World Music Wednesday is a weekly segment on The North 103.3 FM. Every Wednesday at 4pm on Northland Afternoon, we will feature a brand-new release or a significantly important past work from our vast library of music from around the world.
Support for World Music Wednesday comes from Simply Ballroom in Duluth's Craft District.
Today's World Music Wednesday spotlights the music of Nigerian singer Flavour N'abania , or simply Flavour. Born Chinedu Okoli in 1983 in the West African nation of Nigeria, he began his musical career playing drums for the choir in his church. Over the next few years, he began playing drums professionally, then added keyboard playing to his skill set, then singing, and also music production. He received scholarships to study music at the University of Nigeria. In his youth, he was influenced both by African artists – including Fela Kuti - and by American music artists, including Boyz II Men, Michael Jackson and Usher.
At first working primarily at first as a session musician for other artists, in 2005, he released his first solo album self-titled under his performing moniker Flavour N'abania, soon shortened to Flavour. In 2010, his second album, Uplifted, brought his name to greater recognition with the Ashawo Remix of a song originally from his first album, "Nwa Baby."
Distinct from the predominant trend for Nigerian performers who sing in English and Yoruba, Flavour sings in both the English language and the Igbo language, native to the region in Nigeria where he grew up. Flavour's latest album, his eighth, African Royalty, was released two weeks ago, that includes the single released last year, "Game Changer (Dike)"
