View source for Zerrydl

{{BaseArticle
 | shortdesc = Nigerian rapper and singer (born 2002)
}}

{{Use Nigerian English|date=November 2024}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2024}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name              = Zerrydl {{Verified artist}}
| verified          = yes
| image             = Zerrydl.png
| caption           = 
| birth_name        = Divine Uzama
| birth_place       = Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria
| birth_date        = {{Birth date and age|2002|12|4}}
| origin            = Benin City
| genre             = Afrobeats, afrobeat, amapiano
| occupation        = Rapper, singer, songwriter
| years_active      = 2015–present
| label             = Dapper, Plutomania
| relatives         = Shallipopi (brother), Famous Pluto (brother)
| website           = {{URL|zerrydl.com}}
| current_member_of = Plutomanias
}}

'''Divine Uzama''' (born December 4, 2002), known professionally as '''Zerrydl''' or '''Zerry DL''', is a Nigerian rapper and singer. He embarked on his musical career in 2015, sharing freestyles on [[social media]].<ref>{{Cite web|author=Bolawatife |title=Man Crash Monday: Shining the Spotlight on Zerry DL|url=https://www.lagosjumpradio.com/music/man-crush-monday-shining-the-spotlight-on-zerry-dl/|date=December 30, 2024 |access-date=April 1, 2025|website=Lagos Jump }}</ref> He first gained major recognition in 2023 following the release of his single "[[Zerrydl#Career|Puff & Pass]]," which marked his first entry on the [[TurnTable Top 100 Songs|''TurnTable'' Top 100]]. He signed with [[Plutomania Records]] to release his debut [[extended play]] (EP) ''Danger Zee'' (2023).<ref>{{Cite web|author=Osafo|title=Shallipopi launches ‘Plutomania Records,’ announces two new artists|url=https://groove-africa.com/shallipopi-launches-plutomania-records-announces-two-new-artists/|date=October 18, 2023 |access-date=November 17, 2024|website=Groove Africa }}</ref> The following year, he released the single "[[Back to Back (Zerrydl song)|Back to Back]]"—marking his first [[Billboard charts|''Billboard'']] appearance.<ref>{{Cite magazine |title=Billboard U.S. Afrobeats Songs|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/billboard-u-s-afrobeats-songs/|date=November 16, 2024 |access-date=November 18, 2024 |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]}}</ref>

== Early life ==
Uzama was born on December 4, 2002, in [[Benin City]], [[Edo State]].<ref>{{Cite web |author=Roderick Ukah|title=Zerry DL Bi0graphy: Zerrydl joins the newest wave of Afrobeats|url=https://www.affiliateplog.com/zerry-dl-bi0graphy/|date=November 4, 2024 |access-date=November 18, 2024 |website= Affiliate}}</ref> He was raised by his parents. His older brother is [[Afrobeats]] singer [[Shallipopi]]. His younger brother [[Famous Pluto]], is also a singer.<ref>{{Cite web|author=Kunle Adeleye|title=Zerry Dl; The Hidden Story Behind Shallipopi Brothers|url=https://www.kanyidaily.com/2023/10/zerry-dl-biography-the-hidden-story-behind-shallipopi-brother-career-networth.html|date=October 16, 2023|access-date=November 18, 2024|website=Kanyi Daily News|archive-date=December 18, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231218075136/https://www.kanyidaily.com/2023/10/zerry-dl-biography-the-hidden-story-behind-shallipopi-brother-career-networth.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

== Career ==
Uzama began his [[music career]] alongside his elder brother Shallipopi, sharing [[Freestyle music|freestyles]] and [[Cover version|song covers]] on [[social media]] in 2015.<ref>{{Cite web |author=AML |title=Zerryy DL Profile |url=https://africanmusiclibrary.org/artist/Zerryy%20DL |date=September 11, 2023 |access-date=November 17, 2024 |website=African Music Library |archive-date=April 27, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250427120310/https://africanmusiclibrary.org/artist/Zerryy%20DL |url-status=dead }}</ref> In 2022, Zerrydl released his first single, "Ifeoma", although it did not chart, it garnered some attention.<ref>{{Cite web |author=Tobiloba Akinsete|title=The 20 Afrobeats artists to watch out for in 2024|url=https://notjustok.com/article/the-20-afrobeats-artists-to-watch-out-for-in-2024/|date=January 11, 2024 |access-date=November 17, 2024 |website= [[NotJustOk]] }}</ref> In 2023, Zerrydl signed a recording contract with Shallipopi's [[Plutomania Records]]. That same year he released the [[hit single]] "Puff & Pass" on July 9, 2023.<ref>{{Cite web|author=Daniel Wisdom|title=Zerry Dl comes through with a new amapiano jam called "Puff & Pass."|url=https://xclusiveloaded.ng/entertainment/music/zerry-dl-puff-pass/|date=May 9, 2024|access-date=November 17, 2024|website=Xclusive Loaded|archive-date=November 13, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241113221425/https://xclusiveloaded.ng/entertainment/music/zerry-dl-puff-pass/|url-status=dead}}</ref> The single debuted at number 39 on the Nigeria [[TurnTable Top 100 Songs|''TurnTable'' 100 charts]], making it Zerrydl's first entry on the chart.<ref>{{Cite web |title=TurnTable Charts Official Nigeria Top 100|url= https://www.turntablecharts.com/charts/1
 |access-date=November 17, 2024 |website= TurnTable |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |author=YC|title=Zerry DL Puff & Pass debuts at number 39 on TurnTable this week|url=https://digimillennials.com/music/zerry-dl-essentials/|date=October 1, 2024 |access-date=November 17, 2024 |website= Digimillenials }}</ref>

On October 20, 2023, Zerrydl released the remix of "Puff & Pass" with Shallipopi.<ref>{{Cite web |author=Peter Okhide|title=Zerrydl and Shallipopi combine forces for 'Puff & Pass' remix|url=https://notjustok.com/songs/zerrydl-shallipopi-puff-pass-remix/ |access-date=November 17, 2024|date=October 20, 2023 |website= NotJustOk |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |author=Osafo Daniel|title=Zerrydl and Shallipopi Releases 'Puff & Pass' remix|url=https://groove-africa.com/zerrydl-and-shallipopi-releasespuff-pass-remix/|date=October 21, 2023 |access-date=November 17, 2024 |website= Groove Africa }}</ref> Its accompanying [[music video]] was released that same day and currently has 5.4 million views on [[YouTube]], as of November 2024.<ref>{{Citation|author=Zerrydl|title=Zerrydl & Shallipopi - Puff & Pass (Remix) (Official video)|url=https://www.youtube.com/YJpFc-t8swQ?si=f6jOuFfh0EVjaZ5E|date=October 20, 2023 |access-date=November 17, 2024|via=[[YouTube]]}}</ref> On November 10, 2023, Zerrydl was featured on Shallipopi's "[[Shallipopi#Career|Wet on Me]]".<ref>{{Cite news |author=Victory Orimemi|title=WATCH: Shallipopi brags about his sexuality in ‘Wet on Me’ visuals |url=https://lifestyle.thecable.ng/watch-shallipopi-brags-about-his-sexuality-in-wet-on-me-visuals/|date=April 4, 2024 |access-date=November 17, 2024 |newspaper= [[TheCable]] }}</ref>

On December 15, 2023, Uzama released his debut [[extended play]] ''Danger Zee'',<ref>{{Cite web |author=Linda|title=Zerrydl Premieres Debut EP "Danger Zee"|url=https://albumtalks.com/zerrydl-premieres-debut-ep-danger-zee/|date=December 15, 2023 |access-date=November 17, 2024 |website= Album Talks }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |author=Peter Okhide|title=Zerrydl impresses with five-track debut EP 'Danger Zee'|url=https://notjustok.com/songs/ep/zerrydl-danger-zee-ep/|date=December 16, 2023 |access-date=November 17, 2024 |website= NotJustOk }}</ref> which debuted at number 14 on the [[TurnTable Top 100 Albums|Official Top 50 Albums Chart]].<ref>{{Cite web |author=TC|title=Danger Zee -EP debuts at No. 14 on this week's Official Top 50 Albums Chart in Nigeria|url=https://twitter.com/TurntableCharts/status/1740328071171854442?t=Xj6BV95UY4eqpZevX9lBvw&s=19|date=December 28, 2023 |access-date=November 17, 2024 |website= [[The Native]] }}</ref> In 2024, he released the single "O.U.A.T" on May 23,<ref>{{Cite web |author=Peggy|title=Zerrydl Drops Brand New Song titled 'O.U.A.T'|url=https://naijavibes.com/musics/zerrydl-drops-brand-new-song-titled-o-u-a-t/196983/|date=May 23, 2024 |access-date=November 17, 2024 |website= NaijaVibez }}</ref> which became the [[lead single]] for his second EP, ''Wara Wara Szn'', featuring [[Seyi Vibez]], and Tega Boi Dc, released on May 31.<ref>{{Cite web|author=Big Sam|title=Zerrydl Drops Second EP "Wara Wara SZN"|url=https://trybecoterie.com/zerrydl-to-drop-second-ep-wara-wara-szn-on-may-30/|date=May 31, 2024|access-date=November 17, 2024|website=Trybe Coterie|archive-date=November 30, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241130224312/https://trybecoterie.com/zerrydl-to-drop-second-ep-wara-wara-szn-on-may-30/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |author=Peter Okhide|title=It's 'Wara Wara Szn' as Zerrydl drops second EP|url=https://notjustok.com/songs/ep/wara-wara-szn-zerrydl-ep/|date=May 31, 2024 |access-date=November 17, 2024 |website= NotJustOk }}</ref>

In July 2024, Uzama performed alongside his brother Shallipopi and Nigerian rapper [[Rema (musician)|Rema]] at the [[Wireless Festival|2024 Wireless Festival]], a prominent music event held in various cities across the [[United Kingdom|UK]].<ref>{{Cite news |author=Admin III|title=VIDEO: Rema, Shallipopi, Zerry DL shut down Wireless Festival|url=https://blueprint.ng/video-rema-shallipopi-zerry-dl-shut-down-wireless-festival-with-benin-boys/|location=Abuja, Nigeria|date=July 14, 2024 |access-date=November 17, 2024 |newspaper=[[Blueprint (newspaper)|Blueprint]]}}</ref> Uzama also released the single "[[Back to Back (Zerrydl song)|Back to Back]]" on September 23, 2024,<ref>{{Cite web |author=Peter Okhide|title=Zerrydl delivers new single 'Back To Back'|url=https://notjustok.com/songs/zerrydl-back-to-back/|date=September 13, 2024 |access-date=November 17, 2024 |website= NotJustOk }}</ref> which debuted at number 40 on the ''TurnTable'' charts 100.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Zerrydl's "Back To Back" rises from No. 51 to No. 40 on this week's Official Nigeria Top 100|url=https://twitter.com/TurntableCharts/status/1842221648570696084?t=ZvKDCAId3rQSUerso4JcHQ&s=19|date=October 4, 2024 |access-date=November 17, 2024 }}</ref> On October 19, 2024, Uzama's single "Back to Back" reached its peak position at number 16 on the UK 
[[UK Afrobeats Singles Chart|Official Afrobeats Chart]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Official Afrobeats Chart|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/afrobeats-chart/20241013/afrobeat/|date=October 19, 2024 |access-date=November 17, 2024 |website=[[Official Charts Company]]}}</ref> "Back to Back" debuted at number 42 on the [[Billboard U.S. Afrobeats Songs|''Billboard'' U.S. Afrobeats Songs chart]], marking his first [[Billboard charts|''Billboard'']] appearance.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Zerrydl "Back To Back" reaches a new peak at #42(+8) on the Billboard US Afrobeats Songs chart|url=https://twitter.com/chartsafrica/status/1853755314903855237?s=19|date=November 5, 2024 |access-date=November 18, 2024 |website=[[Africa|Charts Africa]]}}</ref>

== Discography ==
=== EPs ===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|+ List of extended plays, with selected details
! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Title
! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Details
! scope="col"| Peak chart positions
|-
! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%"| [[TurnTable Top 100 Albums|NG]]<br /><ref>{{cite tweet|user=TurntableCharts|number=1855617931742203970|title=ICYMI— All the re-entries on the Official Top 100 Albums Chart in Nigeria|date=November 10, 2024|access-date=November 17, 2024}}</ref>
|-
!scope="row"|''Danger Zee''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.africanmusiclibrary.org/release/a8ec0569-7378-4469-9827-6cc59ea058b3|last=AF|title=Zerrydl releases debut EP Danger Zee|date=December 15, 2023 |access-date=November 17, 2024|website=AML}}</ref>
|
* Released: December 15, 2023
* Label: [[Plutomania Records|Plutomania]], Dapper
* Formats: [[music download|Digital download]], [[Streaming media|streaming]]
| 87
|-
!scope="row"|''Wara Wara Szn''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://albumtalks.com/tag/wara-wara-szn/|title=Zerrydl Drops Sophomore EP "Wara Wara Szn"|date=May 31, 2024 |access-date=November 17, 2024|website=Album Talks}}</ref>
|
* Released: May 31, 2024
* Label: Plutomania, Dapper
* Formats: Digital download, streaming
| —
|}

=== Singles ===
* "Ifeoma" featuring Iamemzyfrush1 (2022)
* "Puff & Pass" (2023)
* "Puff & Pass (Remix)" featuring [[Shallipopi]] (2023)
* "O.U.A.T" (2024)
* "[[Back to Back (Zerrydl song)|Back to Back]]" (2024)

== Awards and nominations ==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Year
!width="250"| Awards ceremony
!width="250"| Award description(s)
!width="315" | Nominated work
!width="80" | Results
! {{abbr|Ref|References}} 
|-
|rowspan=1|2025
||[[The Headies]]
|style="text-align:center;"|[[The Headies Award for Rookie of the Year|Rookie of the Year]]
|style="text-align:center;" |Himself
|{{won}}
|<ref>{{cite news |last1=Abdulrahman |first1=Nafisat |title=Headies 2025: Zerry DL Wins ‘Rookie Of The Year’ Award |url=https://leadership.ng/headies-2025-zerry-dl-wins-rookie-of-the-year-award/ |access-date=27 April 2025 |agency=Leadership.ng  |date=27 April 2025|newspaper=[[Leadership (newspaper)|Leadership]]}}</ref>
|}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:2002 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Musicians from Benin City]]
[[Category:21st-century Nigerian male rappers]]
[[Category:21st-century Nigerian male singers]]
[[Category:21st-century Nigerian rappers]]
[[Category:Nigerian Afrobeats musicians]]
[[Category:Nigerian singers]]
[[Category:Nigerian male singer-songwriters]]
[[Category:Nigerian male songwriters]]
[[Category:Musicians from Edo State]]