Iyanya is a year older today.The Made Men Music Group artiste was born on 31 October 1986.He turns 29 today.
Brief Profile: Iyanya was born on Palm Street in Calabar,Cross River State,Nigeria.His mother was a head mistress and his father was a forester.Iyanya has described his mother as a household disciplinarian, while his father was the gentler of the two. His parents died in 2008, his mother, 42 years old, and his father, 50 years old. Iyanya's elder brother died around the same time of his parents' death.Iyanya's grandfather was a clergyman. Iyanya used to sing in his church's choir and was the choir master for the children's choir at age 5.Iyanya completed his primary, secondary, and university education in Calabar. He is a Business Management graduate from the University of Calabar.
Music career:
After graduating from the University of Calabar, he worked in a hotel and sang Karaoke at a local bar he managed. Iyanya began developing his vocal abilities at local bars which include: Fiesta Fries Bar, Mirage Nite Club, and West-Life. Iyanya cited British singer Craig David and American hip hop artist R Kelly as his key musical influences.Iyanya was motivated to pursue music professionally after watching the celebrity lifestyle of 2 Face and Olu Maintain. Iyanya started as a rapper going by the name "Lofty".
He is best known for winning the 2008 MTN Project Fame West Africanas well as for his song "Kukere".He is the co-owner of Made Men Music Group, a record label home to artists such as Tekno, Selebobo and Baci. Iyanya sings in English and Efik.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 the singles "Kukere", "Ur Waist", "Fkavour", "Sexy Mama", and "Jombolo". He won the Artist of the Year award at The Headies 2013.
As he celebrates his birthday today,we share some of his lovely photos