SPOTLIGHT: Simi, Bez… five alternative artistes that are Covenant University alumni

Despite its strict policies that hinder students from having full access to tools of ‘civilization’, Covenant University has produced some of today’s best acts.

Here are five successful alternative artistes who are alumni of the university.

Simi

Born April 19, 1988, Simisola Bolatito Ogunleye is a singer-songwriter. Simi started her career as a gospel singer, releasing her debut studio album ‘Ogaju’ in 2008.

The singer came into the spotlight in 2014 after her single ‘Tiff’ gained mainstream recognition. The song received nominations in two categories at The Headies 2015.

Simi is currently signed to X3M Music under which she released her second studio album ‘Simisola’. The album has hits such as ‘Joromi’, ‘Owanbe’ and ‘Love Don’t Care’.

She is a graduate of mass communications from Covenant University.

Ric Hassani

Ikechukwu Eric Ahiauzu, better known as Ric Hassani, has been pursuing music full time for about two years.

In 2015, he released two projects – a compilation album called ‘African Tour Select Singles 2015’ and an EP entitled ‘Ric Hassani – The Acoustic EP’.

His critically acclaimed single, ‘Gentleman’, was what shot the smooth singing artiste into the limelight.

For an alternative and unsigned artiste, the 27-year-old has managed to pull his weight in the ever competitive Nigerian music industry.

The Port Harcourt indigene attended Covenant University for his undergraduate study.

Nonso Amadi

Nonso Amadi is a Canada-based Afro R&B soul singer and producer. He embarked on his music career in 2012 while at Covenant University where he studied chemical engineering.

In 2014, he discontinued studying in Nigeria and moved to Swansea University, in the UK where he completed his degree. He is now a masters degree holder from McMaster’s University, Canada.

In September 2015, he released his first body of work, an EP called ‘Alone’, after which he put out a follow up single known as ‘Tonight’, which has been his most successful work so far.

Chike

In 2015, Chike-Ezekpeazu Osebuka hit the limelight after impressing judges and viewers on reality competition ‘Project Fame West Africa’.

He also participated in season one of the talent competition ‘The Voice Nigeria’ in 2016, finishing as the runner-up on the show.

A native of Onitsha, Anambra state, Chike comes from a family of four children.

The computer engineering graduate of Covenant University grew up in a music-inclined family, hence his passion to take up singing as a career.

Chike kicked off his music journey in 2009 after winning an award as the vocalist of the year in his high school.

Bez

Emmanuel Bez Idakula, known as Bez, is a Nigerian multi-instrumentalist, singer and songwriter. His genre, alternative soul, is a hybrid of soul, rock, jazz and R&B.

Bez was born in 1983 in Jos. He grew up listening to gospel and country music. As a child, he sang in choirs and began playing his father’s guitar at the age of nine.

He graduated from Covenant University in 2007 with a BSc in information and communications technology.

Bez did most of his singing while at school, performing at open mic nights.