Olumide Edwards Adegbulu (born September 1976), known by his stage name Olu Maintain (sometimes called Mr. Yahooze), is a Nigerian singer. He co-founded the musical group known as Maintain with his cousin, Tolu Ogunniyi. Adeboye Bammeke, popularly known as Big Bamo, joined the group, which released six albums between 1998 and 2004 with the hit songs "I Catch Cold", "Domitila" and "Alo" before they separated in 2004. Olu rose to prominence in May 2007 with the release of the hit song "

Yahooze "Yahooze" is a song by Nigerian recording artist Olu Maintain. It was produced by Puffy Tee and officially released on October 27, 2007, as the lead single from his debut album of the same name. The music video for "Yahooze" was shot in Nigeria. T ...

" which literarily hail internet fraud and lavish spending from his debut studio album, ''Yahooze'' (2007), and a second album, ''Maintain Reloaded'' (2008). He featured Big Bamo in the single "Kowonje". "Yahooze" was named Hottest Single of the Year at the

Nigeria Entertainment Awards The Nigerian Entertainment Awards were established in New York City in January 2006. The awards recognize the contributions of African entertainers with a special focus on Nigerians. Ceremonies * 2006 Nigeria Entertainment Awards * 2007 Nigeria ...

. Olu Maintain's "Yahooze" was the genesis of an open declaration of support for internet fraud and lavish spending by an "A list" artiste which is now a norm in the Nigeria music industry. . In 2008, he performed "Yahooze" at the

Royal Albert Hall The Royal Albert Hall is a concert hall on the northern edge of South Kensington, London. One of the UK's most treasured and distinctive buildings, it is held in trust for the nation and managed by a registered charity which receives no govern ...

London London is the capital and largest city of England and the United Kingdom, with a population of just under 9 million. It stands on the River Thames in south-east England at the head of a estuary down to the North Sea, and has been a majo ...

and brought on stage

Colin Powell Colin Luther Powell ( ; April 5, 1937 – October 18, 2021) was an American politician, statesman, diplomat, and United States Army officer who served as the 65th United States Secretary of State from 2001 to 2005. He was the first African ...

, the former

United States Secretary of State The United States secretary of state is a member of the executive branch of the federal government of the United States and the head of the U.S. Department of State. The office holder is one of the highest ranking members of the president's Ca ...

Biography

He was born in September 1976 in

Lagos State Lagos State ( yo, Ìpínlẹ̀ Èkó) is a States of Nigeria, state in South West (Nigeria), southwestern Nigeria. Of the 36 States of Nigeria, states, it is both the List of Nigerian states by population, most populous and List of Nigerian state ...

, western Nigeria, but hails from then

Ondo State Ondo State ( yo, Ìpínlẹ̀ Oǹdó) is a state in southwestern Nigeria. It was created on 3 February 1976 from the former Western State. It borders Ekiti State to the north, Kogi State to the northeast, Edo State to the east, Delta State to t ...

, southwestern Nigeria. His parents are medical practitioners; his father is a medical doctor and his mother is a nurse. In 2001, he obtained a diploma certificate in accountancy from

The Polytechnic, Ibadan The Polytechnic, Ibadan (typically called "Poly Ibadan") is an institution of higher learning in Ibadan in Oyo State, Nigeria. Founded in 1970, Poly Ibadan is similar to other polytechnics in Nigeria. The institution was established to provide ...

, but began his music career in 1997. The same year, he released his first album, ''Domitila''. The music was aired in October 1998. On 27 July 2009, he released the album ''With All Due Respect, Press Play'' with a hit single titled "What a Man Can Do" featuring Kentro World. In January 2012, he released a single, "

Nawti ''Nawti'' is a song by Nigerian recording artist, Olu Maintain. It was officially released in January 2012, as the first single from his debut album, '' Chosen One''. The single was recorded in Nigeria and the video was directed by Kehinde Nayom ...

", which earned the

for Best Video of the Year and Best Reggae/Dancehall Video of the Year at the Nigeria Music Video Awards. On 4 January 2013, he released two songs, titled " Hypnotize Me", featuring

50 Cent Curtis James Jackson III (born July 6, 1975), known professionally as 50 Cent, is an American rapper, actor, and businessman. Born in the South Jamaica neighborhood of Queens, Jackson began pursuing a musical career in 2000, when he produced ...

and

Olivia Olivia may refer to: People * Olivia (name), including a list of people and fictional characters with the name * Olivia (singer) (Olivia Longott, born 1981), American singer * Olívia (basketball) (Carlos Henrique Rodrigues do Nascimento, born 1974 ...

, and "Oya Dancia", featuring

Fatman Scoop Isaac Freeman III (born August 6, 1971), better known by his stage name Fatman Scoop, is an American rapper, promoter and radio personality famed for his on-stage rough, raw loud voice. He is known for the song "Be Faithful", which topped the ch ...

Discography

;Compilation albums *''Olu Maintain'' (2017) ;Singles (partial) *"

" (2009) *"

" (2012) *" Hypnotize" (2013) *"Cinderella" (2015) *"Excuse My French" (2016)

Awards and nominations

References

{{Authority control Living people 1976 births Nigerian male singer-songwriters Nigerian male pop singers Nigerian hip hop singers English-language singers from Nigeria Yoruba-language singers Musicians from Lagos Nigerian music industry executives The Polytechnic, Ibadan alumni 21st-century Nigerian male singers People from Ondo State