Legendury Beatz
| Legendury Beatz | |
|---|---|
 Okiemute (left) and Uzezi (right) | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Lagos, Nigeria |
| Genres | |
| Occupation(s) | Record producers, songwriters |
| Instruments | sampler, drums, synthesizer |
| Years active | 2009–present |
| Labels | House of Legendury, Starboy Entertainment[1] |
| Associated acts | |
| Website |
houseoflegendury |
| Members |
Uzezi Oniko Okiemute Oniko |
Legendury Beatz (pronounced Legen-dury Beat-z) is a Nigerian record producing and songwriting duo, composed of siblings Uzezi Oniko (born 17 February 1986) and Okiemute Oniko (born 27 May 1989).[2] Their production style is deeply rooted in afrobeats as well as in several other genres, including hip hop, reggae fusion, moombahton and electro house.[3]
With less than a year as a music production duo, Legendury Beatz made international headlines in the Nigerian recording industry by producing the critically acclaimed single "Azonto", which was performed by afrobeats recording artist and MOBO Award winner Wizkid.[4] The aforementioned song helped popularize the Ghanaian Azonto dance.
Throughout their career, they have been noted for their extensive work with Wizkid. They have also been noted for writing and producing consecutive string of hits. The duo have produced many songs with vocal contribution from artists such as American rapper Wale, British rapper Tinie Tempah, 2face, Ice Prince, Efya, Banky W, Seyi Shay and Chidinma, amongst others.[5]
Early Life and career
Formation and early works
With no initial music industry contacts, connections or recording studio, the duo’s production followed a simple system in which they created beats channeled to a certain artist for whom they scouted for in clubs, award shows etc. The system yielded little success until they met Weird MC, a female rapper, songwriter and producer who heard their content in 2009.[6] They created the singles "Happy Day" and "Moving Up" for her, and also created an album with her that is yet to be released.
In 2011, the duo produced the lead single "Ara" off Brymo's second studio album, TheSonOfaKapenta (2012).[7] The single went on to win Best Recording of the Year at The Headies 2012.[8] Furthermore, the music video for the single won Best African Pop at the 2012 Channel O Music Video Awards. The duo produced the song "Ko Ma Roll" for MTV Africa Music Awards winner Mo'Cheddah.
In 2012, the duo produced "Baddest Boy", the lead single off Empire Mates Entertainment's first compilation album Empire Mates State of Mind (2012).[9] Legendury Beatz also produced the song "Emi Ni Baller" for Kora Awards winner Chidinma.[10] The song broke a record for Chidinma, as she became the first female musician to peak at number 1 on the MTV Base Official Naija Top 10 chart.[11]
In 2013, the duo produced the song "Caro" which was included as a bonus on Wizkid's second studio album, Ayo (2014). In 2014, the duo continued their production momentum by producing the hit song "That Could Be Us" for BET Award winning Nigerian rapper Ice Prince.[12] The duo have also worked with other notable African artists such as Banky W, Seyi Shay and Efya among others.
Production work and record deal
Legendury Beatz and Wizkid's production catalog include songs like "Ginger", "Caro", "Talk", "Eledumare", "Number One Lover", Won Gbo Mi", "Juru" and "Emi Ni Baller" (remix), among others.[13] On 29 April 2013, Legendury Beatz were signed to Wizkid's Starboy Entertainment.[1]
Legendury Beatz produced four songs off Wizkid’s critically acclaim album, Ayo.[14] The song "Ojuelegba", off the album, was well-received across different social media platforms. Moreover, it contributed to the overall success of the album which received positive reviews from Rolling Stone magazine.[15] Wizkid added contributing vocals to Legendury Beatz first produced single "Oje".[16]
Notable collaborations
Legendury Beatz produced the song “Drop” with vocal contributions from American rapper Wale and Wizkid.[17]
Influences and style
Okiemute and Uzezi were raised on afrobeats, fuji, and all variations of Congolese music from African icons such as Fela Kuti, Lagbaja, Awilo Longomba and Angélique Kidjo. The duo also had an ear for hip hop, pop and contemporary R&B genres.
Discography
- Mixtapes
- DJ Spinall Presents: Legendury Beatz Greatest Hits (2014)
- Singles produced
| Title | Year | Album |
| "Azonto" by Wizkid | 2012 | N/A |
|---|---|---|
| "2Musshh" by Reminisce | Book of Rap Stories | |
| "Baddest Boy" by E.M.E (featuring Wizkid, Skales and Banky W.) | Empire Mates State of Mind | |
| "I Love You (Afurum Gi N’ anya)" by Shiikane | N/A | |
| "Emi Ni Baller" by Chidinma (featuring Tha Suspect and Illbliss) | TBA | |
| "Koma Roll" (Remix) by Tillaman (featuring Iyanya, Burna Boy, Ice Prince, Phyno and Trigga Madtonic) | 2013 | N/A |
| "Denge Pose" by Skales | ||
| "Take Care of Me" by Skales | ||
| "Juru" by Wizkid | DJ Xclusive Presents: The Xclusive Wizkid Mixtape | |
| "Packaging" by Tillaman | N/A | |
| "Talk" by Wizkid | ||
| "M.I.A (Money In Abundance)" by Tesh Carter (featuring That Suspect) | ||
| "Murda Dem" (Remix) by Phenom (featuring Wizkid) | ||
| "Sewere" by Weird MC (featuring Sasha P, Mo'Cheddah and DrPat) | ||
| "Drop" by Wizkid (featuring Wale) | ||
| "Kokose" by Sound Sultan (featuring Wizkid) | Me, My Mouth & Eye | |
| "Caro" by Starboy (featuring Wizkid and L.A.X) | Ayo | |
| "Ur Level" by Big Mo | N/A | |
| "Won Gbo Mi" by Shaydee (featuring Wizkid) | ||
| "Eledumare" by Wizkid | ||
| "Number One Lover" by Starboy (featuring Wizkid and Shaydee) | 2014 | |
| "Ginger" by L.A.X (featuring Wizkid) | ||
| "Ibadi" by May D | ||
| "Oje" by Legendury Beatz (featuring Wizkid) | ||
| "Oh! Baby" by Legendury Beatz (featuring Wizkid and Efya) | ||
| "Crazy" by Seyi Shay (featuring Wizkid) | TBA | |
| "That Could Be Us" by Ice Prince | N/A | |
| "Potential" (Freestyle) by Shaydee |
- Other production
| Artist(s) | Year | Album | Songs |
| Skales & Niyola | 2012 | Empire Mates State of Mind |
|
| Phenom | 2014 | The B.R.A EP |
|
| Wizkid | Ayo |
| |
| |||
|
Awards and nominations
| Year | Event | Prize | Recipient | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | The Headies 2013 | Producer of the Year | Legendury Beatz for "Emi Ni Baller" | Nominated |
| 2014 | The Headies 2014 | Legendury Beatz for "Caro" | Nominated | |
| 2015 | The Headies 2015 | Legendury Beatz for "Ojuelegba" | Won |
References
- 1 2 "Wizkid adds Legendury Beatz to Star Boy Entertainment". Premium Times Nigeria. 29 April 2013. Retrieved 13 December 2013.
- ↑ "Legendury Beatz Bio". Notjustok. 29 April 2013. Retrieved 13 December 2013.
- ↑ "Legendury Beatz Bio". Afrobios. Retrieved 5 February 2015.
- ↑ "Wizkid Azonto produced by wizkid". Notjustok.
- ↑ "Legendury Beatz Discography". Notjustok.
- ↑ Weird MC - Museke African artistes
- ↑ "legendury Beatz produce brymo's Ara amongst others". Jaguda. Retrieved 16 January 2014.
- ↑ "Headies past winners". The Headies. Retrieved 7 February 2015.
- ↑ "Empire Mates Entertainment-Home". Empire Mates Entertainment. Retrieved 13 November 2013.
- ↑ Donboye (14 September 2014). "Chidinma Emi ni baller ft the suspect and illbliss". Too Xclusive. Retrieved 7 February 2015.
- ↑ Njoku, Benjamin (7 September 2013). "Chidinma becomes first female act to make MTV's Naija top 10". Vanguard. Retrieved 24 February 2014.
- ↑ "Still ICE Forever! God bless the Fans and Supporters with us on the new records". Ice prince. Retrieved 15 January 2015.
- ↑ Bey, Audu. "Wizkid 'Eledumare'". Okay Africa. Retrieved 8 September 2014.
- ↑ Morgan, Femi (29 June 2013). "Wizkid reveals album tracklist". DStv. Retrieved 6 March 2014.
- ↑ "15 Great Albums you didn't hear in 2014". Rollingstone Magazine. Retrieved 15 January 2015.
- ↑ Adekoya, Adetola (22 January 2013). "Legendury beatz drops Oje ft Wizkid". Mtvbase. Retrieved 23 January 2015.
- ↑ Goddard, Kevin (29 July 2013). "Wizkid - Drop Feat. Wale". Hot New Hip Hop. Retrieved 15 January 2015.