Aramide, is a Nigerian female singer, songwriter and Recording Academy voting member who has described her genre of music as Afro-Soul. In 2015, she won an award for Best Vocal Performance in the Female category after her massive single, ‘Iwo Nikan’. She plays the saxophone and guitar.
Early Life
Aramide Sarumoh AKA Aramide, was born on June 22, 1985 in Lagos, Nigeria to parents from Ibadan, Oyo state. Aramide grew up in a music orientated family where her love for music began. She attended her elementary and secondary education in Lagos; she then studied political science at the University of Jos where she graduated with a bachelor degree in sciences.
Music Career
Aramide sings about love, betrayal, friendship, trust, and the attendant joys and aches of womanhood. Her musical influences include Erykah Badu, Miriam Makeba, Sade, Angelique Kidjo and other greats.
After secondary school, she learnt to play the saxophone and guitar, two instruments she is quite passionate about. While in the University, Aramide participated in the Star Quest talent hunt show, making her part of a band that finished Third Runners up in 2006. Her ever growing solo career took off shortly after graduation.
In 2008, she was a part of a show called ‘Divas Unplugged’ in the famous city of Jos in Nigeria; the show had all the leading female artistes in the Nigerian music industry and her participation in this show was very challenging and rewarding, and her performance and involvement was very inspirational.
Her approach to song-writing and her soft but deep and powerful voice are some of the things that stand her out.
Having featured on songs with other Nigerian artists which include Good Man by eLDee, an offshoot from a campaign “Violence against women”, Aramide has worked and shared the stage with the likes of Banky W, Sound Sultan, Tiwa, Dr Sid, MI, Adekunle Gold, Koker, eLDee, Waje, Yemi Alade and many more. Her acoustic rendition and female version of eLDee’s popular song “Today Today” and Davido’s “Ekuro” went viral and received much acclaim compared to the original.
Her single “I Don’t Care” was spotted on number 1 spot on MTN Yhello Top 10 Nigeria Chart, number 4 on Alternative Music Naija Chart on Top Radio 90.9 FM and number 3 on Alternative Nigeria Chart on Radio Continental 102.3FM. Also “Love Me” picked on number 1 spot on Alternative Nigerian Chart on The Beat 99.9 FM and on number 3 spot on Playdata Chart.
In 2017, Aramide embark on her debut world tour which took place in United States, Ghana and Nigeria titled “Aramide Suitcase Live” (ASL). She performed at the legendary Sounds of Brazil (SOBs) in New York, the Ford Amphitheater at Coney Island Boardwalk among other locations. She has since performed at the various events in Nigeria, United Kingdom, Dubai, United States and Canada.
Breakout Songs
- Feeling This Feeling
- Iwo Nikan
- Love Me
- FunMi Lowo
Album
- Suitcase (2016)
Awards
- Best Alternative Song for her single “Funmi Lowo” at the 2018 Headies Award
- Best Female Artist in West Africa at 2016 All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA)
- Alternative Artist of The Year award at 2016 Nigerian Entertainment Award (NEA)
- Best Vocal Performance (Female) Category at 2015 Headies Award.
Personal Life
Aramide is married to Pelumi Alli. Her traditional marriage and white wedding was held on 18 April 2015 in her hometown, Ibadan.
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