Oluwatobi Wande Ojosipe, also known as Wande Coal, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, and record producer widely regarded as a pioneer of Afrobeat music. Before entering the music industry, he began his career as a dancer in the Nigerian entertainment sector. He was a member of Don Jazzy’s defunct music group Mo’ Hits.
Early Life and Education
Wande Coal was born in Lagos Island, Lagos State, Nigeria, on October 18, 1985, to Chief Ibukun Olufunto and Omolara Oluwayemisi Ojosipe. He was the first of his parents’ two children. Wande Coal attended Staff Nursery and Elementary School in Ijanikin, Lagos State, for his primary school, and Federal Government College in Ijanikin, Lagos State, for his secondary education. He then attended the University of Lagos in Lagos State to study Human Kinetics.
Career
Wande Coal began singing in the teen choir at his church. He began his career as a dancer in the Nigerian entertainment industry. He was signed to Don Jazzy’s Mo’ Hits Records in 2006. He performed on D’banj’s Rundown/Funk You Up album with songs like “Loke,” “Tonosibe,” and “Why Me.” He is a member of Mo’ Hits Allstars, played a significant role in the popular CV (Curriculum Vitae) CD, and is contracted to Mo’ Hits recordings. The album’s first single, “Ololufe,” has been hailed “one of the best love songs ever written by a Nigerian.” Mushin To Mo’Hits, Coal’s debut album, was favorably appreciated in Nigeria, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
Coal has collaborated on tracks with Ikechukwu, Phyno, Davido, Naeto C, Dr SID, D’Prince, Wizkid, and many other Nigerian artists. Following a conflict in 2012 between record label executives Don Jazzy and D’banj, Coal, Dr SID, and D’Prince joined on to Don Jazzy’s own record label, Mavin Records, with Tiwa Savage of 323 Entertainment serving as the label’s first lady. Wande Coal left Mavin Records on November 7, 2013, due to intellectual property theft of a song with identical lyrics to Don Jazzy’s. In November 2013, he released “Baby Face” as the tune that he received from Mavin Records.
Wande Coal’s second studio album, Wanted, was released after a lengthy hiatus. The bulk of reviews for the album were somewhat above average. Coal released a new song titled Turkey Nla in December 2017.
Melvitto created the song “Again,” which he used to launch his 2020 campaign. He released a new single, “Come My Way,” in 2021. He appeared on Olamide’s smash hit, Hate Me, which was released in February 2022. He also sang on the single Listen from Basketmouth’s sophomore album, Horoscopes.
Personal Life
Wande Coal, a Nigerian singer, spent most of his infancy and adulthood in Lagos State. He currently resides in a mansion in Victoria Island’s most affluent district. He is happily married and has opted to keep his personal life quiet, so little is known about his wife. Empire Music has signed him to a record and publishing agreement.
Albums
- 2009: Mushin To Mo’Hits
- 2007: Curriculum Vitae
- 2012: Solar Plexus
- 2015: Wanted
- 2020: Realms
Songs
- So Mi So
- Iskaba
- Baby Hello
- Tur-Key Nla
- You Bad
- Ololufe
- Sho ja
- Rotate
- Private Trips
- Amorawa
- Kpono
- Bumper to Bumper
- Who Born The Maga
- Ashimapeyin
- Will You Be Mine
- Its Not A Lie
- Go Low
- Taboo
- Been Long
Awards and Nominations
- Next Rated at Hip Hop World Awards – 2008
- Naija’s Fastest Rising Superstar at UNIPORT Awards (2008)
- Song of the Year at the Dynamix Youth Awards (2009)
- City People named him the best rhythm and blues singer of the year (2009).
- Best Afro Hip Hop Video at the Nigerian Music Video Awards (NMVA) – 2009
- African Artiste of the Year at the Ghana Music Awards–2010
- Artiste of the Year at the Hip Hop World Awards – 2010
- Best R&B/Pop Single at the Hip Hop World Awards – 2010
- Album of the year at the Hip Hop World Awards – 2010
- Song of the Year at the Hip Hop World Awards – 2010
- Hip Hop Revelation of the Year at the Hip Hop World Awards – 2010
- City People Album of the Year 2010
- Outstanding Performance in the music industry by City People – 2010
- City People named him Artist of the Year (2010).
- Wanted was nominated for Best R&B pop album at The Headies – 2016
- Nominated for Best Pop Single at The Headies – 2018
- Viewer’s choice nominee at the Sound City MVP Awards — 2019
Net Worth
Wande Coal has built a lot of influence and wealth for himself. He is said to be worth about $10 million.
