Helen Folasade Adu, OBE, (born 16 January 1959), better known as Sade (pronounced "shah-day," ʃɑːˈdeɪ), is a Nigerian/British singer-songwriter, composer, and record producer. She has achieved success in the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s as the frontwoman and lead vocalist of the popular Grammy Award winning English group Sade.

Sade was born in Ibadan, Ọyọ State, Nigeria. Her name, Folasade, means honor confers a crown.[1] Her parents, Bisi Adu, a Nigerian lecturer in economics of Yoruba background, and Anne Hayes, an English nurse, met in London and moved to west Africa. Later, when the marriage ran into difficulties, Anne returned to Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, England, taking four-year-old Sade and her older brother Banji to live with her parents. Living in Colchester, Essex, Sade read a good deal, developed an interest in fashion, acquired a taste for dancing and listened to soul artists like Curtis Mayfield, Donny Hathaway, and Marvin Gaye.

In 1977, Sade arrived in London for a three-year course in fashion design at St. Martin's College.[2] On graduating, she set up a small fashion company, making men's clothes, in London's Chalk Farm, with a friend, Gioia Mellor.[3] She also found work as a photographic model.

[edit] Career

In 1982, she joined Ray St. John's band Pride, which also included guitarist Stuart Matthewman, bassist Paul Denman, and drummer Paul Cooke. However, St. John left Pride shortly after, later resurfacing in the band Halo James, and Pride eventually petered out.

The other four members then formed a new group, the eponymous "Sade" and began to write their own material. Keyboardist Andrew Hale joined the band as a keyboard player in mid-1983, and in 1983 she signed a solo deal with Epic Records and sister imprint Portrait Records for the U.S. and Canada until the label folded in 1986. All of the Sade albums are Sony Music releases.

In 1985 Sade appeared in the film Absolute Beginners, directed by Julien Temple. She played singer Athene Duncannon, performing "Killer Blow," co-written by her with Simon Booth of soul/jazz band Working Week.

On 11 February 1989, in the old castle of Viñuelas in Guadalajara, she married Carlos Scola, a Spanish film-maker.[4] In 1994 Sade divorced Scola.[5]In 1995 Sade moved to Ocho Rios, Jamaica, where she lived with Bob Morgan, a Jamaican producer.[6] On 21 July 1996 she gave birth to her daughter Ila.[7]

In 1997 Sade was cited for dangerous driving and disobeying a police officer in Montego Bay, Jamaica. Later a Jamaican court issued an arrest warrant for Sade after she failed to appear in court to face charges, but medical proof of her daughter's hospitalization allowed the arrest warrant to be stayed.[8][9]

In 2005, Sade recorded a new track, "Mum", which she had performed at the Voices for Darfur charity concert on 8 December 2004 at the Royal Albert Hall in London, to raise awareness and funding for the crisis in Sudan's Darfur region.[10]

Lemar Obika (born 4 April 1978), professionally known as Lemar, was born in London to Nigerian (Igbo) parents, and was raised in Tottenham listening to Soul Music and R&B. He used to sing at home with his brothers and sister, pretending to be The Jacksons. He was seventeen when he had his first concert at the Junior Jam at the Temple in Tottenham supporting Usher. He gave up an opportunity to study pharmacy at the Cardiff University to pursue a musical career. Lemar had some success supporting various artists such as Destiny's Child, Total, Uncle Sam and Usher Raymond on their UK club tours and after some years, managed to secure a recording contract with BMG. Following this, he released his debut single "Got Me Saying Ooh". Unfortunately his record deal with BMG fell through in less than a year due to restructuring at the record label. He had to eventually take a job working as an accounts manager at NatWest in Enfield, north London.

On Saturday 19th January 2008, MSN UK reported that Lemar became a father for the first time with his long term partner Charmaine Powell, who gave birth to a baby girl called Nyiema Obika at London's private Portland hospital weighing 7 lb [1].

[edit] Fame Academy

Lemar was most notably brought to public attention on the BBC's Fame Academy in 2002, a combination of a talent quest and reality television show. He made the finals of the show winning plaudits for his version of "Let's Stay Together" by Al Green and singing a duet with Lionel Richie on "Easy". While he ended up finishing third in the show, which was won by David Sneddon, he caught the eye of fellow English soul singer Beverley Knight, who invited him to sing a duet with her during her concert at the Hammersmith Apollo. Sony Music was so impressed with his potential that they signed him to a five year record deal worth £1 million.

[edit] Recording career

Lemar's second single "Dance (With U)" reached number two on the UK Singles Chart in early 2003. His first album Dedicated was released late in 2003 with additional singles "50/50" and "Another Day" also achieving chart success in the UK. Lemar won a BRIT Award for "Best Urban Act" in 2004. Following the success of the album, he commenced his first headlining tour of the UK.

On the 12th of November 2004 Lemar guested on BBC Radio 1's Live Lounge and performed a cover of U2's song "Vertigo". He has also performed for Prince Charles' Prince's Trust.

He is also one of the many artists included on Band Aid 20's single "Do They Know It's Christmas?".

In February 2006, he won a second BRIT Award for "Best Urban Act".

4 September 2006 saw Lemar return with his eighth single, entitled "It's Not That Easy", which became his sixth UK top ten hit. A week later his new album The Truth About Love was released, which saw guest appearances from Styles P from The L.O.X., Mica Paris and Joss Stone. The album became Lemar's highest charting album to date, peaking at number three on the UK Albums Chart, outpeaking Time to Grow (number eight) and Dedicated

Lemar's 4th studio album "The Reason" is set for release on November 24th 2008. While the first single of the album will be called "If She Knew" released on 10th November 2008. Also the video has been released too.

Lemar will also feature on Sway's first single "Saturday Night Hustle" from the album " The Signature LP".

Sealhenry Olusegun Olumide Adelo Samuel (born 19 February 1963 in Paddington, London) is a British soul singer and songwriter.[1] His name Olusegun means "God is victorious".[2] Known professionally by his first name, Seal (pronounced see-ell)[clarify] is known for his numerous international hits and his marriage to supermodel Heidi Klum.

His new album, Soul is due out November 11th, 2008 in the United States, and November 3rd, 2008 internationally.

Seal was born Seal Henry Olusegun Olumide Adelo Samuel in Paddington, a district of the City of Westminster in inner London, to a Nigerian mother and a Brazilian father. He graduated with a degree in architecture, and worked in various jobs in the London area. Seal got his famous characteristic facial scars as a result of discoid lupus, which, additionally, caused some hair loss.[3]

[edit] Music career

[edit] Early career

After a short time singing in local clubs and bars, in the 1980s he joined Push, a British funk band, and toured with them in Japan. In Asia, he joined a blues band in Thailand for a while before separating from the group and journeying throughout India on his own. When Seal arrived back in England, he met Adamski, a producer who was impressed by him. He was given the lyrics of the song "Killer", which was a huge hit in 1990.

[edit] Seal [1991]

Main article: Seal (1991 album)

Seal first came to public attention as vocalist on the Adamski single "Killer" in 1990. The single eventually reached number one in 1990 in the UK. Seal subsequently signed to ZTT Records and released his debut album (produced by Trevor Horn), self-titled Seal, in 1991. Two versions of the album are known to be in circulation: the original "premix" version and a second, more common version with an updated mix. This is attributed to the demand for a produced single rushing the final album edit, and as Seal puts it, his and producer Horn's "inability to let go."[4]

Seal was positively received by critics. The singles "Crazy", "Future Love Paradise", and his own rendition of "Killer" performed well on the charts. In particular, "Crazy" became a hit in the United States in 1991, reaching number seven on the Billboard Music Charts and number two in the U.K.[5]

In April of 1992 Seal performed with the surviving members of the rock band Queen at the Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert. Seal performed on his own singing the 1986 hit Who Wants To Live Forever and joined the rest of the acts for the all star finale singing We Are The Champions.

[edit] Seal II [1994]

Main article: Seal (1994 album)

His second album, also self-titled Seal, was released in 1994. A success, the album featured the singles "Prayer for the Dying" and "Newborn Friend", later receiving a Grammy nomination for Album of the Year. "Prayer for the Dying" became a minor pop hit in the U.S., peaking at #21 on the Billboard charts. A third single, "Kiss from a Rose", performed modestly when released but was later featured in the film Batman Forever. "Kiss from a Rose" won a Grammy Award for Record of the Year and Song of the Year in 1996, becoming Seal's best performing single on the US market (it topped the Billboard Hot 100 in late August 1995). It is considered his signature song. Later, he recorded a cover of Steve Miller Band's "Fly Like an Eagle" for the Space Jam soundtrack.

[edit] Human Being

Main article: Human Being (album)

After the release of his previous album, in 1998, Seal released Human Being. The album was the product of a turbulent time in his life, including a split and later reconciliation with producer Horn as well as Seal's parting with ZTT Records and his signing with Warner Bros. Records in 1997. The record was panned upon its release. However, it received Gold record certification by the RIAA just two months after its release date.[6] The album provided three singles, "Human Beings", "Latest Craze", and "Lost My Faith".

[edit] Togetherland

Main article: Togetherland

In 2001, fans awaited the arrival of a new album, announced as Togetherland. However, after a protracted post-production period the album was cancelled. The official word was that Seal simply didn't think it made the grade, although this conflicts with other reports that said the album was turned down by the label because producers felt the album wouldn't be commercially successful. Even so, one single was released from the album. "This Could Be Heaven" was released in the US and featured on The Family Man soundtrack. Since December 2006, Seal has indicated that he has plans to excerpt cuts from Togetherland and make them available for streaming download. The complete or edited versions of the songs "All I Wanted To Say," "Elise" (also known as "Eliz", "Love Is Better," and "This Could Be Heaven", are available as streaming audio only on Togetherland co-producer Henry Jackman's website.

Meanwhile, Seal co-wrote and provided vocals for the hit single "My Vision" from Jakatta in 2002. He also recorded a successful duet with French icon Mylène Farmer called "Les Mots" during that same period.

[edit] Seal IV

Main article: Seal (2003 album)

In 2003, Seal released his fourth album, which was again self-titled, except for Australia, where it was released under Seal IV. Although it did not sell as well as either of his first two albums, this release brought him back into the public eye in the United States and continental Europe. Singles from the album included "Waiting For You", "Get It Together", and "Love's Divine" (released in 2004, and a big hit in several European countries).

[edit] Greatest Hits Album: Best 1991-2004

Main article: Best 1991-2004 (album)

In 2004, a greatest hits album entitled Seal: Best 1991-2004 was released, including a cover of the Bacharach / David classic "Walk on By" and a cover of Echo and the Bunnymen's song "Lips Like Sugar". Also for a small additional fee the album could be bought with a limited edition acoustic CD with acoustic covers of songs such as "Killer" And "Kiss from a Rose".

[edit] Live in Paris

Also in 2004, Seal performed shows at the Olympia Theatre in Paris, France. The 6 July 2004 show was recorded and released about one year after as CD/DVD package, simply titled Live in Paris.

[edit] One Night to Remember

In June 2005, Seal recorded a special concert which was subsequently released in 2006, entitled One Night to Remember, as CD/DVD combination. The DVD includes a special "the making of" documentary in addition to the live performance. Recorded in a historic steel mill, the Altes Kesselhaus ("old boiler house", in Düsseldorf, Germany, this performance includes a special version of Brahms' Lullaby which Seal sings in German and then in English for the exclusive audience. Unlike earlier recordings in which Seal is accompanied by his band, a full orchestra and choir of 52 musicians accompanies the singer.

[edit] System

Main article: System (Seal album)

System was released in the UK on 12 November 2007 and in the U.S. on 13 November 2007.[7] Seal describes the album as more dance-oriented, apparently a return to the roots of his first album. On the track titled "Wedding Day", Seal sings a duet with his wife, model Heidi Klum. The album's first single, "Amazing", was released on 25 September 2007, and was nominated for the "Best Male Pop Vocal Performance" Grammy at the 2007 50th Annual Grammy Awards.[8]

Seal performed "Amazing" and the Beatles' "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" at the 2007 Royal Variety Performance.

Seal also performed "Amazing" at the 2007 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show in December, as well as the duet "Wedding Day" with his wife. Other performers at the 2007 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show include the Spice Girls and will.i.am of Black Eyed Peas. He appeared on the American Idol Season 7 Finale, singing with third-place contestant Syesha Mercado.

[edit] Soul

Seal's seventh studio album Soul will be released on 11 November 2008 in the United States and 3 November 2008 internationally, and contains eleven soul classics produced by David Foster.[9][10] The video for the first single, a cover of Sam Cooke's "A Change Is Gonna Come" is up on his official YouTube Page. [1]

[edit] Personal life

Seal proposed to German supermodel Heidi Klum on 24 December 2004 at 14,000 ft, in an igloo on a glacier in Whistler, British Columbia.[11]

On 10 May 2005, the couple married on a beach in Mexico near Seal's home on Mexico's luxurious Costa Careyes.[12]

The couple have two sons together, Henry Günther Ademola Dashtu Samuel or Henry Samuel, Jr., born 12 September 2005, in Los Angeles, California[13] and Johan Riley Fyodor Taiwo Samuel, born 22 November 2006, in Los Angeles. Seal is also the stepfather of Heidi's 4-year-old daughter Helene "Leni" Klum, whom Heidi had with Renault Formula One team director and Italian businessman Flavio Briatore.[14] Seal is her only father figure, and he has praised Briatore for keeping his distance and not disrupting Leni's life.[15]

Carlton Michael Cole Okirie (born November 12, 1983,[1] in Croydon, London, England) is an English football player who plays for West Ham United.

Cole is of Nigerian and Sierra Leonean descent through his parents, but rejected the chance to play for either of the national sides of these countries.[25][26] He was a regular member of the England under-21 side, scoring six goals in 19 appearances,[27] including two goals in the 3–1 win over Ukraine under-21 team in August 2004.[28] Peter Taylor, then England under-21 manager, claimed that Cole had ", the potential to break into the full England squad, ".[29] In August 2008, Nigeria coach Shaibu Amodu called Cole into camp ahead of Nigeria's World Cup Qualifier against South Africa.[30] However, it was later reported that Cole was ineligible to play for Nigeria as he was then too old to switch from one country to another.[31][32]

Jackie Kay was born in Edinburgh in 1961 to a white Scottish mother and a black Nigerian father. She was adopted by a Scottish white couple Helen and John Kay and brought up in Bishopbriggs, a suburb of Glasgow.[1]

Kay was brought up in a 1950s-built Glasgow housing estate in a small Wimpey house, which her adoptive parents had bought new in 1957.[1] They adopted Kay in 1961 having already adopted Kay's brother, Maxwell, about 2 years earlier. Kay and Maxwell also have siblings who were brought up by her genetic parents.[1] Kay's adoptive father worked for the communist party full-time and stood for Member of Parliament, and her adoptive mother was the Scottish secretary of CND.[1] In August 2007 Kay was the subject of the fourth episode of The House I Grew Up In, in which she talked about a happy childhood in a stimulating, albeit unconventional, home.[1]

Initially harbouring ambitions to be an actress, she decided to concentrate on writing after Alasdair Gray read her poetry and told her that writing was what she should be doing. She studied English at the University of Stirling and her first book of poetry, the partially autobiographical The Adoption Papers, was published in 1991, and won the Saltire Society Scottish First Book Award. Her other awards include the 1994 Somerset Maugham Award for Other Lovers, and the Guardian Fiction Prize for Trumpet, based on the life of Billy Tipton. She writes extensively for children, stage and screen. She has a son, Matthew, and until 2004 lived in Manchester with her former partner, the poet Carol Ann Duffy.

Kay became a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) on 17 June 2006.

She currently teaches creative writing at Newcastle University.[2]

Ben Okri


Ben Okri (born on March 15, 1959) is a Nigerian poet and novelist. Having spent his early childhood in London, he and his family returned to Nigeria in 1968. He later came back to England, embarking on studies at the University of Essex. He has received honorary doctorates from the University of Westminster (1997) and the University of Essex (2002), and was awarded an OBE (Order of the British Empire) in 2001.

Since he published his first novel, Flowers and Shadows (1980), Okri has risen to an international acclaim, and he is often described as one of Africa's greatest writers. His best known work, The Famished Road, was awarded the 1991 Booker Prize. He has also won the Commonwealth Writers Prize for Africa, the Aga Khan Prize for Fiction, and was given a Crystal Award by the World Economic Forum. He is also a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature.

He has also been described as a magic realist, although he has shrugged off that tag. His first-hand experiences of civil war in Nigeria are said to have inspired many of his works. He writes about both the mundane and the metaphysical, the individual and the collective, drawing the reader into a world with vivid descriptions.

Okri is a Vice-President of the English Centre for the International PEN, an association of writers with 130 branches in over 100 countries. He is also a member of the United Kingdom's Royal National Theatre. He lives in London.

After taking a 5 year break, Ben's eleventh book, Starbook was published by Rider.

Carmen Ejogo


Carmen Ejogo Wright (born 1 January 1974) is a British actress.

Ejogo was born in London, England, the daughter of Elizabeth, a tour guide, and Charles Ejogo, an entrepreneur.[1] Her mother is Scottish and her father is Nigerian.

Her television career began in the UK in the early 1990s, where she co-presented the children's series Saturday Disney. Subsequently, she has had an acting career in the US. She has appeared in Metro with Eddie Murphy, What's the Worst That Could Happen? with Martin Lawrence, and Love's Labour's Lost with Kenneth Branagh, among other films, and also presented her own video show (The Carmen Ejogo Video Show) on BSB's Power Station channel. She starred as Thomas Jefferson's slave mistress in the television drama Sally Hemmings: An American Scandal.

While performing in the HBO film Boycott, she met and later married Jeffrey Wright. They have one son, Elijah.

im proud of these people. good job but please reference ur sources,

this is quite informing

Its really really informing the Hugo Weaving for me was the most suprising

ehmm. . gud to know

The poster had cited Wikipedia as his source, and i`ve been able to check some out myself-- Nice job!!!

wow!! Lemar a 9-G-wian!!!

hiz eyes are

Olubowale Victor Folarin, better known by his stage name Wale (pronounced wah-lay), (born in Washington, D.C. on 21 September 1984) is an American hip hop artist. He rose to prominence in 2006, when his song Dig Dug (Shake It) became popular in Washington, D.C. Wale has released five widely recognized mixtapes. His first full length album, Attention: Deficit is scheduled to be released on October 20, 2009.

Donald Adeosun Faison (born June 22, 1974) is an American actor and voice actor best known for his role as Dr. Chris Turk in the ABC (formerly NBC) comedy-drama Scrubs (2001–2009). Faison first emerged on the scene with parts in films such as Clueless (1995) and Remember the Titans (2000). He has continued his career with Next Day Air.

Love this thread Shotster, . . . .

Shoutz out to all the Nigerians worldwide doing big things!!

shotster50:

Donald Adeosun Faison (born June 22, 1974) is an American actor and voice actor best known for his role as Dr. Chris Turk in the ABC (formerly NBC) comedy-drama Scrubs (2001–2009). Faison first emerged on the scene with parts in films such as Clueless (1995) and Remember the Titans (2000). He has continued his career with Next Day Air.

He's Nigerian?

Oh wow!!! I loveeeee him.

Caroline Chikezie, born in 1979, is a British actress, born of Nigerian heritage. She is probably most famous for playing the role of 'Sasha Williams' in the hit British teen soap As If from 2001 to 2004. She has also enjoyed success in playing Elaine Hardy in the hit British television drama Footballers' Wives.

Her other television work includes 40, Babyfather, Holby City, Judas Kiss, Casualty, Free Fall and Brothers and Sisters.

She appeared as Lisa Hallett, a member of the secret organisation of Torchwood who had been transformed into a half-human half-Cyberman in "Cyberwoman", an episode of the Doctor Who spin-off series Torchwood.

She also starred as Nasuada in the movie Eragon

She also starred as Tamara, a fellow demon hunter, in the 3rd Season Premiere of Supernatural.

shotster50:

Donald Adeosun Faison (born June 22, 1974) is an American actor and voice actor best known for his role as Dr. Chris Turk in the ABC (formerly NBC) comedy-drama Scrubs (2001–2009). Faison first emerged on the scene with parts in films such as Clueless (1995) and Remember the Titans (2000). He has continued his career with Next Day Air.

I'm impressed with the whole list, but this one really hit me!! OMG, he's so funny in Scrubs, and to think he's Nigerian----Taio Cruz, I always guessed, must be Nigerian from his name, tho's spelled differently from the normal "Tayo". I'm sure they are so many more mega-achievers that we don't even know about, simply because they are probably the "silent" ones or work behind the scenes. I am just so proud of all of them and their positive living.

the problem is how many of these people are happy to identify with their nigerian roots,

OMG.  I knew some of this people were Nigerians but some i didn't know.

By the way, about Donald Adeosun Faison.  I researched it.  He isn't Nigerian. He just got a Nigerian name. 
Both his parents are African-American, he's mom visited Nigeria when she was pregnant of him. She named him and his siblings a Nigerian name as a remembrance of her visit. I was surprised when i saw that, that's why i researched it. Damn, it would been so cool for him to be Nigerian. oh well.

I've never heard of these people except the Ejiofor guy(he's cute)

But this is good stuff.

There's more that should be there

Misan Sagay.  A UK stage actress from the Itsekiri tribe in Naija.

Adaure Achumba. A Nigerian working for CNN

Adaku Okpi. A movie casting director in New York

More on the way >>>>>>>

Ifygurl:

OMG. I knew some of this people were Nigerians but some i didn't know.

By the way, about Donald Adeosun Faison. I researched it. He isn't Nigerian. He just got a Nigerian name.
Both his parents are African-American, he's mom visited Nigeria when she was pregnant of him. She named him and his siblings a Nigerian name as a remembrance of her visit. I was surprised when i saw that, that's why i researched it. Damn, it would been so cool for him to be Nigerian. oh well.

Shoot!! . I knew it had to be too good to be true . Well, at least the fact that Nigeria made such an impact on the mother to actually give him a Nigerian name, is something in itself .

I'm really impressed with Taio Cruz's achievements in music. He is quietly becoming a force to reckon with in the global music industry.

I got a list of Nigerians Descent from Wikipedia

Sisqo

Mystikal

Chamillionaire

Phred Barnet


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Nigerian_rappers

@n-guage , how am i sure you're not a gay also hence you're only good at being jealous

.

Good job! while you are @ it, can you confirm if Zezi Ifore, the girl that once presented Big Brother Little Brother BBLB here in the UK has Nigerian roots.

Zezi Ifore (pronounced /ˈzeɪziː ˈaɪfɔər/)[citation needed] (born c1985) is an English DJ, dancer, television presenter, magazine editor and fashion designer.
Zezi attended the South East London mixed private secondary school Alleyns, along with Jack Peñate. She studied French and Italian at Oxford University

Sisqo?? Now that's a surprise . Now I've really heard everything! These Nigerian genes must really have something ! We go, we see, we conquer .

.