Christopher Omenye, better known by his stage name Yung L (pronounced Young L), is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, and performer. He was a member of the now-defunct GRIP Movement and has since made a name for himself in the music industry.
Early Life and Education
Yung L was born on January 6, 1988, in Jos, Plateau state, and raised there. He is the last of his mother’s five children, and he attributes much of his motivation to music to his mother, who first introduced him to the church drummer before introducing him to the church pianist (Meca-E of Square Records). He learned music theory and how to play a few instruments from them both. He began playing the drums in both church and high school at a young age.
Omenye, a University of Jos graduate, began performing in front of audiences at social gatherings before joining the band Mac9. They performed songs by Jay-Z and Damian Marley, two of Yung L’s musical influences.
Career
While attending the University of Jos Medical School, Yung L met other aspiring musicians such as Ice Prince and GRIP Boiz (formerly Endia, J.Milla, and the producer Chopstix). They banded together to form the GRIP movement, with Yung L serving as label president. Grip music, like the Choc Boys and WuTang Clan, is made up of individual musicians Yung L, Endia, Jmilla, and chopstix who are collectively known as the Grip Boiz. They moved to Lagos in 2011 to concentrate solely on their musical talents.
Before signing with Chocolate City Music, Yung L performed and released music as an independent musician. During this time, he released singles such as Pass The Aux and SOS, which were nominated for MTV’s Music Video of the Year Award, as well as other songs. In 2017, Yung L, Skales, and producer Chopstix were included on Major Lazer’s remix of “Run Up,” which also featured Nicki Minaj and PartyNextDoor.
With Chocolate City Music, he released a single and the album “Better Late Than Never,” which also featured Ghanaian musician Sarkodie.
Discography
Albums
- Better Late Than Never (2017)
- Jollification (EP) (2019)
- Juice & Zimm (EP) (2020)
Singles
- “SOS”
- “Fever”
- “Red Rose”
- “Cheers”
- “Gbewa”
- “Pressure” (featuring Sarkodie and Jaij Hollands)
- “Eve Bounce”
- “Eve Bounce remix” (featuring Wizkid)
Performances and Appearances
- Iceprince Album Launch: ELI Concert, Eko Hotel, Lagos, Nigeria
- Industry Night, Oriental Hotel, Lagos
- Performed alongside Ice Prince and MoCheddahon on a club tour in South Africa in 2011.
- Performed at the One Mic Concert at Brown’s Café, Lagos
- Performed at the ELI concerts in Liberia and Sierra Leone.
- Performed at the Blackberry Concert at the University of Lagos.
- Performed at the Beach Soccer tournament, Lagos, Nigeria.
- Also performed at different school proms all over Nigeria.
- Performed at Jos trade fair-2010
- Headlined Silverbird Rhythm 93.7 concert twice in 2009 and 2010.
- Performed at all end-of-year medical dinners at the University of Jos.
- All Nation University Choice Award Ghana
- Ice Prince FOZ Concert, shared a stage with UK-based artists Chip.
Awards and Nominations
- Nominated for the HipHop World Awards
- (Headies) Rookie of the Year Award for his single, Red Rose, 2012.
- Song of the Year: Freestyle Song, 2010
- University of Jos Awards
- Number 1 on Rhythm FM, Jos.
- Top 50 songs of the year
Net Worth
His net worth is currently unavailable.
