Ugbekile David Osemeke (born 10 May 2001), known professionally as Boy Spyce, is a Nigerian singer and songwriter. He gained recognition following his 2021 cover of Wizkid's song "Essence". Its success led him to sign a recording contract with Mavin Records, which released his debut extended play, self-titled Boy Spyce, in 2022 to modest commercial success.[5]
Boy Spyce | |
|---|---|
 Boy Spyce | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Ugbekile David Osemeke[1] |
| Born | 10 May 2001 Isolo, Lagos, Nigeria |
| Origin | Benin City, Edo, Nigeria |
| Genres | |
| Occupations |
|
| Instruments | |
| Years active | 2019–present |
| Labels | Mavin |
| Website | boyspyce.com |
YouTube information | |
| Channel | |
| Years active | 2019–present |
| Genres | |
| Subscribers | 106 thousand[4] |
| Total views | 20.6 million[4] |
Last updated: August 14, 2024 | |
Early life
editBoy Spyce was born in Isolo, Lagos State, but hails from Edo State.[6][7] He grew up living in Jakande Estate, Isolo. For his secondary education, he attended Lagos State Model College Kankon, Badagry, and he is the last born in a family of seven.[8]
Career
editBoy Spyce launched his music career by posting song covers on social media platforms in 2019. In 2021, he gained recognition after posting a cover of Wizkid's hit song "Essence" featuring Tems. The cover caught the attention of Don Jazzy, the founder of Mavin Records, who offered him a recording deal and introduced him to the public on 14 April 2022.[9][10] He then released his debut EP, self-titled Boy Spyce, on April 15, 2022, which peaked at number one on Nigeria's Apple Music chart.[11] Emmanuel Esomnofu, reviewing for The Native, described the EP as "a collage of vibrant sounds and tradition" that generated significant buzz for the young artist.[12] On 7 May 2022, Boy Spyce's single "Bad Things" led Pulse Nigeria's Future Sounds Vol. 6 playlist.[13]
Boy Spyce was featured on Mavin's hit song "Overdose" alongside Crayon and Ayra Starr on 13 May 2022.[14] The song ranked number 1 on TheCable's list of 10 TCL radio pick of the week on 28 May 2022.[15]
On 29 May 2022, Boy Spyce revealed how a direct message from Don Jazzy changed his life, sharing that he received a text message from Don Jazzy on Christmas Day in 2019. He disclosed this during an interview with the Nigerian Tribune.[16] On 30 May 2022, Spyce performed with Glitch Africa Choir for his song "Nobody".[17]
In November 2022, he performed alongside Rema, Ayra Starr, Magixx, Ladipoe, Crayon, Johnny Drille, and Bayanni on Mavin's hit single "Wan Da Mo", earning him his second appearance on TurnTable charts.[18][19]
In January 2023, he released his first single "Folake" after his debut EP, which peaked at number 5 on the Nigeria TurnTable Top 100.[20] "Folake" was produced by Sparrq Beatz, and its accompanying music video, directed by Ahmed Moss, currently has 5 million views on YouTube as of January 2024.[21][22]
On 24 January 2023, OkayAfrica cited him as one of the emerging artists to watch in 2023, alongside Khaid and Odumodublvck.[23]
On 7 December 2023, he released "Pepe", which peaked at number 23 on the TurnTable Nigeria Top 100 on 12 January 2024, and debuted at number 13 on the Top Streaming Songs on 18 January 2024.[24][25][26]
Discography
editEPs
edit| Title | Details |
|---|---|
| Boy Spyce[27] |
|
Singles
editAs lead artist
edit| Title | Year | Album |
|---|---|---|
| "Dreams" | 2022 | Boy Spyce |
| "Bad Things" | ||
| "Wayo" | ||
| "Destiny" | ||
| "Nobody" | ||
| "Folake" | 2023 | Non-album singles |
| "Relationship" | ||
| "So Bad" | ||
| "Pepe" | ||
| "I Don't Care" | 2024 | |
| "You (Rum & Schnapp)" |
As featured artist
edit| Title | Year | Album |
|---|---|---|
| "Won Da Mo" and "Overloading (Overdose)" (Mavins, Crayon and Ayra Starr featuring Ladipoe, Magixx and Boy Spyce) |
2022 | Chapter X |
| "Carry Me Go" (Khaid featuring Boy Spyce) |
2023 | Non-album singles |
| "Doh" (T-Classic featuring Boy Spyce) |
2024 |
References
edit- ^ Michael, Aromolaran (21 April 2022). "Boy Spyce Has Come Like a Thief in the Night". The Culture Custodian (Est. 2014). Archived from the original on 18 May 2023. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
- ^ Samuel (20 December 2023). "Singer, Boy Spyce Reacts After Being Called Out For Storming Off The Stage". Tori.ng. Archived from the original on 6 January 2024. Retrieved 28 January 2024.
- ^ a b "About Boy Spyce". YouTube.
- ^ Chinonso, Ihekere (23 April 2022). "Mavin Records unveils Boy Spyce". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 5 July 2023. Retrieved 28 January 2024.
- ^ Itty Okim (23 March 2022). "Interview: Boy Spyce, A Paradox Of Intention And Serendipity". Millenials (Interview). Archived from the original on 7 July 2023. Retrieved 28 January 2024.
- ^ Araayo, Akande (22 May 2022). "I pray the universe helps me because I dream of being a global superstar – Boy Spyce". The Culture Newspaper. Archived from the original on 28 November 2022. Retrieved 28 January 2024.
- ^ The Scoove. "Boy Spyce: Biography, Age". The Scoove Africa. Archived from the original on 28 November 2023. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
- ^ Kossy, Derrick (14 April 2022). "Boy Spyce get signed to Mavin Records". Retrieved 29 January 2024.
- ^ Ifeoluwa (15 April 2022). "Don Jazzy signs Boy Spyce, the talented kid who went viral for doing a cover of Wizkid's Essence". Within Nigeria. Archived from the original on 26 September 2023. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
- ^ Onyema, Courage (15 April 2022). "Mavin Records unlocks Boy Spyce and his new EP". Pulse Nigeria. Archived from the original on 6 July 2022. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
- ^ Emmanuel, Esomnofu (19 April 2022). "Essentials: Boy Spyce Renders Emotive Tales on Debut Eponymous EP". The Native. Archived from the original on 3 February 2023. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
- ^ Onyema, Courage (7 May 2022). "Future Sounds Vol.6 featuring Boy Spyce, Sam Sun, Boy Adequate, Maradona, and more". Pulse Nigeria. Archived from the original on 31 August 2022. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
- ^ BellaNaija (14 May 2022). "Mavin Records Puts Out Romantic Number titled "Overdose" featuring Crayon, Ayra Starr, Ladipoe, Magixx & Boy Spyce". BellaNaija. Archived from the original on 29 March 2023. Retrieved 30 January 2024.
- ^ Kunle, Daramola (28 May 2022). "TCL radio picks: Mavin Records leads the pack with 'Overdose'". TheCable Lifestyle. Archived from the original on 30 June 2022. Retrieved 30 January 2024.
- ^ Tribune online (29 May 2022). "Don Jazzy's text on Christmas Day shocked me, Boy Spyce". Nigerian Tribune. Archived from the original on 9 September 2022. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
- ^ BNTV (30 May 2022). "Boy Spyce Beautifully Performs "Nobody" Alongside Glitch Africa's Choir". BellaNaija. Archived from the original on 13 June 2022. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
- ^ Tela, Wangeci (14 December 2022). "TurnTable Top 100: Mavins' "Won Da Mo" Leads the Chart". The Native. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
- ^ BellaNaija (9 November 2022). "Mavin Records Puts Out New Single "Won Da Mo" featuring Rema, Boy Spyce, Magixx". BellaNaija. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
- ^ "Official Nigeria Top 100". TurnTable charts. 18 January 2024. Archived from the original on 24 January 2024. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
- ^ "Boy Spyce returns with new single, 'Folake'". Pulse Nigeria. 26 January 2023. Archived from the original on 24 March 2023. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
- ^ Ogugua, Ifezulike (1 March 2023). "New Video: Boy Spyce – Folake". Rhythm. Archived from the original on 28 March 2023. Retrieved 30 January 2024.
- ^ "12 Nigerian Artists to Watch in 2023". OkayAfrica. 24 January 2023. Archived from the original on 5 June 2023. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
- ^ "Boy Spyce Closes 2023 With Single, "Pepe"". Album Talks. 14 December 2023. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
- ^ "Official Nigeria Top 100". www.turntablecharts.com. TurnTable. Retrieved 18 January 2024.
- ^ "Official Streaming Songs". TurnTable charts. TurnTable. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
- ^ BellaNaija (15 April 2022). "Mavin Records' New Signee Proves He's the One to Watch With Self-Titled EP "Boy Spyce"". BellaNaija. Archived from the original on 16 May 2022. Retrieved 29 January 2024.