Samuel Onwubiko (born 25 October 1995), known by his stage name Limoblaze, is a Nigerian gospel singer-songwriter and rapper. He is well known for the hit song "Jireh (My Provider)" with Lecrae and Happi, a reworking of "Jireh" by Elevation Worship and Maverick City Music; the song made it to the Billboard U.S. Afrobeats Songs of 2022, Official Charts No. 15, and won several other nominations including The Headies and The Stellar Awards.

Biography

Early life and education He is one of eight children born to Samuel and Nkechi Onwubiko in Abia State, Nigeria, and was brought up in Makurdi-Benue state. Aged 8 years, he discovered the songs of popular rappers such as Tupac, Eminem and 50 Cent and later came across Christian rappers such as Lecrae, the Ambassador, Andy Mineo, Da' T.R.U.T.H. and Tedashii. This influenced him to become an Afro gospel, Afrobeat and Hip-hop gospel singer, songwriter, recording and performing artist. He studied Biochemistry at the Federal University of Agriculture Makurdi, Nigeria during which he joined the Day Star Church where his professional gospel musical career began.

He currently lives in the United Kingdom.

Musical career He started his career officially as an independent and unsigned music recording artist and started with his first song titled "Memories" which he dedicated to his classmates after graduating from high school. After his first song, he went on to record other songs titled Grace, Unconditional, Wrong Ways, For the King which features an American rapper Los of (HGA), and So on. He likewise made some collaborations with gospel artists such as Ada Ehi, Travis Greene, Da' T.R.U.T.H. as well as many others with various freestyle sessions. His Debut Album Blind was released in 2016 while his second album Before Now, was released in 2018, followed by Afrobeats Raps & Jesus released 2019, The Wait E.P in 2020 and he released his fourth studio joint album featuring Da' T.R.U.T.H. titled Bridges, on 20 November 2020, which charted on trending spots on both local and international digital stores.

In July 2022, he released the hit single "Jireh (My Provider)" featuring Lecrae and Happi. The song made it to Billboard Year-End U.S. Afrobeats Songs of 2022

In October 2022, Christian Hip Hop label Reach Records announced Limoblaze to their roster, making him the first signee to be based outside of America.https://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/news/2022/10/28.ReachRecordsAnnouncesNewArtistLimoblazewithReleaseofSundayInLagos.asp

On 2023 he won the ABGMA Best Afrobeat Award of the year.

Discography

Studio albums Title Details Peak chart positions USGospel Blind Released: 4 December 2016 Label: Independent Formats: Digital download, streaming — Before Now Released: 20 July 2018 Label: Independent Formats: Digital download, streaming — Afrobeats Raps and Jesus Released: 13 December 2019 Label: Independent Formats: Digital download, streaming — Bridges Released: 20 November 2020 Label: Next Music Formats: Digital download, streaming — God's Favourite Baby Released: 2 July 2021 Label: Independent Formats: Digital download, streaming — Young & Chosen Released: 23 August 2024 Label: Reach Records Formats: CD, digital download, streaming 18 "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

EP(s)

The Wait (2020) Sunday in Lagos (2023) Gold Remix Pack (2023) Solid Ground (2026)

Singles Title Year Peak chart positions Album USAfro.Peaks on the Billboard U.S. Afrobeats Songs chart: "Jireh (My Provider)": "No Greater Love": USChrist.Peaks on the Billboard Hot Christian Songs chart: "Jireh (My Provider)": "Like Water": USGospelPeaks on the Billboard Top Gospel Songs chart: "Jireh (My provider)": "One Day": USGospelDigital USGospelStream. "My Story" 2018 — — — — — rowspan="10" "Blow My Mind" 2020 — — — — — "Okay" — — — — — "Sound of Victory" — — — — — "Mind" 2021 — — — — — "This Loving" — — — — — "Ife Wami" 2022 — — — — — "Gold" — — — — — "Desire" — — — — — "Jireh (My Provider)" 26 28 11 6 13 "Put It On God" 2023 — — — — — Young & Chosen "Desire Pt. 2" — — — — — rowspan="3" "Pretty Day" — — — — — "My Matter" — — — — — "Talk & Do" — — — — — Young & Chosen "Good God II" 2024 — — — — — "One Day" — — 25 — — rowspan="2" "Freedom" — — — — — "Holy Father" — — — — — Young & Chosen "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Other charted songs Title Year Peak chart positions Album USAfro. USChrist. "No Greater Love" 2024 47 — Young & Chosen "Like Water" 2025 — 42 Child of God II "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Awards and recognition He received Crystal award nominations in three categories in 2015. In 2019, Limoblaze was nominated (alongside Tim Godfrey, Todd Dulaney, Osby Berry, Jonathan McReynolds, Chevelle Franklyn, Phil Thompson, Tasha Cobbs, Joe Mettle, and Koyrn Hawthorne) in the Premier Gospel Awards for Best International Act and on 11 May 2019 in London he was announced as winner. Limoblaze was also Afro Rap Artiste of Excellence in the 2019 African Gospel Music and Media Awards. He has been "Artist of the Week" on Nigeria's Channels TV. YearAwardCategoryResultRef.2015The Crystal AwardsBest New ArtisteThe Crystal AwardsBest CollaborationThe Crystal AwardsBest Rap/Hip-Hop2019Premier Gospel AwardsBest International ActAfrican Gospel Music and Media Awards (AGMMA)Afro Rap Artiste of Excellence2022Step FWD AwardsInternational Artist of the YearPremier Gospel AwardsBest International Act2023The HeadiesBest Inspirational SongThe Stellar AwardsRap/Hip-Hop Song of the YearVine AwardsAfrican Song of the YearVine AwardsAfrican Act of the YearPremier Gospel AwardsBest Male VocalistPremier Gospel AwardsBest Song of the Year2024MOBO AwardsBest Gospel Act

Personal life Limoblaze proposed to Favour Emma, his long-term girlfriend in September 2021. They were married on 1 April 2022. He lives in London in the United Kingdom.

See also

List of Nigerian gospel musicians List of Nigerian musicians

References

External links