Tunde and Wunmi Obe, professionally known as T.W.O (Tunde, Wunmi Obe) are a Nigerian show business couple, entertainers, television personalities, and entrepreneurs. They met and began their music career as undergraduates in the 90s. Tunde and Wunmi Obe first made an entry into the Nigerian Entertainment scene as regulars on The Charly Boy Show, a television programme in the 90s, after which they released their debut album Sealed in 1999,[1] which was followed by T.W.O in 2003, T.W.O 4 real in 2007, T.W.O Legit in 2010 and T.W.O PLUS in 2015. Wunmi Aboderin met Tunde Obe while an undergraduate at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) in 1988 where she was pursuing a degree in Philosophy. Tunde, an undergraduate of Lagos State University (LASU) was pursuing a degree in History Education. Wunmi met him when she officially joined the UNILAG band Turning Point in which Tunde was already lead singer. The two became friends. The band separated when its members graduated but Tunde and Wunmi stayed together. They first sang as a duet in Sealed. It was a success and they decided to work on an album. T.W.O got their first recording contract from Zmirage in 1997 and their debut Album Sealed was released in 1998. The album was produced by Albert Kalu. It contained the songs “Tomorrow”, “The Way”, and “Jafunmi”, a remake of King Sunny Adé’s song. Before Sealed was released, T.W.O had featured on The Charly Boy Show for about six years while Tunde had featured in a few Nigerian movies. At this time, they were trying to rebrand themselves as singers rather than actors. After a four-year break, T.W.O released their self-titled album T.W.O; the album was their official announcement to the public that they have rebranded after their union was formalized. This was the first album they recorded as a married couple. They released the album in 2002. The album was produced by Omololu Ogunleye and released under their label KopyKats Entertainment. The album contained the tracks “Show Luv”, “Voice Mail”, “Ope Mi”, and a remix of Fela Kuti’s song “Palava”. The album had few marketing hiccups. T.W.O was released at a period when there were no structured record labels or companies in Nigeria. After four years, T.W.O released a new album under Alec’s Music record label. With their last album came criticism from people who did not like the idea of the remakes of popular hit tracks. Their plan was to honor their mentors in the industry by remaking their hit track in each of their album, but the public were not aware of their decision. The critics saw T.W.O as not being creative enough to write their songs. T.W.O 4 Real had multiple producers: Rymzo produced the tracks “Adupe”, “Like a Fool”, “Let me be the one”, “Tribute 2 Jay” (dedicated to the loving memory of Wunmi’s younger brother Jaiyejeje Aboderin), “I Need Someone”, and “What You Give”. Pufffy T produced the tracks “Mo Gbo Mo Ya” and “It’s About Us”. Charles Duke produced the “Mo Gbo Mo Ya” remix; and Olaitan Adebowale produced “I Need Someone”. The album has some collaboration with other artistes which included Rymzo, Segun Obe, Mode 9, Ruggedman and Freestyle.T.W.O 4 Real was one of their highest-selling albums, with sales figures grossing millions. The album is still in demand. Apart from music, T.W.O have displayed their artistry and creativity in other ventures. In February 2007, T.W.O premiered their first annual valentine show titled Cupid Ball with T.W.O.[2] The first edition of Cupid’s Ball first held at Eko Hotel and suites in February 2007, while the second edition held at Lagoon restaurant, Ozumba Mbadiwe, Victoria Island. It was designed to give lovers an unforgettable Valentine experience in a cozy environment with the best in entertainment. It was held for four years before they took a break from it to give attention to other ventures. T.W.O own and run their music label KopyKats Entertainment alongside other business. In the 90s just before the release of their debut album, T.W.O were encouraged to go on air. They took the suggestion and approached Charly Boy to give them a slot in The Charly Boy Show that was already running. Charly Boy accepted and brought them on board. Wunmi presented the “Woman to Woman” segment and featured alongside Tunde in the “Mr. & Mrs.” segment. Wunmi also co-starred in the late Amaka Igwe TV soap opera Tempest – A Tale of 2 Women. Tunde has featured in several Nigerian movies, including The Gardener in which he played the title character; Daybreak; The Testament; and Goodbye Tomorrow. He once co-hosted the interview programme ZOOM TIME alongside Charly Boy. ZOOM TIME was a Charly Boy Show political spin off which featured prominent politicians and occasionally entertainers. It was a popular programme that ran for years. On December 3, 2004, Wunmi lost her younger brother Jaiyejeje Aboderin, who was only 33 years old. He slumped and died after a game of basketball leaving behind a wife (actress Stella Damasus) and two daughters, Angelica and Isabel.[3] While alive, Jaiye Aboderin supported and encouraged young and upcoming music acts. In 2009, the family launched Jay Search, a talent competition in his memory. The first Jay Search was held on December 3, 2009. 23-year-old undergraduate OluwaSunbo Olundegun (also known as Big Ma) emerged the winner walked home with a cash prize of N150,000 and a record deal of a single with T.W.O’s Kopykats Entertainment record label. Today, she is an on-air personality with a popular lifestyle radio in Nigeria and also runs her PR outfit. Due to the fact that it was solely sponsored by the family, it took another two years for the second edition of the competition to hold. The winner is offered a recording contract; for one single with KopyKats Entertainment, a cash prize, a photo shoot, a video, and some publicity. The non-profit making competition is designed to make them visible and create a stepping stone for them because they are not bound by any contract. The contestants are taken through two stages of the competition; they perform their composition and another song. They are not restricted to any music genre. The basis of choosing a winner was not about who could sing the best but who had the most marketable song and personality. The last set of judges were El-Dee of Trybes Record, Segun Demuren of EME, Segun Obe, and Wale Aboderin, Chairman of Punch. In 2011, Daniel Oramali, also known as Chuck Dee, emerged the winner of the second edition while other contestants went home with consolation prizes. The video of his single “Take Control” was unveiled to the public at Federal Palace Hotel on December 13, 2014, at the 10th year memorial of Jaiye Aboderin. Chuck Dee also got the prizes promised as the winner. T.W.O have been married since 1998 with three children, Modesayo, Ricardo and Andre. When they are not in the studio recording or rehearsing with their band, they spend quality time with their children and attend to their businesses. They are not a regular in the social scene because they only socialize when necessary. They love the quiet and private lifestyle.
