Onome Onokohwomo (born 8 July 1989), better known by his stage name Yung6ix, is a Nigerian hip hop recording artist.
Yung6ix | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Onome Onokohwomo |
| Also known as | 6ix, King of the South (K.O.S), Swaggalomor |
| Born | 8 July 1989 Warri, Delta State, Nigeria |
| Origin | Ughelli North, Delta State |
| Genres | Hip hop |
| Occupation(s) | Rapper |
| Years active | 2009–present |
| Labels | Kash Kamp / Trick Billionaire MusiQ |
Biography edit
History edit
Onokohwomo was born and raised in Warri, Delta State. He grew up as the oldest child in a family of five, and took a strong interest in music at a young age. While a student at FGC Warri, he engaged in rap battles and developed a friendlier relationship with like-minded students, which led to the formation of the hip hop group G-Squad. The group soon began performing at various talent shows in Delta State.[1] Music remained their unmatched and true passion. In a 2012 interview with Thisday news, Yung6ix recalled, "My love for music was so deep and I just kept on going till it got to a level they had to accept me for who I am. Funny though, the first song I recorded at school was used with my WAEC lesson fee to pay for the instrumentals and remember always having to trek from school to studio for close to 2 hours or more. It was really tough back then at school too as we weren't allowed to do our thing like we would love to but our passion just kept us going stronger & tougher."[2]
After graduating from high school, Onokohwomo relocated to western Nigeria to pursue a career in music and enrolled at Oduduwa University. He derived his stage name Yung6ix from his high school nickname "6ixty". Shortly after he moved to Lagos, he continued to record music; his song "I'm an African" captured the attention of A&R Gbemi Ereku, who signed him to his 411 Entertainment Company in 2009.[3] By 2010, he began to attract media attention after his cover version of "Oleku" went viral on the internet. He later released "So Far Gone", featuring P. Fizzy, a single off his Green Light Green mixtape. The song was a freestyle to Wiz Khalifa's "This Plane". In January 2011, 6ix released "Plenty Money", another track from the mixtape; an accompanying music video was released shortly after. The song made its official Nigerian radio premiere on the Beat 99.9 FM.[4]
On 2 April 2011, Vanguard announced that 411 Entertainment had signed a joint-venture deal with Storm Records. The partnership would help improve Yung6ix's music career.[5] Yung6ix collaborated with Wizkid on "Follow Me", a track from his debut studio album. Following the release of the song, an accompanying music video was filmed; it was directed by Bobby Boulders. In September 2011, Yung6ix released the fourth track from his Green Light Green project, "Oh My Gosh", which earned him both "Lyricist on the Roll" and "Best Rap Single" nominations at the Headies Awards the following year.
Green Light Green was originally slated for an April 2011 release; however, it was finally released on 26 December 2011. The music video for "Oh My Gosh", which was directed by Bobby Boulders, was released in January 2012. It was filmed in Lagos and Johannesburg, with cameo appearances by Naeto C, Jesse Jagz, DJ Neptune, and P. Fizzy. Yung6ix was among the rappers featured on M.I's Illegal Music 2; M.I subsequently co-signed and nicknamed him the "King of the South".[2] In May 2012, "Picking Things", the second single from his debut album was released. The song features fellow ex-label mates Naeto C and E. Kelly. The next month, in an interview with blogger Ogaga Sakpaide, Yung6ix revealed the album's title to be 6ix 'O Clock.[6] He also received a nomination for the "Most Promising Act" at the 2012 Nigeria Entertainment Awards, but lost to Eva Alordiah.[7]
In 2013, Yung6ix floated his imprint "Kash Kamp" which houses Percy as well as talented producer Otee Beatz. On 4 September 2013, Yung6ix's camp welcomed a hand offered from "Trick Billionaire MusiQ" for both parties to partner with the end-result of taking Yung6ix and his brand out of Africa and sharing his brilliance with the rest of the world. Yung6ix collaborated with Percy on "First Class", the third single from his album. He also released a music video for the song which earned him a "Best Hip Hop Video" nomination at the 2013 Nigerian Music Video Awards.[8] 6ix's debut full-length studio album, 6ix O Clock, was eventually released on 6 February 2014. The 16-track album features guest appearances from Phyno, Percy, Da L.E.S, M.I, Ice Prince, Yemi Alade, YQ, and Wizkid.[9]
On 11 August 2019, Yung6ix was signed as the first Ambassador to the fast growing e-commerce firm Patricia,[10] one of the largest traders of Bitcoin and gift cards in West Africa.
He escaped being shot with a gun by his friend in 2017. The reason, according to him being because he was not available for the music video of a song he was featured in by the same friend. The matter was reported to the police and the friend was arrested.[11]
Awards and nominations edit
| Year | Event | Prize | Nominated work | Result | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Nigeria Entertainment Awards | Most Promising Act | Nominated | [7] | |
| The Headies 2012 | Best Rap Single | Oh My Gosh | Nominated | [12] | |
| Lyricist on the Roll | Nominated | ||||
| 2013 | Nigeria Music Video Awards | Best Hip hop Video | First Class | Nominated | [8] |
| Abuja Music and Meritorious Award | National Act of the Year | Won | [13] |
Discography edit
Mixtapes edit
| Title | Details |
|---|---|
| Green Light Green |
|
Studio albums edit
| Title | Details |
|---|---|
| 6ix O'Clock |
|
Videography edit
| Year | Title | Director | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | "This Year" | — | [15] |
References edit
- ^ "Yung6ix". Sublime Media Group. Retrieved 2 March 2014.
- ^ a b Ahante, Precious (8 September 2012). "My dad used to break my CDs, Says Yung6ix". Thisday. Retrieved 2 March 2014.
- ^ "Yung 6ix: I'll conquer the music world, 5 years from now". Deltans. 20 April 2012. Retrieved 2 March 2014.
- ^ "Yung6ix". Hip Hop World Magazine. 30 March 2012. Retrieved 2 March 2014.
- ^ "Yung6ix storms into stardom". Vanguardngr.com. Vanguard Media. 2 April 2011. Retrieved 2 March 2014.
- ^ "Interview: Ogagus Chats With 'Yung6ix'". Outof9ja. 5 June 2012. Retrieved 2 March 2014.
- ^ a b "2012 Nigeria Entertainment Awards Weekend To Include "Music on the Catwalk" Fashion Show With Seven African Designers". Onobello.com. 29 August 2012. Retrieved 2 March 2014.
- ^ a b "Nigeria Music Video Awards (NMVA 2013) Nominees". nigeriafilms.com. 10 October 2013. Retrieved 2 March 2014.
- ^ "6ix O' clock [Explicit]". Amazon. Retrieved 2 March 2014.
- ^ "Rapper Yung6ix Lands New Deal As Patricia's Ambassador". guardian.ng. 6 October 2018. Retrieved 4 September 2019.
- ^ "How I escaped being murdered by my friend –Yung6ix". Punch Newspapers. 18 February 2017. Retrieved 27 February 2021.
- ^ Mgbolu, Charles (28 August 2012). "Psquare, Bez lead Headies 2012 nominees list". Vanguard. Retrieved 6 March 2014.
- ^ "[Photos] Yung6ix Wins "National Act of the Year" At AMMA Awards". OkGist. 16 December 2013. Retrieved 2 March 2014.
- ^ "Green Light Green (Da MixTape)". Yung6ix.net. Retrieved 2 March 2014.
- ^ "Yung6ix Rapper is a swagged up hustler in 'This year' video". Pulse.ng. Joey Akan. January 2016. Retrieved 8 February 2016.