Obiwon
| Obiora Obiwon | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Obiora Nwokolobia-Agu |
| Also known as | Obiora Obiwon |
| Born |
9 June 1977 Enugu, Nigeria |
| Origin | Udi, Enugu State |
| Genres | Urban contemporary gospel, R&B, soul, hip hop |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, singer, songwriter, recording artist, minister, evangelist, event host, media consultant |
| Years active | 2005–present |
| Labels | 3Music |
Obiora Nwokolobia-Agu (born 9 June 1977), better known by his artistic name Obiora Obiwon, is a Nigerian singer, musician, songwriter, recording artiste, music minister and evangelist.
Obiora Obiwon was born Obiora Nwokolobia-Agu on 9 June 1977 in Enugu, Nigeria. A passion for music started developing as early as age 5, while singing along to HipHop and R'n'B records from his elder brother's Audio Cassettes. His father, Sir Humphrey Nwokolobia-Agu was a folk and classical music composer and arranger from Eastern Nigeria. At age 15 he went on to songwriting, performing on the local streets and hang outs.
He graduated from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) in 2001 where he studied Agricultural Extension even while building recording and live performance skills in eastern Nigeria's music circuit. After migrating to Lagos in 2002 for National Youth Service Corps, gee initially became an employee of a bank in Lagos. At the same time initial attempts at a professional recording career merged him and friends in a HipHop group called Thorobreds. It was at this point that he adopted the moniker "Obiwon", a name which a favourite uncle had fondly called him in his younger years, after a popular science fiction hero. The group made impact winning Best Rap Group at the 2005 maiden edition of Nigeria’s prestigious music award show, The HipHop World Awards (now known as The Headies).
Obiwon's debut album, Overture was released in 2006. The pressures of a budding music career soon led him to resign a banking job shortly afterwards.Overture produced the now classic Nigerian hit ballad "Onyinye". He was nominated for three awards at 2007 Hip Hop World Awards, and won the Best Vocal Male Performance category. He was also honoured as Nigeria's Voice of the Decade (21st century) at the Nigeria Music Awards.
By July 2008 Obiwon revealed that he had undergone a spiritual experience and announced a transition into the Christian/Gospel music genre. His artiste name ‘Obiwon’ was also re-branded to ‘Obiora Obiwon’ to enable him create a stronger and more distinct identity for his brand. In 2009 he released his second studio album and first Christian/Gospel album The Rebirth which became noted for songs such as “F.a.t.h.e.r”, “Victorious” and “The Rebirth (Kene Gi)”. The major highlight of the album turned out to be the hit love song and wedding anthem "Obi Mu O", a song dedicated to his then wife to be. Since transiting to Christian/Gospel music, Obiwon has continued to minister at various churches, Christian and other secular events.
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