Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | "Wanna Love You" | Kel Centric | Kel Centric | AJ |
| 2020 | "Our Song" | Reinhard Tega | Reinhard Tega | AJ |
Movies[edit]
In 2019, Ajumoke officially started a professional career in the film industry by working at Ndani TV as a Producer. There she produced five flagship shows: "The Ndani TGIF Show," "The Mix," "The Juice," "Skinny Girl In Transit (Season 6)," and "Fractured," and also debuted as an actor in the web series "Phases." Since then, she has featured in a couple of other movies: "Inspector K," "Fractured," "Violated," "Skinny Girl In Transit," and "Waiting For You."
Ajumoke is a trained actor from EbonyLife Creative Academy (ELCA) and graduated as "Best Female Actor in a Lead Role," in the musical film "Waiting For You." She also wrote and composed the movie soundtracks "Waiting For You," & "Obey," which won her the awards of "Best Original Song," and "Special Recognition Award For Music Performance," courtesy of EbonyLife Creative Academy Awards. She also holds credit for scripting the following movies/series: "The Order of Things," by Sidney Esiri, The Olives (Season 2), Blown, Thorough Bred, and many more.
Awards[edit]
- Best Female Actor in a Lead Role
- Best Original Song
- Special Recognition Award For Music Performance.
Education[edit]
Ajumoke completed her primary education at All Saints Primary School, Rumukwurushi Port-Harcourt. She later received high school education from Archdeacon Crowther Memorial Girls Secondary School, Elelenwo, Chuon Vocational Institution and Immaculate Comprehensive College, where she obtained her Senior School Certificate (WASSCE). She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Genetics and Biotechnology from the University of Calabar and Post-graduate Diploma in Mass Communication.
Internship & Work Life[edit]
In late 2011, Ajumoke was a student intern in a Hospital, where she worked as a laboratory assistant. After her first degree, she redirected her focus from science to entertainment, media and arts, which she refers to as her Ikigai. She also interned as On-Air Personality at Planet Radio 101.1FM.
In 2012, she started blogging on her personal website, where she published interviews, short stories as well as shared her music. In 2014, she became a Resident Writer for UNESCO World Book Capital and the project was capped with her feature as a co-author in the Anthology '‘Songhai 12.’' According to a review of the anthology, Ajumoke's story 'Lost in Brown Leaves', followed the same tales-by-moonlight/Nollywood path.[1] AJ also authored other books including The Pretty Teen, First Valentine and The Best Brain of the Year and a memoir, Thirty Flavors of Apple Juice, and To All The Ones We Have Lost
From paper to screen, AJ has worn several hats in different organizations: Writer and Editor at Buzz Nigeria, Freelance writer at Cool FM Lagos, OnTV and Platinum Plus TV, Content Writer and Digital Marketer at Guaranty Trust Bank plc. (GTBank), and Producer at Ndani TV.
Brand affiliations[edit]
In 2017, Ajumoke featured in a TV Commercial for GTBank, The 737 Moments Video,[8] and was also the face of the brand’s “Nominate a Champ” Campaign.
Philanthropy and memberships[edit]
Ajumoke was a volunteer teacher at Hillcrest High School Calabar, where she mentored students in the areas of Self-discovery, Personal Development and Leadership. In 2015, under The Next Titan Platform, she collaborated with the Lagos State Domestic Violence and Abuse Response Team to advocate against rape and all forms of sexual abuse. Currently, she is a volunteer partner at Slum2School Africa, and a member of the National Red Cross Society of Nigeria and Toastmasters International.
Personal life[edit]
As seen on her social media posts, Ajumoke can be described as a live-wire. She loves karaoke and hanging out at the beach. Currently, she is single and lives in Lagos.
References[edit]
- ↑ "AJ Ajumoke Nwaeze". Music In Africa. 2020-03-28. Retrieved 2020-08-12.
- ↑ Naidem, Sisem E. (2008-06-06). "This Is Media Nemesis...: The Grandest Finale of All". This Is Media Nemesis... Retrieved 2020-08-12.
- ↑ Magazine, The Guardian Life (2009-10-19). "Diamonds shines with Omo Naija". The Guardian Life Magazine. Retrieved 2020-08-12.
- ↑ "Contestant Loses Everything For Nigerian Idol". Nigerian Entertainment Today. 2011-01-11. Retrieved 2020-08-12.
- ↑ "EVICTED NIGERIAN IDOL CONTESTANTS GET RECORD DEAL". Nigerian Voice. Retrieved 2020-08-11.
- ↑ "10 new songs you need to listen to this week". Pulse Nigeria. 2018-06-08. Retrieved 2020-08-19.
- ↑ Admin (2020-07-30). "Former Star Quest Winner, AJ Announces Collaboration With The Cavemen on New Single — LIVE UP". GBEDUCITY. Retrieved 2020-08-19.
- ↑ Admin (2017-09-12). "Star Quest Winner, AJ Shines In GTBank 737 Advert". GBEDUCITY. Retrieved 2020-08-19.
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