GT or GT da Guitarman is a Nigerian soul

Soul music

Soul music is a music genre originating in the United States combining elements of gospel music and rhythm and blues. According to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, soul is "music that arose out of the black experience in America through the transmutation of gospel and rhythm & blues into a form of...

 and R&B singer, songwriter, vocalist and guitarist. He sings in English

English language

English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...

, Yoruba

Yoruba language

Yorùbá is a Niger–Congo language spoken in West Africa by approximately 20 million speakers. The native tongue of the Yoruba people, it is spoken, among other languages, in Nigeria, Benin, and Togo and in communities in other parts of Africa, Europe and the Americas...

 and Pidgin.

Biography

GT was born in East Dulwich, South London, England in 1984 to Nigerian parents of Yoruba extraction. His parents returned to Nigeria two years later and he grew up in the metropolitan city of Lagos in Southwestern Nigeria

Nigeria

Nigeria , officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal constitutional republic comprising 36 states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in...

.

Education

His primary school education was at Community Primary School, Mile 2, Lagos and he went on to the renowned Mayflower Secondary School Ikenne, Ogun State, founded by the late Tai Solarin.

Music career

He has often said that he grew up listening to songs by Ebenezer Obey, King Sunny Ade and other Nigerian musicians at the time, that were in his father's collection. His mother and his older sister, Opeyemi, raised him and when he was 11, he discovered the world of music as a result of his sister's singing to him whenever she was babysitting him. He was discovered by the comedian Omobaba and popular R & B crooner, Darey introduced him to the CEO of Storm 360 Records and the Storm Media Group, Obi Asika who signed him on to the label the same day he met him. Omobaba hada met him at a show, Humour & Val on Valentine's Day, 2005.

Before then, he had joined a lot of music groups in his formative years including Pairs of Gloves and 4 Generations. Together with these groups, he performed at mostly church events and other ceremonies.

Musical Style

His guitar skills and flawless falsetto have set him apart in the competitive Nigerian music industry and he has often being compared to contemporary Nigerian soul singers such as Asa who gave him a gift of her old guitar, and Bez. His distinct alto voice has been described by many critics in the music industry as one of a kind.

Albums

He has released one album The Truth (2009), and has a forthcoming one billed for mid-2011.

The Truth (2009)

In 2009, da Guitarman released to critical acclaim, the album, "The Truth" on Storm Records. The album contained tracks such as the hit singles "Dreamer", "Osi Ma Gbomi", "Kinimatise" among others and was an instant favourite with soul-loving Nigerians. There was also the track, "I Don't Wanna" featuring then fellow labelmate, rapper Naeto C.

The Rebirth (2011)

Ember Entertainment (which is owned by the singer)has planned a release of his second album in mid-2011.

Singles

Sometime in 2006, GT was featured in a Storm All Stars video, "Eko Ile" that brought together artistes signed under the label then. They include: Darey, Sasha P (then known as Sasha) and Jazzman Olofin.

He released the single, "Truly" in July 2010. A video followed soon after and he was featured in the chart-topping remix of reggae artist, General Pype's Champion. Other artistes in the high-profile remix include rappers Naeto C, Vector, the late DaGrin and Sasha P also in 2010.

Performances

GT has performed at various high-level events and concerts including MNET’s Face of Africa; Glo’s G-bam show; Samsung’s Valentine’s day Concert & AIT Valentine’s Day concert; Asa: Live in Lagos; MTN Motivational Seminar with Les Brown; Calabar Festival and Easter Ball; Nokia’s First Chance; Rhythm Unplugged; Night Of A Thousand Laughs; Silverbird Man of the Year Award and the Big Brother Africa eviction party.

Awards/Nominations Received

.Nominated for Hip Hop World Awards (Next Rated Category) - (2008)
.Nominated for Hip Hop World Awards (Next Rated Category) - (2009)
.Nominated for Hip Hop World Awards (Best Vocal Performance Category) - (2008)

Management

GT was initially signed to Storm 360 Records, a powerhouse in Nigerian entertainment that parades such stars as Naeto C, Sasha P, General Pype, Sauce Kid and YQ. Artistes such as Darey (who is now with Soul Muzik)and Ikechukwu Killz left the label after some differences with the management headed by Obi Asika. This was the same in GT's case, although he refuses to criticize his former boss. In an interview with writer and journalist, Onyeka Nwelue in the online youth magazine, YNaija, he says, "Storm Records showed me love. They reached out to a poor person and made a star out of me."

In 2010, Ember Entertainment was born and he plans to release his second album on this platform. According to him, the label was birthed to depict his perseverance and die-hard spirit and to also show that “If anybody can, I can. Even if they can’t, I still can!”

GT is currently signed on to his Ember Entertainment with management support provided by Blarque Brotha Entertainment.

Change in Name

Late in 2010, he announced a change in name from GT da Guitarman to simply GT and emphasized that the name change signified a rebirth of both his career and personality.

External links

1. http://www.gtdaguitarman.com

2. http://www.gtlover.wordpress.com

3. http://www.twitter.com/GTDaGuitarman

4. http://www.facebook.com/gttheguitarman
5. http://www.showcaseyourmusic.com/gtdaguitarman
6. http://www.myspace.com/gtdaguitarman