Douglas Jack Agu (born 19 August 1989), known by his stage name Runtown, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, and producer. His music blends Afrobeats, hip-hop, R&B, and reggae. He first gained media attention and popularity with his song " Gallardo" (2014), which featured

Davido David Adedeji Adeleke (born November 21, 1992), known professionally as Davido, is a Nigerian American, Nigerian-American singer, songwriter and record producer. Davido was born in Atlanta, U.S, and raised in Lagos, Nigeria. He made his mus ...

. His 2016 single "

Mad Over You "Mad Over You" is a song by Nigerian singer Runtown, released on November 4, 2016. It was primarily produced by Del B, along with production assistance from Runtown and T-Spize. Described as a love-themed ballad, "Mad Over You" is a blend of highl ...

" was remixed by

Mr Eazi Oluwatosin Oluwole Ajibade (born 19 July 1991), better known by his stage name Mr Eazi, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, and record executive. He is the pioneer of Banku music, a fusion of sound he describes as a mixture of Ghanaian highlife a ...

. "Mad Over You" is from Runtown's debut studio album ''Soundgod Fest Vol. 1'', and picked at number 38 on the ''Billboard'' Twitter Top Tracks chart.

Early life

Runtown was born on 19 August 1989 in

Enugu Enugu () verbally pronounced as "Enụgwụ" by the Igbo indigenes is a state in the South-East geopolitical zone of Nigeria, bordered to the north by the states of Benue and Kogi, Ebonyi State to the east and southeast, Abia State to the so ...

the capital city of

Enugu State Enugu () verbally pronounced as "Enụgwụ" by the Igbo indigenes is a state in the South-East geopolitical zone of Nigeria, bordered to the north by the states of Benue and Kogi, Ebonyi State to the east and southeast, Abia State to the so ...

in the southeastern region of

Nigeria Nigeria, officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a country in West Africa. It is situated between the Sahel to the north and the Gulf of Guinea in the Atlantic Ocean to the south. It covers an area of . With Demographics of Nigeria, ...

but grew up partly in

Abuja Abuja (; , ) is the capital city of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, strategically situated at the geographic midpoint of the country within the Federal Capital Territory (Nigeria), Federal Capital Territory (FCT). As the seat of the Federal G ...

the federal capital territory of Nigeria and in

Lagos State Lagos State (, ) is a States of Nigeria, state in South West, Nigeria. Of the 36 States of Nigeria, Nigerian states, Lagos is the second List of Nigerian states by population, most populous state but the List of Nigerian states by area, smallest ...

in southwestern Nigeria, where he finished his primary education. After his father's death, he moved to Abuja with his mother, who was working in the Ministry of Health.

Music career

2010–2014: Early Beginnings and Breakthrough

Runtown began his music career in 2007, when he and longtime collaborator

Phyno Chibuzo Nelson Azubuike (; born 9 October 1986), who is known professionally as Phyno, is a Nigerian rapper, singer, songwriter and record producer. Phyno was born and raised in Enugu State but is a native of Anambra State. He started his musi ...

relocated to Lagos to pursue their careers. The duo stayed with J. Martins and contributed to his second studio album, with Runtown not only collaborating but also producing several songs. Through J. Martins, he connected with Timaya, who became a mentor and played a significant role in his growth as an artist. During this period, Runtown honed his skills, learning the intricacies of the music industry while staying with Timaya. In 2011, Runtown officially launched his career by releasing his debut single, "Party Like It's 1980". In 2014, Runtown released " Gallardo", featuring vocals from Davido. The track served as the lead single from his debut studio album, ''

Ghetto University ''Ghetto University'' is the debut studio album by Nigerian singer Runtown. It was released on November 23, 2015, by Eric Many Entertainment. The album was supported by four singles: " Gallardo", "The Banger", "Bend Down Pause" and "Walahi". It fe ...

''. "''Gallardo''" achieved commercial success and won the "Best Collaboration of the Year" award at the 2014 edition of the

Nigeria Entertainment Awards The Nigerian Entertainment Awards were established in New York City in January 2006. The awards recognize the contributions of African entertainers with a special focus on Nigerians. Ceremonies * 2006 Nigeria Entertainment Awards * 2007 Nigeria ...

. In the same year, media reports suggested that Runtown was involved in writing the song "''

Aye Aye or AYE may refer to: * Aye (yes), an English affirmative Businesses and organisations * Africa's Young Entrepreneurs, a non-profit organisation in Johannesburg, South Africa * Allegheny Energy (NYSE symbol), an electric utility in Greensburg ...

''" for Davido. Addressing these rumors in an interview with the ''

Nigerian Tribune The ''Nigerian Tribune'' is an English-language newspaper published in Ibadan, Nigeria. Established in 1949 by Chief Obafemi Awolowo, it is the oldest privately-owned Nigerian newspaper still in circulation. During the colonial period, the Nige ...

'', Runtown stated, "A lot of people have been asking me that question.

has had several interviews where he addressed how the song came about. So if you want to learn more about 'Aye,' ask Davido or read his interviews."

2015–2017: ''Ghetto University'' and International Success

On 23 November 2015, Runtown released his debut studio album titled ''Ghetto University'' via MTN Music Plus through Eric Many Entertainment. The album generated over ₦35million on the music portal thus earning him a spot in the list of "Top 5 Most Streamed Artist". On 4 November 2016, Runtown released the ballad "''

''", which charted at number 38 on the ''Billboard'' Twitter Top Tracks chart. Joey Akan from ''Pulse Nigeria'' described the song as a "self-produced track that draws inspiration from the Ghanaian Alkayida sound". Runtown told ''

The Fader ''The Fader'' is a magazine established in 1999 as an outlet for Cornerstone Agency, a marketing and public relations firm established by Rob Stone and Jon Cohen. The magazine covers music, style and culture. History and work It is owned by T ...

'' magazine that the song was inspired by African beauty.

2018–2022: Independent Music Ventures and ''Soundgod Music Group''

In 2018, Runtown established his record label, ''Soundgod Music Group'', after leaving Eric Many Entertainment due to contractual disputes. Under his label, Runtown continued to release songs, including singles like "''Unleash''," featuring Fekky, and "''For Life''." In 2019, Runtown released the EP ''Tradition'', which received critical acclaim for its production quality and Runtown's lyrical prowess. The project included tracks like "''Emotions''" and "''Goosebumps''". On December 16, 2022, Runtown released the 'Signs' album, which Deborah Jayeoba from ''

African Folder African or Africans may refer to: * Anything from or pertaining to the continent of Africa: ** People who are native to Africa, descendants of natives of Africa, or individuals who trace their ancestry to indigenous inhabitants of Africa *** List ...

'' described as a "sign for Runtown to have a grip on his career because this recent taste of him doesn’t please the music palate".

Discography

*''

'' (2015) *''Tradition'' (2020) *''Signs'' (2022)

Awards and nominations

References

{{Authority control Living people 1989 births End SARS activists Musicians from Enugu Nigerian male singer-songwriters 21st-century Nigerian singer-songwriters 21st-century Nigerian male singers Nigerian hip-hop musicians Igbo singers Rappers from Enugu