Chidinma Ekile (born 2 May 1991), popularly recognized by her stage identifyChidinma, is a Nigerian singer-songwriter, recording artist and stage performer. In 2010, she rose to stardom after successful the third season of MTN Project Fame West Africa.[4] Following the discharge of the music video for her “Emi Ni Baller” single, she grew to become the primary feminine musician to peak at number one on the MTV Base Official Naija Top 10 chart.[5] In 2011, she launched her first solo single “Jankoliko” that includes Sound Sultan.[6] Chidinma, her self-titled debut studio album, was launched by way of the music platform Spinlet. It was supported by the singles “Jankoliko”, “Carry You Go”, “Kedike” and “Run Dia Mouth”. The album options guest appearances from Sound Sultan, Tha Suspect, Olamide and Muna.[7]In 2012, Chidinma received the Best Female West African Act class on the 2012 Kora Awards; she carried out “Kedike” on the ceremony.[8]

Chidinma Ekile, the sixth of seven youngsters, was born in Ketu, Lagos State.[4][9] Both of her mother and father are from Imo State. She labored as a enterprise promoter in Lagos previous to auditioning for the third season of MTN’sProject Fame West Africa. Chidinma began singing on the age of 6, and grew up with a disciplinarian father.[10] When she was 10 years previous, she joined her church’s choir.[11]She attended main and secondary college in Ketu previous to relocating to Ikorodu along with her household. Chidinma is presently finding out Sociology on the University of Lagos. She initially needed to check Mass Communication.[12] Chidinma initially declined her admission into the University of Lagos resulting from her development within the aforesaid competitors. In an interview withYNaija, Chidinma mentioned that she has all the time taken college severely and her resolution to enroll at Unilag was inevitable. She additionally mentioned that music hasn’t all the time been on her agenda, and that she determined to present it a strive after successful the MTN Project Fame competitors.[13] After dying her hair pink and getting a mohawk, individuals began perceiving her as a superb lady gone unhealthy. In an interview posted on the Daily Independent web site, Chidinma mentioned she remains to be the identical. She additionally mentioned she’s evolving and rising as a musician.[14]

Prior to auditioning for the third version ofProject Fame West Africa, she dreamt of being a part of the truth TV present that was instituted in 2008. With the assistance and help from her shut knit buddy, Chidinma left her dwelling in Ikorodu and went to the Ultima Studios, the venue for the present’s 2010 Lagos auditions. She was among the many 8,000 or so contestants who went to showcase their abilities that 12 months. Subsequently, Chidinma superior to the Fame Academy spherical alongside 17 different contestants. For 10 weeks, Chidinma and the opposite contestants have been coached by musical professionals: voice coaches, inspirational audio system, established musicians, and music enterprise service suppliers. Moreover, contestants have been taught choreography and a number of other rehearsal drills.[15] On 26 September 2010, Chidinma grew to become the obvious winner of the competitors. She received a number of prizes, together with N2.5 million, a 2011 Toyota RAV4, and an album manufacturing deal.[16] In May 2013, Chidinma signed an endorsement take care of MTN Nigeria.[17]

Chidinma began engaged on her debut studio album, Chidinma, after releasing a collaborative challenge with the opposite finalists of MTN Project Fame West Africa Season 3.[18] The album was scheduled for launch within the fourth quarter of 2011. Chidinma spoke briefly on her album and mentioned that she put an entire lot of power into the album.[6] Chidinma labored with completely different producers for her first studio challenge, together with Cobhams Asuquo, Tee Y Mix, WazBeat and Oscar Heman Ackah.[19] On 22 February 2011, she launched the singles “Jankoliko”, that includes Sound Sultan, and “Carry You Go”. Both songs have been written and produced by Oscar Heman Ackah.[18] In an interview posted on the Weekly Trustweb site, Chidinma mentioned she’s glad concerning the optimistic response she acquired after releasing the tune, and is working exhausting to enhance her craft.[6] The music video for “Jankoliko”, directed by Clarence Peters, was launched on 4 June 2011; it ran for Three minutes and 33 seconds.[20] On 11 October 2011, Chidinma launched “Kedike” because the album’s third single. The tune interprets to “Heartbeat” and was produced by Cobhams Asuquo. The music video for “Kedike” was launched on 24 January 2012; it was directed by Clarence Peters. Dammy Krane, a recording artist signed to Tuface‘sHypertek Digital, performed Chidinma’s love curiosity within the music video.[21] In an interview with Entertainment Rave, Chidinma mentioned that “Kedike” is a tune that depicts love. She and her producers invented the phrase “Kedike”.[22] On 11 October 2011, she additionally launched the album’s fourth single “Run Dia Mouth”.[23]

Chidinma started recording her upcoming album within the fourth quarter of 2012. On 14 September 2012, she launched the album’s lead single “Emi Ni Baller” that includes her fellow labelmates Tha Suspect and Illbliss. The tune was produced by Legendury Beatz.[24] It peaked at quantity 7 onVanguard‘s “Top 10 songs that made 2013” record.[25] On 22 February 2013, Chidinma and her document label launched the remix of “Emi Ni Baller” that includes Wizkid. The tune was additionally produced by Legendury Beatz.[26] On 12 June 2013, CAPital Dreams Pictures launched the music video for “Emi Ni Baller”. It was shot and directed within the U.Okay by Clarence Peters.[27] On 10 June 2013, Chidinma launched “Bless My Hustle” (that includes Phyno), “Kite” and “Jolly”, three singles off the upcoming album. “Bless My Hustle” was produced by Tha Suspect, and “Kite” was produced by Del B. “Jolly” was produced by Wizboy.[28]

On 14 September 2013, Chidinma launched “Oh Baby”, and on 29 January 2014, she launched “Oh Baby (You & I)” that includesFlavour N’abania. Both songs have been produced by Young D.[29] On 2 May 2014, the identical day as her birthday, Chidinma launched the music video for “Oh Baby (You & I)” which was directed by Clarence Peters. The video stars Ngozi Nwosu andOC Ukeje.[30]

Chidinma carried out with Dr SID on the MTN Power of 10 Concerts, a ten-metropolis tour that celebrated MTN Nigeria’s ten-12 months anniversary; the tour kicked off in Makurdi on 9 September 2011.[31] Chidinma was one of many supporting acts on the 2013 Hennessy Artistry Club Tour headlined byD’banj.[32][33] On 3 November 2013, she carried out on the Guinness World of More Concert alongside P-Square, D’banj,Wizkid, Ice Prince, Burna Boy, Olamide,Phyno, Waje, Davido and Tiwa Savage, amongst others.[34] On 9 November 2013, Chidinma carried out with Blackstreet on the Butterscotch Evening Experience, a live performance held on the Eko Hotels and Suites.[35] On 14 February 2014, she carried out on the MTN Valentine Rave Party alongside Tiwa Savage, Mario and Sound Sultan.[36]Chidinma has carried out in a number of international locations throughout Africa, together with The Republic of Benin, Sierra Leone, Côte d’Ivoire, Kenya, Cameroun, Equatorial Guinea, Niger and Ghana.

Chidinma received the “Best Female West African Act” class at 2012 Kora Awards. Her award plaque was offered to her byDidier Drogba. She toppled Omawumi and 5 others for the honour. After successful the award, Chidinma mentioned: “It was a huge honour to me. I’m grateful to God, my fans and people, who have been part of my success story. Winning KORA is a big achievement for me and I know it is the beginning of better things to come.”[12][37]Chidinma has cited Michael Jackson, Bob Marley, Alicia Keys, Whitney Houston,Mariah Carey, Fela Kuti, Omawumi, Onyeka Onwenu, Lagbaja and Darey Art Alade as her largest musical influences.[10][15][38]

In November 2013, a viral intercourse tape of Chidinma’s look-alike surfaced on the web. Many individuals have been satisfied that Chidinma was the one within the intercourse tape. Speaking to Sunday Beats, Chidinma debunked the accusation. She mentioned she felt unhealthy when she initially heard the story.[39] In an intensive interview with Nonye Ben-Nwankwo, Chidinma elaborated on the intercourse tape scandal. She mentioned that whereas her fan base grew from the incident, she felt fairly devastated. She additionally thanked her core followers for his or her help by way of the scandal.[40]