Praiz Explained

Praise Ugbede Adejo (born 8 March 1985), better known by his stage name Praiz, is a Nigerian multi award-winning R&B singer, songwriter, and producer. Praiz's music career hit the limelight after he finished second runner-up at the maiden season of Project Fame West Africa.^[2] He is best known for releasing hit singles like "Rich and Famous", "Sisi" and "I Love You". He contributed guest vocals to Bez's 2011 single "That Stupid Song"; the music video for the song mentioned was the first African video to make a world premiere on BET’s 106 & Park.^[3] He is currently signed to Cicada Music.

Early life and education

Praiz, a native of Igala in Kogi State, was born in Lagos but later relocated to Kaduna in 1992 after his father was transferred there on missionary work. He is the second child out of five children.^[4] He has a National Diploma in Computer Science after graduating from Kaduna Polytechnic.^[5]

Career

Project Fame West Africa

Praiz had been doing well in music before he shot into the limelight after emerging second runner-up in the first edition of Project Fame West Africa, a music reality T.V show which Iyanya went on to win.^[6] His performance in the competition increased his fan base, making him one of the next-rated stars in the Nigerian music industry.^[7]

2010–present: Rich & Famous

Praiz has worked with several artists, including Awilo Longomba, Cobhams, Wizkid, Seyi Shay, Bez and MI.^[8] One of his many works is a song he collaborated with fellow Nigerian artiste Bez on the hit single "That Stupid Song", which went on to be the first African video to make a world premiere on BET’s 106 & Park.^[9] On 22 July 2012, he released the hit single titled "Rich and Famous", which got positive reviews and massive airplay, thus getting him nominated in several award events.^[10] On 14 December 2014, Praiz released his double studio album titled Rich & Famous [Rich] (sized A) and Rich & Famous [Famous] (sized B).^{[11] [8]}

Style of music

Known to be a soul and R&B artiste, Praiz also has a diverse style in making other genres of music, switching up from R&B to Afropop with commercially appealing songs like "Oshe" and "Mercy". He cites Barry White, Michael Jackson, Carl Thompson and Boyz II Men as people who influence his type of music.^[12]

Personal life

Praiz was a brand ambassador for the network service MTN. He is also involved with some charitable organizations, including Safe Motherhood Foundation and Little Big Souls, an organization geared towards helping to reduce premature maternal mortality and assisting women who cannot afford maternal care.

Discography

Albums

• Rich & Famous (2014)
• 2 Minutes EP (2018)

Singles

• "Bubbling Under" (2010)
• "The Lockdown" (2011)
• "I Love You" (2011)
• "Jekalo" (2011)
• "A Woman's Need" (2012)
• "Rich and Famous" (2012)
• "For You" (featuring Seyi Shay) (2013)
• "I Love You" (2013)
• "Oshe" (featuring Awilo Longomba) (2013)
• "Sweet Potato" (featuring Chidinma) (2014)
• "Mercy" (2014)
• "Sisi" (featuring Wizkid) (2014)
• "Heartbeat" (2015)
• "Amazing Grace" (2015)
• "Body Hot" (2016)^[13] Featuring Jesse Jagz & Stonebwoy
• "2 minutes" (2018)
• "Here and now (2018)
• "Champagne and Flowers (2018)
• "Hustle ft. Stonebwoy (2019)^[14]
• "Under The Sky" (2020)

Awards and nominations

See also

• List of Nigerian musicians

Notes and References

1. Web site: Praiz celebrates 31st birthday with throw-back picture . The Net . Dayo Showemimo . 8 March 2015 . 30 July 2015.
2. Web site: SURULERE: IYANYA, PRAIZ BACK IN PROJECT FAME 2008! . E247Mag . 21 May 2014 . 30 July 2015.
3. Web site: BN Bytes: Bez to debut video for "That Stupid Song" on BET’s 106 & Park – First-Ever African Video to World Premiere on the Show . . 30 January 2012 . 30 July 2015.
4. News: BN Saturday Celebrity Interview: The "Rich & Famous" Crooner, Praiz takes us into His World – Meet the Man Behind that Unique Voice! . . Adeola Adeyemo . 18 August 2012 . 30 July 2015.
5. News: Music is my lover – Praiz . . Anna Okon . 25 August 2013 . 30 July 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150603195117/http://www.punchng.com/entertainment/music-is-my-lover-praiz/ . 3 June 2015 . dead .
6. News: Why I have a double CD debut album- Praiz . Michael Abimboye . 21 December 2014 . 30 July 2015. Premium Times.
7. Web site: Praiz hangout with fans at Meet and Greet event . Tush Magazine . Pulse Nigeria . Chinedu Adiele . 17 June 2015 . 30 July 2015.
8. Web site: Singer releases album 'Rich & Famous' . Pulse Nigeria . Ayomide O. Tayo . 14 December 2014 . 30 July 2015.
9. Web site: [CELEBRITY BIO] Nigerian Singer Praise Adejo AKA Praiz’ Biography ]. Star Gist . Dee Apphiaanna . 29 October 2014 . 30 July 2015.
10. Web site: Praiz – Rich And Famous . tooXclusive.com . 22 July 2014 . 30 July 2015.
11. News: Abimboye . Micheal . Why I have a double CD debut album- Praiz . Premium Times. 3 March 2024.
12. Web site: NIGERIAN ARTISTE PRAISE ADEJO AKA PRAIZ BIOGRAPHY . TheInfoNerds.com . 29 October 2014 . 30 July 2015.
13. Web site: New Music Praiz – 'Body hot' ft Jesse Jagz, Stonebwoy. Pulse.ng. Joeuy Akan. 5 February 2016.
14. Web site: New Song Praiz – Hustle ft. Stonebwoy. 042coded.com.ng. Passstyle Onyeka. 12 April 2019.
15. Web site: Singer Praiz wins his first music award . Entertainment Redefined . Braimah Sheriff . 14 July 2013 . 30 July 2015.
16. Web site: Olamide wins big @ Headies 2013 + full list of winners - Vanguard News . Vanguard News . 27 December 2013 . 25 February 2021.
17. News: Voting opens for Nigeria Entertainment Awards 2015 . . Tonye . 19 July 2015 . 30 July 2015.
18. Web site: Headies award 2021 winners: Wizkid, Fireboy win, Burnaboy, Naira Marley lose and oda tins wey happun for di 14th Edition to reward 2020 performance - BBC News Pidgin . BBC News Pidgin . 22 February 2021 . 25 February 2021.