
Flavour N'abania, whose real name is Chinedu Okoli, is widely celebrated as the ‘Flavour of Africa’ and holds the title of Africa’s Highlife King. Throughout his impressive two-decade career, he has shared the stage with international stars such as The Cavemen, Efya, Phyno, Diamond Platnumz, P.M.P, Odumeje, Beenie Man, Fally Ipupa, Tekno, Larry Gaga, Sarkodie, Chidima and others.
Hailing from Enugu city in Anambra State, Nigeria, Flavour is the third of twelve siblings. His upbringing in Enugu was challenging for him and his family, yet he discovered a profound passion for music early on. He joined a church band, where he began honing his skills in singing and playing instruments, eventually mastering both the drums and the piano.
In an interview with Eve's Eye, he shared....
"I told myself I think I have to go out there. At that age.... I was like 12yrs-13yrs that was when I left the house. But before then, I was playing in a church band. .....I was the church drummer........until my pastor introduced me to someone because he saw I enjoying playing....just to beef up my skills....So he introduced me to a friend of his who came from the United States and looking for young talents to groom. And so he said I was the right fit,........he gave me the address. I went there and it was what I wanted....music instruments everywhere......I was gonna be groomed to play with the big guys. It was a dream come true........The man liked me, asked me to show him what I could do......... at first, I told him I didn't know much.... just church music... but he saw my timing, my precision, ......the love and saw the way I was hitting the drums like I owned it. He said if this is what I wanna do, this is home for me. I went home, told my parents....they did not accept and I had to leave home. "
His musical journey began with his involvement in live church bands. In a country like Nigeria, where Christianity runs deep, especially in the eastern regions, church music plays a significant role. Despite the varying denominations, it was in this environment that Flavour first caught the attention of those around him. His talent didn’t go unnoticed, particularly by his pastor, who saw his potential early on. His parents would have preferred he invested time completing high school and furthering a college degree
"So, when I was growing up, I was playing with bands, when they'd cut to introduce everybody, I was the pianist .......when it came to my turn, they ask what my stage name was......nothing (I had no stage name). So, I felt down many times, but there was this guy that always came to where we played. His name was Flavour Shelters. He was into estate management. I liked the guy because he came with a lot of life, girls and all that. He was a cool guy. He'd come to the joint, all the girls and everybody was giving him attention. I was like yeah, I like this guy and he' was always, enjoying our music every time we played...... I was saying to myself, if I would have a name for myself, I think I will go for 'Flavour' and just take off the 'Shelters'. At the end of the day, it worked out well for me"
From his life story, it’s clear that loving music alone wasn’t enough to make him a superstar in his genre. After all, there are countless African stars out there, earning their stripes and becoming legends. But as we listen to him recount his journey, we somewhat understand what sets him apart: he took the time to truly understand himself, embraced his roots, and used his unique talents to create something unforgettable—an entertainment experience that speaks to the soul.
Taking a bold risk, he quickly realized that RnB wasn’t the ticket to the spotlight he craved. A true loner navigating the music scene without a manager or label to guide him, he had to learn the ropes on his own. To stand out, he knew he had to grab attention—so he turned to shocking, bold songs. This approach led to the release of his hit song "Nwa Baby," a track that perfectly captured the vibrant, wild club life—celebrating, drinking, dancing, and encounters with beautiful women, especially women of the night (often referred to as "Ashawo" in the Igbo language).
After winning the crowd with his provocative music, he decided it was time to make a shift—to create family-friendly tunes. It wasn’t an easy transition, though. Constantly reinventing himself to keep his music relevant was a huge challenge. His journey started in the eastern part of Nigeria, but the real test came when he moved to Lagos in the west. That’s when he faced his toughest battle to truly make his mark.
"The switch was very very difficult....most of what I've shared, everything has been happening in the eastern part of Nigeria.....To move from the east to Lagos, breaking into the market was not an easy movement. As at that time there were no record labels. Everything is on you, you are your own manager, your own promoter, your own everything. So when I got there, I thought things through..... How do I come in?.....What do I do?.... How do I step out? .....What kind of sound do I give?.....So, I now planned the best way to go about it .....Whatever I do on stage, I excite the crowd, and drawing their attention to me, making relatable songs. You don't have to go too far, whatever you need is around."
He soon found his break working with former musician turned businessman, Mr. Nigga Raw. Under his mentorship, he soaked up all the knowledge he could, honing his craft. His big opportunity came when he was given a chance to have Mr Raw featured on a track, which gave him the push he needed.
Determined to make his mark, he returned to the East, hitting the clubs and personally asking DJs to spin his song. The crowds started to take notice, and his popularity skyrocketed. Before long, he received a game-changing call from Obaino Music, one of the biggest music distribution, marketing, and recording companies in Nigeria at the time. They bought his album and rights, turning it into a massive success.
In an Interview with-IN MY OPINION PODCAST he shared, "I met Mr Raw, he was the one that opened my eyes.....if not for him, I would have remained a local artist.... so because I was going out to shows with him and also participating.....as as a backup .... he opened my eyes, to what being an artist is about, so, I had to think.....the issues for me at the time were that what kind of music do I sing and how do I present myself......because you might have all the talent, you might have everything else, but the thing is how do you present yourself to the audience.......For instance .......at the time there was no manager you had to manage yourself."
Releasing a total of 9 albums: African Royalty (December 1, 2023), Game Changer, Vol. 1 (May 5, 2023), Flavour of Africa (December 4, 2020), 40yrs Everlasting (November 18, 2019), Ijele the Traveler (June 30, 2017), Thankful (November 14, 2014), Blessed (October 18, 2012), Uplifted (July 7, 2010), N’abania (July 20, 2005)
He is renowned for his distinctive blend of African rhythms, highlife, and modern jazz. Flavour stands out as one of the most prominent figures in African music, boasting over 1.1 billion views on YouTube and more than 5 million albums sold globally. The Nigerian sensation has recently entered into a partnership with Warner Music Africa and Africori, ensuring that his upcoming releases will be distributed by both entities. This collaboration allows Flavour to tap into Warner Music’s extensive global network and benefit from its top-notch A&R and marketing teams, paving the way for exciting new opportunities for growth and collaboration.
Flavour shares, “I’m excited to be working with Warner Music and Africori on this latest chapter of my career. It’s important to me that I partner with a company that shares in my artistic vision, and that’s exactly what I have here!”
“We welcome Flavour to the team. His energy, innovation, and unique sound define the appeal that African music enjoys today. We look forward to working together in the next stage of his career, continuing to grow his audience and amplify his sound in new places.” Yoel Kenan, CEO, Africori, declares,
Temi Adeniji, Managing Director, Warner Music Africa, finishes, “Signing Flavour is a significant milestone in our plans for growth and development and signifies our commitment to empowering world-class artists. It’s artists like Flavour who will continue to shape the future of the African music industry.”
Flavour’s signing marks an exciting new chapter for Warner Music Africa and Africori, building on their recent launch of Warner Music Africa Francophone—an expansion aimed at growing their presence in French-speaking Africa. This moves underscores Flavour’s immense contribution to the African music scene, a testament to his hard work, dedication, and unwavering passion.
I didn't know I was going to become a superstar...I was going for the love of music......When it was time, I left, stayed on my own, playing at different joints, playing with different bands. It was difficult, everything I learnt came from experience.... I then went to the studio and started learning how to record songs.
His journey proves that true music is born from within. While music labels and promoters can help artists gain visibility, it’s the artist’s raw talent, love for their craft, and commitment that marks him or her real legends. In an era where AI and mass-produced music are on the rise, it’s refreshing to see that genuine artistry still shines through. Flavour is a living example that with authenticity and dedication, greatness is inevitable. We can’t wait to see what’s next for this incredible artist!
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME
DISCLAIMER
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of The Steven Wick Blog. Any content provided by our bloggers or authors are of their opinion and are not intended to malign any religion, ethnic group, club, organization, company, individual or anyone or anything.
If you decide to purchase any item using our authorized referral/affiliate links, be aware, we may receive a portion of the sales as commission, i.e. if you purchase a product/service.
To shop, select or click buttons, links or images, you will be redirected to product pages. Please, carefully research before you purchase. Feel free to share and leave a comment, we would love to hear from you. Your feedback is very important to us.
For more like this, music, literature, news, fashion, savvy political commentary, and fascinating features, sign up for the Steven Wick News Letter.
We here at the Steven Wick Blog are so proud of our work, we’d like to thank you for being a part of our community. However, our mission to share so much from music, literature, lifestyle to fashion is a 24/7 undertaking! We need your help to continue our work. Your financial donation will help us not only keep the lights on, but enable us run many more stories in the future to come. DONATE HERE
Message Of Gratitude
We deeply appreciate your contribution in making our blog the top brand among customers.
Without you as our readers, we wouldn't have achieved this level of success. Your satisfaction is our utmost priority, and we assure you that we will always be a reliable source for your entertainment needs.
Your trust in us is invaluable, and we are grateful for your generous donations as our readers.
A number of you took an extra effort and opted to contribute as monthly donors. By doing so, your generous contribution is multiplied by twelve throughout the year, thereby amplifying the impact you have on our work. Your dedication truly makes a significant change, and we sincerely appreciate your valuable support.
Your support has been instrumental in our brand's success.
Thank you for being with us throughout the past year.
As we continue to grow and enhance our business, we pledge to prioritize your needs and interests.
Best Regards
The Steven Wick Team
Comentarios