Bracket (music group)
Bracket are a Nigerian afropop and R&B music duo composed of Obumneme Ali a.k.a. "Smash" and Nwachukwu Ozioko a.k.a. "Vast".[1] Bracket started as a three-man music group before a member called Bistop dropped out. The duo are currently signed to Ape Planet and are best known for releasing hit singles like "Happy Day", "Yori-Yori" and "Ada Owerri" which received several positive reviews and airplay.[2]
Bracket | |
---|---|
Birth name | Nwachukwu Ozioko Obumneme Ali |
Also known as | Vast & Smash |
Genres | R&B, Afropop |
Instrument(s) | Vocals |
Years active | 2004–present |
Labels | Ape Planet |
Background
Vast and Smash grew up in Nsukka, Enugu State, where they used to attend campus shows while growing up.[3] Vast has a diploma and a degree in Mass Communication from the Institute of Management Technology, Enugu and the University of Nigeria respectively while Smash has a diploma in Social Works and a degree in Psychology after graduating from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.[4][5]
The history of how the group began has been mixed in several stories and allegations. Bistop, a former member of the group claims to be the pioneer of the group after meeting Vast in a barbing salon back in 1999. They performed and attended several shows under a name called "Furious BV". In a press release, he said he left the group as a result of a collaborative effort of a former associate producer together with Vast and Smash. He also went on to claim that Smash was not a member of the group until 2003 after he met Smash through a friend.[6]
Discography
Studio albums
- Happy Day (2006)
- Least Expected (2009)
- Cupid Stories (2011)
- Alive (2015)[7]
- Love Letters (2022)
Awards and nominations
In 2012, Bracket received an honorary award from the city of Philadelphia at the African American Museum in Philadelphia.[8] Some of their awards include:
Year | Award ceremony | Award description | Result |
---|---|---|---|
2012 | The Headies | Artiste of the Year | Won[9] |
2013 | 2012 Nigeria Entertainment Awards | Best Indigenous Artist/Group | Nominated |
2013 | 2012 Nigeria Entertainment Awards | Best Collaboration of the Year | Nominated |
References
- Babatunde Ologe (27 August 2010). "ASUU Strike Saved Us – Bracket". News Nigeria. Archived from the original on 20 April 2016. Retrieved 29 July 2015.
- "Bracket: The Yori Yori duo". 9jaHob.com. 6 June 2009. Retrieved 29 July 2015.
- Mukosolu Nzom (3 November 2012). "Our pain, our gains, our story – Bracket". Vanguard. Retrieved 29 July 2015.
- "Yori Yori Attracted Many Attentions – Bracket, Nigerian music Duo". GistMania. Retrieved 29 July 2015.
- "WE DIDN'T KNOW YORI YORI WOULD GET SO BIG – BRACKET". Nigeria Films. Archived from the original on 23 December 2015. Retrieved 29 July 2015.
- Jaguda (2 April 2010). "The Real Story Behind The Group Bracket". Jaguda.com. Archived from the original on 4 February 2015. Retrieved 29 July 2015.
- Olumide Adesida (14 July 2015). "Bracket unveils art, track list for new album". The Net. Archived from the original on 10 August 2015. Retrieved 29 July 2015.
- "Nigeria's fast rising duo Bracket to receive honorary award in the U.S". Nigeria Music Network. 9 May 2012. Archived from the original on 3 March 2018. Retrieved 29 July 2015.
- Biodun Ogundairo (23 April 2012). "Wande Coal, Bracket, Darey Lead HHWA 2010 Nominations". The Net. Archived from the original on 31 July 2015. Retrieved 29 July 2015.