General Pype
{{Short description|Nigerian musical artist}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = General Pype
| image =
| caption =
| birth_name = Olayiwola Ibrahim Majekodunmi
| alias =
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1981|10|09}}
| birth_place = Lagos, Nigeria
| genre = {{hlist|Afrobeat|Reggae|dancehall}}
| occupation = {{hlist|Singer|songwriter}}
| years_active = 2007–present
| label = {{hlist|Obalende Records}}
| website = {{URL|http://www.generalpype.com|generalpype.com}}
| associated_acts = {{hlist|Dagrin|Davido|Burna Boy|Timaya|Erigga}}
}}
Ibrahim Majekodunmi, (born 9 October 1981), better known by his stage name General Pype, is a Nigerian reggae/dancehall artist and songwriter.{{Cite web |last=Obinna |first=Emelike |date=2022-07-27 |title=General Pype: International music act who has everyone listening |url=https://businessday.ng/life-arts/article/general-pype-international-music-act-who-has-everyone-listening/ |access-date=2022-10-13 |website=Businessday NG |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2022-10-07 |title=Nobody has taken my place in music – General Pype |url=https://punchng.com/nobody-has-taken-my-place-in-music-general-pype/ |access-date=2022-10-13 |website=Punch Newspapers |language=en-US}} He gained international prominence through his very first single, “Keep It Cool” in 2007, which went on to be featured on the Golden Globe-winning American television series The Shield and through his biggest hit, “Champion” song in 2009 after being licensed by Supersport as its theme song and opening montage for its channels on DSTV, became the first song by any African artist to get such a deal by a television{{Cite web |last=BellaNaija.com |date=2010-07-13 |title=Champion For Life! General Pype’s ‘Champion’ licensed by SuperSport |url=https://www.bellanaija.com/2010/07/champion-for-life-general-pypes-champion-licensed-by-supersport/ |access-date=2022-10-13 |website=BellaNaija |language=en-US}} channel and received the remix treatment from Dagrin, Vector, Naeto C, Sasha & GT.{{Cite web |date=2016-09-24 |title=GENERAL PYPE: MY RELATIONSHIP WITH JULIET IBRAHIM The Nation Newspaper |url=https://thenationonlineng.net/general-pype-relationship-juliet-ibrahim/ |access-date=2022-10-13 |language=en-US}}
General Pype was a set designer on Black Panther, Samaritan and Guardians of the Galaxy,{{Cite web |last=Ogechukwu |first=Bella |date=2022-08-31 |title=I Worked On Black Panther – Nigerian Singer, General Pype |url=https://naijaonpoint.com.ng/i-worked-on-black-panther-nigerian-singer-general-pype/ |access-date=2022-10-13 |website=naijaonpoint.com.ng |language=en-US}} his sound is reggae fusion which incorporates elements of hip-hop, rock-pop and R&B into the riddims of reggae and dancehall which he calls a “tube-sound”.{{Cite web |last=ADANNE |date=2022-08-26 |title=Incredible Talent, General Pype Returns With an Addictive New Sound — “Mine Only” |url=https://olisa.tv/incredible-talent-general-pype-returns-with-an-addictive-new-sound-mine-only/ |access-date=2022-10-13 |website=Olisa.tv |language=en-US}}
Early life and education
General Pype was born on 9 October 1981, in Lagos State, Nigeria. He studied at St. Gregory’s Secondary School in Obalende, in 1998.{{Cite web |last=Obinna |first=Emelike |date=2022-07-27 |title=General Pype: International music act who has everyone listening |url=https://businessday.ng/life-arts/article/general-pype-international-music-act-who-has-everyone-listening/ |access-date=2022-10-13 |website=Businessday NG |language=en-US}}
Music career
General Pype began classical singing at a young age in the 90s, when he stumbled upon the choral group: the 30-man Triumphant Chorale Voices, one of the top three orchestral groups in the country, whose success allowed Pype to tour the continent, including performances in Abuja’s Eagle Square ushering in the new millennium; and at The Organization of African Unity, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.{{Cite web |last=Obinna |first=Emelike |date=2022-07-27 |title=General Pype: International music act who has everyone listening |url=https://businessday.ng/life-arts/article/general-pype-international-music-act-who-has-everyone-listening/ |access-date=2022-10-13 |website=Businessday NG |language=en-US}} To pursue his other musical interests, he left the group where his new manager gave him the stage name “Pype,” which stands for Prolific Youth Positive Entertainer.{{Cite web |date=2022-09-03 |title=INTERVIEW: I almost gave up on myself after music hiatus, says General Pype - |url=http://lifestyle.thecable.ng/interview-i-almost-gave-up-on-myself-after-music-hiatus-says-general-pype/ |access-date=2022-10-13 |website=TheCable Lifestyle |language=en-US}} By 2005, he had established himself as a reggae/dancehall performer, performing on stage alongside both Nigerian and international acts including dancehall legend Sean Paul, internationally acclaimed singer Akon, and at the MTVBase Music Awards hosted by Wyclef Jean in Kenya.{{Cite web |date=2017-04-09 |title=Even in my absence, no artiste has taken my place – General Pype |url=https://punchng.com/even-in-my-absence-no-artiste-has-taken-my-place-general-pype/ |access-date=2022-10-13 |website=Punch Newspapers |language=en-US}}
Pype gained international acclaim through the hit success of his very first single, “Keep It Cool” (2007), which went on to be featured on the Golden Globe-winning American television series The Shield and enjoyed prominence through songs like 'Give it to Me" (2012) and "Champion" (2009). In 2010, General Pype won The Most Gifted Reggae and Dancehall Video for Champion remix at Channel O music video Awards and also in 2010,{{Cite web |last=Rapheal |date=2019-12-09 |title=Toks’ Artist General Pype Bags Channel O Award |url=https://www.sunnewsonline.com/toks-artist-general-pype-bags-channel-o-award/ |access-date=2022-10-13 |website=The Sun Nigeria |language=en-us}}{{Cite web |last=Nwafor |date=2010-11-06 |title=Champion Remix by General Pype wins big At The CHOMVA 2010 |url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2010/11/champion-remix-by-general-pype-wins-big-at-the-chomva-2010/ |access-date=2022-10-13 |website=Vanguard News |language=en-GB}} he got nominated for the 2010 MTV Africa Music Award.
In 2009, Pype was signed by his label Podium Vybez owned by Toks Asher Young in a JV deal with Storm 360 Records.{{Cite web |title= MUSICChampion For Life! General Pype’s ‘Champion’ licensed by SuperSport |url= https://www.bellanaija.com/2010/07/champion-for-life-general-pypes-champion-licensed-by-supersport/ |access-date=2024-11-01 |website=Bella Naija}} {{Cite web |title= Champion Remix by General Pype wins big At The CHOMVA 2010 |url= https://www.vanguardngr.com/2010/11/champion-remix-by-general-pype-wins-big-at-the-chomva-2010/ |access-date=2024-11-01 |website=Vanguard Nigeria}} He started his record label, Obalende Records in 2012, to reflect on where he grew up and hails from.{{Cite web |title=General Pype is Blessed And Ready With New Single – THISDAYLIVE |url=https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2022/06/30/general-pype-is-blessed-and-ready-with-new-single/ |access-date=2022-10-13 |website=www.thisdaylive.com}} Obalende is a suburb in a remote part of Lagos State.
He took a music hiatus since his last single “Mash It Up” in 2018{{Cite web |last=Obinna |first=Emelike |date=2022-07-27 |title=General Pype: International music act who has everyone listening |url=https://businessday.ng/life-arts/article/general-pype-international-music-act-who-has-everyone-listening/ |access-date=2022-10-14 |website=Businessday NG |language=en-US}} to take care of his family and pursue his education as a set designer at Georgia Film Academy.{{Cite web |last=Iheanacho |first=Henry |date=2022-10-08 |title=Nobody has been able to replace me in the industry – General Pype |url=https://www.correctng.com/nobody-has-been-able-to-replace-me-in-the-industry-general-pype/ |access-date=2022-10-14 |website=CorrectNG |language=en-US}}
Awards
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable"
!Year !Award !Category !Result |
| rowspan="6" |2010
|NMVA (Nigerian Music Video Awards) |Best Reggae Dancehall Artiste | {{Nom}} |
| Channel O music video Awards
|Best Music Vieo | {{won}} |
| The Headies
|Next Rated Award |{{Nominated}} |
| MTV Africa
| | {{Nominated}} | |
Discography
= Singles =
- "Champions" (2010)
- "Victorious man" (2012)
- "Champions Remix" (2015)
- "All the loving" (2016)
- "YShop is Open" (2017)
- "Mash it up " (2018)
- "Blessed and Ready" (2022)
- "Mine Only" (2022){{Cite web |last=Okojie |first=Josephine |date=2022-08-29 |title=General Pype returns with new release ‘Mine Only’ |url=https://businessday.ng/life-arts/article/general-pype-returns-with-new-release-mine-only/ |access-date=2022-10-13 |website=Businessday NG |language=en-US}}
''Clear Road' (2022)
References
{{Reflist|2}}
External links
- [https://twitter.com/officialgeneralpype Verified Twitter Account]
{{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:General Pype}}
Category:Musicians from Ogun State
Category:21st-century Nigerian male singers
Category:Nigerian male singer-songwriters
Category:21st-century Nigerian singer-songwriters
Category:Nigerian hip-hop singers