Known by her stage name Chidinma or miss kedike, Ms Ekile is a Nigerian singer and song writer who broke through after she won the third season of MTN project fame west Africa in 2010, she is of the Igbo tribe from Abia state but was born in Ketu Kosofe, Lagos state on the 2nd of may 1991 as the sixth child of seven children.
She was raised in a Christian home with a father who was a disciplinarian, she joined the choir at just ten years even though she started when she was as little as six, she has mentioned that all her siblings are blessed with ability to sing.
She had all her education in Lagos state as she ended up as a graduate of the department of sociology from the university of Lagos state.
She had earlier put her admission on hold to go for the project fame competition but went back to school after winning the show.
Chidinma whose biggest musical influences include Lagbaja, Omawumi, Darey Art Alade, Mariah Carey, Onyeka Onwenu, Whitney Houston, Bob Marley and Michael Jackson has always had an interest in taking part in the project fame reality show and with the help of her family and very close friend, she auditioned and got picked into the academy in 2010, she emerged winner with the sum of 2.5 million naira, a 2011 Toyota Rav 4 and an album production deal, she also automatically became an ambassador for MTN, a telecommunications company and official sponsor of the show.
Upon the expiration of her contract as the winner of project fame, she got signed t capital hill records. In 2012 she worked with people like Cobham’s Asuquo, Teey mix, Oscar Hemen and wizbeat to produce and release her debut self titled album “CHIDINMA” which was well received by waiting fans, it had massive singles like ‘Jankoliko’, “carry go” “Kedike” and “Run Dia mouth”.
These singles were club bangers and gained massive airplay on radio stations across Nigeria. The particular single kedike had an African love theme and featured dammy krane in the video as the love interest. It was differently beautiful.
The beautiful petite singer is the first female Nigerian artist to top the MTV base official Naija top ten chart with her single “Emi ni baller”which was released after her album.
After her compulsory contract with MTN expired, she was resigned with the brand as an ambassador and has performing on every show hosted and organized by the mobile telecommunications company.
Chidnma has also been a supporting act in the 2013 Hennesy Artistry club tour and has performed at the Guiness world of more concert alongside major artists in the industry, she is also a regular at Coke studio, a reality show and recording studio that features artists all over Africa and few from Europe and America.
This year 2017,Chidinma returned to Coke studio for the fifth time and was paired with Kenya’s award winning artistes Sauti soul.
The fusion will produce a powerful track to be produced by Nigerian producer masterkraft. The singer admits that working with different artists from all over Africa is a beautiful experience It is a coca cola sponsored show that is hosted in Nairobi, Kenya East Africa.
The list of Chidinma’s performances in Africa and other parts of the world is endless. She is definitely a successful artist.
The singer had been free of controversies until 2013 when a sex tape of a girl who looked very much like her surfaced and went viral on the internet, many people believed the singer was actually the one on the internet as the resemblance was uncanny.
Chidinma publicly refuted the allegations by declaring her innocence beginning from social media. This particular incidence increased her fan base as there is nothing like bad publicity in the entertainment business and industry.
The kedike crooner admitted an interview with complete fashion that it was a trying time which made her realize the futility of life as a man could lose everything he had worked hard for in a very brief moment,she turned to God for strength in that time and she was glad when the issue died down.
Chidinma is still single, she was rumored to be in a relationship with the high life singer Flavor Nubiana after several collaborations together but they both denied the allegations.
Songs And Collaborations of Chidinma Ekile
Chidinma has recorded one studio album which is her debut and self titled album “CHIDINMA” released in 2012. Her popular singles include Jankoliko released in 2011, Kedike (2011), Run Dia Mouth (2011), Kedike Remix (2012), Emi ni Baller (2012), Oh Baby (2012), All I want is you (2015).
Her collaborations are with numerous artist that range from Wizkid, Olamide, Flavou Nubiana, Banky W, I’ll Bliss, Mystro, Kcee, Muna, Sound Sultan, Phyno, Monica Ogah, Praiz,.Suspect, Blaise and many others.
Deals, Endorsements And Net Worth of Chidinma Ekile
Her first endorsement was the compulsory deal with MTN after winning the project fame West Africa. She was resigned as a brand ambassador at the expiration of the compulsory deal.
This was pivotal in her career as the endorsement came with several benefits and opportunities. She is worth about $2.8 million
Awards And Nominations of Chidinma Ekile
She has been nominated in the following awards and categories:
City People Entertainment Awards 2014: Musician of the year and best collaboration of the year
Nigerian Entertainment Awards 2014: Best Pop and R&B artist of the year, Female artist of the year, Best music video of the year and Best collaboration of the year.
African Music Magazine Award 2014: Best female West Africa.
MTV Africa Music Awards 2014: Best female artist of the year.
The Headies 2013: Best collaboration of the year.
Nigerian Music Video Awards 2013: Video of the year and Best afro hip hop video.
Channel O 2013 Awards: Most gifted Female artiste West Africa.
Nigeria Entertainment Awards 2013: Best Collaboration.
City People 2013 Awards: Best Female Act of the year.
The Headies 2012: Best female vocal performance of the year.
Nigerian Music Video Awards 2102: Best afro pop and Best indigenous concept.
Nigerian Entertainment Awards 2012: Best new Artist, Best Pop and R&B artist of the year.
Awards of Chidinma Ekile
Nigerian Music Video Awards 2013: Best pop extra video of the year.
Kora Awards 2012: Best Female West Africa
