Project Fame Star, Praiz’s Career, Hit Songs And Full Profile

Known to be a soul and R&B artiste, Praiz also has a diverse style in making other genres of music, switching up from R&B to afropop with commercially appealing songs like “Oshe” and “Mercy”. He cites Barry White, Michael Jackson, Carl Thompson and Boyz II Men as people who influence his type of music.

Early Life/Education

Praise Ugbede Adejo simply known as Praiz was born on 8th march, 1984 in Lagos state, Nigeria. He is the second out of four children and although he was born in Lagos, he was raised in Kaduna after his father got transferred there on a missionary work in 1992. Praiz is from Kogi State and is Igala by tribe.

He has a National Diploma in Computer Science from Kaduna Polytechnic. Growing up to the sounds of Barry White, he started out singing in his local church choir when he was 12 although he initially never had intentions of taking on music professionally.

Career

He is a Nigerian R&B songwriter, producer and singer who came into the spotlight when he emerged second runner-up at the maiden season of Project Fame West Africa and is known mostly for his hit singles;  “Rich and Famous” which was released on July 22, 2012 to massive airplays, awards and nominations , “Sisi”, “I Love You” and ‘‘Oshey’’ featuring African music legend, Awilo Logomba and for lending his vocals to Bez’s 2011 single “That Stupid Song”. The video of  the later song went on to be named first African video to make a world premiere on BET’s 106 & Park.

Praiz who is regarded as the John Legend of Nigerians sings a sound that can be described as a mix of soul and R&B and is signed to X3M Music label under which he released his debut album, “Rich and Famous” in 2014.

He has performed with the likes of; Cobhams, Wizkid, Seyi Shay, Awilo Longomba, Bez and M.I Abaga.

Breakout songs

1. Bubbling Under” (2010)
2. “The Lockdown” (2011)
3. “I Love You” (2011)
4. “Jekalo” (2011)
5. “A Woman’s Need” (2012)
6. “Rich and Famous” (2012)
7. “For You” (featuring Seyi Shay) (2013)
8. “I Love You” (2013)
9. “Oshe” (featuring Awilo Longomba) (2013)
10. “Sweet Potato” (featuring Chidinma) (2014)
11. “Mercy” (2014)
12. “Sisi” (featuring Wizkid) (2014)
13. “Heartbeat” (2015)
14. “Amazing Grace” (2015)
15. “Body Hot” (2016)[13] Featuring Jesse Jagz & Stonebwoy
16. “2 minutes” (2018)
17. “Here and now (2018)
18. “Champagne and Flowers (2018)
19. “Hustle ft. Stonebwoy (2019)

Albums

1. Rich & Famous (2014)
2. King (2019)

EP

1. 2 Minutes EP (2018)
2. To The Moon (2020)

Awards

1. 2012 Best Pop/R&B Artist of the Year at the Nigeria Entertainment Awards
2. 2013 Best Rhythm and Blues Singer of the Year at the City People Awards
3. 2015 Best Pop/R&B Artist of the Year at the Nigeria Entertainment Awards
4. 2016  Choice Examplary Artiste at the Nigerian Teen Music Award
5. 2016 R&B Artist Of the year at City People Music Award
6. 2018 Best Vocal Performance (Male) at The Headies Awards

Controversy

In 2017, Praiz was arrested by the men of the Nigerian Police force. According to Premium Times, the Lagos State Police Command said that it ‘felt scandalised by singer Praiz’s rudeness’ over his recent arrest.

This was contained in an official statement issued to address the Praiz’s Instagram outbursts shortly after his ‘brief’ arrest and release on December 19 in Lagos.

The singer, whose real name is Praise Adejo, had been stopped on his way to his record label, X3M Music’s end of the year party, and was taken to the Ajah police station.

The singer’s phone was reportedly smashed as he attempted recording his arrest.

The “Project Fame” icon den addressed the press on his arrest by officials whom he alleged were attached to the Special Anti-Robbery Squad.

Praiz, on his Instagram, using the hashtag #EndSARS, lamented the actions of the police and asked that they be reformed.

The police, in its statement, said the car Praiz had been riding in was on top speed, and the officers had moved to stop him.

Although Praiz and his team had said he had been riding in a Uber, the Police described him as the driver, claiming he had been hurling “unprintable invectives” at the officers, while at the same time filming them.

Praiz Talks Controversial ‘Folasade’ Video

He spoke exclusively to Factory78 about the controversy which trailed his single “Folasade”, the need for Africans to talk openly about depression, Dbanj + Don Jazzy and much more.

Watch interview below;

https://youtu.be/sJyWIsaO-R8

Personal Life

The singer, in 2018, said he’s not in a hurry to get married. “I’m not in a hurry to get married, it is necessary but it has to be the right choice,” he said.

Social Media

Instagram: @officialpraiz

Twitter: @Praiz8