Skuki is a Nigerian Afro hip hop duo composed of two brothers: Tumininu Laolu-Oguniyi and Atewologun Laolu-Ogunniyi. They are also known as Vavavoom (Tumininu) and Peeshaun (Atewologun).
Early lives
The brothers were both born in the 1980s in
Oyo State
Oyo State is an inland States of Nigeria, state in southwestern Nigeria. Its capital is Ibadan, the List of Nigerian cities by population, third most populous city in the country and formerly the second most populous city in Africa. Oyo State is b ...
, Nigeria. They attended The Staff School, University of Ibadan and The International School,
University of Ibadan
The University of Ibadan (UI) is a public research university in Ibadan, Nigeria. The university was founded in 1948 as University College Ibadan, one of many colleges within the University of London. It became an independent university in 19 ...
. The duo developed an interest in music shortly after they graduated from secondary school.
Shortly after that, they had to part ways as Tumininu went to study Geography at the
University of Lagos
The University of Lagos, popularly known as UNILAG, is a public research university located in Lagos, Nigeria and was founded in 1962. UNILAG is one of the first generation universities in Nigeria and is ranked among the top universities in th ...
while Atewo studied law at the
University of Ibadan
The University of Ibadan (UI) is a public research university in Ibadan, Nigeria. The university was founded in 1948 as University College Ibadan, one of many colleges within the University of London. It became an independent university in 19 ...
.
Their father is a musician, director and producer. Recognising their talent he involved them in a nationwide awareness tour of the War Against Indiscipline (WAI) program where they performed in the presence of the then Head of State, Gen
Ibrahim Babangida
Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (born 17 August, 1941) is a retired Nigerian Army general and politician. He served as military president of Nigeria from 1985 until his resignation in 1993. He rose through the ranks to serve from 1984 to 1985 as C ...
and other notable Nigerians. He then featured them in a TV commercial for Sungass in 1988; the result showed that the boys were a natural at entertaining. Noting them to be raw talents waiting to be tapped, he involved them in Children Celebration Theatre (CCT), a TV series and a host of other short plays. These activities increased their confidence in front of the camera, added a little to their acting skills and made them some money. They then featured in the 'Census 91' advert. They have always worked together, composing and recording over 40 songs.
Career
The brothers reunited in 1999 in preparation to start a music career under the name "Skuki".
[
Their debut single, "Fire" stayed on the Africa Edition of the Channel O Top 10 Chart for four months and was number one for four consecutive weeks. Their singles "Stamina" featuring Mo'Cheddah and "Banger" featuring DJ Zeez brought them awards and prominence.
Skuki had another hit for 2013 "B.A.D", an acronym for ''"Beautiful and Different"''. The video for "B.A.D" was shot in ]Cape Town
Cape Town ( af, Kaapstad; , xh, iKapa) is one of South Africa's three capital cities, serving as the seat of the Parliament of South Africa. It is the legislative capital of the country, the oldest city in the country, and the second largest ...
, South Africa
South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA), is the Southern Africa, southernmost country in Africa. It is bounded to the south by of coastline that stretch along the Atlantic Ocean, South Atlantic and Indian Oceans; to the ...
and premiered on MTV Base Africa
MTV Base is a 24-hour music channel from Paramount Networks EMEAA. There are three different feeds of MTV Base Africa; for South Africa, West Africa and East Africa respectively.
History
The channel was launched in February 2005 with a liv ...
and Soundcity, gaining airplay on terrestrial and international music channels and garnered over 130,000 views on YouTube
YouTube is a global online video sharing and social media platform headquartered in San Bruno, California. It was launched on February 14, 2005, by Steve Chen, Chad Hurley, and Jawed Karim. It is owned by Google, and is the second mo ...
under one week of its release. They released a club and dance track which they titled "Voom-Va" which featured the Nigerian rap artist 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 ...
. "Voom-Va" was on most charts on radio stations across Nigeria and was a popular club song. Their current single "Gbemileke" features production skills by producer Shizzi
Oluwaseyi Akerele, popularly known as Shizzi, is a Nigerian platinum record producer, disk jockey and songwriter.
Music career 2009–2015: Early life and career
Shizzi started out as a drummer in church. He achieved recognition for his work on ...
, and has received airplay in Nigeria and other African countries. The video for the song was released in June 2014. The song has traditional Fuji baseline and the video was shot in South Africa.
Discography
Singles
*2008
**"Fire"
*2009
**"Banger" (featuring DJ Zeez)
*2010
**"Stamina" (featuring Mo' Cheddah)
**"Take You Home"
**"Sho ti Gbo"
*2011
**"Hallelujah"
**"Shanor"
*2012
**"Move It"
**"Necessity"
*2013
**"B.A.D"
**"Voom Va" (featuring 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 ...
)
*2014
**, "Gbemileke"
(Skuki
Skuki is a Nigerian Afro hip hop duo composed of two brothers: Tumininu Laolu-Oguniyi and Atewologun Laolu-Ogunniyi. They are also known as Vavavoom (Tumininu) and Peeshaun (Atewologun).
Early lives
The brothers were both born in the 1980s in ...
)
*2015
**"Gbemileke Remix" (featuring Tiwa Savage
Tiwa Savage (born 5 February 1980) is a Nigerian singer-songwriter and performing artist. Born in Isale Eko, she relocated to London at the age of 11 for her secondary education. Five years later, she began her music career doing backup voc ...
)
**"Forever"
Awards and nominations
City People Entertainment Awards
* Best New Musician – (Won)
*2010: Best Group – (Nominated)
Dynamix All Youths Awards
*2010: Most Promising Act – (Won)
*2010: Song of the Year – (Nominated)
*2010: Best New Act – (Nominated)
Nigeria Entertainment Awards
*2014
File:2014 Events Collage.png, From top left, clockwise: Stocking up supplies and personal protective equipment (PPE) for the Western African Ebola virus epidemic; Citizens examining the ruins after the Chibok schoolgirls kidnapping; Bundles of wat ...
: Best New Act of the Year – (Nominated)
The Headies
* 2010: Next Rated – (Won)
Peak Awards
*Next Rated – (Won)
Best New Act Nomination Controversy
On 30 May 2014, Skuki rejected a nomination for the "Best New Act" at the 2014 Nigeria Entertainment Awards. The duo released their debut album ''B.A.N.G.E.R'' in May 2010, and won the Next Rated award at The Headies 2010
The fifth edition of the Hip Hop World Awards took place on May 16, 2009, at the Eko Hotel and Suites in Victoria Island, Lagos. The ceremony was conducted without a host. Wande Coal was the biggest winner of the night with five plaques, includin ...
.
External links
Reverbnation page
* Skuki o
Twitter
References