Biography of Stovaz | Deluxe
Biography of Stovaz
(Official long version of Stovaz Biography)
Stovaz, who until recently was known by the stage name of Rapdon is a singer, rapper, record producer and songwriter with great talent in writing rap lyrics, poetry, RnB, and urban soul music.Raised by his mum while his father seeks greener pasture in a faraway city of Jos, Plateau State of Nigeria in the 80s, the youngster had much love for his father. “I am just satisfied inwardly, knowing fully well that I am the son of my dad. He is my and will always be my inspiration.” Born to a polygamous home, Stovaz is the 5th man of all his mother's six male children.
Stovaz Background:
Stovaz, who's real names are Christopher Odiley started composing music at the tender age of 9 in his early school years. Stovaz will perform at local events and school functions as one would expect. He was the leader of the primary school poetry and debate team that competed and won so many local school competitions.
“My love for writing actually grew from these activities at school and the singing voice then, was just a natural cherry on top.” “Having been influenced by the vocal powers of super talented musicians like Bobby Brown, Michael Jackson and the likes in those times, the desire to compose more music and become a recording artist, was immensely doubled.”
College Performances:
Stovaz took his music to the next level when he formed an all teenage singing (r&b and rap) group the "WindStars' and changed his name to Dillie Stovaz in the early 90s. While in College, Stovaz would be the music student who always leads the school to singing, dancing and rap music competitions. Scooping multiple awards and recognition in all activities.
The First Album Story:
Stovaz recorded and released his first solo album titled, "Let's Pray" in the year 2000 as an independent project under his very own label Mor’geez Records. The album launched in the fall of that year in Warri after being first released in Lagos, Nigeria to a nationwide warm reception that saw Stovaz embarking on a highly successful media tour of the major national radio stations and tv broadcast channels in Nigeria.
The track "Money Makes the World '' debuted at Number 1 in all radio stations and the video quickly shot to the top spot-on all-time hip hop music videos in the country.
Ever since then, music has been the major part of Stovaz's life; even amidst raising a beautiful family.
Journey to South Africa
Stovaz moved to South Africa in the early 2000s to further pursue his musical superstardom dream and ambition. Upon arrival in South Africa, “I found so many challenges that included, blending with society, finding a start-point for my music career and others”.
However, through it all, I managed to find some opportunity after listing up with some local talent agencies through which I started finding some few but smaller gigs.
“For the struggle for survival, working some menial jobs such as hawking clothing on the street of Johannesburg, I also decided to branch into modeling and tv acting. After a couple of auditions and locking some tv commercial gigs I decided to start the Mor’geez Talent Agency. A division of Mor’geez Records which mainly focused on scouting, casting and supplying extras for movies and tv commercials.”
Stovaz, by this time, had registered, Mor’geez Records cc and setup Morgeez Recording Studios Johannesburg.
“At this stage, I have shifted my focus more on the business of music, another niche where I found my passion besides being a recording artist”, “been involved in the business of music from setting up Morgeez studios, producing for smaller independent artists, and mentoring other young artists as well became a passion rather than business itself”..
The Second Album Story:
Stovaz under the name of Rapdon went into the Mor’geez Studios to channel his energy towards producing a full-length hip hop/rap album in 2012. With all songs written and performed by Stovaz as Rapdon, this was a well recorded and well packaged rap album titled Frontline which contained hit tracks like "Frontline" widely accepted with greater followership among youth within the age of 17 to 25 in countries like the USA, Canada, Uk, and in major Africa countries like South Africa and Nigeria (as per Jango Radio report then).
As proof of his talent and authenticity, Stovaz kept on pushing his music career even though radio stations and tv houses in South Africa, were skeptical about a rap album like "Frontline" at the time. However, this body of work was released in 2012 across all digital music streaming platforms and digital music retail stores like apple music, amazon music and other.
Awards and Recognitions:
Stovaz has neither shown interest in pursuing any kind of awards nor even strive for any form of recognition. When asked why? He replied: "most of the greatest musicians were great because of the greatness in their works and not because of how many awards or recognitions they were awarded". Let me keep working at it though"
“I am grateful to God for giving me this special gift of making music that sends positive messages of hope to everyone and freedom for mankind. As I work along, if awards are meant for me, I will receive them someday, otherwise, in the meantime, keep listening and enjoying my music as you may utilize most of the embedded messages to better your consciousness for a better world.”
Music Industry Contributions:
Determined to make an impact in the music industry, Stovaz has been at the forefront of developing younger talent in South Africa and pushing the music industry further to accommodate more independent artists and in-fact creating a business module through which independent artists can excel in the music business. This, has done through his platforms such as:
The Morgeez Rap Battle Royale: a music competition that applies talent development modules to enhance the musical skills of young rappers in South Africa.
The Media Skills Mentoring Program: aimed at developing young and passionate talents who wish to acquire or develop their music production skills, and other audio and video production skills in order to be fully empowered.
In 2008, Stovaz had set up the Odiley Music and Business Academy that was accredited to offer national (NQF LEVEL 4 of South Africa) qualification training in Sound Technology and the performing arts. Although the college couldn't last more than 3 years due to inability of students to afford tuition fees. But it was one of the biggest community developments Stovaz had earlier created.
Artists Management: Stovaz believes that young artists need proper management setup just like in the athletic world. Hence the formation of the Morgeez Artists Management division. It provides on-demand mentoring and coaching sessions for voiceover artists, young actors, young music artists and others through mentoring workshops or one-on-one sessions.
Overview of Stovaz Background:
Date of Birth: July 17, 1970
Place of Birth: Egiegi, Udu LGA, Delta State Nigeria
Family: Father of 5.
Wife: Omone Odiley
Residence: Johannesburg, South Africa
Talent: Songwriter, Music Producer, Singer, Rapper, Actor, Talent Developer,
Musical Genre: Hip Hop, Rap, and RnB
Musical influences: include Bobby Brown, the great Michael Jackson, with main Rap Music influence as Tupac and DMX.
Entrepreneur: Founder and Owner of Mor'geez Records cc, founded Odiley Music and Business Academy, National Qualification FET College, Stovaz Playfield (A clothing label, though out for now but to be revived soon.)
One more look Stovaz background:
Although there's so much to pen down as part of the biography of Stovaz, we can just leave it here for now. If you are reading this for the first time, we believe you have learned something about this African male child with a massive body of talent always willing to contribute to the greatness of humanity.
We will be back with more updates, but before then, please follow Stovaz on all social media handles. Most
Thank you for reading. Love!
Signed:
Christopher Odiley aka Stovaz
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