Artist: Grace Obika
Grace Obika is a singer/songwriter from North London, born in the UK and is of Nigerian heritage as both of her parents were born there. She is from a strong musical background in her family, with one of her relatives that has already broken into the music industry and has left his mark on the UK R&B market, Lemar Obika (Multi-Award winning British Soul/R&B Artist).
Grace’s music grabbed the attention of DJ/Producer Karl ‘Tuff Enough’ Brown (who has worked with Rosie Gaines, Tina Moore, Ce Ce Peniston, En Vogue, Brand New Heavies, Mark Morrison, Usher and Coolio, as well as entering the charts with his own productions, such as TJR Feat. Xavier "Just Gets Better" and TUFFJAM Feat. Jaquee Bennett "Need Good Love"), where Grace was approached with a song writing contract to write for an established group in Los Angeles called ‘Livin Out Loud’, alongside one of her own tracks titled “So Right” to be made into a house and garage track by the man himself. He was so impressed by her work that he wanted to work with the young songstress right away.
Amongst the many gigs and charity events that Grace has made her mark of performances of her original material, there were specific highlights in 2008 where Grace was invited to perform in Hollywood, Los Angeles for the film Premier of ‘Amazing Grace’, and was also invited to perform in Atlanta as a supporting act for Akons’ new artist and songwriter, Riz from the US. Grace also supported Marques Houston in London during his tour in the UK. Grace in December 2008 was selected by MTV, as one of the 14 finalists out of 500 + artists, to perform/appear on 'Hugo Urban Rules' show, which was aired on MTV UK, TMF and MTV Base from January 11th-February 27th 2008.
Grace Obika has most recently performed at the Jazz Cafe & Ronnie Scotts, where she showcased new material from her up and coming album titled ‘So Right’, including her new single titled ‘So Right’ Feat. Sway (Multi-Award winning hip-hop artist - Sway). Most recently, Grace performed as one of the headline acts for the AFRICA MUSIC AWARDS October 2009.
Grace Obika supported Major acts such as Jon B (Multi-Award winning R&B artist with smash hits in the US) and Omar (Award winning Soul UK artist) in Birmingham NEC Arena in June 2010. Grace Obika also supported Multi-Award winning Saxophonist, Yolanda Brown, in concert in September 2011 at the O2 Arena. She has also captured the interest of major record labels such as Warner Brothers and EMI South Africa, as well as strong independent record labels in the UK and abroad.
Grace’s musical influences range from Faith Evans, Whitney Houston, Lionel Richie, Stevie Wonder, Amy Winehouse, Maroon 5, Terri Walker, Fantasia Barrino, Mary J Blige, Brandy, Beyonce Knowles, Jazmine Sullivan, Keri Hilson, Adele...to name a few.
In effect, Grace’s material mirrors a sound of a ‘FUSION’ of various elements of genres (mix of Pop, Rock, Soul, Afro, R'N'B & Reggae) with commercial appeal. Her sound will hold your interest, to see what else she can “pull out the bag”.
