Iyanya’s story: From rising star to one of Nigeria’s top artists
Iyanya became popular after winning the MTN Project Fame West Africa in 2008. He is well-known for his song Kukere. Some genres he performs are Afropop and R&B. Here is Iyanya's story, to understand more about her rise to fame and personal life.
Source: UGC
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Key takeaways
- Iyanya is a Nigerian singer and songwriter born and raised in Calabar.
- After winning the MTN Project Fame, Iyanya released his debut album, My Story, in 2011.
- His second album had singles such as Kukere, Ur Waist, Sexy Mama, Jombolo, and Flavour.
- In 2025, Iyanya became a judge on Nigerian Idol.
Profile summary
| Full name | Iyanya Onoyom Mbuk |
| Stage name | Iyanya |
| Gender | Male |
| Date of birth | 31 October 1986 |
| Age | 39 years (as of 2025) |
| Zodiac sign | Scorpio |
| Place of birth | Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria |
| Nationality | Nigerian |
| Ethnicity | African |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Sexuality | Straight |
| Height in feet | 5'9" |
| Height in centimetres | 180 |
| Hair colour | Black |
| Eye colour | Brown |
| Siblings | 1 |
| Relationship status | Single |
| University | University of Calabar |
| Profession | Singer and songwriter |
| Net worth | $4.85 million |
| YouTube | @officialiyanya |
| @iyanya | |
| TikTok | @itsiyanya |
| X (Twitter) | @its iyanyaaaaaa |
| @Iyanya |
All about Iyanya's story
The celebrated musician was born on Palm Street, Cross River State, Nigeria. His father worked as a forester while his mother was a headmistress. Iyanya's mother was the disciplinarian, while his father was calm and gentle. They had two sons, Iyanya and his elder brother.
Unfortunately, his parents passed away in 2008 - his mother died at the age of 42 years, while his father was 50 years old at the time of his passing. The musician's brother also passed away in almost the same period that their parents died.
Iyanya's grandfather was a clergyman in a local church that the musician attended while young. At age five, he would sing in the church choir and became the children's choirmaster. He was very passionate about singing.
Education
After attaining his First School Leaving Certificate and the West African School Certificate, he enrolled in the University of Calabar in Cross River State. He graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Business Management before venturing into music in 2008.
Source: Original
Career
The celebrity started working in a hotel and managed to sing Karaoke at a local bar where he was the manager. He began developing and perfecting his vocals at local bars such as Mirage Nite Club, West-Life, and Fiesta Fries Bar.
His musical influences at the time were R. Kelly, an American hip hop artist, and Craig David, a British singer. He got motivated to be a professional musician after admiring Olu Maintain and 2 Face Idibia's lifestyles.
When he started rapping, he used the name Lofty. KCee from KC Presh convinced Iyanya to participate in the 2008 Project Fame West Africa. Fortunately, he won, and his success journey began blossoming.
After this win, he recorded his debut album, My Story, which CN Media Imprint released. Later, after visiting Calabar and seeing how people loved the Etighi dance, he decided to write a song that would popularise the dance.
He collaborated with DTunes, a producer, and recorded Kukere, a single that was well-received globally. It was popular in West African countries and the United Kingdom as well. Later, he released another single, Ur Waist, featuring Emma Nyra's vocals.
The singer has performed at various shows. He performed at the AY comedy show in London (2012) and the Iyanya vs. Desire concert in the UK (2013). He also performed at the African Muzik Magazine launch in Dallas, Texas, on 12 April 2013.
A list of Iyanya's songs
The Nigerian singer has been very active in the music and entertainment industry, and here are some of his songs:
| Year | Song |
| 2024 | Hello |
| 2023 | One Side |
| 2023 | My Bed |
| 2023 | Plans |
| 2019 | Kama Roll |
| 2019 | Ijeoma |
| 2018 | No Drama |
| 2018 | Biko |
| 2017 | Hold On |
| 2017 | Up To Something |
| 2017 | Bow For You |
| 2015 | Gift |
| 2015 | Mama |
| 2015 | Ufana |
| 2015 | Fell It |
| 2015 | Okamfor |
| 2015 | Mr Oreo |
| 2015 | Nakupenda |
| 2014 | Tayali |
| 2014 | Finito |
| 2014 | Commander |
| 2013 | Kukere |
| 2013 | Marry Me |
| 2013 | Limbo |
| 2013 | Drowning |
| 2013 | Badman |
| 2013 | I gat it |
| 2013 | Your Man |
| 2013 | Somebody |
Which is Iyanya's new song and album?
As of 2025, his latest single is Yebo!. He has four studio albums, which include:
| Year | Album |
| 2009 | My Story |
| 2013 | Desire |
| 2015 | Applaudise |
| 2024 | Once Upon A Cat |
Nominations and awards
His scintillating talent has taken him everywhere, earning him continental recognition and awards. He has been nominated for several awards and won four, which include the following:
| Year | Event | Prize |
| 2014 | African Muzik Magazine Awards | Best Dance in a Video |
| 2013 | The Headies | Album of the Year |
| 2013 | Nigeria Entertainment Awards | Hottest Single of the Year |
| 2012 | The Headies | Best Pop Single |
What is Iyanya's net worth in 2025?
Even though his exact net worth is unknown, the Nigerian Kukere hitmaker has earned a fortune from his career in the music industry. He has also been a brand ambassador for several companies in Nigeria, contributing to the company's income.
In 2013, he became an ambassador for Solo Phones Nigeria, a company located at Computer Village, Ikeja. He also signed a one-year deal with Zinox Computers, Nigeria's first certified branded computer.
Source: Getty Images
Who is Iyanya's wife?
Iyanya is not married yet. In a 2017 interview with Eve, he expressed his views on marriage and relationships. When he was asked whether, at 31, he felt ready for marriage, he explained that it was not an easy decision, saying:
It's not easy, and if I had my way, this marriage thing would have been history. It's not easy to get my music right and also get married. Everybody may think that I have that bad boy's reputation, but I respect marriage a lot. I don't believe in separation or divorce. That is the reason I don't want to rush into it.
When he was asked if he was dating, Iyanya revealed that he was still single, saying:
I am single and searching – a message relayed in one of my tracks Baby Answer off my Signature EP. I may also have a secret marriage because I want my marriage to last. I will keep it off social media as much as I can.
What is Iyanya doing now?
As of 2025, the Nigerian artist is serving as a judge on Nigerian Idol. The award-winning singer remains active in the music industry and is celebrated for his smooth vocals and energetic performances.
In his new role, Iyanya uses his experience and sharp ear for talent to mentor and shape the next generation of Nigerian music stars.
FAQs
- Who is Iyanya? He is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, and performer. He rose to fame after winning the first season of Project Fame West Africa and is best known for his hit song Kukere.
- How old is Iyanya? As of 2025, he is 38 years old. He was born on 31 October 1986 in Calabar, Nigeria.
- Which country is Iyanya from? The singer is from Nigeria. He hails from Calabar, Cross River State, in the country's southern region.
- Where is Iyanya now? As of 2025, he is serving as a judge on Nigerian Idol.
- Is Iyanya married? No, the talented singer is not married.
- Was Iyanya on Nigerian Idol? Yes, he is currently serving as the judge on the show.
- Who signed Iyanya? He was initially signed to Made Men Music Group (MMMG), a label he co-founded with Ubi Franklin.
- How tall is Iyanya? The musician stands at a height of 1.80 meters (180 cm) and weighs 76 kilograms.
Iyanya is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, and performer famous as the Kukere hitmaker. He has managed to establish a promising career in the music industry. Iyanya's story is a great inspiration for many upcoming artists globally.
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Source: Legit.ng
Adrianna Simwa (Lifestyle writer) Adrianna Simwa is a content writer at Legit.ng where she has worked since mid-2022. She has written for many periodicals on a variety of subjects, including news, celebrities, and lifestyle, for more than three years. She has worked for The Hoth, The Standard Group and Triple P Media. Adrianna graduated from Nairobi University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in 2020. In 2023, Simwa finished the AFP course on Digital Investigation Techniques. You can reach her through her email: adriannasimwa@gmail.com
John Ouma (Lifestyle writer) John Ouma is a journalist with six years of experience. He has published sharply argued think pieces that live at the intersection of power, politics, and society. He was awarded the FirstGen scholarship by Biola University and a merit-based scholarship by AMDA College and Conservatory of the Performing Arts in January 2021. He has worked for The Standard and Nation Africa as an opinion columnist between 2018 and 2022. He is currently working on his first novel—a literary fiction that traces the life of a contemporary Kenyan artist. Email: gervasjohn97@gmail.com
