You do not need to be a lover of highlife to get addicted to talented Nigerian singer, Flavor N’abania’s songs. His songs are so danceable and literally exciting. The swing and flow of the rhythms is a great take-home. And the songs, which sometimes take a moral angle, are often rendered predominantly in Igbo (infused with jabs in Pidgin and standard English). They are reminiscent of a true Nigerian Igbo entertainer. Equally so is the unabashed, strong Igbo accent – it is almost intoxicating. Flavor N’abania knows how to make people dance and practically forget their sorrows. He is truly a master of the beats.
Join us to explore the rise of Afrobeats/Highlife music maestro of the 21st Century, Flavor N’abania, to national and continental fame. He has proven himself to be the master of many artistic skills, and one of Africa’s highly sought after music celebrities. The skilled musician creates songs that are a harmonious blend of gospel music, Afrobeat, R&B, Igbo highlife, and Afrobeats.
Let’s Meet Flavour N’abania – His Origins
Born in November 1983 in Enugu (southeast Nigeria), Chinedu Izuchukwu Okoli is popularly called Flavour N’abania. He has been given other famous nicknames, which include ‘Ijele’, ‘Mr Flavour’; and ‘Palliative Ụmụ Ashawo’.He is an indigene of Umunze in Orumba South Local Government Area, Anambra State.
He is the first son of Elder Benjamin Onyemaechi Okolie. Flavour N’abania has four direct siblings – three sisters, and a younger brother (named Chidera Emmanuel a.k.a. DJ Derekz). There are also reports that he has a large family, with seven other step-siblings.
Flavour N’abania attended Robinson Primary School, Uwani, Enugu. From there, he proceeded to Awkunanaw Boys Secondary School in Achara Layout, Enugu to complete his secondary education.
How Flavour N’abania Stepped into the Nigerian Music Industry
Flavour began exploring his passion for music at the age of 13. He started as a drummer in his local church choir in Enugu. Along the line, the resident pastor of his church introduced Flavor N’abania to one of his friends named Chris Ordor, CEO of SoundCity Communications. And in 1996, Flavour was offered an educational scholarship to study music and equally join SoundCity Communications. He accepted, and began to play drums as a professional. By that time, he had been playing drums for three years (as a talented amateur).
Then in 1999, Flavour progressed from playing drums to playing the keyboard, piano and guitar. Additionally, he supplied back-up vocals to other musicians at the SoundCity studio. The singer eventually joined a music band in Enugu as a pianist and drummer at 19 years of age.. Yet again, he received an offer to play at City Center in Enugu. The experience further bolstered him to learn music production from other experts (Dekumzy, Isi Charles, and Nnachie).
Flavour N’abania’s Music Albums and Projects
Flavour eventually released his debut album in 2005 titled N’abania under the music label, Obaino Music. The album’s hit single, ‘N’abania’ featured fellow artist, Mr. Raw; and it was recorded in Lagos.The album enjoyed a good deal of followership, particularly within Enugu state (and southeast Nigeria in general).
His second studio album, Uplifted, was released in 2010 to viral popularity across Nigeria; it was a big success. The album was released by Lolhiphop Records in South Africa. Uplifted featured popular singles which include ‘Nwa Baby’ (‘Ashawo’ Remix), ‘Oyi’ Remix (featuring Tiwa Savage), and ‘Adamma’. From then henceforth, Flavor began enjoying great patronage, and was invited to perform at several concerts and social gatherings.
Then in October 2012, Flavour released his third studio album titled Blessed on the same day he opened his 2nite Club. The album was produced with the help of several producers. It was released under the label of 2nite Entertainment (now 2nite Music Group) with assistance from iROCKING Ltd. The album is the biggest project made by the singer so far in his music career.
Again in December 2014, Flavour released his fourth studio album, a 22-track project titled Thankful. The album sold thousands of copies. The album featured popular singles such as ‘Ololufe’ (featuring singer Chidinma) and ‘Wake Up’ (featuring Wande Coal).
Not stopping there, Flavour has released other notable musical projects. They include:
- Album titled Ijele – The Traveller (2017)
- The singles ‘Crazy Love’ (featuring Yemi Alade) and ‘Awele’ (featuring Umu Obiligbo) in 2018
- Album titled Flavour of Africa (2020)
- Album titled African Royalty (2023)
The following very popular singles are credited to Flavour:
- ‘Adamma’
- ‘Oyi’ Remix ( featuring Tiwa Savage)
- ‘Kwarikwa’ (featuring Fally Ipupa)
- ‘N’abania’
- ‘Baby Oku’
- ‘Shake’
- ‘Chinny Baby’
- ‘Ada Ada’
- ‘Mercy’
- ‘My Woman is Gone’
- ‘Ikworikwo’
- ‘Black is Beautiful’
- ‘Wake Up’ (featuring Wande Coal)
- ‘Golibe’
- ‘Ololufe’ (featuring Chidinma)
- ‘Kanayo’
- ‘Sexy Rosey’ (featuring P-Square)
- ‘Champion’
- ‘Dance’
- ‘Crazy love’
- ‘Awele’ (featuring Umu Obiligbo)
- ‘Looking Nyash’
- ‘Levels’
- ‘Okpeke ‘
- ‘To be a Man’
- ‘Pant No N’iro‘
- ‘Chewe Kwem’
- ‘Doings‘
- ‘Most High’
- ‘Ukwu’
Flavour N’abania: Music Awards
Flavour N’abania has earned several notable music awards at home and awards. They include the underlisted:
- 2011 Hip Hop World Awards (The Headies): Best Collabo (Number One by MI featuring Flavour N’abania)
- 2012 Channel O Music Video Awards: Best R&B Video (Oyi Remix featuring Tiwa Savage)
- 2012 The Headies: Best Collabo (Orobo by Sound Sultan featuring Flavour)
- 2012 Nigeria Entertainment Awards: Best Indigenous Artist/Group
- 2013 Nigeria Music Video Awards (NMVA): Video of the Year (Ada Ada); Best High Life Video (Ada Ada); Best indigenous Concept (Ada Ada); Best Use of Costumes (Ada Ada)
- 2013 City People Entertainment Awards: Best Collabo of the Year (Give it to Me by Kcee featuring Flavour N’abania)
- 2014 African Muzik Magazine Award: Best Traditional Artist; Best Video of the Year (Ada Ada)
- 2014 City People Entertainment Awards: Video of the Year (Ada Ada)
- 2014 MTV Africa Music Awards: Best Live Act
Flavour N’abania: Net Worth (2024)
Flavour N’abania is the CEO of the record label, 2Nite Music Group. In addition, he earns money from the sales of his songs and records; concert performances, and organized shows and tours within and outside Nigeria. Beyond this, he has signed a number of past and present endorsement deals with notable brands. They include MTN Nigeria, Life Beer, Bullet, Globacom, Onga Seasoning, and Harp Lager Beer. In all, the estimated net worth of Flavour N’abania is in the region of about 8 million US Dollars (as of 2024).
Flavour N’abania Personal Life
Flavour is currently not married. However, he has been involved in a number of romantic relationships with well-known Nigerian female celebrities. They include Anna Banner and Sandra Okagbue (both of them are former beauty queens). However, these two women birthed children for him (outside wedlock). In all, Flavour has three daughters (Sophia, Gabrielle, and Kaima). He also adopted a visually-impaired son from Liberia, named Semar G. Weifur.
