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Darey

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Darey a.k.a. Dare Art Alade
Darey
Darey
Background information
Birth nameDare Art Alade
OriginLagos, Lagos State, Nigeria
GenresAfro & B, Afrobeats, R&B
OccupationSinger-songwriter
Years active2004–present
LabelsLivespot Entertainment
Websitewww.dareynow.com

Dare Art Alade (born 9 February 1982), known professionally as Darey, is a Nigerian multi-platinum Afro R&B singer, songwriter, record producer, philanthropist, humanitarian and entrepreneur. He is also the son of the African jazz musician and entertainer Art Alade and the creative director of Livespot360.[1]

Early life

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Dare (pronounced Da-Ray) Art Alade was born in Lagos to Nigerian jazz pioneer Art Alade and Olapeju Alade. He is the youngest of five children. As a child, he used to rummage through his father's extensive jazz collection and go with him to his concerts.

Darey sang with several choirs, including the National Troupe of Nigeria Choir and the Cathedral Choir. From the age 15, he began performing in clubs around Lagos, Ibadan and other cities in Nigeria. It was during one of those late night sessions that he met an executive at Cool FM, a Radio station. The teenager began shuttling between Cool FM and the University of Lagos, where he was studying for a degree in music, and sang with the a cappella group The Chordwebs.[2] During his time at Cool FM, he had the opportunity to acquire the basic knowledge of radio production and marketing.

Career

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Darey has also worked as a radio and TV personality, appearing as a coach, judge and host on several TV shows, including Project Fame West Africa, Nigerian Idol, and The Voice Nigeria. He is also a master of ceremonies, voiceover artist and philanthropist.

Darey is the co-founder of Livespot360, a creative agency. Under his creative direction, Livespot360 has organised several concerts and festivals in Nigeria, which have featured appearances from African and international superstars alike, including Grammy award winners Kelly Rowland,[3] Ciara,[4] Cardi B[5] and global super influencer and TV personality, Kim Kardashian.[6]

2004–06: Project Fame

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Darey came third in the 2004 edition of Project Fame Academy.

2006–07: From Me 2 U

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After a record deal with Sony BMG Africa, his debut album From Me 2 U was launched on Storm Records. It included singles such as "Fuji" and "Escalade" which enjoyed airplay in the Nigerian and international media. The album also included the song, "Original Naija" which was used as the theme song for the first ever edition of Big Brother Nigeria. Darey's album, From Me 2 U won several awards including the Awards for Musical excellence in Nigeria (A.M.E.N)[7] and the 2006 Channel O Music Video Awards for best R&B Video in Africa.[8]

2008: Project Fame West Africa

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In 2008, Darey spent several months as the host of a music based reality show Project Fame West Africa.[9]

2009: unDAREYted

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Two years after the release of his debut album, Darey released his follow up entitled unDAREYted, on the new start up label, Soul Muzik. The album sold over 150,000 copies across Nigeria in just two months. The album features appearances by Darey's contemporaries and friends: Cobhams Asuquo (Aṣa's producer), 2face Idibia, Naeto C, 9ice, Tee-Y Mix and the up-and-coming R&B crooner, Pheel, to mention a few. The work features the smash hit ballad "Not The Girl," which has been nominated for several awards and won video of the year at the 2009 Nigerian Entertainment Awards held in Washington DC.[10]

unDAREYted caught the attention of Dick Griffey, who is credited with discovering and influencing the music careers of artists such as Shalamar, The Whispers, Babyface, L.A. Reid and Dr. Dre. Dick Griffey offered to executive-produce Darey's third album which was to break Darey further into the U.S and international markets but Griffey died before the project could be completed.

2010–2015: Double Dare

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Darey with U.S. President George W. Bush while hosting the ThisDay Awards in Abuja, Nigeria

In 2010, Darey performed at shows in many cities across the World including Nairobi, Johannesburg, Abuja, Lagos and other major African cities, including a special concert with R&B legend R. Kelly in South Africa and the This Day Peace Concert Tour in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria, which had 50 Cent and Ciara as headliners. On request of the President of Nigeria, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, he was invited to perform at the presidential villa in a dinner to commemorate the country's 50th independence anniversary. At the event, which was broadcast live to over 200 million viewers across the world, he performed a medley of 50 songs with his 15-piece band, "Soul band" to a room filled with several African presidents and past world leaders.

Darey was the main host of both the Gulder Ultimate Search and Glo Naija Sings reality shows in 2011. In February 2013, he put together, alongside his Soul Muzik team, one of the biggest shows Nigeria has ever seen,[11] Darey Presents: Love Like A Movie, which had the red carpet hosted by Kim Kardashian,[12] as well as the release of the music video, "Asiko" featuring Jozi and Ice Prince.[13]

In May 2013, Darey released a new single, "Special Fever", produced by internationally acclaimed producer Harmony. In June 2013, he co-hosted the launch of media mogul Mo Abudu's multi-broadcast network Ebony Life TV alongside Dolapo Oni.[14] He also signed on as an ambassador to Unilever's popular beverage, Lipton.[15]

Darey also became a judge on Nigerian Idol, replacing Jeffrey Daniel.[16]

2013-2016: Darey Presents Love Like A Movie

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Love Like A Movie is a concert for Valentines Day held annually by Darey.

The first edition of the show was held in 2013.[17] The show was tagged "The Flight of Love" and featured a special appearance from American reality TV star Kim Kardashian.

The second edition of Love Like A Movie was held in 2014.[18] and featured a special performance by Kelly Rowland.

The third edition of Love Like A Movie was held in 2016 and saw the energetic Ciara take to the stage and also lit up the streets of Lagos with an impromptu dance off.[19]

2015: Naked

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In October 2015, Darey released his fifth studio album titled Naked.[20] The 13-track album made up of afrobeat, soul and R&B features collaborations with Asa, YBNL Nation rapper Olamide and multiple Grammy award-winning Soweto Gospel Choir. Ten of the thirteen songs on the album were produced by Oscar Heman-Ackah, with additional production contributions from Cobhams Asuquo, Vtek and Dare himself.

2018-2019: BAFEST

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Darey served as the creative director and also performed at the second biggest festival in Nigeria BAFEST (Born in Africa Festival) in December 2018 and 2019.

2019: Livespot X Festival

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Darey performed at the Livespot X Festival (produced by Livespot 360) which was held in December 2019 across two African cities Lagos and Accra with Grammy Award winner Cardi B as headline act.[5][21] The first ever Livespot X Festival in Lagos was the biggest concert in Nigeria with over 60,000 people in attendance. Along with creative directing, hosting and performing at the festival, Darey also immersed Cardi B in Nigerian pop culture, showing her around and also paying a philanthropic visit to an orphanage. During her visit, Cardi B adopted a Nigerian name "Chioma" and called herself "Chioma B" on social media.[22]

Jah Guide Me

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After being away for nearly five years as an active musician, on 14 August 2020, Darey returned with a gospel-esque single titled "Jah Guide Me".[23] The song was accompanied by an Afro-futuristic video.[24] Darey described "Jah Guide Me" as the beginning of a deeply African-rooted story.[25]

Discography

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Albums

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  • From Me 2 U (2006)
  • unDAREYted (2009)
  • DoubleDare (2011)
  • Naked (2015)
  • Way Home (2020)

Singles

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  • "Escalade" (2006)
  • "Fuji" (2006)
  • "With This Woman" (2008)
  • "Carry Dey Go" (featuring 2Face Idibia) (2008)
  • "Not The Girl" (2008)
  • "More" (2009)
  • "No Stars" (2009)
  • "Let You Know" (2009)
  • "Style Na Style" Remix ft. 9ice, Password & Jesse Jagz (2009)
  • "Stroke Me" (2009)
  • "The Way You Are" (2010)
  • "Don't Let Me Know" (2010)
  • "Ba Ni Ki Di" (2010)
  • "Sisi Eko" (2010)
  • "The Way You Are" (Remix) ft Chamillionaire (2011)
  • "Special Fever" (2013)
  • "Asiko Laiye" (Remix) ft Olamide (2015)
  • "Pray For Me" ft Soweto Gospel Choir (2015)
  • "Jah Guide Me" (2020)

Awards

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Won

  • Best Male Video "Not The Girl" (2009 Channel O Music Video Awards)[26]
  • Best R&B Video "Not The Girl" (2009 Channel O Music Video Awards)[27]
  • Best R&B "Not The Girl" (2009 Nigerian Music Video Awards)[28]
  • Best Use of Costume "More" (2009 Nigerian Music Video Awards)[29]
  • Video of the Year "More" (2009 Nigerian Music Video Awards)[29]
  • Best Music Video of the Year "Not The Girl" (2009 Nigeria Entertainment Awards)[30]
  • Best R&B Video "Escalade" (2006 Channel O Music Video Awards)[31]
  • Best Picture / Musical Video "Escalade" (Awards for Musical excellence in Nigeria (A.M.E.N))[7]
  • Recording of the Year "The Way You Are" (The Headies 2011)[32]
  • Best R&B Single of the Year "The Way You Are" (The Headies 2011)[32]
  • Best Male Artiste: Inspirational "Pray For Me" (All Africa Music Award 2015)[33]

Nominated

  • Best R&B (2009 MTV Music Video Awards)[34]
  • Best R&B Song "Escalade" (2007 Awards for Musical excellence in Nigeria (A.M.E.N)) [7]
  • Best R&B Album "From Me 2 U" (Awards for Musical excellence in Nigeria (A.M.E.N)) [7]
  • Best Single Recording "Not The Girl" (2009 Hip Hop World Awards) [35]
  • Best Vocal Performance – Male "Not The Girl" (2009 Hip Hop World Awards)[35]
  • Best Afro Pop Video "Ba Ni Ki Di" (2011 Nigerian Music Video Awards)[36]
  • Best RnB Video "The Way You Are" (2011 Nigerian Music Video Awards)[37]
  • Video of the year "The Way You Are" (2011 Nigerian Music Video Awards)[36]
  • Best Use of Costumes "Ba Ni Ki Di" (2011 Nigerian Music Video Awards)[37]
  • Artist of the Year (The Headies 2011)[38]
  • Best R&B Pop Album – Double Dare (2011 The Headies)[38]
  • Best Vocal Performance (2011 The Headies)[38]
  • Most Stylish Artist – Male (FAB Awards 2012)[39]
  • Best Use of Costumes "Sisi Eko" (2012 Nigerian Music Video Awards)[40]
  • Best Highlife "Sisi Eko" (2012 Nigerian Music Video Awards)[40]
  • Music Video of the Year "Sisi Eko" (2013 Nigerian Entertainment Awards)[41]
  • Best Male Artiste: Inspirational "Pray For Me" (2015 Africa Music Awards)[33]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "How we successfully run business together and avoid scandals — Darey Alade, wife". Premium Times. 1 December 2018. Retrieved 10 August 2020.
  2. ^ "All About Dare". Artofdare.tripod.com. Archived from the original on 17 July 2011. Retrieved 20 March 2014.
  3. ^ "Kelly Rowland thrills Lagosians at 'Love Like A Movie 2'". Premium Times. 16 February 2014. Retrieved 10 August 2020.
  4. ^ "10 photos from Ciara's charged performance at Darey's #LLAM3 concert". Y Naija. 26 February 2016. Retrieved 10 August 2020.
  5. ^ a b "Livespot X Festival with Cardi B Was Mad O! www.thisdaylive.com". This Day. 13 December 2019. Retrieved 10 August 2020.
  6. ^ "Darey Art-Alade: I Didn't Pay Kim Kardashian $ 1 Million…She's a Role Model". Bella Naija. 12 February 2014. Retrieved 10 August 2020.
  7. ^ a b c d Linda Ikeji (11 July 2007). "Welcome to Linda Ikeji's Blog: AMEN 2007 Nominees and Winners". Lindaikeji.blogspot.com. Retrieved 20 March 2014.
  8. ^ "Channel O Award nominees released". Bizcommunity.com. Retrieved 20 March 2014.
  9. ^ "Chips Off The Old Blocks: Nigerian Entertainers Who Took After Their Fathers". The Street Journal. Archived from the original on 16 February 2016. Retrieved 20 March 2014.
  10. ^ "Nigerian Entertainement [sic] Awards (N.E.A) Winners & Pics". Jaguda.com. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 20 March 2014.
  11. ^ "Darey's Love Like A Movie Concert Records Large Guest Appearance – www.channelstv.com". Channelstv.com. 18 February 2013. Retrieved 20 March 2014.
  12. ^ "Kim Kardashian Arrives Lagos for Dare Art Alade's "Love Like A Movie" Concert – Photos". Bella Naija. 16 February 2013. Retrieved 20 March 2014.
  13. ^ "DAREY'S "ASIKO" TOPS THE MTV BASE OFFICIAL NAIJA TOP 10 CHART". Soul Muzik. Archived from the original on 28 January 2016. Retrieved 20 March 2014.
  14. ^ "FAB Event: Ebony Life TV Launch Highlights « FAB BLOG". Fabmagazineonline.com. Retrieved 20 March 2014.
  15. ^ Akinloye, Dimeji (17 June 2013). "Darey Art-Alade Gets Lipton Endorsement". Hip Hop World Magazine. Archived from the original on 20 March 2014. Retrieved 20 March 2014.
  16. ^ "New judges for Nigerian Idol season 4". Archived from the original on 17 May 2014. Retrieved 27 March 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  17. ^ "BN Red Carpet Fab: Darey Art-Alade's "Love Like A Movie" Concert - www.bellanaija.com". Bella Naija. 26 February 2013. Retrieved 26 February 2013.
  18. ^ "40 amazing photos from Darey's 'Love Like a Movie 2' concert - www.thenet.ng". The Netng. 17 February 2014. Archived from the original on 11 March 2016. Retrieved 17 February 2014.
  19. ^ "VIDEO: Highlights From Darey And Ciara's LLAM 3 - www.notjustok.com". Notjustok. 29 February 2016. Archived from the original on 15 March 2016. Retrieved 29 February 2016.
  20. ^ "Singer releases fifth studio album, "Naked" - www.pulse.ng". Pulse. 13 October 2015. Archived from the original on 15 March 2016. Retrieved 13 October 2015.
  21. ^ "Cardi B is set to perform for the first time in Nigeria and Ghana". CNN. 5 December 2019. Retrieved 10 August 2020.
  22. ^ "Cardi B's mini West Africa tour has ended, here are some of her memorable moments". CNN. 9 December 2019. Retrieved 10 August 2020.
  23. ^ "Darey releases first single in five years "Jah Guide Me". Vanguard. 16 August 2020. Retrieved 20 August 2020.
  24. ^ "Jah Guide Me… Soothing Sound From Darey". Guardian. 15 August 2020. Retrieved 20 August 2020.
  25. ^ "ENTERTAINMENTDarey reveals uplifting new single 'Jah Guide Me' with powerful visual". Daily post. 15 August 2020. Retrieved 20 August 2020.
  26. ^ "M-NET - Channel O - 2009 Channel O Music Video Awards Winners". beta.mnet.co.za. Archived from the original on 14 January 2013. Retrieved 27 January 2022.
  27. ^ "The Channel O Music Video Awards". Tvsa.co.za. Retrieved 20 March 2014.
  28. ^ "Web Site Unavailable". Livebeats.net. Archived from the original on 26 November 2009. Retrieved 20 March 2014.
  29. ^ a b "Nigerian Music Video Awards 2009 Nominees – Keffi, MI, Darey & Mo-Hitts Dominate". Jaguda.com. Archived from the original on 29 April 2014. Retrieved 20 March 2014.
  30. ^ "Ca888_ca888手机版_ca888亚洲城唯一官网". Archived from the original on 3 December 2020. Retrieved 18 July 2009.
  31. ^ "Channel O Music Video Awards". Bella Naija. 23 October 2006. Retrieved 20 March 2014.
  32. ^ a b "The 2011 Headies – 2Face Idibia, Wizkid, Dr SID, M.I, Darey, Ice Prince & Sir Shina Peters rule the Winners List!". Bella Naija. 23 October 2011. Retrieved 20 March 2014.
  33. ^ a b "Bola Tinubu, former governor of Lagos state and the national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) joined Olamide, Darey Art Alade, Yemi Alade and other Nigerian acts as they won big at the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA)". TheCable.ng. 16 November 2015. Retrieved 16 November 2015.
  34. ^ "Jamati Online | MTV Africa Music Award Nominees Announced". Archived from the original on 8 November 2009. Retrieved 2009-11-05.
  35. ^ a b "HipHop World Awards 2009 Nominees Announced". Bella Naija. 12 March 2009. Retrieved 20 March 2014.
  36. ^ a b "The 2011 Nigerian Music Video Awards (NMVA) …Darey & Jodie Receive The Most Nominations". 360Nobs.com. Archived from the original on 18 January 2013. Retrieved 20 March 2014.
  37. ^ a b "Jodie and Darey lead NMVA Nominations' List |". Ynaija.com. 28 October 2011. Retrieved 20 March 2014.
  38. ^ a b c Thursday, 4 August 2011 (4 August 2011). "THE HEADIES NOMINEES 2011". nigeriafilms.com. Archived from the original on 23 March 2014. Retrieved 22 March 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  39. ^ PassionistaHub Team (16 November 2012). "– FAB AWARDS 2012: DAREY, TIFFANY AMBER, BEVERLY NAYA, DIMEJI ALARA, KINABUTI, BUNMI ADEMOKOYA, ONO BELLO, HAKEEM SALAAM, FRANK EDOHO AND OTHERS SET FOR SHOWDOWN". Passionistahub.com. Archived from the original on 17 August 2013. Retrieved 22 March 2014.
  40. ^ a b "Darey, Tiwa Savage, Chidinma, Others Lead The Pack for 2012 Nigerian Music Video Awards". Olori Supergal. 15 November 2012. Retrieved 22 March 2014.
  41. ^ "Nominees for the 2013 Nigeria Entertainment Awards | View the Complete List ~ BEAVER". Beavers.com.ng. 5 June 2013. Archived from the original on 23 March 2014. Retrieved 22 March 2014.
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