Opeyemi Gbenga Kayode, known by his stage name Pepenazi, is a Nigerian singer and songwriter. He made his debut in the Nigerian music industry in 2012 with the single "Arose", produced by Bam Tunes. Its music video contained cameo appearances by Vector, Ice Prince and W4. Pepenazi later took a break from music to complete his undergraduate education and enlist in the army. Returning to the Nigerian music scene in October 2014, he released two more singles: "Born You" and "Low". Pepenazi attracted more attention after releasing his pop single, "Illegal". The second half of 2015 was a breakthrough period, when he was nominated for Rookie of the Year at the 2015 Headies' Flip the Script Awards.
Early life and education
Pepenazi, born in Lagos, grew up listening to Ebenezer Obey, King Sunny Adé, The Beattle, I. K. Dairo and Fela Kuti. He received his primary education at Kemeesther Nursery and Primary School in Aguda Surulere, Lagos. Pepenazi received his secondary-school education at Mayflower School in Ikenne, Ogun State, where his appreciation for rap emerged as he listened to Wyclef Jean, the Notorious B.I.G., P. Diddy, Fat Joe and others. He received a Bachelor of Technology degree in estate management from the Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo State, where he recorded his first single. Pepenazi won a student election to become the student union's director of socials and participated in an album, Futa's Finnest.
Career
2012–2014
Pepenazi entered the Nigerian music industry in 2012, when he released a rap single entitled "Arose". Produced by Bam Tunes, it was followed by a video. As a final-year student, however, Pepenazi took a break from the entertainment scene and entered the National Youth Service Corps; he won the 2013 Airtel NYSC Lagos Camp Freestyle Competition. He appeared on two Olamide albums: Baddest Guy Ever Liveth and Street OT. Pepenazi released two singles in October 2014, which received some airplay.
2015–2016
He released "Adam", a hardcore rap single with Olamide, on 8 February 2015. On 22 May of that year, Pepenazi released the alternative single "Fifemayo" followed by a music video a week later. His "Low" video included Iyanya, Sound Sultan, Lil Kesh, Samklef, DJ Spinall and Viktoh in cameo appearances. Pepenazi then featured Olamide on "Illegal", a pop single which became his major hit. Although Pepenazi's featuring of Olamide triggered speculation that he was signed to YBNL Nation, he said in a Green News interview that his label was only affiliated with YBNL Nation. "Illegal" was ranked as a top-five dance-stimulating Nigerian song. According to Jim Donnett of tooxclusive.com, Pepenazi was a performer to watch. He performed at the Ibadan edition of Star Trek on 30 August 2015, and was nominated in the Rookie of the Year category of the 2015 Headies Awards. Pepenazi won the Most Promising Artist of the Year award at the 2015 Scream Awards, and Revelation/Industry's Cynosure of the year at the 2015 MoreKlue All Youths Awards. He released "One For The Road" in 2016, followed by a video and the dance-hall single "Iwo Na " with YBNL Nation's Lil Kesh. In addition to his solo work, Pepenazi was featured on "Gone are the Days", "Obi Remix", "Motivation", "In Da Mix", "Dishanku", "Eran", "Usain Bolt P" and "Designer Remix". He has worked with a number of producers, including Pheelz, Dapiano, Young John, T Mode, Drey Beatz, Oga Jojo and Htee.
2017
Pepenazi traveled to South Africa and performed at the Harem and Moloko clubs. He then released videos for "I Ain't Gat No Time " and the song's female remix, featuring Lucy Q, Phlow and Mz Kiss. Pepenazi released "Ase", featuring Tiwa Savage and Masterkraft, on 15 May. This was followed by a video and the launch of his website on 5 June. Pepenazi released another dance-hall single, "Jabo", on 2 August.
Notable performances
He appeared at the 2014 and 2015 editions of Copa Lagos. In 2015, Pepenazi performed at the 2015 Star Trek grand finale in Lagos. He appeared in season two of Olamide Live in Concert, and performed at the December 2015One Lagos Fiesta.
