General Pype- Bio

Birthnames: Majekodunmi; Olayiwola Ibrahim

Origin: Abeokuta; Ogun State(Fela Anukulapo Kuti, Ebenezer Obey, Seal, Majek Fashek, Nas etc)

Education: Finished from St. Gregory’s college Obalende(The Bruce Family, JAJ, ETC)

Started Music in the early 90’s but became more professional around 1998 that was back in the secondary school where he joined 30-man Classical/opera singers as of then, they were among the top 3 classical groups in Nigeria they are called THE TRIUMPHANT CHORAL VOICES headed by ASP Mike Ohiri. Pype(then called Majek) was the BASS singer of the group. They performed at the Eagle Square Abuja to usher in the Millenium where Pype delivered a lot of solo performances with THE GRAND CHAMBER ORCHESTRA.

2001 they made history by rendering the complete works of G.F HANDEL’S MESSIAH which has 56 works.

PYPE decided to withdraw from the Choir in order to discover his other sides of music aside the Classical music which he was used to. This led him to his discovery of different genres of music in which fortunately for him he could fit in.

Embarking on his solo journey, he started with contemporary R&B and pop music around 2003 He met his manager Ayo Rotimi Whom He fondly calls Pupa (a patoi slang which means Papa) who gave him the name PYPE an acronym for PROLIFIC YOUTH POSITIVE ENTERTAINER as a result of his versatility under the grooming of his manager, Pype became a reggae and dancehall artist in 2005(he’s never been to Jamaica!)

can you believe that?

Musical influences spans from Classical Music Icons to Reggae and dancehall Pioneers they include: Beethoven, Frank Sinatra, Fela Anikulapo Kuti, Majek Fashek, Barry White, Don Carlos, U- Roy, Bob Marley; Supercat(the major pioneer of his style of dancehall) Sean Paul, Barrington Levy and Sizzla.

His music centres around Positivity, Compassion for poor black youths, love, with emphasis on truth, unity and encouragement. A versatile singjay-deejay style vocalist with gravelly tone, he is capable of rapid fire chanting and powerful melodic singing this ranks him high in mainstream contemporary dancehall.
WORTHY OF NOTE:

In 2007, his song titled “Keep it cool” featured in Season 6 of a popular American TV series The Shield. It aired on FOX TV in May, 2007 making Him the first home-grown artiste to score in a popular TV series. Most of his released collaborations have scored radio and club hits.

One of the 26 finalists of MTVBASE/ZAIN ADVANCE WARNING 2008
Few of the artistes he’s done collabos with include: Sasha “Strong thing” Sunny Neji “Crush” Niyola “Mo Ranyan” Sheyman “ Showa remix”, Mi “Teaser”, Sauce Kid “Monkey Banana”, IllBliss “Dat Ibo Boy” “Blessing”, Black Solo” Baby don’t go”, Philflow's - Freaky things, DJ Vinnie - Some love, Ediro - Don’t cry, Keffe - Pure water, Bigiano - It’s over, Cynthia Morgan - Dutty Steppin, Jah Bless - The Street, Slick Mettalica - Sha yelo, Gino - Swing and Swagger, Omololu - V.I.P, Alabai - Mash Dem Down, Loose Kanyon - It’s Ok, Big Dreams - Temperature rising, Pitch Black Afro (SA) Long way to go, Courtney Brown - Jealous/Feel so Good, DJ Teffler - Mixtape(USA), 3gga (Austria) - Dutty wind, African Kings (US) - Dancehall Madness e.t.c

His current Single: “Keep it Cool” is currently topping major charts on the radio. Produced by Mekoyo(of styl plus fame) and Sheyman.

Has been rated by the media as one of the artists to look out for in 2009. He recorded most of his collabos without putting pen to paper. His style has brought attention to dancehall music; his voice is one of the most heard on the radio since 2008 till date. He currently is working on his anticipated debut album and his dubplate(dancehall version of mixtape). Considers himself as the revolutionary tool that will break the age-long jinx between Nigerian talents and their international counterparts.

He is the most featured emerging artist setting a new record of over 120 collaborations between 2008 and 2009. He is currently signed onto PODIUM PODIUM VYBEZ/XXL UNTERTAINMENT. But there is a JVA with Storm 360 to work together on His Album Project dropping soon of which the single CHAMPION is already receiving massive reviews. You can call it Podium Vybez/Storm 360 Alliance.. He is also an AMBASSADOR for IAA(I AM AFRICA CLOTHING) along with artistes like Mos Def, Banky W, Lupe Fiasco, K'Naan EPMD, etc. www.iamafricawear.com.

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