Ifé (musician)
{{Short description|Nigerian singer }}
{{Unreliable sources|date=October 2024}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Ifé
| image =
| caption =
| birth_name = Ifechukwu Mercy Michael
| birth_place = Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1997|11|29}}
| origin = Anambra State, Nigeria
| genre = {{hlist|Afro-Soul|pop|Afrobeats|alté}}
| instrument = {{hlist|Vocals|piano|Guitar|keyboard|African percussion}}
| occupation = {{hlist|Singer-songwriter|performer}}
| years_active = 2018{{ndash}}present
| Imprint =
| website =
| module2 =
| channels =
| subscribers =
| views =
| stats_update =
}}
Ifechukwu Mercy Michael (born 29 November 1997) professionally known as Ifé a Nigerian singer-songwriter and performer. She is known for the Afro-Soul, Afrobeats and alte genres. She released her first single 'Nwa' in 2018 and gained prominence after the release of "Ozo" featuring Ụmụ Obiligbo in 2019 .{{Cite web |last=Alonge |first=Bolaji |date=2020-11-06 |title=Ifé's new song celebrates the bliss of true love |url=http://eyesofalagosboy.com/2020/11/06/ifes-new-song-celebrates-the-bliss-of-true-love/ |access-date=2024-05-27 |website=Eyes of a Lagos Boy |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Kan |first=Toni |date=2020-04-06 |title=Soul Music can heal us, and Ife's music comes to mind — Gerald Eze |url=https://thelagosreview.ng/soul-music-can-heal-us-and-ifes-music-comes-to-mind-gerald-eze/ |access-date=2024-05-27 |website=The Lagos Review |language=en-US}}
Biography
A native of Umuawulu, Anambra State, Ifé was born on 29 November 1997 in Awka, Anambra State. She is the last child of her parents, Mr. Chinyere Wilfred Michael and Mrs. Oluchi Mavis Michael and has five other siblings. Ifé was born into a musical family and her parents recorded about three albums.{{Cite web |last=wisdom |title=Meet Ifé, A Young Nigerian Singer As She Shares Her Life Experience & Challenges (Photos) |url=https://igberetvnews.com/1359463/meet-ife-young-nigerian-singer-shares-life-experience-challenges-photos/ |access-date=2024-05-27 |website=igberetvnews.com |language=en-US}} At the age of ten, she was already passionate about igbo traditional music. She acquired her primary and secondary education in Anambra State. Later, she proceeded to Nnamdi Azikiwe University in Awka, Nigeria where she studied and graduated with a bachelor's degree in Music and Performing Arts.{{Cite web |last= |date=2022-06-06 |title=Ifé: A Singer, Philosopher, and Storyteller of Ancient Breed - Afrocritik |url=https://www.afrocritik.com/ife-a-singer-philosopher-and-storyteller-of-ancient-breed/ |access-date=2024-05-27 |language=en}}
Music career
On 3 October 2018, Ifé released her first single "Nwa". That same year, she followed with two other singles "Egwu" and "Nwa Remix". In November 2019, she debuted her first EP "DarkLight". Prior to the release of the DarkLight EP, she released three singles "Nwayo", "Ifunanya" and "Ozo".{{Cite news |title=When I sing, people get healed of depression –Ife |url=https://sunnewsonline.com/when-i-sing-people-get-healed-of-depression-ife/ |work=Sunnews Online}}
Ifé released her first album in 2021 "Sunset and Paragraphs", which earned her recognition. The album comprised 13 tracks including "Ife Melu", a tribute song to those that lost their lives during the Biafran war. A year before the album release, she performed at the Mondial Music for Women Festival in Abidjan, and later the Black History Concert 2021 in Lagos, Nigeria.{{Cite web |last= |date=2022-05-15 |title=Ten Musicians from Southeastern Nigeria to Watch out For - Afrocritik |url=https://www.afrocritik.com/ten-musicians-from-southeastern-nigeria-to/ |access-date=2024-05-27 |language=en}} A year later in November 2022, she released another single "Paradise (All Over Me)".
In 2023, she was featured on Gen Uru's "Worthy Album" including tracks like "Oshimiri" with Rudeboy and "Uru Dia" with Acetune, Ifex G.{{Cite web |last=Aromolaran |first=Michael |date=2023-09-12 |title=Gen Uru: How Illbliss-directed Album "Worthy" Props Up Nigeria's South-East and South-South {{!}} The Culture Custodian |url=https://culturecustodian.com/gen-uru-how-illbliss-directed-album-worthy-props-up-nigerias-south-east-and-south-south/ |access-date=2024-05-27 |website=The Culture Custodian (Est. 2014.) |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |last=Branches |first=More |date=2023-08-23 |title=Hero Lager is Uplifting a Crop of Emerging Artists Through "The Worthy Album" - MoreBranches |url=https://www.morebranches.com/hero-lager-is-uplifting-a-crop-of-emerging-artists-through-the-worthy-album/,%20https://www.morebranches.com/hero-lager-is-uplifting-a-crop-of-emerging-artists-through-the-worthy-album/ |access-date=2024-05-27 |language=en-US}}
Discography
=Albums=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align: center;"
|+List of albums, with selected details ! scope="col"| Title ! scope="col"| Album details |
| scope="row"|DarkLight
|
|
|---|
| scope="row"|Sunset and Paragraphs{{Cite web |last=Content |first=Branded |date=2021-11-23 |title=Nigerian singer Ifé releases new album, 'Sunset and Paragraphs' |url=https://punchng.com/nigerian-singer-ife-releases-new-album-sunset-and-paragraphs/ |access-date=2024-05-27 |website=Punch Newspapers |language=en-US}}
|
|
= Singles =
| class="wikitable"
|+ !Year !Title |
| rowspan="3" |2018
|Nwa |
| Egwu |
| Nwa Remix |
| rowspan="3" |2019
|Nwayo |
| Ifunanya
with Ahec 3 |
| Ozo
with Umu Obiligbo |
| rowspan="2" |2020
|Ulaga |
| Nwanyi |
| 2021 |
| 2022
|Paradise (All Over Me) |
| rowspan="5" |2024
|No Turning Back with Kolaboy |
| Mmadu Aburo Chukwu
ft Dandizzy, Acetune, Sparkle Tee |
| I do for you
with Ejyk Nwamba |
| Ikemefuna |
| Imachakwa
with Zoro |
Style
Ifé is celebrated for her versatile style, which she describes as a blend of Afro-Soul, Alternative Highlife, and Pop. Her music is deeply rooted in African traditions, reflecting the Igbo cultural Renaissance. In an interview on BBC Africa – Focus in Africa, Ifé emphasized that her language, heritage, and cultural background contribute to her unique musical identity and artistry.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQabcf-4PZg |title=Ifé - BBC News Africa Interview (Focus on Africa) |date=2022-01-06 |last=Ifé |access-date=2024-05-27 |via=YouTube}}