By Balogun Kamilu Lekan
Biography
Waje, real name, Aituaje Aina Vivian Ebele Iruobe, is a Nigerian vocalist, singer, actress, and philanthropist.
Waje was born in Akure, Ondo State, on the 1st of September, 1980. The vocal goddess grew up in Benin, where she had her elementary and secondary education.
Waje is arguably the best Nigerian vocalist of all time. She has worked in various music genres- R&B, Pop, Soul, Rock, Blues, and hip-hop soul.
She is one of Nigeria’s most talented vocalists, whose music has transcended the country’s shores.
Waje, who derived her inspiration from Whitney Houston and Aretha Franklin, has had the opportunity to share the stage with some big international acts like Wyclef Jean and Kerry Hilson
Education
After her elementary education, Waje received secondary education in the Word of Faith Group of Schools. Unfortunately, she got pregnant during this period, which almost truncated her education before the intervention of the late Archbishop Benson Idahosa, who believed in her talent and placed her on a scholarship.
After her secondary education, Waje proceeded to the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, where she bagged a degree in social work.
Career
Waje started her music career during her undergraduate days when she thrilled the audience at school concerts and fellowships with her magical voice.
She later recorded some of her singles, like Somewhere and Kolo with Dome.
She stepped into the spotlight in 2007 when she rendered her vocals in Psquare’s remix of Omoge mi.
In 2008, she got another opportunity to add her voice to the duo’s hit track “Do Me,” which presented her with her breakthrough opportunity to work with other top names in the music industry.
In 2013, she released two singles, ‘I wish’ and Oko mi’, from her most anticipated debut album, W.A.J.E.
In 2018, she released he second album, a ten-track project containing songs like The Truth,
Why, Stupid, U.D.U.E., Cam Dan and Be Mine.
Waje has had the opportunity of working with top-class Nigerian music artists like Patoranking, Tiwa and MI.
In 2015, she starred as an actress in Stanlee Ohikhuare’s Tunnel, alongside top media personalities like Femi Jacobs, Patrick Doyle, Nse-Etim, and Lepacious Bose.
In 2021, Waje dropped a 5-track E.P. Songs in the project are Hold My Hands, Bottom, Line, Call on Me, Last Time and Naked.
The songstress releases her latest album, W.A.J.E. 2.0, in 2022.
Marriage
There is no public information on whether Waje is married or not. However, she has a daughter, Emerald Iruobe, from her pregnancy in her high school days.
Net worth
Waje is reportedly worth a net worth of $1.5 million. However, NewswireNGR cannot independently verify this claim at the moment.
Achievements
In 2017, Waje, alongside fellow songstress, Omawumi, established Hermanes Media, which provides services such as film and T.V. production, adverts, content curation, brand event activation, and creative digital marketing.
Waje is also a philanthropist. She established Waje’s Safe House, which collaborated with various N.G.Os to help the less privileged and children.
Waje is also passionate about women’s empowerment.
In addition, Waje, alongside other musicians, collaborated with the Independent National Electoral Commission (I.N.E.C.) to campaign against electoral manipulation, vote-buying, violence, and thuggery.
Waje has been nominated for several awards and also bagged some of them
Waje’s Nominations
- Nigerian Music Video Awards
- Dynamix Awards
- Headies awards
- City People Awards
- Nigerian Entertainment Awards
- Nigerian Entertainment Awards
- Exquisite Ladies of the Year Award
- Channel O Music Video Awards
- Black Canadian Awards
- World Music Awards
- World Best Entertainer
Waje’s Awards
- Best Vocal Performance award – 2010
- Best Female Vocalist award
- Best African Act award
- Best Female Vocalist award
- Best Female Performer
- Best Reggae/Dancehall award
- Best Female Artist award
Waje’s Discography
- Studio albums
- W.A.J.E.
- Red Velvet
- Heart Season (E.P.)
- WAJE 2.0
Waje’s Filmography
- Nneka the pretty serpent
- She Is
- Fifty
- Heaven’s hell
- Tunnel
Controversy
In 2015, Waje was caught in a web of controversy when she appeared in a near-nude photo shoot for her new single, “I Wish’.
The act was accompanied by backlash from netizens who believed it was too explicit.
She, however, explained her motive for the shoot in an interview. She said
“After being on set of the movie, Tunnel, I realized that our music videos are like movies painting the right picture and acting it. I Wish video is a lifeless theme and the song is a vulnerable song, and I tried to interprete it in that abstract nude picture with the broken mirrors. It’s me trying to interprete a woman’s vulnerability, xx“
Disclaimer
The information in this article was curated from online sources. NewsWireNGR or its editorial team cannot independently verify all details.
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