Weird MC real/full name is Adesola Adesimbo Idowu on 1 January 1970, is a Nigerian rapper, songwriter, and producer. Known for her English/Yoruba lyrics, Weird MC – also known as Shola Idowu and The Rappatainer – is one of Africa’s most popular female rappers, and one of the few Nigerian female artists associated with Afrobeat.
Weird MC is an Artiste, Lyricist, Producer and Composer whose sound is a
Hybrid of HipHop/Afrocentricity/Club Essence plus anything undefined.
Her main influences are Fela Kuti, Missy Elliott, Jimi Hendrix,Lauryn
hill, Tina Turner, Dr Dre, The Neptunes and Lagbaja. Her material
borders on the political as well as “Party till u drop” Anthems. One
minute she taps into ur consciousness with her thought provoking lyrics
the next she has u bouncing to her joints in the clubs. She’s got a
distinctive sound which is credible and commercially acceptable. This is
one Artiste who can’t be put in a box, try doing that and you’d have to
break the seal over and over again,Weird MC’s style also embraces the
use of live instruments against the backdrop of cutting edge sounds and
Traditional Grooves.
She delivers her material in English and Yoruba
This reflects her multicultural background she cuts across universally.
Nigeria’s HipHop icon started out taking part in Talent contests such as
the reputable club 291 contest U.K. s equivalent to America’s Apollo.
In 1992 she took part placing 3rd this did not phase her,she got really
motivated and placed an ad in the U.K.s HipHop Connection magazine
seeking for a producer. A young producer named Kevin Best came through
and within two months of recording with him Weird MC released a double
sided single titled “Wanna make u jack”/”Let’s Get Wet” . This single
went straight to NO 1 on the Choice fm Promo charts and NO1 on the Blues
and Soul UK Swing charts. The release also got good reviews in the
print media .
Da Rappatainer immediately got busy on the live
performance circuit securing a support slot opening up for MC Lyte along
the way the late Aaliyah even came to see one of her performances.
Determined to take her career to another level Weird MC went back into
the studio and recorded a few more songs she decided to go to Nigeria on
vacation whilst there she had a chance meeting with a couple of music
consultants and got her material shopped to a few labels: Disc
Entertainment offered her a PPD Deal. Sola put out her debut album
titled “Simply Weird” which produced an instant smash hit “Allen Avenue”
this was the first attempt to fuse Afrobeat and HipHop elements, Fela
Kuti loved it so much. Sola became a major favourite on the Nigerian
Live circuit performing at the biggest concerts such as the Benson and
Hedges golden tones Series she was the only MC with a deal in the
country.
The success of her debut album spurred her on to record another
but this recording was never released for an unknown reason till date
this was really demoralsing for the artiste and she decided to take a
break. That was then this is now weird MC has since made up for her long
absence with a painstakingly prepared album After Da Storm (released by
0907 entertainment HER LABEL IMPRINT ; marketed by Ahbu Ventures) on
which she reinvents her style and re-establishes herself as an artiste
to reckon with.
The first single off the album, Ijo Ya (produced by
award-winning producers Mr Skillz and Don Jazzy) topped all audio and
video charts for eight straight weeks and was No 1 on MTV BASE. The
album moved a record 100,000 units in its first week of release and has
been nominated for major industry awards including the prestigious
Channel O African Music Video awards 2006 (where her video Ijo ya was
voted best special effects video).
Proud of her achievements locally and
internationally, her home state, Ogun State has identified with her
success, making her ambassador of the state’s tourism/golf resort, and
supporting her upcoming music academy project. AWARDS 1997 Weird MC won
proper recognition for HipHop Music in Nigeria by picking up the very
first HipHop Music Award in the country. She was named the Best
HipHop/Pop Act of the year. 1998 Best Rap Act 1998 Special recognition
award for contributing towards the development of HipHop music in
Nigeria.
2005 Best Special Effect 2005 Best Artiste from Ogun state
2005 Outstanding African Pride Artiste 2005 Best Nigerian Female Act
Abuja Awards 2005 HipHop Artiste of the year 2007 MOST POPULAR FEMALE
MUSICIAN 2007 BEST POP ALBUM 2007 FEMALE ARTISTE OF THE DECADE
COLLABS Nigeria’s 1st Lady of HipHop is an open minded music creator who
transcends so called music boundaries this has lead her to collaborate
with Acts as versatile as her influences. She has recorded and performed
with the likes of Femi Kuti, Lagbaja, Afrocelts, JJC and the 419 Squad,
Tony Allen, Rhythmic Altered State, The Shrine sound System, Ashley
Beedle, King Sunny Ade, KWAM1, Kween,2face and Psquare. PERFORMANCES
This Dynamic Artiste one of the most Daring and Energetic Acts 2 emerge
in recent times has an impressive live record, her ability to engage an
audience is simply amazing. She has graced stages with the likes of
Akon,jay-Z, LL cool J,Beyonce,Snoop,Busta Rhymes,Ciara and Missy.
Her
personal and collaborative performances have taken her to the Four
corners of the Universe. NIGERIA [MTN,GLO,CELTEL,CALABAR FESTIVAL,BIG
BROTHER NIGERIA, BAYELSA FESTIVAL,HIPHOP AWARDS, CITY PPLE AWARDS,STAR
MEGAJAM CHANNEL 0 ROADSHOW,RHYTHM UNPLUGGED,THIS DAY FESTIVAL to name a
few U.K. Ukraine Russia Bulgaria, Finland Ghana Berlin Belgium
France Amsterdam Ireland Norway Spain America WEIRD MC’S
DISCOGRAPHY 1991-WANA MAKE U JACK/LET’S GET WET SINGLE 1994- IN FULL
SWING 1997 – SIMPLY WEIRD ALBUM 1999- ORIGINAL AFROBEAT 2002- HOME
COOKING WITH TONY ALLEN 2002- PETTY ASS CROOK WITH RHYTHMIC ALTERED
STATE 2003- MIGRATING SOUNDS ON EMI 2005- IJOYA SINGLE 2006- AFTER DA
STORM ALBUM 2006 – READY 2 PARTY SINGLE 2006- LAGOS STORI PLENTI 2006 –
BIZZYBODY 2 WITH P SQUARE WEIRD MC’S VIDEOGRAPHY 1997 – ALLEN AVENUE
1998 – YAWA GO GAS (Alongside Alariwo) 2005 – IJO YA (animated) 2005 –
IJOYA (non animated) 2006 – READY TO PARTY 2006 – TIRE NI 2006 – DA WAY
WE BLO’ 2006 – KAMPE 2006 – BIZZY BODY 2 (Alongside Psquare) Weird MC
produces her material and she collaborates with other producers she
recently took a break from her career to study Music Technology at the
Institute of Music and Technology Deptford in England. There aren’t too
many Female producers in the industry and the Weird MC will like to be
one of the people to effect a change in this area.
Weird MC is also
recognised as one of the Pioneers of “Women in Afrobeat” a genre which
has been male dominated since it’s inception because of her refreshing
blend of Afrobeat /HipHop elements. She undoubtedly remains one of
Africa’s most important voices.
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You can get get her contact on instagram
Instagram: weirdmcofficial
Articles from last.fm and wikipedia was used on this post.
