BIOGRAPHY: Waje



Aituaje Iruobe (Born September 1), known as WAJE (an acronym for "Words aren’t just enough") is a Nigerian singer whose vocal range covers three octaves. She participated in the remake of P-Square’s “Omoge Mi” and featured as the female voice in the duo’s 2008 hit track “Do Me,” Banky W "Thief my Kele," M.I "One Naira."



Waje was born in Akure, Ondo State in Nigeria then moved to Benin City, Edo State and was raised by her parents. As a young singer she once sang gospel tunes to the delight of the late Archbishop Benson Idahosa of Church of God misson int. Archbishop Benin was quite impressed by her singing and decided to help her throughout her whole secondary school days. She then moved to Nsukka to receive a degree in social work at University of Nigeria. During her school years, Waje focused on her musical works such as school concerts and fellowships. She listened and learned from her mentors such as Whitney Houston and Aretha Franklin to improve her music.

Career and success

Waje's vocal range covers three octaves. She was found singing in church as a young lady whose love for humanity led her to study social work at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN). Being very productive whilst in school, Waje worked part-time in tourism. She however still believed she could touch a lot more with her singing talent. This gave her the drive to stay focused in her first love, music. In 2007, Waje decided to take the next step and fully launch her music career. She was still a student at the time and paid her dues by doing lots of free shows and gigs, singing at every given opportunity.
The first major spotlight she received was her being featured in the hit single by P-Square titled "Do Me", a critically acclaim track across widely known across Africa and some parts of Europe. This helped boost her career a little further, after which she participated in Advanced Warning (a reality TV show which featured artists that are on the verge of a breakthrough). The reality show was organised by MTV Base South Africa and ZAIN Nigeria, where she came out as the first runner up.
Waje has shared the stage with various international artists such as Wyclef Jean in South Africa, opening for Kerry Hilson during a show organised in Calabar, and has also worked with a lot of artists who had hit singles, including "One Naira" with M.I, "Do Me" with P-Square and more. She also collaborated with Dencia on "True Love".
Waje has a list of songs that have received a number of award nominations and winnings. She released her self titled debut studio album in 2013. Waje is currently working with the youths of her community through an organisation she calls WajeSafeHouse, where she teams up with other NGOs quarterly to help fight for their cause.

Awards and nominations

Awards

BEST RHYTHM AND BLUES SINGER 2011 CITY PEOPLE ENTERTAINMENT AWARDS,
BEST FEMALE VOCALIST 2011 NIGERIAN ENTERTAINMENT AWARDS,
BEST FEMALE VOCALIST 2011 HIPHOP WORLD AWARDS (HEADIES),
BEST AFRICAN ART 2011 DEAFA AFR0-EUROPE AWARDS,
BEST VOCAL PERFORMANCE 2010 SOUTH SOUTH AWARDS,
BEST FEMALE PERFORMER 2010 SOUTH SOUTH AWARDS,
MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR 2013 CITY PEOPLE AWARDS
BEST REGGA/DANCE HALL HEADIES 2013
Nominations
NIGERIAN MUSIC VIDEO AWARDS 2009 (best new video)
DYNAMIX AWARDS 2009 (best new act)
HIP-HOP AWARDS 2010*HEADIES* (best vocals)
CITY PEOPLE AWARDS 2011(best r&b female)
NIGERIAN ENTERTAINMENT AWARDS 2011 (best pop/r&b artist of the year.best new act of the year)
HEADIES 2011 (best vocal performer female,best r&b single)
EXQUISITE LADIES OF THE YEAR 2011 (female music art of the year)
CHANNEL O MUSIC VIDEO AWARDS 2011 (most gifted female video)
NIGERIAN MUSIC VIDEO AWARDS 2011 (best contemporary afro video)
DEAFA AFRO-EUROPE ENTERTAINMENT AWARDS 2011 (best African art)
BEST RECORDING OF THE YEAR 2013 (I WISH, W.A.J.E ALBUM)
BEST REGGA/DANCE HALL 2013 (I WISH, W.A.J.E ALBUM)
BEST VOCAL PERFORMANCE FEMALE 2013 (I WISH, W.A.J.E ALBUM)
BLACK CANADIAN AWARDS 2014 (BEST INTERNATIONAL ACT)
WORLD MUSIC AWARDS 2014 (WORLD BEST ALBUM)W.A.J.E
WORLD MUSIC AWARDS 2014 (WORLD BEST LIVE ACT)

WORLD MUSIC AWARDS 2014 (WORLD BEST FEMALE ENTERTAINER)

WORLD MUSIC AWARDS 2014 (WORLD BEST ENTERTAINER)

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