Andre Blaze

{{short description|Nigerian radio personality, rapper,television host and executive producer

}}

{{Infobox person

| name = Andre Blaze

| image =

| alt =

| caption =

| birth_name = Andre Henshaw

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1983|8|14}}

| birth_place = Nigeria

| death_date =

| death_place =

| nationality =

| other_names =

| occupation = {{flat list|

Radio personality
rapper
TV host (Nigezie Xtreme)
executive producer

}}

| years_active = 2001–present

| known_for =

| notable_works =

| partner =

| children = 2

| parents =

| relatives = Kate Henshaw (cousin)

| module = {{Infobox musical artist

| embed = yes

| instrument = Vocals

| genre = {{flatlist|

Hip hop

}}

| label = {{Flat list |

Tuck Tyght Records

}}

| associated_acts = {{flatlist|

Lyrikal
Duncan Daniels
Veteran
M-Trill

}}

| website =

}}

Andre Blaze Henshaw (born 14 August 1983) is a Nigerian radio personality, rapper, television host and executive producer. He first gained notice as a member of the hip hop group Tuck Tyght Allstars. His radio career began at Rhythm 93.7 FM Port Harcourt, where he worked for over six years before joining Nigezie as a TV host. In May 2012, he quit his job at the cable TV channel after four years, later accepting an offer to host Nigeria's Got Talent. Prior to this, he had hosted several other reality television talent shows including True Search, Battle of the Year and Peak Talent Show. He is also an anchor for the Google Digital Skills for Africa Training Programme.

Early life

Blaze was born to a mother from Anambra State and a father from Cross River State. He grew up in both Port Harcourt and Calabar.

Education

Blaze pursued his undergraduate studies in Linguistics and Communication at the University of Port Harcourt, completing a B.Sc. degree in 2006.{{cite news|title=A man's wealth is derived from his value to society — Andre Blaze|url=http://hallmarknews.com/a-mans-wealth-is-derived-from-his-value-to-society-andre-blaze/|accessdate=26 February 2016|work=Hallmark News|date=24 July 2015}}

Career

=Music=

As a rapper, Blaze achieved early notoriety as a member of Port Harcourt based hip hop group Tuck Tyght.{{cite news|date=24 October 2014 |title=Double K- I Don Show |publisher=Juvenis Magazine |url=http://www.juvenis.bunox.net/double-k-i-don-show/ |accessdate=25 February 2016 |archivedate=7 October 2015 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20151007082334/http://www.juvenis.bunox.net/double-k-i-don-show/ |url-status=dead }}

=Radio=

He followed in the footsteps of his mentor Loknan Dombin and began his broadcasting career working for Rhythm 93.7 FM Port Harcourt. While there he held various positions such as head of the Presentation Department, continuity announcer, radio DJ and show host.{{cite news|title=Andre Blaze leaves Nigezie, explains why he is moving on|url=http://dailypost.ng/2012/09/15/andre-blaze-leaves-nigezie-explains-moving/|accessdate=26 February 2016|work=DailyPost|date=15 September 2012}}

=Television=

Blaze moved on to television, becoming Nigezie's Top Ten music video countdown anchor. Between 2008 and 2012, he directed an array of successful TV programs in the country. In addition, he hosted shows like True Search, Battle of the Year and Peak Talent Show. In May 2012, Blaze officially quit his job at the cable TV channel. He would later accept an offer to host Nigeria's Got Talent, a reality television show based on the Got Talent series format.{{cite news|title=Nigeria’s Got Talent Enters Season Two |url=http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/nigeria-s-got-talent-enters-season-two/160828/ |accessdate=26 February 2016 |work=Thisday |date=6 October 2013 |quote=Meanwhile producers have also announced that Andre Blaze will continue as show host. }}{{dead link|date=July 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

Personal life

Andre Blaze is a cousin of actress Kate Henshaw-Nuttal.{{cite news |date=5 April 2014 |author=Nonye Ben-Nwankwo |title=I was once a bricklayer –Andre Blaze, NGT show presenter |publisher=The Punch |url=http://www.punchng.com/feature/super-saturday-lounge/i-was-once-a-bricklayer-andre-blaze-ngt-show-presenter/ |accessdate=25 February 2016 |archivedate=2014-04-05 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140405054228/http://www.punchng.com/feature/super-saturday-lounge/i-was-once-a-bricklayer-andre-blaze-ngt-show-presenter/ |url-status=dead }} He has two children, twin girls by his long-time girlfriend.{{cite news|title=AIRWAVES LINK: Twin girls boost Andre Blaze’s profile|url=http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/airwaves-link-twin-girls-boost-andre-blazes-profile/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130614143204/http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/airwaves-link-twin-girls-boost-andre-blazes-profile/|url-status=usurped|archive-date=June 14, 2013|accessdate=26 February 2016|work=National Mirror|date=3 April 2013}}