Michael Odokara-Okigbo (born 8 January 1990), known professionally as Michael O, is a singer, songwriter and record producer best known for leading his college singing group, the Dartmouth Aires, to a second-place finish on the NBC show ''
The Sing Off
''The Sing-Off'' was an American television singing competition featuring a cappella groups. It debuted on NBC on December 14, 2009, and was produced by Sony Pictures Television and Outlaw Productions, with Mark Burnett's One Three Media (for a ...
.''
Career
He performed songs such as "Midnight Train to Georgia", "Somebody to Love", "Higher Ground", "Pinball Wizard", and "Paradise by the Dashboard Light".
Ben Folds
Benjamin Scott Folds (born September 12, 1966) is an American singer-songwriter, musician, and composer, who is the first artistic advisor to the National Symphony Orchestra at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., since May 2017. Folds was th ...
of Ben Folds Five commented that Odakara-Okigbo has a "timeless style", and
Shawn Stockman of Boyz II Men declared that Odakara-Okigbo is "a freaking superstar!" He has performed at
Lincoln Center, the
White House, and has sung the National Anthem in venues all around the country.
On August 13, 2013, Odokara-Okigbo (under the name "Michael O") released his first EP, ''In the Beginning'', to critical acclaim.
In 2015, Odakara-Okigbo appeared in the motion picture ''Pitch Perfect 2'', and is also featured on the soundtrack (which won the AMA for best soundtrack). He also appeared as the feature vocalist on tracks for DJs such as Option4, Flex Cop and Gladiator.
Odakara-Okigbo has performed at venues such as the Merrill Auditorium in
Portland, Maine, the
Lincoln Center, and for
President Obama in the
White House.
In November 2017, Odakara-Okigbo won the HAPA Award for Best Upcoming Artist for his record, ''Your Way''.
Odakara-Okigbol's single "Umbrella" was released on June 1, 2018.
In addition to his music career, Odakara-Okigbo, throughout his life, has always focused on charity work. At the age of fourteen, Odakara-Okigbo founded The Mugadi Foundation, a non-profit organization that provides education in the Global South.
He lives in Los Angeles and is a graduate of
Dartmouth College and the
Waynflete School
Waynflete School is a private, coeducational, college preparatory day school established in 1898 for early childhood education (from age 3) to twelfth grade, in Portland, Maine.
History
In 1898, Waynflete School was established by Agnes Lowell ...
in Portland, Maine.
Odokara-Okigbo is the grandson of
Pius Okigbo Pius Okigbo (February 6, 1924 — 2000) was an eminent Nigerian economist from Ojoto village, the present headquarters of Idemili South Local Government Area in Anambra State; he was the older brother of the poet Christopher Okigbo. Receiving his se ...
.
Discography
''In the Beginning'' (2013)
See also
*
Waynflete School
Waynflete School is a private, coeducational, college preparatory day school established in 1898 for early childhood education (from age 3) to twelfth grade, in Portland, Maine.
History
In 1898, Waynflete School was established by Agnes Lowell ...
References
External links
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Odokara-Okigbo, Michael
Living people
American male singers
Date of birth missing (living people)
Dartmouth College alumni
Waynflete School alumni
1990 births