Waje’s Achievements And Full Profile Before ‘Quitting’ Music

Waje has proven herself to be the queen of soul music with different tracks credited to her, but due to lack of fund, she recently said she was going to quit music finally. Singer WAJE’s stage name is an acronym for “Words Aren’t Just Enough”. She was born on September 1, 1980. Her vocal range covers three octaves.

Family Background

Full name, Aituaje Aina Vivian Ebele Iruobe, she was born in Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria. She is the first born and the first daughter in her family. She grew up in Benin City after her family relocated there. Her parents got divorced when she was young, and she had to overcome difficult situations.

Education

Waje attended the Word of Faith Group of Schools for her secondary education. She graduated with a degree in social work from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

Music Career

Waje started music as a gospel singer when she joined the choir in her secondary school days, the curvaceous singer sang gospel to the delight of the late Archbishop Benson Idahosa who was impressed with her singing and decided to help her during her entire days at secondary school.

During her undergraduate years, she performed at difference concerts and fellowships on campus. The mother of one drew inspiration from the likes of Aretha Franklin and Whitney Huston to improve her expertise.

After emerging the first runner up at ‘Advanced Warning’, a reality TV show, which featured artists that are upward and on the verge of a breakthrough, organized by MTV base South Africa and Zain Nigeria, she earned her first major feature in PSquare’s hit song titled ‘Do Me’ that sold across Africa and Europe, this boosted her career as she was exposed to different audience.

Waje has collaborated with a lot of top-notch artist in the industry and released hit singles like ‘One Naira’ with MI, ‘Do Me’ with PSquare and more.

Performances

Waje is well known for her electrifying stage presence and resonating performances. She has shared the stage with Grammy award winning jazz acts Bob James and Ray Hargrove, the legendary Wyclef Jean, Keri Hilson, Ragheb ALama and others. She is one of the few acts to have performed for Nigeria at the 2012 Olympics in London. Waje headlines shows regularly across Africa and holds her own concert series ‘Waje Live’ every quarter in cities across Nigeria and Africa.

Record Label

Self-owned Waje Muzik

Breakout Song(s)

Onye

Coco Baby

Kponlongo

I Wish

Left For Good

Omini Knowest

Albums

W.A.J.E (2013)

Red Velvet (2018)

Awards

Waje has received over 20 awards and nominations worldwide including a Channel O Music Award, 4 World Music Award nominations in 2014 alongside Femi Kuti, Katy Perry, Taylor Swift and others. Her Awards include;

Best Rhythm And Blues Singer 2011 City People Entertainment Awards

Best Female Vocalist 2011 Nigerian Entertainment Awards

Best Female Vocalist 2011 Hiphop World Awards (Headies)

Best African Art 2011 Deafa Afr0-Europe Awards

Best Vocal Performance 2010 South South Awards

Best Female Performer 2010 South South Awards

Musician Of The Year 2013 City People Awards

Best Regga/Dance Hall Headies 2013

Personal Life

Waje is a single mother of one and her baby daddy remains unknown till date. Her daughter’s name is Emerald Iruobe, she gave birth to her when she was 17 years of age.

Scandal

In March 2019, Waje revealed her intentions to quit music professionally due to lack of funds and support for her music.

She said she doesn’t have money to fund her music again. “After everybody shouted ‘Waje, your last album was how many years ago, please we need an album’. Where are all the people that were shouting? “I don’t have the money for publicity and that’s what I am saying. Emerald’s (her daughter) school fees is there. “it’s like I have ten things laid out for me and every single time, its always been my music, my music that is taking the bulk of my money. “I am not willing to put money there anymore,” she said.

Takeaway

Reverently called ‘The Voice’, Waje is one of Africa’s most respected and iconic female musicians. With a vocal range spanning 3 octaves, she is in a league entirely of her own.

In January 2019, Waje and her close friend, Omawumi launched Hernanes Media, a media company that specializes in film and TV production, adverts, content curation, brand event activation, and creative digital marketing. According to the duo, they founded the production company in order to create solutions and provide innovative and creative ideas for the industry.

In April 2019, Waje featured in the Somkele Idhalama-produced movie She Is. She worked with Omawumi to record the movie’ soundtrack.