Chinedu Okoli (; born 23 November 1983), better known by his stage name Flavour N'abania or simply Flavour, is a Nigerian singer and songwriter. He began his musical career as a drummer for a local church. His popular releases include "Nwa Baby (Ashawo Remix)", "Ada Ada" and "Time to Party." He is currently signed to 2nite Entertainment.
In 2008, he released his self-titled debut album N'abania. In 2010, Flavour released his second studio album, Uplifted. It was supported by the singles "Nwa Baby (Ashawo Remix)", "Adamma", and "Oyi Remix". The album's success made Flavour one of Africa's most sought out artists. He was booked to perform at numerous concerts and social events following Uplifteds release.
Life and career Early life and career beginnings Flavour, who sings fluently in the Igbo language, was born in Enugu State, Nigeria. His family is originally from Umunze, a place in Orumba South, Anambra State. Flavour began his music career at the age of 13 when he started playing the drums for his church choir in Enugu, in Enugu State. The resident pastor at his church introduced him to a friend, Chris I. Ordor, the CEO of Soundcity Communications. In 1996, Flavour was invited to join the company on an educational scholarship to study music. After three years of playing the drums, he started playing the keyboard. He also used to provide back-up vocals for other musicians at SoundCity.
At age 19, Flavour emerged into Nigeria's musical scene as a drummer and pianist for a local band in Enugu. After learning to play drums professionally, Flavour received an offer to perform at City Centre, Enugu. The massive crowd there inspired him to gain new grounds and reach great heights. Flavour's educational background in music enabled him to learn music production from Dekumzy, Isi Charles and Nnachie.
2008–2012: N'abania, Uplifted, and Blessed In 2008, Flavour released his debut album N'abania through Obaino Music. The album's success was relative and limited to Eastern Nigeria, particularly Enugu State. Flavour collaborated with Mr Raw on the album's lead single titled "N'abania". The song was recorded at Kingsley Ogoro's music studio in Lagos, Nigeria. Following the relative success of his debut album, Flavour released Uplifted in 2010. The album broke national barriers. Lolhiphop Records, an established record label in South Africa, released the album after popular demand. The album's top singles include "Nwa Baby (Ashawo Remix)", "Adamma", and Oyi Remix" (featuring Tiwa Savage).
Flavour's third album, Blessed, was released on 18 October 2012 through 2nite Entertainment and iROKING LTD. The album is the successor to Uplifted. It is arguably Flavour's biggest album to date due to the number of producers who worked on it. It was launched on the same day of Flavour's 2nite Club grand opening. In an interview with iROKOTV, Flavour said: "I think I'm growing. This is my third album... Now it's time to give them the music, like define myself. I have to be more mature with my music, lyrics and instrumentation wise. I worked with tons of producers and the whole production process made sense."
2014–2020: Thankful, Ijele – The Traveler, and Flavour of Africa His fourth full-length album, Thankful, was released in December 2014. The album consists of 22 tracks and runs for one hour seventeen minutes. Receiving generally positive reviews from music critics, it sold thousands of copies. The album features hit tracks such as the love ballad "Ololufe" featuring Chidinma and the fast-tempo Afro-pop song "Wake Up" feat. Wande Coal.
Ijele – The Traveller was released in 2017. The album contains 17 tracks, including one featuring Flavour's adopted son Semah G Weifur, a blind Liberian child who was spotted singing alone in a classroom. On December 4, 2020, Flavour released his seventh studio album, titled Flavour of Africa, which has 16 tracks.
2021–2023: Miscellaneous Singles and African Royalty In 2021 and 2022, he released two non-album singles, "Levels" and "My Sweetie," respectively. Produced by Masterkraft, "My Sweetie" contains an interpolation of Bunny Mack's, 1981 afro-disco hit, "Let Me Love You".
On December 2, 2022, he debuted the single, "Game Changer (Dike)," which would later appear on his seventh full-length effort, African Royalty. He would drop the LP's lead single, "Big Baller," on November 22, 2023, and its accompanying visuals on January 26, 2024. African Royalty was unveiled on December 1, 2023, with guest appearances from The Cavemen., Ejyk Nwamba, and Efya. It was supported by a European tour, including a stop at the OVO Wembley Arena.
2024–present: Flavour Experience (Love Songs) Vol.1 and Afroculture Following the rollout of African Royalty, Flavour released, Flavour Experience (Love Songs) Vol 1., acoustic re-recordings of his popular ballads on July 19, 2024.
In October 2025, Flavour began teasing a collaboration with Senegalese singer, Baaba Maal. The song, "Afroculture" and its video was made available on October 29, instigating a new album cycle. The Afroculture album was later announced on Flavour's Instagram and officially disseminated on November 28, 2025. Featuring Waga G, Qing Madi, Pheelz, Kizz Daniel, Azzy, and Odumeje, Afroculture was met with critical acclaim. Yinoluwa Olowofoyeku of Afrocritik, described it as "a highly enjoyable, strongly repeatable, energetic, charismatic, culturally rich, sonically diverse, and technically assured body of work."
Controversy On 29 August 2012, Nigerian Entertainment Today reported that Flavour was involved in a legal battle with Ghanaian duo Wutah, over the alleged theft of "Kwarikwa". According to the article, "Kwarikwa" is an exact replica of "Kotosa", a song made by the aforementioned duo. The singing duo accused Flavour of stealing their song's rhythm, chorus, and tempo.
Discography
Studio albums N'abania (2008) Uplifted (2010) Blessed (2012) Thankful (2014) Ijele the Traveler (2017) Flavour of Africa (2020) African Royalty (2023) Afroculture (2025)
Videography YearTitleAlbumDirectorRef.2011"Adamma"UpliftedGodfather Productions2012"Oyi Remix" featuring Tiwa SavageUpliftedGodfather Productions2012"Kwarikwa" featuring Fally IpupaBlessedMasterkraft2012"Baby Oku"BlessedSelebobo2012"Shake"BlessedGodfather Productions2013"Chinny Baby"BlessedMasterkraft2013"Ada Ada"BlessedClarence Peters2014"Ikwokrikwo"BlessedMasterkraft2014"Black is Beautiful"BlessedClarence Peters2014"Wake up" featuring Wande CoalThankfulClarence Peters2014"Golibe"ThankfulClarence Peters2015"Ololufe" featuring ChidinmaThankfulGodfather Productions2015"Sexy Rosey" featuring P-SquareThankfulGodfather Productions2016"Champion"Godfather Productions2016"Dance"ThankfulClarence Peters2018"Crazy Love" featuring Yemi AladePatrick Elis2018 "Awele" featuring Umu ObiligboSelebobo2021LevelsPatrick Ellis
Awards and nominations
YearEventPrizeRecipientResultRef2025The HeadiesAfrobeats Single of the Year"Big Baller"2023All Africa Music AwardsBest Artiste/Duo/Group in African Traditional"Levels"The HeadiesBest Alternative Song"Game Changer (Dike)"2022The Headies"Doings" (featuring Phyno)Song of the Year2021All Africa Music AwardsBest Artiste, Duo or Group in African Dance or Choreography"Berna Reloaded" (featuring Fally Ipupa and Diamond Platnumz)Best African Video2019African Muzik Magazine AwardsBest Live ActHimselfBest Collaboration"Awele" (featuring Umu Obiligbo)Video of The Year2018African Muzik Magazine AwardsArtist of the YearHimselfBest Live ActThe HeadiesBest R&B/Pop AlbumIjele the TravelerAlbum of the YearBest PerformerHimself2016The HeadiesSpecial RecognitionBest Pop Single"M.O.N.E.Y" (Timaya featuring Flavour N'abania) Best CollaboMTV Africa Music AwardsBest Live ActHimselfNigeria Entertainment AwardsIndigenous Artist of the YearHimselfCollaboration of the Year"Finally" (Masterkraft featuring Flavour N'abania and Sarkodie) 2015tooXclusive AwardsBest R&B Track"Ololufe" (featuring Chidinma) COSON Song AwardsBest Collabo Song"Wake Up" (featuring Wande Coal) "Oh! Baby (You & I)" (Chidinma featuring Flavour N'abania) MTV Africa Music AwardsBest LiveHimselfAfrican Muzik Magazine AwardsBest Male - West AfricaBest Dance in a Video"Nana" (Diamond Platnumz featuring Flavour) Best Traditional ArtistHimselfVideo of the Year"Nana" (Diamond Platnumz featuring Flavour) "Golibe"Best Collaboration"Nana" (Diamond Platnumz featuring Flavour) Artist of the YearHimselfAll Africa Music AwardsBest Male Artist in Western AfricaFlavour for "Golibe"Best Artist in African ElectroFlavour for "Power to Win"Album of the YearThankfulArtist of the YearFlavour for "Golibe"Nigerian Music Video AwardsBest Highlife Video"Sexy Rosey" (featuring P-Square) Nigeria Entertainment AwardsIndigenous Artist of the YearHimselfMale Artist of the YearAlbum of the YearThankful2014All Africa Music AwardsBest Male Artiste in West AfricaFlavour for "Ada Ada"The HeadiesBest Music Video"Ada Ada"Artiste of the YearHimselfChannel O Music Video AwardsMost Gifted Afro Pop Video"Ada Ada"Nigeria Entertainment AwardsIndigenous Artist of the YearHimselfBest Album of the YearBlessedBest Music Video of the Year (Artist & Director)"Oh! Baby (You & I)" (Chidinma featuring Flavour N'abania) Best CollaborationAfrican Muzik Magazine AwardsBest Male West AfricaHimselfBest Traditional ArtistBest Video of the Year"Ada Ada"City People Entertainment AwardsMusician of the Year (Male)HimselfBest Collabo of the Year"Oh! Baby (You & I)" (Chidinma featuring Flavour N'abania) Video of the Year"Ada Ada"MTV Africa Music AwardsBest Live ActHimselfGhana Music AwardsAfrican Artiste of the Year2013The HeadiesArtiste of the YearHimselfAlbum of the YearBlessedBest R&B/Pop AlbumNigeria Music Video AwardsVideo of the Year "Ada Ada" Best High Life VideoBest Indigenous ConceptBest Use of CostumesNigeria Entertainment AwardsBest Collabo"Bottom Belle" (Omawumi featuring Flavour N'abania) Music Video of the Year"Sisi Eko Remix" (Darey featuring Flavour N'abania)Best Indigenous Artist/GroupHimselfGhana Music AwardsAfrican Artiste of the Year City People Entertainment AwardsMusician of the Year (Male) Best Collabo of the Year "Give it to Me" (Kcee featuring Flavour N'abania) 2012Nigeria Music Video AwardsBest Highlife Video"Kwarikwa" (featuring Fally Ipupa) Channel O Music Video AwardsBest R&B Video"Oyi Remix" (featuring Tiwa Savage) The HeadiesBest Collabo"Orobo" (Sound Sultan featuring Excel and Flavour) Nigeria Entertainment AwardsBest Indigenous Artist/GroupHimself 2011Channel O Music Video AwardsMost Gifted Afro-Pop Video"Nwa Baby (Ashawo Remix)" Most Gifted African West VideoThe HeadiesBest R&B Single"Oyi Remix" (featuring Tiwa Savage) Best Collabo"Number One" (M.I featuring Flavour N'abania) Nigeria Entertainment AwardsBest High Life Video"Nwa Baby (Ashawo Remix)"2010Ghana Music AwardsAfrican Artiste of the YearHimself
See also
List of Nigerian musicians
References