Biography
Tobechukwu Melvin Okafor (born December 30, 1979), better known by his stage name Illbliss, is a 44-year-old Nigerian rapper, record producer, actor and music director.
He is the founder and CEO of The Goretti Company, which is known for launching the careers of many music superstars such as Chidinma and Phyno.
Since rising to stardom in 2008, he has increasingly become a musical phenomenon.
At the first Soundcity Video Music Awards in 2008, he won Best Hip-hop Video for his hit single U Go Wound.
In 2009, he released his critically acclaimed debut studio album, Dat Ibo Boy. Happily, his latest album, Illy Chapo X, was canceled in 2020 during the pandemic.
Nigerian rapper
illbliss |
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 Illbliss: History, Biography, Photos |
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| Wiki Events & About Data | |
| Full name: | Tobechukwu Melvin Okafor |
| Stage name: | illbliss |
| Born: | December 30, 1979 (age 44) |
| Place of birth: | Enugu, Nigeria |
| State of origin: | Enugu State |
| Nationality: | Nigerian |
| Parents: | Do not have |
| The children: | Kachimsideh |
| Height: | Do not have |
| Siblings: | Do not have |
| Girlfriend • Wife: | Munachiso Ejiofor (married 2009) |
| Job: | Rapper • Actor |
| Net worth: | 7-10 million USD |
Early life
Illbliss was born into an Ibo family in southeastern Nigeria. He was raised in the Catholic faith by Christian parents.
He spent his formative years in the Southeast, learning about the traditions and history of the Ibo people. As a result, he grew up speaking his native language, Igbo. Illbliss was born on December 30, 1979, in Enugu State, Nigeria.
While in primary school, he was taught English by his teachers. At home, with his neighborhood friends, he conversed in the Igbo dialect, often mixed with pidgin English.
As a young boy in Southeastern Nigeria, he was exposed to a lot of highlife and folk music composed by famous Ibo musicians. Through regular radio listening, he also came across rap songs by Western artists and songs by artists such as Fela Kuti, Sonny Okosun, Charly Boy, King Sunny Ade, Sir Shina Peters, among others.
Listening to these artists influenced his desire to compose music. So Illbliss started by writing rap lyrics in English, which he performed to the delight of his classmates and friends. Then, in an effort to promote his native dialect and connect more with the local audience, he decided to try his hand at Igbo rap. After making a rap or two, he discovered that he enjoyed rapping in Igbo more than English, so he stuck with the former.
Education
Illbliss comes from a family that values education as his parents made sure he got quality education up to university level.
He obtained his First Class Diploma and West African School Certificate from top public schools in the South East region.
Illbliss then went on to earn his bachelor’s degree at a prestigious university in the Southeast. He graduated with high marks after four years of study.
Career
Illbliss started his professional music career during his college days when he performed at various department and faculty events, shows, and concerts on campus. He won the hearts of many college students with his jokes and relatable raps. They became his first fan base.
After leaving university, Illbliss began his career and did a lot of recording sessions at a studio owned by a friend. He got his big break when he released the song U Go Wound O. The single became a huge hit in the Nigerian music industry and catapulted Illbliss to new heights. His newfound fame meant that he was booked to perform at a number of concerts across the country.
The song’s music video won the Best Hip-Hop Music Video award at the 2008 Soundcity Music Video Awards. After the release of U Go Wound O, Illbliss began working tirelessly on his debut studio album. After many days and nights in the studio, he released the album titled Dat Ibo Boy in 2009. The album was a commercial success, selling thousands of copies in Nigeria. Additionally, the album’s lead single, Aiye Pon Gan (Enuf Space), helped the project achieve great numbers.
Having established himself as a trusted voice in the industry, Illbliss decided to pursue his entrepreneurial calling. He thus founded The Goretti Company, a record label that doubles as a Talent Management Company. He has been successful in this music venture and is credited with helping musicians like Phyno and Chidinma find their footing in the industry and build successful careers. As a result, Illbliss is considered one of the top music executives on the continent.
He collaborated with rapper Teck Zilla to record a joint album, IllyZilla. The project was released in 2019.
In 2020, Illbliss excited fans with a new project when he released the album, Illy Chapo X. Although he still maintains his signature Igbo rap style, listeners can clearly see that he has evolved over time. The album, his seventh as a rapper, was nominated for Best Rap Album at The Headies in 2020.
Illbliss’s other notable projects include Oga Boss, Powerful, Illygaty:7057, Illy Bomaye, Illsophy, Position Of Power Vol. 1 and Position Of Power Vol. 2.
Social media
Thanks to his celebrity status, Illbliss has built a solid social media presence. He has over 470k followers on Instagram.
- Instagram Username – @illblissgoretti
- Twitter Username – @illblissgoretti
Personal life
Illbliss is also known by his nickname Oga Boss, a nickname that stuck with him after he released his second album in 2012. The Igbo-born actor is an influential figure in the Nigerian music industry, having played a role in the success of many emerging artists.
Illbliss is also a successful actor. He made his film debut in the blockbuster film, King Of Boys. In the film, he played the role of mafia boss, Odogwu Malay, winning the hearts of many Nigerians with his superb performance. He reprised the role of Odogwu Malay in the sequel: The King Of Boys 2.
Although he has properties across the country, he still commutes between Lagos and the Southeast. He also owns luxury cars, which can be found in the garage of his residence. He is currently signed to Hero Lager as one of its brand ambassadors.
Illbliss married Munachiso Ejiofor in 2009 and their marriage is blessed with beautiful children. He is also the managing partner at Capital Hills Records, a company he co-owns with Clarence Peters.
Net worth
Illbliss started making money in the music industry before diversifying his income into other areas. This ensures that he has a steady stream of income from multiple streams.
His net worth is estimated at US$7-10 million.
