Laycon
{{Short description|Nigerian rapper and singer-songwriter}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2020}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Laycon
| image = Laycon performing at iCONs FEST 2021.jpg
| caption = Laycon at iCONs FEST
| birth_name = Olamilekan Massoud Al-Khalifah Agbeleshebioba
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1993|11|08|df=y}}
| birth_place = Lagos, Nigeria
| alma_mater = University of Lagos, University of Portsmouth
| occupation = {{hlist|Rapper|singer|songwriter|media personality|reality TV star}}
| module = {{Infobox musical artist
| embed = yes
| years_active = 2016–present
| instrument = Vocals, guitar
| genre = {{flatlist|
| label = Fierce Nation
| website = https://itslaycon.com/
| associated_acts = {{flatlist|
}}
}}
}}
Olamilekan Massoud Al-Khalifah Agbeleshebioba (born 8 November 1993) known professionally as Laycon, is a Nigerian rapper, singer, songwriter and media personality. He was the winner of Big Brother Naija season 5 and is currently the youth ambassador of Ogun State, Nigeria since 6 October 2020. In October 2022, he became a member of the Grammys Recording Academy voting committee.{{Cite web |last=Adebiyi |first=Adeayo |date=2022-10-19 |title=Laycon becomes member of Grammy voting committee |url=https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/music/laycon-becomes-member-of-grammy-voting-committee/fw47sjh |access-date=2023-09-25 |website=Pulse Nigeria |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Alake |first=Olumide |date=2022-06-30 |title=Congratulations pour as Laycon becomes voting member of Grammy Recording Academy |url=https://www.legit.ng/entertainment/celebrities/1477161-a-year-performing-for-grammy-recording-academy-laycon-2000-voting-members/ |access-date=2023-09-25 |website=Legit.ng - Nigeria news. |language=en}}
Early life and education
Olamilekan Massoud Al-Khalifah Agbeleshebioba was born and raised in Lagos, Nigeria{{cite web |last=Zawadi |first=Lucy |date=July 19, 2024 |title=Laycon Release New Project Title Any Given Monday III |url=https://naijapickup.com/album/laycon-any-given-monday-iii/ |access-date=July 19, 2024 |work=Np Media}}{{cite web|url=https://investorsking.com/laycon-bbnaija-biography-career-and-health-issue|last=Olukoya|first=Samed|title=Laycon Bbnaija Biography, Career and Health Issue|date=26 September 2020|work=Investors King|access-date=28 September 2020}} but is a native of Odeda, Ogun State.{{Cite web|url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2020/09/bbnaija-ogun-youths-march-for-laycon-give-out-airtime-for-voting|title=BBNAIJA: Ogun youths march for Laycon, give out airtime for voting|work=Vanguard Newspaper|last=Ogunnaike|first=James|date=24 September 2020|access-date=28 September 2020}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.ng/bbnaija-ogun-youths-drum-support-for-laycon|title=BBNAIJA: Ogun Youths Drum Support For Laycon|last=Agbana|first=Rotimi|date=25 September 2020|publisher=The Independent Newspaper|access-date=28 September 2020}} He attended Lagos State Model College Merian, Nigeria. In 2012, he got admitted to study Philosophy in the University of Lagos and graduated in 2016 with a Second Class Upper degree.{{Cite web|url=https://guardian.ng/life/who-is-laycon-bbnaijas-diamond-in-the-rough|last=Adekanye|first=Modupeoluwa|title=Who is Laycon, BBNaija's Diamond in the Rough?|date=20 July 2020|work=The Guardian Newspaper|access-date=28 September 2020}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/music/bbnaija-2020-who-is-laycon/cez788b|last=Motolani|first=Alake|title=BBNaija 2020: Who is Laycon?|date=21 July 2020|work=Pulse Nigeria|access-date=28 September 2020}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.pmnewsnigeria.com/2020/09/26/big-brother-naija-icons-emerge|title=Big Brother Naija: Icons Emerge|last=Preye|first=Campbell|date=26 September 2020|work=P.M. News|access-date=28 September 2020}} In April 2023, he graduated with a Master of Arts (MA) in International Relations from the University of Portsmouth, England.{{Cite web |date=2023-04-22 |title=Laycon bags master's degree from UK varsity |url=http://lifestyle.thecable.ng/laycon-bags-masters-degree-from-uk-varsity/ |access-date=2023-09-03 |website=TheCable Lifestyle |language=en-US}}
Career
Laycon started his career interning as the personal assistant to the MD and CEO of Latjum Global Nigeria Limited when he was still an undergraduate in University of Lagos. He moved to Bestman Games, Ikoyi, Lagos where he worked as a sales and business development personnel after graduating from the university. Two months later, he became the personal assistant to the assistant director of welfare in administration and human resources at Lagos State Ministry of Information and Strategy. During the course of his career, he worked as a freelance writer for different companies and establishments.{{Cite web|url=http://www.citypeopleonline.com/why-laycon-of-bbn-is-the-most-talked-about-housemate|title=Why LAYCON Of BBN Is The Most Talked About Housemate|date=9 September 2020|work=City People Magazine|access-date=28 September 2020}} On 6 October 2020, Laycon was appointed the youth ambassador by the Governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun.{{Cite web|title=Ogun Governor Appoints BBN Laycon As Youth Ambassador|url=https://www.channelstv.com/2020/10/06/ogun-governor-appoints-bbn-laycon-as-youth-ambassador|date=6 October 2020|access-date=6 October 2020|work=Channels TV}}
On 3 January 2021, Laycon received a chieftaincy title from the Onipokia of Ipokia, Ogun State, Yisa Adesola Olaniyan as the Akeweje of Ipokia Kingdom, Ogun State at the 2021 Opo Day celebration.{{Cite web|date=2021-01-04|title=Laycon conferred with chieftaincy title in Ogun|url=http://lifestyle.thecable.ng/laycon-conferred-with-chieftaincy-title-in-ogun/|access-date=2021-01-04|website=TheCable Lifestyle|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|date=2021-01-04|title=BBNaija's Laycon conferred with chieftaincy title in Ogun state|url=https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/celebrities/bbnaijas-laycon-conferred-with-chieftaincy-title-in-ogun-state/meh9x4v|access-date=2021-01-04|website=Pulse Nigeria|language=en-US}}
=Music career=
Laycon began rapping and writing songs at an early age.{{Cite web|url=https://thenationonlineng.net/will-laycon-win-big-brother-naija-2020|title=Will Laycon win Big Brother Naija 2020?|last=Alao|first=Abiodun|work=The Nation Newspaper|date=22 September 2020|access-date=28 September 2020}} In 2014, he was among the ten artistes that performed at the 2014 Coke Studio University of Lagos event. He was also part of the top ten finalists of the 2017 MTV Base LSB challenge.{{Cite web|url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2019/04/fierce-nation-signs-two-new-artistes-runnjozzy-and-laycon|title=Fierce Nation signs two new artistes 'Runnjozzy and Laycon'|work=Vanguard Newspaper|last=Onikoyi|first=Ayo|date=13 April 2019|access-date=28 September 2020}} In 2019, Laycon was signed into Olugbenga Jackson's record label "Fierce Nation". On 21 February 2019, he released a track, "Fierce" with Chinko Ekun and Reminisce from his second EP "Who Is Laycon?".{{Cite web|url=https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/music/temi-gomez-how-we-manage-bbnaija-2020-laycons-affairs-in-the-real-world-inside-by/6fyhqh4|last=Motolani|first=Alake|title=Temi Gomez: How we manage BBNaija 2020 Laycon's affairs in the real world [Inside by Pulse]|date=27 July 2020|work=Pulse Nigeria|access-date=28 September 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://punchng.com/bbn-celebs-fans-back-laycon-for-n85m-prize|title=BBN: Celebs, fans back Laycon for N85m prize|last=Ige|first=Tofarati|date=27 September 2020|access-date=28 September 2020|work=The Punch Newspaper}} He released another single "Senseless" on 28 August 2020.{{Cite web|url=https://guardian.ng/life/music/listen-to-bbnaijas-laycon-new-track-senseless|title=Listen To BBNaija's Laycon New Track "Senseless"|date=28 August 2020|work=The Guardian Newspaper|access-date=28 September 2020}}
In October 2020, the remix of "Nobody" by DJ Neptune was released. His verse in the remix of the song titled "Nobody iCONs Remix" was recorded two days after he left the Big Brother Naija Reality TV Show.{{Cite web |last=Osazuwa |first=Irobosa |title=It's World Laycon's Day, BBNaija star gushes as he turns 28 |url=https://wuzupnigeria.ng/entertainment/its-world-laycons-day-bbnaija-star-gushes-as-he-turns-28 |access-date=2022-06-21 |website=WuzupNigeria |date=8 November 2021 |language=en}} Mr. Real featured him in the remix of his song "Baba Fela". The remix was released on 30 January 2021.{{Cite web |date=2022-06-20 |title=Mr Real – "Baba Fela Remix" ft. Laycon x Zlatan (Song) « tooXclusive |url=https://tooxclusive.com/mr-real-baba-fela-remix-ft-laycon-x-zlatan-song/ |access-date=2022-06-21 |language=en-US}}
On 10 March 2021, Laycon released two singles - Wagwan and Fall For Me (ft YKB). Wagwan debuted at number five on billboard's top ten global triller chart. On 1 April 2021, Laycon announced that he will be dropping his first album on 30 April 2021. On 30 April 2021, Laycon's Album Shall We Begin was released and the album peaked at number two in Nigeria top album chart, and number one on the Nigeria iTunes album chart. The album went on to chart in over 30 countries and counting. In September 2021, Laycon release the original soundtrack album to his reality show I Am Laycon which was also titled I Am Laycon. This was his second project of the year 2021 and it peaked at number nine on Nigeria album chart. This made it Laycon's third project to hit the top 10 charts in two years. Also, he was featured on "Enter My Head" by fellow former BBNaija housemate Veeiye, on her debut EP Young & Reckless..{{Cite web|date=2021-10-07|title=DOWNLOAD : Veeiye – Young & Reckless (EP) Mp3 Download|url=https://wadupnaija.com/download-veeiye-young-reckless-ep/|access-date=2021-10-08|website=Wadupnaija|language=en-US}}
In July 2021, Laycon performed "All Over Me" for the Grammy Press Play.{{Cite web |last=Olowolagba |first=Fikayo |date=2021-07-03 |title=Nigerians celebrate as Laycon performs for Grammy |url=https://dailypost.ng/2021/07/03/nigerians-celebrate-as-laycon-performs-for-grammy/ |access-date=2023-09-25 |website=Daily Post Nigeria |language=en-US}} In December 2021, he headlined and sold out his first-ever concert tagged iCONs FEST at the 6000 capacity Eko Convention Center, Eko Hotel, Lagos. In October 2022, he became a member of the Grammys Recording Academy voting committee. {{Cite web |title=Press Play At Home: Watch Laycon Perform An Earthy Version Of "All Over Me" |url=https://www.grammy.com/news/2021-press-play-at-home-watch-laycon-perform-all-over-me |access-date=2023-09-25 |website=www.grammy.com}}
In July 2023, Laycon debuted his third album "Bioba" comprising 13 tracks. He also released two singles titled "Shine" and "LOL" {{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2023-04-29 |title=Laycon makes comeback with Shine, LOL |url=https://guardian.ng/saturday-magazine/weekend-beats/laycon-makes-comeback-with-shine-lol/ |access-date=2023-11-05 |website=The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News |language=en-US}}
=Big Brother Naija season 5=
Laycon entered the show as the number nineteenth contestant on 19 July 2020 and soon established himself as a fan favorite.{{Cite web|url=https://nairametrics.com/2020/09/27/laycon-wins-big-brother-naija|title=Laycon wins Big Brother Naija, to go home with N85 million worth of prizes|last=Enengedi|first=Victor|work=Nairametrics|date=27 September 2020|access-date=28 September 2020}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.legit.ng/1348867-bbnaija-season-5-kickstarts-ebuka-dj-neptune-set-nigerians-interesting-reality-tv-show.html|title=BBNaija season 5 kicks off as 20 housemates battle for N85m grand prize|last=Ososanya|first=Tunde|work=Legit.ng|date=19 July 2020|access-date=28 September 2020}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.pmnewsnigeria.com/2020/07/20/check-out-full-profile-of-season-5-bbnaija-housemates|title=Check out full profile of season 5 BBNaija housemates|work=P.M. News|date=20 July 2020|access-date=28 September 2020}} He became the first housemate of the season to be verified on Instagram on 22 July 2020.{{Cite web|url=https://thenationonlineng.net/five-bbnaija-2020-housemates-verified-on-instagram|title=Five #BBNaija 2020 Housemates verified on Instagram|last=Oamen|first=Samuel|work=The Nation Newspaper|date=6 August 2020|access-date=28 September 2020}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2020/07/video-bbnaija-laycon-becomes-first-housemate-to-be-verified-on-instagram|title=Video: BBNaija Laycon becomes first housemate to be verified on Instagram|work=Vanguard Newspaper|date=13 September 2020|access-date=28 September 2020}} He also broke a record, becoming the first housemate in the show's history to reach 1 million followers on Instagram while still in the house on 19 September 2020.{{Cite web|url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2020/09/bbnaija-2020-laycon-becomes-first-housemate-ever-to-hit-1m-followers-on-instagram-while-still-in-the-house|title=BBNaija 2020: Laycon becomes first housemate ever to hit 1 million followers on Instagram while still in the house|last=Royal|first=David|work=Vanguard Newspaper|date=20 September 2020|access-date=28 September 2020}}
During the finale of the show on 27 September 2020, he was declared the winner scoring a record 60% of the total votes cast and went home with the ₦85 million grand prize.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/pidgin/media-54316607|title=BBNaija 2020 Winner: Laycon, Olamilekan Agbeleshe na im win Big Brother Naija season 5 reality TV show|date=27 September 2020|work=BBC News Pidgin|access-date=28 September 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://punchng.com/breaking-laycon-wins-big-brother-naija-season-5|title=BREAKING: Laycon wins Big Brother Naija, clinches N85m prize|last=Olonilua|first=Ademola|date=27 September 2020|access-date=28 September 2020|work=The Punch Newspaper}}
Discography
=Mixtapes=
- Any Given Monday (The Playlist) (2019)
- Any Given Monday II (2019)
=EPs=
- Young Black and Gifted (2016)
- Who is Laycon? (2020)
=Albums=
- Shall We Begin (2021)
- I am Laycon (The Original Soundtrack) (2021)
- Bioba (2023)
=Singles=
- Fierce (2019)
- Senseless (2020)
- HipHop (2020)
- Fall for me ft YKB (2021)
- Wagwan (2021)
- New Dimension (2022)
- 2000 (2022)
- Shine (2023)
- LOL (2023)
- Big Chief (2024)
Filmography
=Television=
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| Year
!Title !Role !Notes !Ref |
|---|
| 2020
| Himself | Reality show |
| 2021
|Himself |Showmax original which premiered on 11 February 2021 |{{Cite web |title=BBNaija Winner, Laycon, to Star in Showmax First Nigerian Original Series - THISDAYLIVE |url=https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2020/11/24/bbnaija-winner-laycon-to-star-in-showmax-first-nigerian-original-series |access-date=2023-11-05 |website=www.thisdaylive.com |language=en}}{{Citation |title=I am Laycon {{!}} Coming Soon on 11 February {{!}} Showmax Naija |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n8bWQghkG0Y |access-date=2023-11-05 |language=en}} |
Philanthropy
In June 2021, the Sickle Cell Foundation of Nigeria appointed Laycon as the global advocate and ambassador for people living with Sickle Cell.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2021-01-09 |title=Foundation decorates Laycon with global advocate ambassador |url=https://guardian.ng/saturday-magazine/foundation-decorates-laycon-with-global-advocate-ambassador/ |access-date=2023-09-25 |website=The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2023-06-21 |title=Indomie, Laycon support Sickle Cell Foundation Nigeria's "Red Umbrella Walk" |url=https://guardian.ng/news/indomie-laycon-support-sickle-cell-foundation-nigerias-red-umbrella-walk/ |access-date=2023-09-25 |website=The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News |language=en-US}} He also founded "Laycon Cares Foundation", a humanitarian organization that focuses on education, governance and climate action. In March 2023, his foundation became a partner with the Wild Africa Fund (WAF) to raise awareness about poaching and preservation of the natural habitat {{Cite web |date=2023-03-24 |title=Laycon Cares Foundation partners with Wild Africa Fund to combat wildlife crimes |url=https://www.thecable.ng/laycon-cares-foundation-partners-with-wild-africa-fund-to-combat-wildlife-crimes |access-date=2023-09-25 |website=TheCable |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Okeh |first=Amarachi |date=2023-03-24 |title=Wild Africa Fund partners Laycon to raise awareness on illegal bushmeatLayc |url=https://punchng.com/wild-africa-fund-partners-laycon-to-raise-awareness-on-illegal-bushmeat/ |access-date=2023-09-25 |website=Punch Newspapers |language=en-US}}
Accolades
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Big Brother Nigeria}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Laycon}}
Category:21st-century Nigerian male singers
Category:Big Brother (franchise) winners
Category:People from Ogun State
Category:Yoruba-language singers of Nigeria
Category:English-language singers from Nigeria
Category:University of Lagos alumni