Emperor Geezy
Festus Ehimare known professionally as Emperor Geezy, is a Nigerian music executive, producer, and promoter.[1] He is the founder and the CEO of G-Worldwide Entertainment, and has helped launch the careers of many famous artists including Iceberg Slim, Kizz Daniel, Sugarboy, and DJ Shabsy. He was the executive producer of New Era, and Believe studio album, and the movie Suga Suga.[2]
Emperor Geezy | |
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Born | Festus Ehimare 15 May 1987 |
Citizenship | Nigerian |
Education | Cardoso High School |
Alma mater | National Open University |
Occupations | |
Years active | 2007–present |
Known for | G-Worldwide Entertainment |
Title | Chief Executive Officer |
Parents |
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Early life
Festus Ehimare was born on May 15, 1987,[3] in Ajegunle-Lagos, Nigeria. He grew up in a polygamous home, with twelve siblings and he is the eighth child of Patrick Ehimare,[4] who was a civil engineer, and a retired foreman, for Nigerian Ports Authority, and Elizabeth Ehimare,[4] who was a trader. Festus hails from Edo State,[5] and he’s a descendant of the Esan people. He had his secondary education at Cardoso High School, in Badia Ijora, and graduated with a B.Sc in Entrepreneurship and Business Management from National Open University of Nigeria.[3]
Career
In 2007, he founded G-Worldwide Entertainment, and rose to prominence in 2014 following the signing of Kiss Daniel (now. Kizz Daniel), Sugarboy, and DJ Shabsy[6] to his imprint G-Worldwide Entertainment. On 12 June 2015, he was nominated in the Record Executive of the Year category at the 2015 NEA Awards.[7] On 11 July 2017, he was nominated for the Entertainment Executive of the Year at the 2017 NEA Awards.[8] He executively produced Kiss Daniel studio album New Era and Sugarboy studio album Believe.
On 3 January 2018, he was shortlisted on the YNaija Power List of 2017,[9] for his contribution in the entertainment. Ehimare is known for launching the music career of Kiss Daniel, Sugarboy, Ajura, and Easy Jay, through his entertainment company G-Worldwide. He has released numerous hit singles under G-Worldwide Entertainment including: "Too Much Money", "Ayanfe", "Woju", "Laye", "Mama", "Raba", "Sofa", "Yeba", "Good Time (Remix)", and "Hola Hola", from Kizz Daniel, Iceberg Slim, Sugarboy, and DJ Shabsy.
He was named CEO of Flyboy INC in June 2023 and assumed the position immediately shortly after Kizz Daniel, stepped down as CEO.[10]
G-Worldwide
In 2007, Emperor Geezy founded G-Worldwide Entertainment and began promoting musical talents in 2011.
In 2013, the music company rebranded and began operating as a record label, with the signing of its first act Kizz Daniel.
In November 2017, Geezy had a disagreement with Kizz Daniel, shortly after his departure from the label, and sued him. On 15 June 2018, Geezy filed a new case to claim the trademarks "Kiss Daniel or Kizz Daniel", under G-Worldwide and was approved by the High Court of Lagos State.[11] On 12 March 2018, Soundcity TV, released a statement "A source has hinted that Kiss Daniel through his lawyers has reached out to his former label with a hope to reach a settlement".[12] On 8 April 2022, Geezy and Daniel settled their disputes, outside the court in a viral video tagged #Peace&Love, where Daniel and Geezy were both seen dancing to Daniel's song "Oshe", shared on Kizz Daniel's Instagram.[13]
Awards and nominations
Year | Award | Category | Recipient | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|
2015 | Nigeria Entertainment Awards | Record Executive of the Year | Himself | Nominated |
2016 | Nollywood Europe Golden Awards | Best Record Label Executive[14] | Won | |
2017 | Nigeria Entertainment Awards | Entertainment Executive of the Year | Nominated | |
2018 | YNaija | Power List of 2017 | Shortlisted |
References
- "Discovering Talents In Africa More Like Digging, Refining Oil – Festus Ehimare". Independent Newspaper Nigeria. Retrieved 12 April 2022.
- "G-Worldwide set to tantalize moviegoers with Suga Suga". Vanguard News. 14 March 2021. Retrieved 12 April 2022.
- "Things to know about G-Worldwide boss, Emperor Geezy". Vanguard News. 21 April 2022. Retrieved 23 April 2022.
- "I got Maximum support I needed from my Family - Emperor Geezy". Vanguard News. 15 January 2019. Retrieved 26 April 2022.
- "Emperor Geezy Dabbles Into Nollywood". The Guardian Nigeria News. 19 April 2022. Retrieved 23 April 2022.
- "Entertainment Business; more of strategy and content - Festus Ehimare". Vanguard News. 20 December 2021. Retrieved 12 April 2022.
- "Full list of nominees for Nigerian Entertainment Awards 2015". Nigerian Entertainment Today. 12 June 2015. Retrieved 12 April 2022.
- "Wizkid, Davido, Tiwa Savage, Jidenna and More Nominated For 2017 Nigeria Entertainment Awards". OkayAfrica. 11 July 2017. Retrieved 12 April 2022.
- "Toyin Abraham is our YNaija 2017 Power List for Entertainment big reveal". YNaija. 3 January 2018. Retrieved 12 April 2022.
- Bolawa, Pelumi (1 June 2023). "Kizz Daniel signs ex-label boss as new CEO of Flyboy Inc". TheCable Lifestyle. Retrieved 4 June 2023.
- "G-Worldwide Strikes Again, Claims Ownership Of Name "Kizz Daniel"". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. 15 June 2018. Retrieved 13 April 2022.
- "Kiss Daniel reaching out to former label for settlement?". Soundcity. 10 March 2018. Retrieved 13 April 2022.
- "Kizz Daniel, Emperor Geezy Settle Beef". THISDAYLIVE. 14 April 2022. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
- "Emperor Geezy wins Label Executive award in Germany". Vanguard News. 13 September 2016. Retrieved 25 April 2022.