Iyanya is one of the Nigerian music stars who has come a long way in the entertainment industry. The singer made it to fame after participating and emerging winner of the MTN Project Fame in 2008.
Iyanya also gave Nigerians some serious dance steps that came with his hit song, Kukere, which went viral back then.
He has so far made a name for himself despite his humble beginning and is a source of inspiration to many upcoming singers.
Who is Iyanya?
Iyanya Onoyom Mbuk (born 31 October 1986), known by his stage name Iyanya, is a Nigerian Afropop recording artist.
Iyanya was born on Palm Street in Calabar, Cross River State. His mother was a head mistress and his father was a forester. Iyanya has described his mother as the household disciplinarian, while his father was the gentler of the two. His parents both died in 2008, and his older brother died around the same time. Iyanya’s grandfather was a clergyman where Iyanya sang in his church’s choir and was the choir master for the children’s choir at age five.
Mbuk completed his primary, secondary, and university education in Calabar. He is a business management graduate from the University of Calabar.
He rose to fame after winning the first season of Project Fame West Africa and is best known for his hit single “Kukere”. He co-founded the record label Made Men Music Group with Ubi Franklin in 2011. He released his debut studio album My Story in 2011. It was supported by the singles “No Time” and “Love Truly”. Desire, his second studio album, contained five singles: “Kukere”, “Ur Waist”, “Flavour”, “Sexy Mama”, and “Jombolo”. He won the Artist of the Year award at The Headies 2013. In October 2016, Iyanya announced on Instagram that he signed a record deal with Mavin Records. Few months prior, he signed a management deal with Temple Management Company. He first announced his intentions to leave Made Men Music Group in July 2016.
Iyanya started performing ballads, particularly on his debut album My Story. In an interview with Toolz on Ndani TV, he said he wants to be a versatile artist and wants to be known for his R&B and Afrobeats abilities. In the same interview, he also said he switched from R&B to Afrobeat because he wanted to make money and wanted fans to see his versatility.
Girlfriend
Iyanya is currently single and not in an open relationship for now.
Wife
Iyanya is a not currently married. No wedding photos since his not yet married.
Iyanya’s wife’s name? Iyanya has no wife for now.
In a chat with HipTV, the ‘Kukere’ crooner revealed that he’s not married.
In the past years, several reports had claimed that the singer was involved in a secret marriage in his native Cross Rivers state.
But while speaking on the rumours for the first time, Iyanya said that he is single and searching for a wife.
“I’m not married. I’m single and searching for a wife, not a girlfriend,” he said.
Iyanya was, earlier this month, appointed the senior special assistant (SSA) on tourism and entertainment to Ben Ayade, governor of Cross River state.
The musician also spoke on what he intended to achieve with the new political position.
“What that means is that I have to use all that I have to bring and shine some light to make sure that the entertainment and tourism are doing well. This is my obligation,” he said.
Children
Iyanya has no child of his own as of now.
Family
Iyanya comes from the Mbuk family, they are of Calabar, Cross River State.
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