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Aituaje Aina Vivian Ebele Iruobe (Waje)

Biography

Aituaje Iruobe, known professionally as Waje, which is the first letter from each word in the phrase “Words Aren’t Just Enough,” is a Nigerian singer. Michael Chiedoziem Chukwudera on Afrocritik[3] describes Waje as “one of the undisputed queens of soul music in Nigeria, and a good argument could be made that she has had the best vocal run in the music scene over the past fifteen years.” Waje was born on September 1, in Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria. She is the firstborn and the first daughter in her family. She grew up in Benin City, following her parents’ relocation. Her parents got divorced when she was young, and she had to overcome the difficulty that accompanied her parents’ separation. Waje got pregnant when she was writing her final year secondary certificate examinations. She did not tell her mother about the pregnancy until 5 months into the pregnancy. She was temporarily banned from singing in the choir of her church for being pregnant outside of marriage. She sang gospel tunes to the delight of the late Archbishop Benson Idahosa. who was quite impressed with her singing and helped her during her entire secondary school days.[7][8] Waje later moved to Nsukka to attend the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, earning a degree in social work from the school. During her time at the university, she performed at school concerts and fellowships. She listened to singers such as Whitney Houston and Aretha Franklin to improve her craft. Waje’s vocal range covers three octaves. She was found singing in church. She studied social work at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) and worked part-time in tourism. In 2007, Waje launched her music career. She was still a student at the time, and she paid her dues by doing many free shows and gigs. Waje is a single mother. Her sister, Amaka Iruobe, is an actress who has had bit parts in the popular soap opera Tinsel and the movie First Cut. Waje worked with the youths of her community through an organisation “Waje’s Safe House”, where she teams up with other NGOs quarterly to help fight for their cause. The first project supported under Waje’s Safe House was the Mental and Environmental Development Initiative for Children, assisting the Project HELP (Help Educate the Less Privileged) which the goal of raising funds for allowing children to continue their studies in the school in Makoko, through Ring Back Tones with her singles “Oko Mi” and “I Wish”. She was one of the notable Nigerian entertainers who collaborated with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Nigeria to stand against electoral manipulation, vote-buying, violence, and thuggery.

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She first gained recognition after being featured on the remake of P-Square’s “Omoge Mi”. Waje was also featured on the duo’s 2008 hit track “Do Me”. She contributed vocals to Banky W’s “Thief My Kele” and M.I’s “One Naira”.[1] In 2016, Waje was one of the four judges in the inaugural season of The Voice Nigeria. In 2018, on the final season of the Africa Magic telenovela, Battleground, Waje recurred.

Talent

Aituaje Aina Vivian Ebele Iruobe (Waje)

Biography

News / Ranking / Titbits / Awards

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