Abinye David Jumbo born (February 11, 1988), known by his stage name Mr 2Kay, is a

Nigerian Nigerians or the Nigerian people are citizens of Nigeria or people with ancestry from Nigeria. The name Nigeria was derived from the Niger River running through the country. This name was allegedly coined in the late 19th century by British jo ...

singer and songwriter. He was formally signed by

Grafton Entertainment Grafton Entertainment, sometimes referred to as Grafton Records, is an artist management company and record label, with dual-headquarters in both Nigeria and United Kingdom. History Grafton Entertainment was formed in 2004 by Tonye Ibiama, who c ...

, but left the label in 2018 to start his own imprint, Better Life Entertainment.

Early life

Mr 2Kay was born in

Port Harcourt Port Harcourt (Pidgin: ''Po-ta-kot or Pi-ta-kwa)'' is the capital and largest city of Rivers State in Nigeria. It is the fifth most populous city in Nigeria after Lagos, Kano, Ibadan and Benin. It lies along the Bonny River and is locate ...

. After his birth, his family moved to

Bonny Island Bonny Island is a local government situated at the southern edge of Rivers State in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria near Port Harcourt. Ferries are the main form of transport, though recently an airstrip has been built and it’s fully functio ...

Rivers State Rivers is a states of Nigeria, state in the Niger Delta region of southern Nigeria (Old Eastern Region). Formed on 27 May 1967, when it was split from the former Eastern Region, Nigeria, Eastern Region, Rivers State borders include Imo State, Im ...

, south-south Nigeria, where he grew up. Mr 2Kay was also a good artist as he drew portraits growing up.

Career

Mr 2Kay started his music career in Port Harcourt and his break-out single from Port Harcourt was "Waterside Boy", released 21 August 2011 under Grafton Entertainment, but he did not gain international attention until 2012 when he released "Bubugaga" which was his international break out single. "Bubugaga" was released on 8 October 2012. The music video for "Bubugaga" was shot in

London London is the Capital city, capital and List of urban areas in the United Kingdom, largest city of both England and the United Kingdom, with a population of in . London metropolitan area, Its wider metropolitan area is the largest in Wester ...

, UK and directed by Nosa Igbinedion under Grafton Entertainment.

Personal life

Robbery

On 25 October 2017, Mr 2Kay was reportedly robbed by four armed men in his hotel room at

Eko Hotels and Suites Eko Hotels and Suites is a five-star conference centre hotel in Lagos. History Established in 1977 as ''Èkó Holiday Inn'' and built on Victoria Island, it is the largest hotel in Nigeria. It was designed by architect Oluwole Olumuyiwa in co ...

Victoria Island, Lagos Victoria Island (VI) is an affluent area that encompasses a former island of the same name neighbouring Lagos Island, Ikoyi and the Lekki Peninsula by the Lagos Lagoon. It is the main business and finance, financial centre of Lagos State, Niger ...

after performing at

2Baba Innocent Ujah Idibia MON (; born 18 September 1975), known by his stage name 2Baba and formerly as 2Face Idibia, is a Nigerian singer-songwriter, record producer and philanthropist known for his solo debut album, '' Face 2 Face''. He is regard ...

's Buckwyld and Breathless Concert, which took place at the convention centre of Eko Hotel. 2Kay was left with injuries sustained from the robbery. One week after the robbery, Mr 2Kay released a new single "Pray for Me" which was scheduled for a late November release. His label, Grafton Records, had to push back the album release date. On 7 November 2017, Mr 2Kay reportedly filed a $500 million lawsuit against the management of

where the incident happened in October.

Notable performances

He has performed in several popular events and shows since his rise to stardom, performed in events like: *Factory78 TV – Mr 2Kay Performs Bubugaga Live / Face-off interview in 2012 *Afrobeats London Party at Coronet in 2014. * Carniriv Closing Ceremony In 2014. *Prestigious London Jazz cafe IN 2014. * All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) At Industry Nite in 2015.

Concert tour

On Sunday, 17 June 2018, at Aztech Arcum Stadium Road

Nigeria. Mr 2Kay kickoff with his album concert "Elevated" features guest artist, radio host/hype man & disc jockeys

Timaya Inetimi Alfred Odon (born 15 August 1980), known by his stage name Timaya, is a Nigerian singer-songwriter. Being from Odi, Bayelsa State, Nigeria, Timaya is known for combining Nigerian pop with elements of dancehall, hip-hop, and Soca music, s ...

Duncan Mighty Duncan Wene Mighty Okechukwu (born 28 October 1983), simply known as Duncan Mighty, is a Nigerian musician, singer, and music producer from Obio-Akpor Local government area, Rivers State. Though his musical style demonstrates a high-level of g ...

Harrysong Harrison Tare Okiri (born 30 March 1981) better known by his stage name Harrysong, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter and instrumentalist who rose to fame after his tribute song to Nelson Mandela won the "Most Downloaded Callertune Award" at The H ...

, Charles Okocha,

DJ Jimmy Jatt Jimmy Jatt Amu (born Oluwaforijimi Adewale Amu on October 15, 1966), known professionally as DJ Jimmy Jatt, is a Nigerian disc jockey who is revered as one of the pioneering Afrobeats hip hop DJs in Nigeria. He started out his music career as a r ...

DJ Neptune Imohiosen Patrick (born 26 September 1990), professionally known as DJ Neptune, is a Nigerian disc jockey and record producer born in Lagos, Nigeria. Early life Imohiosen Patrick was born on 26 September 1990 in Lagos, he hails from Edo State, N ...

DJ Big N Nonso Temisan Ajufo known professionally as DJ Big N is a Nigerian DJ. As part of Mavin Records, DJ Big N has supported several of the label's top-billed acts, including supporting Tiwa Savage on her first American tour. He has released severa ...

, DJ Kev, Joenell, Ayi, Real Prince,

Idahams Hart Idawarifagha Ishmael (born May 19), known professionally as Idahams, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter and record producer. He secured a record deal with Grafton Entertainment in 2016 and joined the Universal Music Nigeria roaster in 2019. I ...

, Doray, Young GreyC, Squeeze Tarela, Legendary Sunny,

Ajebo Hustlers Ajebo Hustlers is a Nigerian Afrobeats and Highlife music duo composed of Piego (Isaiah Precious) and Knowledge (George Dandeson), a rapper. They were nominated for the 2022 Headies Awards for Songwriter of the Year and won the Best Duo at the So ...

, King Perryy,

M Trill Teria Yarhere known by stage name M Trill (stylized as M-Trill or M.Trill), is a Nigerian rapper from Delta State. He released his debut studio album ''Number One (M Trill album), Number One'' in 2008 along with a follow-up mixtape entitled ''L ...

, Korkormikor, Olisa Adibua, Shope Shopsy and Alex from Big Brother Naija (season 3). The concert was recorded sold out with a capacity of over two thousand seats. Tickets were sold from two to five hundred thousand

Nigerian naira The naira (sign: ₦; code: NGN; , , , ) is the currency of Nigeria. One naira is divided into 100 ''kobo''. The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is the sole issuer of legal tender money throughout the Federal Republic of Nigeria. It controls t ...

. Mr 2Kay posted on his social media pages on 2 April 2018, to announce a singing/dancing competition where he'll be giving away $2000 (Two Thousand Dollars) to 2 persons in

Discography

Awards and nominations

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Mr 2Kay Living people Singers from Port Harcourt Nigerian male pop singers 21st-century Nigerian male singers Songwriters from Rivers State 1988 births