Harrysong
Tare
Harrysong at AMVCA 2020 46.jpg
Background information
Birth nameHarrison Tare Okiri
Also known asMr. Songz
BornWarri, Delta State, Nigeria
GenresR&B, afropop, african hip hop, dancehall, highlife
Occupation(s)Versatile Singer, songwriter, instrumentalist and performer
Instrument(s)Vocals, piano, drums, conga, guitar
Years active2008—present
LabelsCurrent
  • Alterplate Music Company
Former
  • Five Star Music
  • QuestionMark Entertainment
Websitewww.altarplate.ng

Harrison Tare Okiri, better known by his stage name Harrysong, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter and instrumentalist who rose to fame after his tribute song to Nelson Mandela won the "Most Downloaded Callertune Award" at The Headies 2013.[1] Harrysong was born in Warri, Delta State, Nigeria to Ijaw parents but moved to Lagos in 2007 after spending some of his early life in Port Harcourt. Prior to signing to QuestionMark Entertainment, Harrysong used to perform at night clubs until he met Kcee who introduced him to top music personalities.[2] In 2014, Harrysong was nominated in the "Best Pop/R&B Artist of the Year" category at the 2014 Nigeria Entertainment Awards after the release of his chart-topping song "Beta Pikin".[3]

Early life

Harrysong was born as the only child to Ijaw parents in Warri, Delta State. After the death of his mother, a strained relationship between him and his step-mother led to his drop-out from school and his involvement with music grew after moving to Port Harcourt.[4]

Career

At age eleven, Harrysong's music career started as a congarist in the church his mother served as the music director before he went on to learn contemporary gospel music. In 2007, he moved to Lagos as the lead singer of a live band who perform in night clubs until he met Kcee which led to him signing for Five Star Music.[4] His rise to fame came when he released the single "I'm In Love" and "Taiye & Kehinde" with the music video of the former topping music video charts including Trace TV. He went on to release his debut album Testify through QuestionMark Entertainment in 2012.[5] However, just before COVID-19 entered Nigeria he released a new song titled Bumbumbum which he teamed up with Davido.[6]

Personal life

On June 22, 2017, Harrysong welcome twins with Alexer Perez Gopa[7] named (boy; Perez & girl; Tare). On February 4, 2021, he confirms his engagement with Alexer Perez Gopa[8] on his Instagram page, and they both got married on March 27, 2021, in Warri.[9]

Discography

Albums

Selected singles

Selected awards and nominations

This list is incomplete; you can help by adding missing items. (July 2016)
Year Award ceremony Prize Recipient/Nominated work Result Ref
2013 8th Nigeria Music Video Awards Best Pop Extra Video "I'm in Love (Remix)" Nominated [18]
The Headies 2015 Most Downloaded Callertune "Tribute to Mandela" Won [19]
2014 2014 Nigeria Entertainment Awards Best Pop/R&B Artist of the Year Himself Nominated [20]
9th Nigeria Music Video Awards Best Contemporary Afro Video "Kolombo" Won [21]
Best Pop Extra Video "My Story" Won [22]
2015 The Sun Awards 2015 Creative Person of the Year Himself Won
2016 2016 Ghana Music Awards African Artiste of the Year Himself Nominated [23]
2016 Nigeria Entertainment Awards Best Collabo "Reggae Blues" Nominated [24]
2017 The Headies Awards Best Pop Single "Reggae Blues" Won
2021 The Beatz Awards Special Recognition Award Himself Won [25]

References

  1. ^ "The Headies 2013: First Photos & Full List of Winners: Olamide, Phyno, Davido, Sean Tizzle & Waje". BellaNaija. 27 December 2013. Archived from the original on 2015-09-23. Retrieved 16 October 2015.
  2. ^ "Harrysong: I Once Slept Under the Bridge in Lagos While Still Struggling". ThisDay Newspaper. 6 September 2014. Retrieved 16 October 2015.[permanent dead link]
  3. ^ "2014 NEA Awards – Nominees Submission". NotJustOk. 3 April 2014. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 16 October 2015.
  4. ^ a b Aina, Iyabo; Ebirim, Juliet (18 April 2014). "Presently, I don't have any woman in my life — Harrysong". Vanguard Newspaper. Archived from the original on 2016-02-14. Retrieved 16 October 2015.
  5. ^ "2014 NEA Awards – Nominees Submission". NotJustOk. 3 April 2014. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 16 October 2015.
  6. ^ "The 16 Songs You Need to Hear This Week". OkayAfrica. Retrieved 10 November 2023.
  7. ^ "Harrysong welcomes twins with Abuja girlfriend". Vanguard News. 24 June 2017. Retrieved 27 March 2021.
  8. ^ "Harrysong, fiancée set for wedding". The Nation Newspaper. 4 February 2021. Retrieved 27 March 2021.
  9. ^ Odutuyo, Adeyinka (27 March 2021). "Singer Harrysong officially ties the knot in beautiful white wedding ceremony". Legit.ng. Retrieved 27 March 2021.
  10. ^ https://pmnewsnigeria.com/2011/03/25/harrisons-album-ready/
  11. ^ "Harrysong releases 'Kingmaker' album art, track-list". www.premiumtimesng.com. Retrieved 2023-11-08.
  12. ^ BellaNaija.com (2018-02-01). "Harrysong finally releases "The Kingmaker" album | Listen to "Confessions" featuring Seyi Shay & Patoranking on BN". BellaNaija. Retrieved 2023-11-08.
  13. ^ Okojie, Josephine (2020-08-21). "Harry Song releases Right About Now EP". Businessday NG. Retrieved 2023-11-08.
  14. ^ Dennis (2020-08-18). "Harrysong Releases New EP, 'Right About Now'". Groove Africa. Retrieved 2023-11-08.
  15. ^ BellaNaija.com (2023-06-30). "Harrysong releases "God Amongst Men" Album | Listen". BellaNaija. Retrieved 2023-11-08.
  16. ^ "Harrysong drops new album 'God Amongst Men'". NotjustOk. 2023-06-23. Retrieved 2023-11-08.
  17. ^ Adebiyi, Adeayo (2023-06-23). "Acclaimed singer-songwriter Harrysong releases new album 'God Amongst Men'". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 2023-11-08.
  18. ^ "2013 Nigeria Music Video Awards Nominees List: Flavour, Tiwa Savage, D'banj, Goldie, Waje, Kcee & More". 10 October 2013. Retrieved 26 July 2016.
  19. ^ "Olamide, Phyno, Davido, others win big at the Headies 2013". Premium Times. 27 December 2013. Archived from the original on 2014-02-23. Retrieved 16 October 2015.
  20. ^ "Genevieve Nnaji, Don Jazzy, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Tiwa Savage, Bovi, Davido – Nigeria Entertainment Awards Nominees List". BellaNaija. 29 May 2014. Retrieved 16 October 2015.
  21. ^ Ayomide O. Tayo (27 November 2014). "NMVAs 2014: Olamide, Harry Song win big". Pulse Nigeria. Archived from the original on 2016-08-16. Retrieved 26 July 2016.
  22. ^ Chrysanthus Ikeh (27 November 2014). "How Harrysong beat Davido, Olamide, others to NMVA 2014 Best Pop Extra Video award". Nigerian Entertainment Today. Archived from the original on 23 December 2016. Retrieved 26 July 2016.
  23. ^ "Wizkid beats Olamide, Harrysong to win GMA African Artiste of the year". sirkenayo.com. 8 May 2016. Archived from the original on 2016-08-07. Retrieved 26 July 2016.
  24. ^ Adedayo Showemimo (17 June 2016). "FULL nominee list for 2016 Nigerian Entertainment Awards (NEA)". Nigerian Entertainment Today. Archived from the original on 2017-01-02. Retrieved 26 July 2016.
  25. ^ "WINNERS 2021". The Beatz Awards. Archived from the original on 1 December 2021. Retrieved 10 November 2023.
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