Zeof Records, founded by High Chief Jideofor Ezeofor, is unrelenting in discovering, nurturing, projecting and promoting young music talents.
In line with its avowed commitment to support upcoming artistes, the record label has just signed three budding musical talents, two of whom are Ezeofor’s sons: Ifenna Denzel-Armani Ezeofor aka Denzel-Armani.
Armani is a talented songwriter and composer, as well as a law graduate of the University of Nigeria, Enugu campus (UNEC). Armani is on top of his game as an Afrobeat musician. He is arguably one of the few artistes redefining the unique music genre originated by the late Fela Anikulapo-Kuti.
On stage, the young musician is a delight to watch. He is imbued with an electrifying fierce sound and stage presence, which is undoubtedly unique, embodying a fusion of Afrojuju, rock, jazz, R&B, neo-soul and hip hop.
Armani has always loved music. His romance with music started as far back as his childhood when he was around six years old, as he was always so fascinated with sound, delivery and the awesome stage presence of Michael Jackson.
Michael Jackson’s death was, however, a very devastating experience for him. Armani also had at his beck and call a rich musical library while growing up, as his parents were music lovers. He had the opportunity of listening to the music greats like Marvin Gaye, Boney M, ABBA, Barry White, Bob Marley, Fela, Lagbaja etc.
Armani formally started his music career in 2020 and so far has several tracks to his credit including hits such as Comot Der and Jonza. His next single, a new sound of profound musical balance titled, Neme is scheduled for release on Saturday, February 24, 2024.
For Blake Dilinna Ezeofor aka Von Blake, music is a passion that caught up with him as a pupil. With music-loving parents as role models, growing up, the lure of music was irresistible for Blake.
“As kids, my siblings and I formed dance routines to songs we composed ourselves. It gave us great joy because we didn’t like lessons or doing chores. Even in church, I was in a dance group, so performing has always been in my blood. And also, I was a mass server, that’s where I first learnt synchronization and syncopation with other performers,” he said.
A singer, songwriter composer and a graduate of Civil Engineering, Blake’s love for music blossomed throughout his academic pursuit. In secondary school, for instance, he teamed up with like minds in his class to form the musical group, Invictus. The budding musician has hit tracks like Vibration, Tom Tom Waist and Fine Fine Caro. He also has several unreleased tracks “that grow by the day in my portfolio”.
Blake is inching towards international stardom as the young artiste and Invictus came 3rd in the Spanish/Nigerian musical competition on March 24, 2023 organized by the Spanish Embassy in Nigeria, and which featured 200 Nigerian artistes.
Von Blake is optimistic that “my future is going to be bright… I see myself in the next five years impacting a wide range of people and generation after generation to come, identifying with my music irrespective of their colour, tribe or race.”
On her part, Ekene Silver, whose stage name is Silver Omah, was greatly impacted by her mother who is a singer and a studio owner. It was, therefore, not surprising that she eventually graduated from the Department of Music, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka.
During her undergraduate days, Omah joined a music band named “Ichoku” led by Gerald Eze whose main focus was on exploring folk music and adapting popular songs to the Igbo traditional instruments such as the Uboaka and Oja. In 2021, she met Kaycee Oguejiofor while attending a music seminar hosted by himself and Gerald Eze where they educated musicians and music lovers about the music industry.
Oguejiofor took a liking to Omah’s sound and decided to sponsor her recordings, which aided her career growth thus the young female music star started recording her music professionally in 2021.
A singer, songwriter and composer, a turning point in Omah’s fledgling music career, however, came in August 2023, “when I met Arch. Tobenna Ezeofor (Zeofest), the manager of Zeof Records, who also took a liking to my sound and introduced me to the CEO, High Chief, Jideofor Ezeofor of Zeof Records.
“He too fell in love with my sound and had me record two songs, one of which I released on February 9, 2024 as my first single named, Price Of Your Heart in collaboration with Zeof Records”
Essentially, Zeof Records has over the years threaded where other music companies and promoters fear to thread. Even at the risk of personal financial loss, Barrister Ezeofor has continued to sponsor music shows, which is one of the avenues talented upcoming musicians are discovered.
In his words: “Zeof Records supports artistes by organising music shows that will show the craft of different artistes, both artistes under Zeof Records management and other artistes from different managements.
“It is a platform to expose artistes to the world. Sponsorship of music shows is very challenging, most companies shy away from sponsorship of music shows, which is wrong because from shows artistes’ performances are showcased.”