GT da Guitarman

GT or GT da Guitarman (real name; Olaolu Olugbemiro Tokunbo Olaolu Akingbogun) is a Nigerian soul and R&B singer, songwriter, vocalist and guitarist. He sings in English, Yoruba and Pidgin. He claims he was given a guitar as a gift by soul singer, Asa.
Biography
GT was born in East Dulwich, South London, England in 1984 to Nigerian parents of Yoruba extraction. His parents returned to Nigeria two years later and he grew up in the city of Lagos in Southwestern Nigeria.
Education
His primary school education was at Community Primary School, Mile 2, Lagos and he went on to the Mayflower Secondary School Ikenne, Ogun State.
Music career
He has often said that he grew up listening to songs by Ebenezer Obey, King Sunny Ade and other Nigerian musicians at the time, that were in his father's collection. His mother and his older sister, Opeyemi, raised him and when he was 11, he discovered the world of music as a result of his sister's singing to him whenever she was babysitting him. He was discovered by comedian Omobaba and popular R & B crooner, Darey introduced him to the CEO of Storm 360 Records and the Storm Media Group, Obi Asika who signed him on to the label the same day he met him. Omobaba had met him at a show, Humour & Val on Valentine's Day, 2005.
Before then, he had joined a lot of music groups in his formative years including Pairs of Gloves and 4 Generations. Together with these groups, he performed at mostly church events and other ceremonies.
Discography
Albums
He has released one album The Truth (2009).
The Truth (2009)
In 2009, da Guitarman released to critical acclaim, the album "The Truth" on Storm Records. The album contained tracks such as the singles "Dreamer", "Osi Ma Gbomi", "Kinimatise" among others. There was also the track, "I Don't Wanna" featuring then fellow labelmate, rapper Naeto C.
Singles
Sometime in 2006, GT was featured in a Storm All Stars video, "Eko Ile" that brought together artistes signed under the label then. They include: Darey, Sasha P (then known as Sasha) and Jazzman Olofin.
He released the single, "Truly" in July 2010. A video followed soon after and he was featured in the chart-topping remix of reggae artist, General Pype's Champion. Other artists in the remix include rappers Naeto C, Vector, the late DaGrin and Sasha P.
Performances
GT has performed at various high-level events and concerts including MNET’s Face of Africa; Glo’s G-bam show; Samsung’s Valentine’s day Concert & AIT Valentine’s Day concert; Asa: Live in Lagos; MTN Motivational Seminar with Les Brown; Calabar Festival and Easter Ball; Nokia’s First Chance; Rhythm Unplugged; Night Of A Thousand Laughs; Silverbird Man of the Year Award and the Big Brother Africa eviction party.
Awards/Nominations Received
* Nominated for Hip Hop World Awards (Next Rated Category) - (2008)
* Nominated for Hip Hop World Awards (Next Rated Category) - (2009)
* Nominated for Hip Hop World Awards (Best Vocal Performance Category) - (2008)
Management
GT was initially signed to Storm 360 Records, a powerhouse in Nigerian entertainment that parades such stars as Naeto C, Sasha P, General Pype, Sauce Kid and YQ. Artistes such as Darey (who is now with Soul Muzik)and Ikechukwu Killz left the label after some differences with the management headed by Obi Asika. This was the same in GT's case, although he refuses to criticize his former boss. In an interview with writer and journalist, Onyeka Nwelue in the online youth magazine, YNaija, he says, "Storm Records showed me love. They reached out to a poor person and made a star out of me."
GT is currently signed on to his Ember Entertainment with management support provided by Blarque Brotha Entertainment.
Change in Name
Late in 2010, he announced a change in name from GT da Guitarman to simply GT and emphasized that the name change signified a rebirth of both his career and personality.

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