14 August 2022 · New York, USA
SummerStage, Central Park
A live appearance in the City Parks Foundation’s SummerStage programme.
The Story
Chinedu Okoli
Flavour is the stage name of Chinedu Izuchukwu Okoli, a Nigerian singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist widely regarded as the foremost custodian of modern Igbo highlife.
He began as a church drummer in Enugu as a boy, learning keyboard and guitar by ear and playing in local bands long before recording under his own name. That apprenticeship shows: his records are built on live instrumentation — interlocking guitar lines, brass stabs, congas — rather than programmed loops.
Lyrically he moves between Igbo, English and pidgin, drawing on proverb, praise-singing and everyday street language. The result is music that works at a village wedding, a Lagos club and a European concert hall without changing shape.
His repertoire spans romantic, celebratory and gospel-influenced music, alongside collaborations across African musical traditions. Recent projects include African Royalty, Afroculture and the acoustic Flavour Experience (Love Songs) Vol.1. In 2026, Flavour: ORCHESTRATED brought his voice together with The London Recording Orchestra.
From London’s OVO Arena Wembley to SummerStage in New York, Afro Nation in Portugal and a three-city Australian tour, his live work carries highlife to international audiences without losing its Igbo roots. A 2024 joint deal with Warner Music Africa and Africori adds to the professional relationships behind that continuing journey.
Career timeline
- 1983
Born in Enugu
Chinedu Izuchukwu Okoli is born in Enugu State, south-eastern Nigeria.
- 1990s
The church years
Joins a church choir as a drummer at around nine years old, later teaching himself keyboard and guitar.
- 2005
N'abania
Releases his debut album after years of session and band work around Enugu.
- 2010
Nwa Baby (Ashawo Remix)
The Uplifted single reworks a highlife classic and breaks him internationally.
- 2013
Ada Ada
An Igbo love song from Blessed becomes a wedding standard across Nigeria and the diaspora.
- 2017
Ijele — The Traveler
A double album named for the greatest of Igbo masquerades, with pan-African collaborations.
- 2020
Flavour of Africa
A continent-wide statement record blending highlife with rumba, soukous and Afro-pop.
- 2023–24
African Royalty, worldwide
Releases African Royalty in November 2023, followed by a headline concert at OVO Arena Wembley and appearances at Afro Nation, Rototom Sunsplash and Uprising Festival in 2024.
- 2025
Afroculture
The eighth studio album arrives on 28 November with thirteen songs, following the title-track single with Baaba Maal. Big Baller wins at The Headies, and AFRIFF honours his contribution to African arts and culture.
- 2026
Orchestrated: London
Flavour: ORCHESTRATED, a four-song EP jointly credited with The London Recording Orchestra, is released on 24 July, alongside international touring and September’s Australian run.
Recognition
Awards & honours
- 2025
AFRIFF Globe Awards
Herbert Wigwe Award for Excellence
Honouring Flavour’s contribution to African arts and culture.
- 2025
The Headies
Afrobeats Single of the Year
Big Baller
- 2023
AFRIMMA
Best Live Act
Flavour
- 2022
The Headies
Best Alternative Song
Doings — Flavour featuring Phyno
- 2021
AFRIMA
Best Artiste, Duo or Group in African Dance or Choreography
Berna Reloaded — Flavour featuring Fally Ipupa and Diamond Platnumz
Around the world
Landmark performances
27 June 2024 · Portimão, Portugal
Afro Nation
Igbo highlife on the festival stage at Praia da Rocha.
21 August 2024 · Benicàssim, Spain
Rototom Sunsplash
A Main Stage appearance on the festival’s closing night.
25 August 2024 · London, UK
OVO Arena Wembley
The African Royalty headline concert, reported sold out by Wonderland.
31 August 2024 · Bratislava, Slovakia
Uprising Festival
A festival set bringing Flavour’s live-band sound to Slovakia.
10 July 2026 · Calgary, Canada
AFRO SWITCH Festival
A Canadian festival appearance during the recent international touring cycle.
4 September 2026 · Washington, DC, USA
Afro Plus DC Festival
Highlife on the festival stage in Washington, DC.
25 September 2026 · Perth, Australia
Metro City
The Afroculture Experience — opening the three-city Australian run.
26 September 2026 · Melbourne, Australia
Northcote Theatre
The Afroculture Experience — Melbourne.
27 September 2026 · Sydney, Australia
Liberty Hall, Moore Park
The Afroculture Experience — closing the Australian run in Sydney.