BURNA BOY
Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu, professionally known as Burna Boy, was born in 1991 in Port Harcourt, the largest city in Rivers State in Nigeria
At the age of 15, Burna Boy got his first tattoo
Burna Boy drew comic books as a young boy
Burna Boy’s first album sold over 50 000 copies in a day
In 2021, Burna Boy’s album ‘Twice as Tall’ won the Best World Music Album at the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards.
TAYLOR SWIFT
Taylor Swift writes her own music
Taylor Swift appeared on “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation” in 2009
Taylor Swift moved to Nashville at age 14 to become a country artist
Taylor Swift has the most top 40 singles out of any female artist
Taylor Swift is the first female solo act to win Album of the Year at the Grammy’s twice
JOYNER LUCAS
He initially started rapping under the name G-Storm
He received 2 nominations at the 61st Grammy Awards: Best Music Video for “I Am Not Racist” & Best Rap Song for “Lucky You”
One of his biggest influences is Eminem
Canadian Hip-Hop artist BOI-1DA has praised Joyner for being one of his favourite lyricists
He is highly involved in all aspects of his music, from writing lyrics to directing and editing music videos
NASTY C
He is the first artist in Africa to get a YouTube Silver Button
Nasty C was heavily influenced in his sound by his older brother who was once a producer.
In 2019 Nasty C was the only South African artist nominated for a BET Hip Hop award in the Best International Flow category.
From the beginning of his rap career, Nasty C has been influenced by hip-hop greats such as T.I.
Nasty C’s role model is none other than our very own AKA. Nasty C met and opened for him in 2013 at his Alter-Ego nationwide album launch.
CENTRAL CEE
Central Cee is a British rapper and songwriter who gained significant recognition in the UK drill scene
Central Cee’s real name is Oakley Neil H. T. Caesar-Su
His breakout single “Loading” reached number 17 on the UK Singles Chart in 2021
He has been praised for his storytelling abilities and authentic lyricism, which resonate with many listeners.
Central Cee has also showcased his skills as a freestyle rapper.
YOUNGBOY NEVER BROKE AGAIN
Youngboy Never Broke Again’s real name is Kentrell DeSean Gaulden
Between 2015 and 2017, Youngboy Never Broke Again released eight independent mixtapes and steadily garnered a cult following through his work
Youngboy Never Broke Again rose to prominence in 2016 after the release of his mega-hit mixtape “38 Baby,” which earned millions of views on YouTube
Youngboy Never Broke Again started producing music with a microphone when he was 14 years old.
In late 2017, Youngboy Never Broke Again was signed to Atlantic Records
LIL DURK
Lil Durk is known as the founder of the collective and record label, Only the Family
Lil Durk was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois
Lil Durk is a father to six children
Lil Durk’s real name is Durk Derrick Banks
Lil Durk has a younger brother, Dontay Banks, Jr., who is better known by his nickname, DThang
PINKPANTHRESS
PinkPantheress was born to a Kenyan mother and a white English father
PinkPantheress’ real name is Vicky Beverly Walker
In April of 2021, PinkPantheress was signed to Parlophone
PinkPantheress prides herself on maintaining privacy in her personal life
PinkPantheress credits Green Day and Paramore as significant musical influences
K.O
Also known as Skhanda Gawd, K.O is a South African hip-hop artist, businessman, rapper, and songwriter
Ever since K.O rapper came into the scene in 2005, he has partnered up with major acts like AKA, Cassper Nyovest, and Sjava
After graduating, he was unemployed for 2 years before his mother forwarded his CV to the South African Police Service, but he did not go for the interview
In 2005, Ntokozo formed the band Teargas with Ma-E and Ntukza whom he had met at university.
NICKI MINAJ
Nicki Minaj released her own mobile game called ‘Nicki Minaj: The Empire’ in December 2016.
Nicki Minaj started her music career in a rap group called Hoodstarz. There were three other members in the group – Lou$tar, Scagg Beezy and 7even Up.
Nicki Minaj has a tattoo in Chinese written on her left arm that reads “God is with me always”.
Nicki Minaj is acrophobic, meaning she is afraid of heights.
In 2013, Nicki Minaj earned $12 million as a judge on season 12 of “American Idol,”
BLXCKIE
Blxckie is originally from Durban, South Africa where he was born and raised.
In 2020, Blxckie found himself “stuck” in Johannesburg when the country went on a 21-day lockdown, but later said it was a “blessing”.
In early 2021, Blxckie was named Apple Music’s Up Next artist.
Blxckie’s album B4Now was nominated for album of the year and his single “Ye x4” was nominated for song of the year and best collaboration at the South African Hip Hop Awards 202.
Blxckie won Freshman of the Year at the South African Hip Hop Awards 2021.
ICE SPICE
Ice Spice is the eldest sister of five siblings
Before Ice Spice’s rise to fame, she supported herself as a cashier at Wendy’s and The Gap
Ice Spice is of Dominican and Nigerian descent
Ice Spice’s stage name was her social media username at age 14
Ice Spice admits she once spent $100K on her Powerpuff Girls chain
JIMIN
Jimin’s real name is Park Ji-min
In 2013, Jimin made his debut as a member of the South Korean boy band BTS, under the record label Big Hit Entertainment
According to Jimin, if he could have any superpower it would be the ability to speak to dogs
When Jimin was younger, he wanted to be a singer or a policeman
Jimin’s motto in life is “Do everything until I can’t.”
TOOSII
Nau’Jour Lazier Grainger is better known by his stage name Toosii
Toosii is known for his TikTok-viral song “Favorite Song”, and his debut studio album, Poetic Pain, which peaked at number 17 on the Billboard 200
Toosii’s stage name is inspired by his childhood nickname ‘Toota”,’ and by his football teammates who mocked him by calling him ‘Toosii
Toosii is signed to South Coast Music Group and Capitol Records
Toosii started to pursue his musical career at the age of 13
CHRIS BROWN
Chris Brown says that Michael Jackson was one of his biggest music inspirations
After Michael Jackson’s death, Chris Brown performed ‘Man In The Mirror’ as a tribute to the late musical icon
Chris Brown’s first number-one single was called Run It.
Chris Brown’s favourite game is Grand Theft Auto San Andreas.
Chris Brown is the owner of 14 Burger King restaurants
THE CHAINSMOKERS
The Chainsmokers are an American electronic DJ and production duo
The Chainsmokers started out by releasing remixes of songs by indie artists
For the first two songs of the Chainsmokers’ career, they collaborated with actress Priyanka Chopra
The Chainsmokers like to eat steak and drink espressos before their shows
The duo, Alexander “Alex” Pall and Andrew “Drew” Taggart, both studied music in college
