Isaac Sotunde, known professionally as Base One is a Nigerian rap/hip hop artist, signed to Aquila Records, involved in the Nigerian new school rapper scene.

Early life and Career beginnings

Isaac Sotunde, "Base One", was born on March 24, 1992. He was raised with his mother and grew up on the streets of

Oshodi Oshodi-Isolo (Yoruba: ''Oṣòdì-Ìsọlọ̀'') is a Local Government Area (LGA) within Lagos State. It was formed by the second republic Governor of Lagos State, Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande, also known as 'Baba Kekere' and the first Executiv ...

Lagos Lagos (Nigerian English: ; ) is the largest city in Nigeria and the List of cities in Africa by population, second most populous city in Africa, with a population of 15.4 million as of 2015 within the city proper. Lagos was the national ca ...

Nigeria. Base One attended St. Georges Nursery and Primary School in Ipaja, Lagos, moving on to Medal Merit High School in

Igando Igando also known as Igando road is a community located in the Alimosho local government area of Lagos State, South-Western Nigeria Nigeria ( ), , ig, Naìjíríyà, yo, Nàìjíríà, pcm, Naijá , ff, Naajeeriya, kcg, Naijeriya of ...

, Lagos, before being admitted into Lagos State University. As an undergraduate at Lagos State University, Base One began pursuing a music career, performing across various rap events, comedy events, and competitions. He met producer X Blaze, who helped guide him through these endeavours.. By the time he graduated from university, Base One had released numerous unofficial tracks and features in local videos. He graduated from Lagos State University with a degree in banking and finance in 2012. After graduating, he decided to pursue a career in music. In 2012, he was featured on the commercially successful

YBNL ''YBNL'' (an abbreviation for Yahoo Boy No ''Laptop'') is the second studio album by Nigerian rapper Olamide. It was released on November 12, 2012, as the follow-up to his debut studio album '' Rapsodi'' (2011). The album features guest appearan ...

compilation album, executive produced by

Olamide Olamide Gbenga Adedeji (born 15 March 1989) is a Nigerian rapper, singer, songwriter, and record executive. Widely regarded as one of the biggest and most influential artists in Africa, he has been instrumental to the launching of the careers ...

. He performed with

in December 2014 at his event “Olamide Live in Concert”, and from this, he was brought to the attention of Aquila Records' label head, Shina Peller. Following this, Base One was signed to Aquila Records in 2015.

Music career

Base One released his first official single "Werey Re O", in April 2015, produced by X Blaze. The single earned him a nomination for Rookie of the Year 2015 at the Nigerian

The Headies The Headies (originally called the Hip Hop World Awards) is a music awards show established in 2006 by the ''Hip Hop World Magazine'' of Nigeria to recognize outstanding achievements in the Nigerian music industry. The annual ceremony features pe ...

Awards. In January 2016, Base One followed his debut single with a double release, "Werey Re O Remix," featuring rappers

and

Phyno Chibuzor Nelson Azubuike (born 9 October 1986), populary known as Phyno Fino, is a Nigerian rapper, singer, songwriter and record producer. He started his music career as a producer in 2003, and is renowned for rapping in the Igbo language. His ...

. His next release, "Skon Skon" was a dance song dedicated to the streets where he was raised. On March 24, 2016, he released “At It Again,” featuring Kayswitch. Inspired by the harsh economic situation in

Nigeria Nigeria ( ), , ig, Naìjíríyà, yo, Nàìjíríà, pcm, Naijá , ff, Naajeeriya, kcg, Naijeriya officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a country in West Africa. It is situated between the Sahel to the north and the Gulf o ...

at the time, he collaborated with Nigerian Fuji musician K1 De Ultimate to release “Better Dey Come” in June 2016.

Musical influences

Base One credits

Notorious BIG Christopher George Latore Wallace (May 21, 1972 – March 9, 1997), better known by his stage names the Notorious B.I.G., Biggie Smalls, or simply Biggie, was an American rapper. Rooted in East Coast hip hop and particularly gangsta ...

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Early life and Career beginnings

Music career

Musical influences

Singles

Awards and nominations

References