Oluwaseyi Akerele, popularly known as Shizzi, is a Nigerian platinum record producer, disk jockey and songwriter.[1]
Shizzi | |
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 Shizzi in 2017 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Oluwaseyi Akerele |
| Born | 3 December 1984 Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria |
| Genres | |
| Occupations |
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| Instruments | |
| Years active | 2009–present |
| Labels |
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Music career
edit2009–2015: Early life and career
editShizzi started out as a drummer in church. He achieved recognition for his work on Davido's 2011 single "Dami Duro", and produced six songs on the singer's debut album Omo Baba Olowo (2012). He produced Wizkid's "Love My Baby", a song from the artist's debut studio album Superstar (2011). He has been credited for producing "Skelewu" and "Gobe". He was also the producer behind Wande Coal's highly controversial songs "Baby Face" and "Go Low". Shizzi has worked with Sasha, Harrysong, OD Woods, Naeto C, Sauce Kid, Wande Coal, Wizkid, D'Prince, May D, Danagog, Emmy Gee, Skuki, DaBaby, Chris Brown, and Fireboy DML, among others.
In 2013, he co-produced Davido's "Tchelete" with Uhuru/dj maphorisa featuring Mafikizolo. On 26 June 2014, Shizzi worked alongside Davido, Tiwa Savage, Lola Rae, Sarkodie, Diamond Platnumz and Mi Casa to produce MultiChoice's Africa Rising campaign song. In 2015, he demonstrated how to make a hit,[2] alongside Davido at NEC Live masterclass.
2016–2019: Sony Publishing, Magic Fingers and The Lion King: The Gift documentary
editIn 2016, he signed a publishing deal[3] with Sony/ATV Music Publishing as a record producer and a songwriter. Late 2016, Shizzi unveiled his record label and management company well known as Magic Fingers with his first signee Teni on 23 December 2019 after the official release of her single "Amen".[4] In 2019, he appeared in a documentary for Beyonce's soundtrack album The Lion King: The Gift.[5] The documentary aired on 16 September on ABC; in it, he spoke about recording songs for the album.[6]
2020–present: The Battle of Hits session, feud, and Sony publishing deal terminated
editIn 2020, he teamed up with Sarz for a 2-hour live stream session, titled The Battle of Hits, on Instagram. On the showoff, they played their biggest hits, with some unreleased songs. Notable viewers who were active on their live are: Timbaland, Swizz Beatz, Wizkid, Don Jazzy, Davido, Spinall, Kel-P, and Tiwa Savage, among others.[7] In 2021, Shizzi replied to Teni's tweet, on how she departed from his imprint, after achieving prominence through him, without acknowledging his impact on her career, after using him, he wrote.[8]
On 27 April 2022, he announced the end of his six years obsolete publishing deal with Sony/ATV Music Publishing, however, he tweeted, “As of late last year, SonyATV said they were going to let him go only if Efe Ogbeni agrees with terms of termination the contract”, which his ex-manager Efe Ogbeni declined.[9] Shizzi also added, that “his deal with Sony ATV, was a non-favorable deal because Ogbeni never gave him the chance to choose his own attorney to properly inspect the contract back in 2016, he wrote in his post.[9] He currently has a publishing deal with Concord Music Publishing,[10] a division of the American entertainment company Concord.
Personal life
editControversies
editOn 16 January 2016, Shizzi accused "Tunde Ednut" & "Masterkraft" for stealing his instrumental to make his song Kosowo which is produced by Masterkraft.[11][12]
Discography
editAs lead artist
| |||
| Year | Title | Artist | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | "Maria" (featuring Jay Moore and L.A.X) | Shizzi | Non-album single |
| 2018 | "Wasted" (with. Ceeza Milli) | ||
| 2019 | "Aye Kan" (with. Teni & Mayorkun) | ||
| "All Over You" (with. Wale Kwame, Davido and Kwesi Arthur) | TBA | ||
As featured artist
| |||
| Year | Title | Artist | Album |
| 2016 | "Show You Off" (featuring Shizzi and Walshy Fire) |
WurlD | Love Is Contagious |
Accolades
edit| Year | Awards ceremony | Award description(s) | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | The Headies | Producer of the Year | Nominated |
| Nigeria Entertainment Awards | Music Producer of the Year | Nominated | |
| 2013 | Nigeria Entertainment Awards | Music Producer of the Year | Nominated |
| 2015 | Nigeria Entertainment Awards | Music Producer of the Year | Won |
| The Beatz Awards | Best Afro Hip Hop Producer | Nominated | |
| Best Afro Dancehall Producer | Nominated | ||
| 2016 | The Beatz Awards | Best Afro Hip Hop Producer | Nominated |
| 2019 | The Beatz Awards | Afro Pop Producer of the Year | Nominated |
| Producer of the Year | Nominated | ||
| 2021 | African Entertainment Awards USA | Producer of the Year | Nominated |
| 2023 | All Africa Music Awards | Producer of the Year | Won |
| ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Music Awards | R&B/Hip-Hop & Rap Songs for "Peru"[13] | Won |
References
edit- ^ "Producer Shizzi explains why he worked with Wande Coal on 'Baby Face'". Nigeria Entertainment Today. Retrieved 8 August 2014.
- ^ "NEC Live: Davido And Producer, Shizzi Demonstrate How To Make A Hit At 2015 Edition". Nigerian Entertainment Today. 8 April 2019. Retrieved 3 April 2020.
- ^ "Singer's producer lands record deal with Sony Music". Pulse Nigeria. 6 October 2016. Retrieved 3 April 2020.
- ^ "Teni - 'Amen'". Pulse Nigeria. 24 December 2016. Retrieved 4 April 2020.
- ^ "Watch "Beyoncé Presents: Making The Gift" | ABC Updates". ABC. Retrieved 3 April 2020.
- ^ ""Beyoncé Making The Gift - Documentary 2019"". YouTube. Retrieved 3 April 2020.
- ^ "COVID-19: Sarz, Shizzi entertain fans on Instagram". Vanguard. 4 April 2020. Retrieved 4 April 2020.
- ^ Alake, Motolani (21 December 2021). "How Teni and Shizzi went from family to sworn enemies [Pulse Exclusive]". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 25 August 2022.
- ^ a b Akinyode, Peace (30 April 2022). "Producer Shizzi ends publishing deal with Sony Music". Punch Newspapers. Retrieved 25 August 2022.
- ^ "Shizzi". Concord Music Publishing. Retrieved 22 November 2024.
- ^ "Nigerian Celebrities Begin 2016 With Scandals And Controversies". Retrieved 30 September 2016.
- ^ Inyese, Amaka. "Shizzi: "I have no intention to trade words with Mr. Tunde Ednut" Producer fumes". Retrieved 30 September 2016.
- ^ "2023 ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Celebration | Dr. Dre awards, songwriters, hip-hop, gospel, rnb, music, celebration,". ASCAP. 5 August 2023. Archived from the original on 5 August 2023. Retrieved 13 August 2023.