Thursday, 24 August 2017

runtown bio

Runtown

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Runtown
Birth nameDouglas Jack Agu
Born19 August 1989 (age 27)[1]
OriginEnugu StateNigeria
GenresR&Bhip hopreggae
Occupation(s)Singer, songwriter, record producer
InstrumentsVocals
Years active2010–present
LabelsEric-Manny Entertainment
Associated acts
Douglas Jack Agu (born 19 August 1989), better known by his stage nameRuntown, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter and producer. He has a diverse musical style mix of hip-hopR&Breggae and rap.[2] After moving to Lagosfrom Enugu State with Phyno in 2007, he started doing underground collaborations with artists like J-Martins and Timaya. In 2008, he partnered with Phyno to form a record label called Penthauz during which he released his first two singles: "Party Like It's 1980" and "Activity Pikin".[3] He collaborated withDavido on his song "Gallardo", which brought him more attention. Few months later, he signed a multi-million Naira contract with Eric-Manny Entertainment owned by Prince Okwudili Umenyiora, the C.E.O of Dilly Motors.[4]

Life and music career[edit]

Early upbringings[edit]

Runtown was born on 19 August 1989 in Enugu but grew up partly in Abuja and Lagos, where he finished his primary education. After the death of his father, he moved to Abuja with his mother who was working in the Ministry of Health. While growing up, he had the aim of being a professional basketball player. In 2005, he relocated to Enugu after his mother developed interest in politics; he went on to finish his secondary school education in Enugu State.[5] Runtown is currently studying Fashion Management at a fashion school in New York City.[6]

2007—present:Ghetto University and other releases[edit]

RunTown, speaking to Vanguard about his debut studio album
Yeah, next year 2015; the album the whole world has been waiting for. I’m thinking of putting like 20 tracks in the album[7]
Runtown released his first single titled "Runtown", which was produced by Soge in 2007. His 2010 single titled "Forever" had a video directed by IvanEdd films.[8] In 2012, Jamaican/American singer Laza Morgan featured Runtown on a song titled "High on You", which did big on the Caribbean charts. J. Martins featured Runtown on a song off hisElevation album titled "Tonight". Runtown also worked with Phyno on a song titled "Anamachi Versace", which was produced by WizzyPro. In an interview with NotJustOk.com, he said he acquired his musical inspirations from Sean KingstonBob Marley and Kanye West.
On 29 January 2014, Runtown collaborated with Davido to release a song produced by T-Spize titled "Gallardo", which won Best Collaboration of The Year at the 2014 Nigeria Entertainment Awards.[9] He later released the video which got over 418,000 views onYouTube in its first 2 months. The video features cameos from PatorankingSkales and Phyno; it was shot in Nigeria and directed by Clarence Peters.[10] Runtown's career took flight after he signed a recording contract with Eric-Manny Entertainment through his friend, releasing "Successful" and "Domot", both of which received frequent airplay.[11] Runtown was featured on WizzyPro's "Emergency" song, which also features vocals from Skales and Patoranking. The song was produced by WizzyPro and released on 2 November 2014.[12] The music video for "Emergency" was directed by Patrick Elis and released on 19 January 2014.[13] On November 23, 2015, Runtown released his debut studio album titled Ghetto University. The album features guest appearances from DJ Khaled, Phyno, Wizkid, Uhuru and Anatii. The album made him listed in the "Top 5 Most Streamed Artist" in Nigeria, generating over ₦35 million turn over on MTN Music Plus.[14]
On 4 November 2016, Runtown released the love-themed ballad "Mad Over You", which charted at number 38 on theBillboard Twitter Top Tracks chart.[15][16] Joey Akan from Pulse Nigeria described the song as a "self-produced track that draws inspiration from the Ghanaian Alkayida sound".[17] Runtown told The Fader magazine that the song was inspired by African beauty.[18]

Controversies[edit]

Ownership of "Aye"[edit]

In 2014, there were reports in the media that Runtown wrote "Aye". In an interview with the Nigerian Tribune, Runtown said, "A lot of people have been asking me that question. Davido has had a number of interviews where he addressed how the song came about. So if you want to learn more about Aye ask David or read his interviews".[19]

Exit from Eric Manny Entertainment[edit]

On 31 May 2016, Runtown sought to terminate his contract with Eric Manny Entertainment upon an injunction obtained by the record label from a Federal High Court in Lagos stopping Runtown from performing at events or recording songs on allegations that "he signs up, concludes and attends musical shows without the knowledge of the label".[20][21] Runtown however denied the allegations in an exclusive interview with Joey Akan of Pulse Nigeria.[22] In the aforementioned interview, Runtown revealed that he quit the record label due to breaches in the recording contract, threat to life and extortion.[23]

Discography[edit]

Awards and nominations[edit]

YearAward ceremonyPrizeResult
20142014 Nigeria Entertainment AwardsBest Collaboration of The YearWon[24]
The Headies 2014Next Rated ActNominated[25]
20152015 Nigeria Entertainment AwardsBest Pop ArtisteNominated[26]
2015 City People Entertainment AwardsArtiste of The YearNominated[27]

See also[edit]

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