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Nonso Bassey

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NONZO
Background information
Birth nameChukwunonso Anozuma Bassey Iwuchukwu
Also known asNonzo, Prince of Nollywood, (formerly known as Nonso Bassey)
BornCalabar, Cross River, Nigeria
Genres
Occupations
  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • actor
  • model
InstrumentVocals
Years active2015–present
LabelsWild Imaginations

Chukwunonso Anozuma Bassey Iwuchukwu,// ⓘ popularly known as Nonzo (stylized in all cap NONZO), and formerly known as Nonso Bassey, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, actor and model. He was among the top 8 finalists in the maiden edition of The Voice Nigeria and was formerly signed to Universal Music West Africa (fka. Universal Music Group Nigeria).[1][2] He is also a cast member on Africa Magic TV's telenovela, Battleground.[3] Prior to August 2022, he went by the stage name Nonso Bassey.[4]

Early life

[edit]

Bassey was born in Calabar to an Igbo father from Imo State and an Efik mother from Cross River State.[5]

In 2000, he gained admission to the University of Calabar International Secondary School, Calabar and graduated in 2006. He attended Covenant University,[6] from where he graduated with a second-class upper degree in English and Literary Studies after which he performed his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) as a Civil Servant in the Aviation Sector in Imo State.[7][8]

Career

[edit]

Bassey began his professional music career when he was featured on a song, My Dream with VJ Adams and rapper M.I in 2015.[9] In 2016, he auditioned for the first season of The Voice Nigeria, and made it to the live shows,[10] where he finished as a top 8 finalist[11] and was subsequently signed by Universal Music Group.[12]

In 2017, he was cast in the role of Dr Emeka Kalu on Africa Magic's telenovela, Battleground where his on-screen chemistry with actress Ini Dima-Okojie enjoyed positive reviews from critics.[13] In April 2017, he opened for Aṣa at her concert in Lagos.[14] In the same year, Bassey starred in the movie Wurukum Roundabout alongside several notable African actors, including Juliet Ibrahim, Gbenro Ajibade, Susan Peters and Keppy Young.[15]

In February 2018, Nonso Bassey released his official debut single 411, produced by Johny Drille.[16] The song was well received and Native Magazine's reviewer, Edwin Okolo summarized his review of the single saying, "Only a handful of Nigerian musicians have created ballads so powerful that they were able to steal us away from the hypnotic thump of our incessant Afrobeat march, and with “411", Nonso Bassey seems poised to join those elite ranks."[17][18]

In April 2019, Bassey released his sophomore single under Universal Music Group Nigeria, a soulful track For You produced by Yekini 'Tiwezi' Temitayo with the video directed by Adesua Okosun.[19]

In October 2019, Bassey was nominated for the award for Best Vocal Performance (Male) for his debut single, 411 at the 13th edition of the Headies Award.[20] He was nominated alongside Johnny Drille, Wurld, Funbi and Tay Iwar.[21][22]

He changed his name from Nonso Bassey to Nonzo, following the release of his first single in 3 years "Toyo" on 12 August 2022.[4] On 15 December 2023, Nonzo released his first studio album titled Diary of a Lover Boy, released through Prime Disrupt Media, and licensed to Wild Imaginations.[23]

Awards and nominations

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Year Award Category Result Ref
2019 Headies Award Best Vocal Performance (Male) Nominated [20]
2021 Africa Movie Academy Awards Best Actor in a Leading Role Nominated [24][25]

Filmography

[edit]
  • Battleground (Telenovela - 2017) as Dr. Emeka Kalu
  • Wurukum Roundabout (2017)
  • From Lagos with Love (2018) as Maxwell McPherson
  • Tainted Canvas (2020) as Teacher
  • The Smart Money Woman (2020 TV Series) as Olumide Sanni
  • La Femme Anjola (Feature film - 2021) as Dejare
  • Love Like This (2022)
  • Berserk (2022)
  • Covenant (2022 TV Series)
  • Usifo (2023)
  • Bola's Baggage (2023)
  • Unscripted (2024 TV Series) as Frank
  • Reckless Heart (2024)
  • Under Wraps (2024)
  • Princess on a Hill (2024)

References

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  1. ^ "Nonso Bassey Releases Debut Single "411"". Guardian Newspaper. 2 February 2018. Retrieved 17 September 2019.
  2. ^ "Boomplay partners Universal Music on distribution". Guardian Newspaper. 10 November 2018. Retrieved 17 September 2019.
  3. ^ "Why i titled my single '411'- Nonso Bassey". Galaxy TV. 10 November 2018. Retrieved 10 October 2019.
  4. ^ a b Adebiyi, Adeayo (15 August 2022). "Rising Afrobeats act Nonzo drops new single 'TOYO'". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 13 October 2022.
  5. ^ "SPOTLIGHT! – NONSO BASSEY CHATS WITH GLANCE ONLINE!". Glance Nigeria. 30 November 2018. Retrieved 17 September 2019.
  6. ^ "Eagles On A Mission; Beacon Set 5 Years Anniversary – #CFSlocal in Nigeria". Change for Society. 22 July 2016. Retrieved 17 September 2019.
  7. ^ "#TheVoiceNigeria: 40 things to know about the 8 finalists". Ynaija. 31 July 2016. Retrieved 17 September 2019.
  8. ^ "Nonso Bassey: on passion, finding balance between music and film [Pulse Interview]". Pulse Nigeria. 29 March 2021. Retrieved 26 August 2022.
  9. ^ "WHERE ARE THE TOP 8 FROM THE VOICE NIGERIA 2016". The Native Magazine. 13 July 2017. Retrieved 17 September 2019.
  10. ^ ""The Voice Nigeria blind audition was the most nerve-wracking experience of my life"". Pulse Nigeria. 23 August 2016. Retrieved 17 September 2019.
  11. ^ "Not just amazing vocalists". Africa Magic. 8 May 2017. Retrieved 17 September 2019.
  12. ^ "Universal Music Partners With Nigerian Streaming Service uduX". Variety Magazine. 8 April 2019. Retrieved 17 September 2019.
  13. ^ "Actor talks about "Battleground," favourite Tenka moment, upcoming projects". Pulse Nigeria. 9 December 2017. Retrieved 17 September 2019.
  14. ^ "Singer holds second edition of her live concert". Pulse Nigeria. 30 April 2017. Retrieved 17 September 2019.
  15. ^ "Wurukum Roundabout (2017) Full Cast & Crew". IMDB. 30 April 2017. Retrieved 17 September 2019.
  16. ^ "VIDEO: Nonso Bassey – 411". Talk Media Africa. 9 February 2018. Retrieved 17 September 2019.
  17. ^ "NONSO BASSEY COMPELS YOU TO LOVE HIM WITH "411"". The Native Magazine. 5 February 2018. Retrieved 17 September 2019.
  18. ^ "Nonso Bassey – 411". Africa Magic. 29 April 2018. Retrieved 17 September 2019.
  19. ^ "Nonso Bassey – For You". Youtube. 29 April 2019. Retrieved 24 September 2019.
  20. ^ a b "Wizkid, Tiwa Savage, Others Battle for Biggest Awards at the Headies". PM News. 19 October 2019. Retrieved 19 October 2019.
  21. ^ "Headies 2019: Here is Pulse's full list of predictions". PulseNG. 18 October 2019. Retrieved 19 October 2019.
  22. ^ "Naira Marley: Why im name no dey Headies 2019 nominee list". BBC. 2 October 2019. Retrieved 19 October 2019.
  23. ^ "Nonzo Drops Debut Album "Diary of a Lover Boy"". BellaNaija. 15 December 2023. Retrieved 24 November 2024.
  24. ^ Banjo, Noah (29 October 2021). "FULL LIST: Ayinla, Omo Ghetto: The Saga bag multiple nominations at AMAA 2021". Punch Newspapers. Retrieved 30 October 2021.
  25. ^ "See list of winners for di 2021 African Movie Academy Awards". BBC News Pidgin. Retrieved 29 November 2021.
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