Illbliss
Tobechukwu Melvin Ejiofor, professionally known as Illbliss, is a Nigerian rapper, actor, and businessman. He is the owner of the talent managing outfit known as 'The Goretti Company', company responsible for launching the careers of Chidinma and Phyno, among others. He is regarded as one of the most influential Nigerian Rappers helping to pioneer the 'Eastern - Igbo Boy Movement' in Nigerian hip hop.
Also popularly known as Oga Boss, he has received many nominations and won awards, the most notable being the award for Best Hiphop Video at the 2008 maiden edition of the Soundcity Music Video Awards. This award was presented to him by the American hip-hop star Nas.In 2019, he made a debut in acting by starring in the movie
King of Boys as Odogwu. His debut album, Dat Ibo Boy, which dropped in 2009, contained, "Aiye Po Gan! ". He then released a new album July 2020, Illy Chapo X. His album Illy Chapo X was also nominated for the category of best rap album for the Headies 2020 award. Considering the situation of the country back in 2019, the indigenous rapper said President Buhari is silent many issues surrounding the country. He said "Mr. Buhari, are you still ruling us? You are mute on a lot of issues, I really don't get you". He further added "We all feel like a ship with no captain, no direction. This is a powerful country you have been installed to rule. Can you really just rule and show any level of empathy? Can you sir".
Acting career
Illbliss ventured into acting in 2018, appearing in the critically acclaimed Nigerian film King of Boys, directed by Kemi Adetiba. He played the role of Odogwu Malay, a character that endeared him to Nollywood fans. The movie’s success led to a sequel, King of Boys: The Return of the King, which became Nigeria’s first Netflix Original Series, where Illbliss reprised his role in 2021.Recent projects and brand partnerships
In 2020, Illbliss released iLLY Chapo X, which was met with critical acclaim. He won another Lyricist on the Roll award at The Headies in 2021 for his politically charged single "Country". Afterward, he took a hiatus from music to focus on other ventures, including television production.Between 2019 and 2023, Illbliss entered a five-year brand partnership with Hero Lager Beer by International Breweries Plc, which involved his executive production of an album titled Worthy, released in 2023. The project aimed to support rising talents in the South East and South-South regions of Nigeria and featured a blend of Afrobeats and highlife.
In 2024, Illbliss returned with his seventh studio album, Sideh Kai. The album featured collaborations with several prominent Nigerian artists, including OdumoduBlvck, Vector, Teni, Made Kuti, Fave, and Cobhams Asuquo, and was hailed as a contemporary Nigerian hip-hop classic.
Television production
In 2024, Illbliss expanded his media portfolio by producing Freemen, a seven-part documentary series on the Igbo Apprenticeship System. The show premiered on Showmax and marked iLLBLISS’s first major foray into television production through his content company Gosibe.Discography
Solo albums
- Dat Ibo Boy
- Oga Boss
- #Powerful
- Illygaty:7057
- Illy Bomaye
- Illosophy
- Illy Chapo X
- ''Sideh Kai''
EPs
- Position of Power, Vol. 1
- ''Position of Power, Vol. 2''
Collaborative albums
- IllyZilla #
Filmography
Awards and nominations
| Year | Event | Prize | Recipient | Result | Ref |
| 2008 | Sound City Music Video Awards | The SMVA for Best Hip-Hop Video | Himself | Won | |
| 2009 | South South Music Awards | The SSMA for Most Popular Video for "Aiye Po Gan! " | Himself | Won | |
| 2010 | The Headies | Hip Hop World Revelation of the Year | Himself | Nomitated | |
| 2010 | The Headies | The Headies Award for Best Rap Album | Himself | Nomitated | |
| 2010 | The Headies | The Headies Award for Best Collaboration | Himself | Nomitated | |
| 2012 | The NMWA | The Best Hip-Hop Video | Himself | Won | |
| 2013 | The Headies | The Headies Award for Best Rap Album | Himself | Nomitated | |
| 2014 | The Headies | The Headies Award for Best Rap Single | Himself | Nomitated | |
| 2015 | The Headies | The Headies Award for Lyricist on the Roll | Himself | Nomitated | |
| 2016 | The Headies | The Headies Award for Lyricist on the Roll | Himself | Won | |
| 2016 | The Headies | The Headies Award for Best Rap Album | Himself | Won | |
| 2020 | The Headies | The Headies Award for Lyricist on the Roll | Himself | Won | |
| 2020 | The Headies | The Headies Award for Best Rap Album | Himself | ||
| 2020 | The Headies | The Headies Award for Best Rap Single | Himself |