Born Christopher Odiley, and raised in the dusty streets of Egiegi village in Udu, LGA of Delta State, Nigeria. Stovaz music and songwriting style focuses on true life experiences and lessons learnt growing up with his mum while dad was away in faraway city of Jos, Plateau State before he passed while Stovaz was just 12 years old and about to get into high school.
“Together we can make an impact”
When I look at the world through my sense of reality, I believe there’s so much positivity one can contribute as a musician. Hence if one person can find inspiration in my music, then my job is done”.
“Part of the influence in my music is the void that I felt growing up without a father at the most crucial age of my life. This built lots of emotions in my quest for navigating circumstances and trying to understand how the game of life really works”
My growing up experience been raised by a very wonderful but single mother, made me reason more emotionally and maturely and this has led me to get drawn to emotional lyrics and rap music of DMX and Tupac in the late 90s and this is reflected in my music as a major influence.
Musical Journey:
Having passed through the early stages of high school music and dance competitions, Stovaz independently released his first hip hop/rap album titled Let’s Pray in early 2000. The album was critically acclaimed and deemed successful as the video of the hit Single Money Makes the World was the most played hip hop video in Nigeria’s urban TV stations and radio stations respectively at that time.
Banking on that success, Stovaz then took his music career across the border of Nigeria to South Africa for promotion and where he then settled and currently lives. By this time Stovaz had taken a gap year from music to focus on survival and raising his own family.
Come 2024, Stovaz relaunched his music career with the release of his Single, Trial of a Homegrown Negro. A song that reminds Africans about the similarities and commonalities of the challenges that we face as a continent collectively.
Stovaz’s follow up EP titled: Rebirth was released on August 31st, 2024. This EP consists of 4 original tracks and a remix of one of the original songs called Last Soldier. This body of work is a combination of love messages, family orientation and focus on social justice all packed in one.
When asked about awards and accolades? Stovaz paused and responded:”I’m gonna keep working hard until I get one. Hence if Awards are the yardstick for measurement of success as a musician, then I will surely get one at the right time.”
Skill Development Contributions:
Stovaz was also involved independently, in talent development programs which saw him creating the Mor’geez Rap Battle Royale, where he shares his music business
experience with up-and-coming artists creating a platform for them to complete, showcase and develop their performance, writing skills and overall musical career.
Stovaz also established the defunct Odiley Music and Business Academy in 2008 for teaching Sound Technology and Performing Arts then. He was also a talent scout and talent agent for the tv commercial production and voiceover industry at some point.
Get in touch with Stovaz for collaborations, performance bookings, music production, songwriting, music licensing, voiceovers, MC, TV commercials and movies etc. Stovaz is here to pour his heart and talent into your projects.