Humblesmith

Ekenedirichukwu Ijemba (born May 14, 1991), better known by his stage name Humblesmith, is a Nigerian afropop recording artist who achieved recognition upon the release of his single titled "Osinachi". In 2019 he got featured by Umuobiligbo on a track Tittled Nwalie which later won a nomination spot at the 2016 Nigeria Entertainment Awards.[1][2] He first ventured into the entertainment business as an actor, starring in a number of films including Hypertension (2010) with Sam Loco Efe.[3] Currently signed to Show Bobo Music Limited,[4] he made the list of "10 Artists To Watch in 2016" by notJustOk.[5]

Humblesmith
Birth name	Ekenedirichukwu Ijemba
Born	May 14, 1991 Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Nigeria
Origin	Imo State, Nigeria
Genres	R&B, afropop, highlife
Occupation(s)	singer-songwriter, vocalist
Instruments	Vocals
Years active	2011–present
Labels	Show Bobo Music
Associated acts	Phyno Davido Flavour N'abania

Early life

Originally from Uruala, a town in Ideato North local government area of Imo State, southeastern Nigeria, Ekene Ijemba was born on May 14, 1991 into a Catholic family in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Nigeria.[6] While in secondary school, he started dancing and was part of a group called American Boys before he left Ebonyi State for Asaba City, the capital of Delta State, South-Southern Nigeria in order to pursue a career in music.[7]

2014–present: Beginnings and rise to fame

Upon arriving in Asaba City, Humblesmith had to take up menial jobs in order to earn a living. He later ventured into entertainment as an actor and appeared in various films including Hypertension with Sam Loco Efe.[3] He returned to Ebonyi State at some point and then back to Delta State again to focus on a career in music.[3] Determined to succeed, he started scouting for shows and performed for free until he was signed by DG Records who were impressed with one of his several performances.[8] In 2012, he left Asaba City for Lagos State where he recorded his debut single "Chairmoo" in 2014. In 2015, he released "Osinachi, a chart-topping single that featured Phyno; and Davido in the remix version.[3] The song earned him a nomination spot in the "Best New Act" category at the 2016 edition of the Nigeria Entertainment Awards and was also nominated in the "Hottest Single" category at the same event.[9] In April 2016, he featured Flavour N'abania in a song titled "Jukwese" which enjoyed rotational airplay around the country. He later announced an Instagram competition tagged the "#JukweseContest" in reference to the song, with a $2,000 prize money for the winner.[10] In December 2020, after a brief hiatus, he released a new single, Kosi, loosely translated as "God's will", a song of gratitude to God for his achievements.[11]

Artistry

Humblesmith cites Bright Chimezie as his music influence.[12] He usually sings the afropop genre of music with a little fusion of highlife.

Endorsement deal

In June 2016, Humblesmith signed a multi-million Naira endorsement deal with noodles manufacturing company Tummy-Tummy Food Industry.[13]

Discography

Year	Song	Album
2014	"Chairmoo"	Non-album singles
	"Bogati"
	"Shoki"
2015	"Love Me"
	"Osinachi" (featuring Phyno)
2016	"Osinachi (Remix)" (featuring Davido)
	"Jukwese" (featuring Flavour N'abania)
	"Na U" (featuring Harrysong)
2017	"Attracta"
	"Focus"
	"Abakaliki to Lasgidi (featuring Olamide)
	"Sugar"[14]
2019	"Uju Mina"
	"Report My Case"
2020	"Kosi"

Awards and nominations

Year	Award ceremony	Prize	Recipient/Nominated work	Result	Ref
2016	The Headies 2015	Rookie of The Year	Himself	Nominated
	2016 Nigeria Entertainment Awards	Hottest Single	"Osinachi"	Nominated	[15]
		Best New Act	Himself	Nominated	[15]
	2016 African Muzik Magazine Awards	Best Newcomer		Nominated	[16]
	2016 City People Entertainment Awards	Collaboration of the Year	"Osinachi (Remix)"	Won	[17]
	The Headies 2016	Song of the Year		Nominated	[18]
		Best Pop Single		Nominated	[18]
		Best Collaboration		Nominated	[18]
		Next Rated	Himself	Nominated	[19]
	Nigerian Teen Choice Award 2016	Choice Afro Beat & Pop Artist		Nominated	[20]
		Choice New Song of the Year	"Osinachi (Remix)"	Nominated	[20]

References

1. Ayodele Johnson (July 23, 2016). "Humblesmith: 'I want to give $2000 to my fans', singer says". Pulse Nigeria. Archived from the original on July 24, 2016. Retrieved July 24, 2016.
2. "Humblesmith speaks on background". Naij. April 4, 2016. Archived from the original on August 20, 2016. Retrieved July 24, 2016.
3. "I don't regret featuring Davido in Osinachi –Humblesmith". The Punch. 6 February 2016. Archived from the original on 11 July 2016. Retrieved 24 July 2016.
4. Eazibeatz (December 16, 2020). DJiTunez https://www.djitunez.com/humblesmith-kosi-download-kosi-www-djitunez-com/. Retrieved January 7, 2021. Missing or empty |title= (help)
5. Don Boye (February 22, 2016). "10 Artists To Watch in 2016". notJustOk. Archived from the original on June 29, 2016. Retrieved July 24, 2016.
6. Ago, Arinze; Emmanuel, Dan; Kehinde, Seye (February 15, 2016). "Humblesmith Reveals His Grass-To-Grace Story – How He Sold Moin-Moin in Abakaliki". City People Magazine. Archived from the original on May 2, 2016. Retrieved July 24, 2016.
7. Ademola, Adeleke; Agbana, Rotimi (June 18, 2016). "I stole and sold my mom's gold to pay for my first studio session – Humblesmith". Vanguard News. Archived from the original on July 23, 2016. Retrieved July 24, 2016.
8. "EN: Osinachi Crooner, Humblesmith Opens Up About Life & New Found Fame". Channels TV. February 25, 2016. Retrieved July 24, 2016 – via YouTube.
9. Adedayo Showemimo (June 17, 2016). "FULL nominee list for 2016 Nigerian Entertainment Awards (NEA)". Nigerian Entertainment Today. Archived from the original on January 2, 2017. Retrieved July 24, 2016.
10. Rotimi Agbana (July 4, 2016). "Humblesmith unveils competition for new single, jukwese". Vanguard News. Archived from the original on July 10, 2016. Retrieved July 24, 2016.
11. "Humblesmith Makes A Comeback With New Single "Kosi"". Guardian News. December 11, 2020. Retrieved January 6, 2021.
12. Ifeoma Ogbonna, Genevieve; Jide, Molokwu Theophilus; Christopher, Emuekpere (July 1, 2016). "I wept, fasted before God gave me Osinachi –Humble Smith". The Sun Newspaper. Archived from the original on July 3, 2016. Retrieved July 24, 2016.
13. Agbana, Rotimi (June 29, 2016). "Humblesmith bags multi-million naira endorsement deal". Vanguard News. Archived from the original on August 2, 2016. Retrieved July 24, 2016.
14. "Humble Smith Sugar song download". View Nigeria. October 27, 2017. Archived from the original on November 7, 2017. Retrieved October 30, 2017.
15. "Nominations are Here! Find out who Made the 2016 Nigerian Entertainment Awards Nominees List". BellaNaija. June 16, 2016. Archived from the original on August 16, 2016. Retrieved July 24, 2016.
16. Demola OG (July 20, 2016). "EXCLUSIVE: AFRIMMA 2016 NOMINEES LIST UNVEILED". notJustOk. Archived from the original on July 23, 2016. Retrieved July 24, 2016.
17. Adedayo Showemimo (July 26, 2016). "Full List of Winners at 2016 City People Entertainment Awards". Nigerian Entertainment Today. Archived from the original on December 8, 2016. Retrieved July 28, 2016.
18. "Headies 2016 Awards : The winners are…". The Punch. December 23, 2016. Archived from the original on May 18, 2017. Retrieved May 18, 2017.
19. "Ycee, Koker, Humblesmith... Who Is The Next Rated Artiste in 2016?". tooXclusive. Archived from the original on May 10, 2017. Retrieved May 18, 2017.
20. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on July 25, 2018. Retrieved May 12, 2019.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)