Obinna Kelvin Anyanwu (born in Port Harcourt,

Rivers State Rivers State, also known as Rivers, is a state in the Niger Delta region of southern Nigeria (Old Eastern Region). Formed in 1967, when it was split from the former Eastern Region, Rivers State borders include: Imo to the north, Abia and Akwa Ib ...

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 ...

), better known by stage name Waconzy, is a singer, songwriter, record producer and philanthropist with family roots in

Umuahia Umuahia () is the capital city of Abia State in southeastern Nigeria. Umuahia is located along the rail road that lies between Port Harcourt to its south,and Enugu city to its north. Umuahia has a population of 359,230 according to the 2006 Nig ...

, Abia State. He is the founder of Dv8 Media and the Waconzy Foundation. He rose to prominence in 2010 with his song "I Celebrate" which appeared on the ''I Celebrate'' album. His second album ''Money Back Guarantee'' was released in 2013. He is currently signed to Dv8 Media.

Early life

Waconzy was born on 10 August 1983 in Port Harcourt and completed his primary and secondary education there. In 1998, he recorded his first song while he was still in high school. In 2000, Waconzy gained admission into the

Federal University of Technology Owerri The Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO) is a federal government university in Owerri West, the capital of Imo State, Nigeria. The university is bounded by the communities of Eziobodo, Umuchima, Ihiagwa and Obinze. It is the premier ...

and graduated in 2005 with a

Bachelor of Technology A Bachelor of Technology (Latin ''Baccalaureus Technologiae'', commonly abbreviated as B.Tech. or BTech; with honours as B.Tech. (Hons.)) is an undergraduate academic degree conferred after the completion of a three to five-year program of studi ...

degree in

project management Project management is the process of leading the work of a team to achieve all project goals within the given constraints. This information is usually described in project documentation, created at the beginning of the development process. Th ...

. After completing his NYSC service in 2006, Waconzy joined the

Project Management Institute The Project Management Institute (PMI, legally Project Management Institute, Inc.) is a U.S.-based not-for-profit professional organization for project management. Overview PMI serves more than five million professionals including over 680,00 ...

in the United States where he was certified a

Project Management Professional Project Management Professional (PMP) is an internationally recognized professional designation offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI). As of 31 July 2020, there are 1,036,368 active PMP-certified individuals and 314 chartered chapters ...

(PMP) and, in 2008, he set up his company Dv8 Media.

Career

In 2008 Waconzy released the single "I Celebrate". The song's music video was shot by

Clarence Peters Clarence Abiodun Peters (born 27 July 1978) is a Nigerian music video director, filmmaker and cinematographer. He is the founder and CEO of Capital Dream Pictures, a production company that specialises in the realms of the performing arts, fil ...

of CAPital Dream Pictures in

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. In 2011, Waconzy collaborated with

Duncan Mighty Duncan Wene Mighty Okechukwu (born 28 October 1983), simply known as Duncan Mighty, is a Nigerian musician, singer, and music producer from Obio-Akpor, Rivers State. Though his musical style demonstrates a high-level of genre versatility, it is ...

for the remix of "I Celebrate". He released his debut album ''I Celebrate'' in 2010. The album included the singles "I Celebrate", "Too Much Money", "Wedding Day" and "Chuku Chuku". Following his debut album, Waconzy released his album ''Money Back Guarantee'' in 2013 which featured the songs "Amosu", "Club on Fire" and "Sweet like Tombo". In 2015, he released the ''Waconzy Greatest Hits'' compilation album which featured the songs "Na God", "Balling like Waconzy (Ekpoh)" and "Ogbono". Waconzy has made charitable contributions in Nigeria. He helped feed over a thousand poor people and kicked off the ''Waconzy versus Malaria'' Z''ero Tolerance'' campaign to fight malaria in Africa. Waconzy has collaborated with

Banky W. Olubankole Wellington (born 27 March 1981), popularly known by his stage name Banky W and credited in film as Banky Wellington, is a Nigerian singer, rapper, actor, entrepreneur and politician. Early life Olubankole Wellington was born in the ...

("Jangolova"),

Faze FaZe Clan (formerly FaZe Sniping) is a professional esports and entertainment organization headquartered in Los Angeles, California, USA. Founded on May 30, 2010, the organization has players from around the world, across multiple games, inclu ...

("Champion"),

("I Celebrate" remix),

Naeto C Naetochukwu Chikwe, stage name Naeto C, is a Nigerian rapper, Afrobeat artist and record producer. Early life He was born in Houston, Texas and is of Nigerian origin. The Governor of Imo State, Emeka Ihedioha appointed Naeto C, as his Speci ...

("Hallelujah" remix) and Truth Hurts ("Club on Fire" remix).

World tours and notable performances

World Tours

Hottest Naija Boy Alive Tour (Europe Tour) in 2014 where he was spotted with

Sean Combs Sean Combs (born Sean John Combs; November 4, 1969), also known by his stage names Puff Daddy, P. Diddy, Puffy, or Diddy, is an American rapper, actor, record producer, and record executive. Born in New York City, he worked as a talent directo ...

Notable performances

*MTN on the Power of Ten Concert (2011) *

Calabar Carnival Calabar Carnival is an annual carnival held in Cross River State, Nigeria. The carnival holds every December and was declared by the then governor of Cross River State, Mr. Donald Duke as an activity to mark Christmas celebration yearly. He said ...

(2013) *Caribbean African American Awards (2013) *MTN Loud in Naija Tour (2013) *Hennessey Artistry Tour (2013)

Discography

Singles

*"Ikebe super" *"I Celebrate" *"Hallelujah" *"Jangolova" (featuring

) *"Fine Fine Girl" *"Jogodo" *"Club on Fire" *"Oh No (I CRY)" *"Amosu" *"Sweet Like Tombo" (featuring Chimaga) *"Club on Fire (Remix)" (featuring Truth Hurts) *"My Money Dey Talk" (featuring Chimaga) *"Champion" (featuring

) *"Ekpoh" *"Ogbono" *"Na God" *"Am Sorry" *"Amosu (Remix)" (featuring Rhage, Heyden Adama & Shadow Boxxer) *"Pitakwa" *"Nothing Last Forever" *"Let Me Love you" *"Apple Of My Eyes"

Albums

*''I Celebrate'' (2010) *''Money Back Guarantee'' (2013) *''Waconzy: Greatest Hits'' (2015)

Awards and nominations

Awarded

At the 2013 6th Annual World Music and Independent Film Festival in

Hollywood Hollywood usually refers to: * Hollywood, Los Angeles, a neighborhood in California * Hollywood, a metonym for the cinema of the United States Hollywood may also refer to: Places United States * Hollywood District (disambiguation) * Hollywood, ...

, Waconzy was honoured with a humanitarian award for his contribution to the fight against malaria in Africa through his 'Waconzy Versus Malaria Zero Tolerance' campaign.

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Waconzy Living people Nigerian male pop singers 21st-century Nigerian male singers Federal University of Technology Owerri alumni Singers from Port Harcourt Songwriters from Rivers State 1983 births Nigerian male singer-songwriters Nigerian singer-songwriters Nigerian hip hop singers Musicians from Rivers State Musicians from Abia State Nigerian music industry executives