Adewale Mayowa Emmanuel (born 23 March 1994), known professionally as Mayorkun, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, pianist and dancer.[1] He released a cover of Davido's "The Money" single and was discovered by the singer on Twitter.[2] Mayorkun was signed to Davido's record label DMW from 2016 to 2021; his debut single "Eleko" was released under the label.[3] Mayorkun released his debut studio album The Mayor of Lagos in November 2018. After his exit from DMW in 2021; he released "Let Me Know" [4] and his second studio album Back In Office in October 2021, under Sony Music West Africa division.[5]
Mayorkun | |
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 Mayorkun chatting with Wazobia Max TV in June 2018 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Adewale Mayowa Emmanuel |
| Born | 23 March 1994 |
| Origin | Osun State, Nigeria |
| Genres | |
| Occupation(s) |
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| Instrument(s) |
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| Years active | 2016–present |
| Labels | Sony Music West Africa • DMW (former) |
| Website | www |
Early life
Mayorkun was born on 23 March, 1994 in Lagos, Nigeria.[6] He is the first child of three.
He is Christian.
Music career
Mayorkun decided to leave his bank job to search for another due to bad pay, when his cover video was spotted by Davido in February 2016.[7] Davido followed him on Twitter and Instagram, after which Davido asked him if he can do more than play the keyboard. He got a call from Davido the same day he wrote his resignation letter[8] and sent Davido some of the songs he already recorded. Davido decided to sign him to Davido Music Worldwide.[9] Mayorkun released his first single under the label called "Eleko" in 2016. The song debuted on number 9 on the Nigeria Playdata charts, on 1 May 2016, and reached number 5, on 28 May 2016.[10] The video of the song gathered a million views in the first 10 days.[11][12] To his name, Mayorkun has several singles including Yawa, Sade, Che Che, and Mama. In October 2018, he released singles "Posh" and "Fantasy" featuring Olu Maintain[13] in anticipation of his first studio album titled "The Mayor of Lagos".[14] The Mayor of Lagos was released on the 16th of November, 2018.[15] On December 1, 2018, it appeared on the Billboard World Albums chart, peaking at number 15.[16]
In 2020, he was among the artistes scheduled for performance at the Convention center of the Eko Hotel and suites, Victoria Island, Lagos for the 2020 vanguard personality awards. Other scheduled artistes included Tekno, Timaya and many more.[17]
The Mayor of Lagos concert
Mayorkun embarked on a nationwide tour in 2017 that saw him perform in over 35 schools.[18] He ended the year 2017 with his first headline concert in Lagos called "The Mayor of Lagos".[19][20] The Mayor of Lagos concert continued in 2018 with a show in the city of Ibadan and the federal capital territory, Abuja.[21] Also, a date for a Lagos edition was announced.[22] In 2018, Mayorkun did a tour of the UK alongside label mate Dremo, where he performed in about six cities. He also performed alongside label boss Davido at the wireless festival.
Exit from DMW, and Back In Office
In 2021, he announce his exit from DMW at the release party of his second album "Back In Office", in an interview with Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, they both (Davido, and Mayorkun) shared the news with fans at his album lunch party. The studio album "Back In Office", was released through Sony Music, West Africa division in Nigeria on 29 October 2021.[5]
Love For Free EP
On th 13 October, Mayorkun drops new single 'Low Key', this release comes hot on the heels of his recent hit 'For Daddy' and serves as a prelude to his forthcoming EP titled 'Love For Free'.[23]
Discography
Studio albums and EPs
- The Mayor of Lagos (2018)
- Geng (EP) (2020)[24][25]
- Back In Office (Album) (2021)[26]
Selected singles
| Year | Title | Album |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | "Yawa"[27] | Non-album single |
| "Eleko" | ||
| "Love You Tire" (featuring Mr Eazi) | ||
| 2017 | "Sade" | |
| "Mama" | Mayor Of Lagos | |
| "Che Che" | ||
| 2018 | "Bobo" (featuring Davido) | |
| "Posh" | ||
| "Fantasy" | ||
| "Sope" | Non-album single | |
| 2019 | "Hustlers Anthem" | |
| "True" (featuring Kizz Daniel) | ||
| "Up to Something"[28] | ||
| 2020 | "Geng" "Of Lagos" | Non-album single |
| 2020 | "Your Body" | Non-album single |
| 2021 | "Let Me Know" | Back In Office |
| "Back In Office" | ||
| "Holy Father" (featuring Victony)[29] |
Awards and nominations
| Year | Event | Prize | Result | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | The Headies | Rookie of the Year | Won | [30][31] |
| City People Entertainment Awards | Most Promising Act | Won | [32] | |
| Best New Act | Nominated | [33] | ||
| Nigerian Teen Choice Awards | Choice New Song of the Year | Won | [34] | |
| 2017 | Nigeria Entertainment Awards | Best New Act | Won | [35][36] |
| City People Entertainment Awards | Best Music Cover | Won | [37] | |
| 2018 | Artiste of the Year | Won | [38] | |
| The Headies | Next Rated | Won | [39] | |
| 2019 | Best R&B/Pop Album for The Mayor of Lagos | Won | [40] | |
| Hip Hop World Revelation | Won | |||
| 2021 | Net Honours | Most Played Pop Song - "The Best" featuring Mayorkun | Nominated | [41] |