Limoblaze
{{Short description|Nigerian gospel singer (born 1995)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2019}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Limoblaze
| background = person
| birth_name = Samuel Onwubiko
| alias = Limoblaze
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1995|10|25}}
| birth_place = Abia State, Nigeria
| label = {{hlist|Reach Records|Oneskirpt Ltd}}
| genre = {{hlist|Afro gospel|afrobeat|hip hop}}
| occupations = {{hlist|Singer-songwriter|rapper}}
| instrument = Vocals
| years_active = 2014–present
| website = {{URL|limoblaze.com}}
}}
Samuel Onwubiko (born 25 October 1995), known by his stage name Limoblaze, is a Nigerian gospel singer-songwriter and rapper.{{Cite web |last= |title=10 Afro-Gospel Songs You Should Know - Okayplayer |url=https://www.okayafrica.com/african-gospel-music-afro-songs/ |access-date=2023-07-13 |website=www.okayafrica.com |language=en}} He is well known for the hit song "Jireh (My Provider)" with Lecrae and Happi, a reworking of "Jireh" by Elevation Worship and Maverick City Music; the song made it to the Billboard U.S. Afrobeats Songs of 2022, Official Charts No. 15, and won several other nominations including The Headies and The Stellar Awards.{{Cite web |last=Dennis |first=O'Neil |date=2022-09-18 |title='Jireh (My Provider)' by Limoblaze, Lecrae & Happi hits 2 million streams in 1+ month |url=https://astepfwd.com/jireh-my-provider-by-limoblaze-lecrae-happi-hits-2-million-streams-in-1-months/ |access-date=2023-07-13 |website=Step FWD UK Christian Chart |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |date=2022-09-20 |title=Limoblaze takes the gospel to everybody with 'Jireh (My Provider)' |url=https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/music/limoblaze-takes-the-gospel-to-everybody-with-jireh-my-provider/8g25101 |access-date=2023-07-13 |website=Pulse Nigeria |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Jireh (My Provider) Official Afrobeats Charts |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/songs/limoblazelecraehappi-jireh-my-provider |website=Official Charts}}
Biography
= Early life and education =
He is one of eight children born to Samuel and Nkechi Onwubiko{{Cite web|last=Melissa|first=Paula|date=2019-09-20|title=LIMOBLAZE INTERVIEW WITH PAULA MELISSA (AUDIO)|url=https://paulamelissa.com/limoblaze-interview/|access-date=2020-11-23|website=Paula Melissa|language=en-US}} in Abia State, Nigeria, and was brought up in Makurdi-Benue state. Aged 8 years, he discovered the songs of popular rappers such as Tupac, Eminem and 50 Cent and later came across Christian rappers such as Lecrae, the Ambassador, Andy Mineo, Da' T.R.U.T.H. and Tedashii.{{Cite web |title=About Limoblaze - Reach Records |url=http://www.reachrecords.com/artists/limoblaze/ |access-date=2023-07-13}} This influenced him to become an Afro gospel, Afrobeat and Hip-hop gospel singer, songwriter, recording and performing artist.{{Cite web |last=Sande |first=Shirquille |date=2021-01-12 |title=Testimony: A Musician's Story - Limoblaze's Interview - Holy Culture |url=https://holyculture.net/testimonyamusicianstory_limoblaze_interview/ |access-date=2023-07-13 |website=holyculture.net |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Sseruyigo |first=Aaron |date=2022-08-06 |title=Pompi, Limoblaze expected in Kampala this month |url=https://www.ugchristiannews.com/pompi-limoblaze-expected-in-kampala-this-month/ |access-date=2023-07-13 |website=Breaking news on Christianity in Uganda and World |language=en-US}} He studied Biochemistry at the Federal University of Agriculture Makurdi, Nigeria during which he joined the Day Star Church{{Cite web|last=Maurice|first=Samuel|date=2020-10-16|title=EndSARS: How Christian Rapper Limoblaze Ignited Widespread Prayer Walk|url=https://premium9ja.com/endsars-how-christian-rapper-limoblaze-ignited-widespread-prayer-walk/|access-date=2020-11-23|website=Premium9ja|language=en-US}} where his professional gospel musical career began.{{Citation |title=My Music Is More Of A Service And Ministry - Limoblaze {{!}} Sunrise |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZA9_RdJ1DQ0 |access-date=2021-04-06 |language=en}}{{unreliable source?|date=May 2021}}{{Cite web |title=Sunrise – Channels Television |url=https://www.channelstv.com/programmes/sunrise/ |access-date=2021-04-06}}{{unreliable source?|date=May 2021}}
He currently lives in the United Kingdom.
Musical career
He started his career officially as an independent and unsigned music recording artist and started with his first song titled "Memories" which he dedicated to his classmates after graduating from high school. After his first song, he went on to record other songs titled Grace, Unconditional, Wrong Ways, For the King which features an American rapper Los of (HGA), and So on.{{Cite web|last=Premier|date=2020-07-10|title="Men NEED Re-educatiing" Says Limoblaze|url=https://www.premiergospel.org.uk/Shows/Weekdays/Evenings-with-Cass/Videos/Men-NEED-Re-educatiing-Says-Limoblaze|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2020-11-22|website=Premier Gospel|language=en-GB}} He likewise made some collaborations with gospel artists such as Ada Ehi,{{Cite web|last=Ibe|first=Olaedo|date=2020-09-23|title=Afrobeats artist Limoblaze teams up with Ada Ehi for hit single 'Okay'|url=https://astepfwd.com/afrobeats-artist-limoblaze-teams-up-with-ada-ehi-for-hit-single-okay/|access-date=2020-11-22|website=Step FWD UK Christian Chart|language=en-GB}} Travis Greene, Da' T.R.U.T.H. as well as many others with various freestyle sessions.{{Cite web |date=2022-11-29 |title=Lecrae, Ada Ehi, Mercy Chinwo, Frank Edwards, Limoblaze to headline RockFest 2.0 in Lagos |url=https://www.pulse.ng/lifestyle/events/lecrae-ada-ehi-mercy-chinwo-frank-edwards-limoblaze-to-headline-lagos-rockfest-20/1mydjt4 |access-date=2023-07-13 |website=Pulse Nigeria |language=en}} His Debut Album Blind was released in 2016 while his second album Before Now, was released in 2018, followed by Afrobeats Raps & Jesus released 2019,{{Cite web|date=2019-12-15|title=LIMOBLAZE DROPS "AFROBEATS, RAP & JESUS"|url=https://africangospelcharts.com/limoblaze-drops-afrobeats-rap-jesus/|access-date=2020-11-22|website=AGMC|language=en-US}} The Wait E.P in 2020 and he released his fourth studio joint album featuring Da' T.R.U.T.H. titled Bridges,{{Cite web|last=Longs|first=Herb|title=Da' T.R.U.T.H. & Limoblaze Team Up To Release 'Bridges' Album|url=https://www.thechristianbeat.org/index.php/new-music/8950-da-t-r-u-t-h-limoblaze-team-up-to-release-bridges-album|access-date=2021-02-09|website=TheChristianBeat.org|date=November 14, 2020|language=en-gb}} on 20 November 2020, which charted on trending spots on both local and international digital stores.{{citation needed|date=May 2021}}
In July 2022, he released the hit single "Jireh (My Provider)" featuring Lecrae and Happi.{{Cite web |last=Sarachik |first=Justin |date=2022-10-29 |title=Nigerian Afrobeats Singer & Songwriter, LIMOBLAZE Signs With Reach Records & Releases New EP 'Sunday In Lagos' |url=https://rapzilla.com/2022-10-nigerian-afrobeats-limoblaze-signs-reach-records-sunday-in-lagos/ |access-date=2023-07-13 |website=Rapzilla |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=vinepulse |date=2023-06-08 |title=Limoblaze Receives Stellar Award Nomination for "Rap/Hip Hop Song of the Year" with "Jireh" |url=https://vinepulse.com/limoblaze-receives-stellar-award-nomination-for-rap-hip-hop-song-of-the-year-with-jireh/ |access-date=2023-07-13 |website=Vine Pulse |language=en-US}} The song made it to Billboard Year-End U.S. Afrobeats Songs of 2022{{Cite magazine |last=Cusson |first=Michael |date=2022-12-01 |title=Billboard U.S. Afrobeats Songs |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/billboard-u-s-afrobeats-songs/ |access-date=2023-07-13 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}}
In October 2022, Christian Hip Hop label Reach Records announced Limoblaze to their roster, making him the first signee to be based outside of America. https://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/news/2022/10/28.ReachRecordsAnnouncesNewArtistLimoblazewithReleaseofSundayInLagos.asp
On 2023 he won the ABGMA Best Afrobeat Award of the year.{{Cite web |title=ABGMA 2023 Winners |url=https://www.soarisemusic.com/uploads/1/7/6/9/17692349/abgma_2023_winners_-_music_-_abgma_2023_official.pdf |website=ABGMA}}
Discography
= Studio albums =
- Blind (2016)
- Before Now (2018)
- Afrobeats Raps & Jesus (2019)
- Bridges (2020)
- God's Favourite Baby (2021)
- Young & Chosen (2024)
= EP(s) =
- The Wait (2020){{Cite web |title=The Wait EP by Limoblaze {{!}} Album |url=https://www.afrocharts.com/album?id=7f7a3b2393 |access-date=2023-07-13 |website=Afrocharts |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Admin |date=2020-03-27 |title=Limoblaze drops brand new EP 'The Wait' - available now |url=https://worshippersgh.com/limoblaze-drops-brand-new-ep-the-wait-available-now/ |access-date=2023-07-13 |website=WorshippersGh |language=en-US}}
- Sunday in Lagos{{Cite web |last=Clarks |first=Jessie |date=2022-10-28 |title=Reach Records' Newest Artist Limoblaze Drops 'Sunday In Lagos' |url=https://www.thechristianbeat.org/reach-records-newest-artist-limoblaze-drops-sunday-in-lagos/ |access-date=2023-07-13 |website=TCB |language=en-US}}
- Gold Remix Pack {{Citation |last= |title=Gold (Remix Pack) - EP by Limoblaze |date=2023-02-03 |url=https://music.apple.com/bj/album/gold-remix-pack-ep/1668478192 |access-date=2023-07-13 |language=en-GB}}
= Selected singles =
= Other appearances =
- "Like Water", Child of God II with Forrest Frank
Awards and recognition
He received Crystal award nominations in three categories in 2015.{{Cite web|title=Crystal Awards 2015: And The Nominees Are…|url=https://www.praiseworldradio.com/crystal-awards-2015-and-the-nominees-are/|access-date=2020-11-22|website=Praiseworld Radio {{!}} Africa's #1 Online Gospel Radio Station {{!}} Nigeria|language=en-US}} In 2019, Limoblaze was nominated (alongside Tim Godfrey, Todd Dulaney, Osby Berry, Jonathan McReynolds, Chevelle Franklyn, Phil Thompson, Tasha Cobbs, Joe Mettle, and Koyrn Hawthorne) in the Premier Gospel Awards for Best International Act and on 11 May 2019 in London he was announced as winner.{{Cite web|date=2019-05-15|title=BREAKING NEWS: Limoblaze Won new Award at Premier Gospel Awards as Best International Act In London|url=https://winnaijatv.com/breaking-news-limoblaze-won-new-award-at-premier-gospel-awards-as-best-international-act-in-london/|access-date=2020-11-22|website=Winnaijatv|language=en-GB}}{{Cite web|last=Premier|date=2019-05-10|title=Premier Gospel Awards 2019 Winners|url=https://www.premiergospel.org.uk/News-Reviews/News/Premier-Gospel-Awards-2019-Winners|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2020-11-22|website=Premier Gospel|language=en-GB}}{{Cite web|last=MistaBolu|date=2019-05-12|title=Nigerian Rapper, Limoblaze Wins Premier Gospel Awards' "Best International Act" In London|url=https://www.pricherman116.com/2019/05/limoblaze-wins-best-international-act/|access-date=2020-11-22|website=Pricherman116 Media|language=en-US}} Limoblaze was also Afro Rap Artiste of Excellence in the 2019 African Gospel Music and Media Awards.{{Cite web|title=AGMMA {{!}} African Gospel Music and Media Awards|url=https://africangospelmusicawards.com/winners.html|access-date=2020-11-22|website=africangospelmusicawards.com}}{{Cite web|title=AGMMA 2019 {{!}}{{!}} African Gospel Music and Media Awards 2019|url=https://www.africangospelmusicawards.com/categories.html|access-date=2020-11-22|website=www.africangospelmusicawards.com}} He has been "Artist of the Week" on Nigeria's Channels TV.
Personal life
Limoblaze proposed to Favour Emma, his long-term girlfriend in September 2021. They were married on 1 April 2022.{{Cite web |last=ekpenyong |first=Ebenezer |date=2021-09-06 |title=Limoblaze is Getting Married as He Proposes to Favour |url=https://premium9ja.com/limoblaze-is-getting-married-as-he-proposes-to-favour/ |access-date=2023-07-13 |website=Premium9ja |language=en-US}}
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{official website|limoblaze.com}}
{{authority control}}
Category:21st-century Nigerian male singers
Category:Nigerian Afrobeats musicians
Category:Nigerian gospel singers
Category:Nigerian male rappers
Category:21st-century male rappers