View source for Boy Spyce

{{pp|type=semi}}
{{BaseArticle
 | shortdesc = Nigerian singer and songwriter
}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2024}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name              = Boy Spyce {{Verified artist}}
| verified          = yes
| image             = Boy_Spyce_2.jpg
| image_size        = 220px
| caption           = Boy Spyce
| birth_name        = Ugbekile David Osemeke<ref>{{cite web|url=https://culturecustodian.com/review-boy-spyce-has-come-like-a-thief-in-the-night/|last=Michael|first=Aromolaran|title=Boy Spyce Has Come Like a Thief in the Night|date=April 21, 2022 |access-date=January 29, 2024|website=The Culture Custodian (Est. 2014) |archive-date=May 18, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230518120156/https://culturecustodian.com/review-boy-spyce-has-come-like-a-thief-in-the-night/|url-status=live}}</ref>
| alias             = 
| birth_date        = {{Birth date and age|2001|05|10|df=y}}
| birth_place       = [[Oshodi-Isolo|Isolo]], [[Lagos State|Lagos]], Nigeria
| origin            = [[Igbanke]], [[Edo State|Edo State]], Nigeria
| genre             = {{hlist|[[Afrobeats]]|[[afrofusion]]}}
| occupation        = {{hlist|Singer|songwriter<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tori.ng/news/256945/singer-boy-spyce-reacts-after-being-called-out-for.html|last=Samuel|title=Singer, Boy Spyce Reacts After Being Called Out For Storming Off The Stage|date=December 20, 2023 |access-date=January 28, 2024|website=Tori.ng|archive-date=January 6, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240106102518/https://www.tori.ng/news/256945/singer-boy-spyce-reacts-after-being-called-out-for.html|url-status=live}}</ref>}}
| instrument        = {{hlist|[[Keyboard instrument|Keyboard]]|vocals|[[ukulele]]}}
| years_active      = 2019 present
| label             = [[Mavin Records|Mavin]]
| website           = {{URL|https://www.boyspyce.com/|boyspyce.com}}
}}
'''Ugbekile David Osemeke''' (born 10 May 2001), known professionally as '''Boy Spyce''', is a Nigerian singer and songwriter. He gained recognition following his 2021 cover of [[Wizkid]]'s song "[[Essence (Wizkid song)|Essence]]". Its success led him to sign a recording contract with [[Mavin Records]], which released his debut extended play, self-titled ''[[Boy Spyce (EP)|Boy Spyce]]'', in 2022 receiving moderate commercial reception.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://guardian.ng/saturday-magazine/mavin-records-unveils-boy-spyce/|location=Lagos, Nigeria|last=Chinonso|first=Ihekere|title=Mavin Records unveils Boy Spyce|date=April 23, 2022 |access-date=January 28, 2024|newspaper=[[The Guardian (Nigeria)|The Guardian]]|archive-date=July 5, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230705225853/https://guardian.ng/saturday-magazine/mavin-records-unveils-boy-spyce/|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Early life ==
Boy Spyce was born in Isolo, [[Lagos State]], but hails from [[Edo State]].<ref>{{cite interview|url=https://digimillennials.com/music/boy-spyce-a-paradox-of-intention-and-serendipity/|author=Itty Okim|title=Interview: Boy Spyce, A Paradox Of Intention And Serendipity|date=March 23, 2022 |access-date=January 28, 2024|work=Millenials|archive-date=July 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230707064021/https://digimillennials.com/music/boy-spyce-a-paradox-of-intention-and-serendipity/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theculturenewspaper.com/i-pray-the-universe-helps-me-because-i-dream-of-being-a-global-superstar-boy-spyce/|last=Araayo|first=Akande|title=I pray the universe helps me because I dream of being a global superstar – Boy Spyce |date=May 22, 2022 |access-date=January 28, 2024|website=The Culture Newspaper|archive-date=November 28, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221128010240/https://www.theculturenewspaper.com/i-pray-the-universe-helps-me-because-i-dream-of-being-a-global-superstar-boy-spyce/|url-status=live}}</ref> He grew up living in Jakande Estate, Isolo. For his secondary education, he attended [[Lagos State Model College Kankon]], [[Badagry]], and he is the last born in a family of seven.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://thescoove.africa/boy-spyce-biography-age-songs/|last=The Scoove|title=Boy Spyce: Biography, Age |access-date=January 29, 2024|website=The Scoove Africa|archive-date=November 28, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231128201115/https://thescoove.africa/boy-spyce-biography-age-songs/|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Career ==
Boy Spyce launched his music career by posting song covers on social media platforms in 2019. In 2021, he gained recognition after posting a cover of [[Wizkid]]'s hit song "[[Essence (Wizkid song)|Essence]]" featuring [[Tems]]. The cover caught the attention of [[Don Jazzy]], the founder of [[Mavin Records]], who offered him a recording deal and introduced him to the public on 14 April 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kossy |first=Derrick |date=2022-04-14 |title=Boy Spyce get signed to Mavin Records|url=https://www.kossyderrickent.com/2022/04/videos-boy-spyce-gets-signed-to-mavin.html?m=1 |access-date=2024-01-29|language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.withinnigeria.com/entertainment/2022/04/15/video-don-jazzy-signs-boy-spyce-the-talented-kid-who-went-viral-for-doing-a-cover-of-wizkids-essence/|last=Ifeoluwa|title=Don Jazzy signs Boy Spyce, the talented kid who went viral for doing a cover of Wizkid’s Essence|date=April 15, 2022 |access-date=January 29, 2024|website=Within Nigeria |archive-date=September 26, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230926014425/https://www.withinnigeria.com/entertainment/2022/04/15/video-don-jazzy-signs-boy-spyce-the-talented-kid-who-went-viral-for-doing-a-cover-of-wizkids-essence/|url-status=live}}</ref> He then released his debut EP, self-titled ''[[Boy Spyce (EP)|Boy Spyce]]'', on April 15, 2022, which peaked at number one on Nigeria's Apple Music chart.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/music/mavin-records-unlocks-boy-spyce-and-his-new-ep/01w94sl|last=Onyema|first=Courage|title=Mavin Records unlocks Boy Spyce and his new EP|date=April 15, 2022 |access-date=January 29, 2024|newspaper=[[Pulse Nigeria]]|archive-date=July 6, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220706041632/https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/music/mavin-records-unlocks-boy-spyce-and-his-new-ep/01w94sl|url-status=live}}</ref> Emmanuel Esomnofu, reviewing for [[The Native]], described the EP as "a collage of vibrant sounds and tradition" that generated significant buzz for the young artist.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://thenativemag.com/essentials-boy-spyce-debut-ep/|last=Emmanuel|first=Esomnofu|title=Essentials: Boy Spyce Renders Emotive Tales on Debut Eponymous EP|date=April 19, 2022 |access-date=January 29, 2024|website=The Native|archive-date=February 3, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230203225246/https://thenativemag.com/essentials-boy-spyce-debut-ep/|url-status=dead}}</ref> On 7 May 2022, Boy Spyce's single "Bad Things" led Pulse Nigeria's Future Sounds Vol. 6 playlist.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/music/future-sounds-vol6-featuring-boy-spyce-sam-sun-boy-adequate-maradona-and-more/heze9fd|last=Onyema|first=Courage|title=Future Sounds Vol.6 featuring Boy Spyce, Sam Sun, Boy Adequate, Maradona, and more|date=May 7, 2022 |access-date=January 29, 2024|newspaper=[[Pulse Nigeria]]|archive-date=August 31, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220831091041/https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/music/future-sounds-vol6-featuring-boy-spyce-sam-sun-boy-adequate-maradona-and-more/heze9fd|url-status=live}}</ref>

Boy Spyce was featured on Mavin's hit song "Overdose" alongside Crayon and Ayra Starr on 13 May 2022.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bellanaija.com/2022/05/mavin-records-overdose/|last=BellaNaija|title=Mavin Records Puts Out Romantic Number titled "Overdose" featuring Crayon, Ayra Starr, Ladipoe, Magixx & Boy Spyce|date=May 14, 2022 |access-date=January 30, 2024|website=BellaNaija |archive-date=March 29, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230329190211/https://www.bellanaija.com/2022/05/mavin-records-overdose/|url-status=live}}</ref> The song ranked number 1 on TheCable's list of 10 TCL radio pick of the week on 28 May 2022.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://lifestyle.thecable.ng/tcl-radio-picks-mavin-records-leads-the-pack-with-overdose/|last=Kunle|first=Daramola|title=TCL radio picks: Mavin Records leads the pack with ‘Overdose’|date=May 28, 2022 |access-date=January 30, 2024|newspaper=[[TheCable]]|archive-date=June 30, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220630000921/https://lifestyle.thecable.ng/tcl-radio-picks-mavin-records-leads-the-pack-with-overdose/|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 29 May 2022, Boy Spyce revealed how a direct message from Don Jazzy changed his life, sharing that he received a text message from Don Jazzy on Christmas Day in 2019. He disclosed this during an interview with the [[Nigerian Tribune]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://tribuneonlineng.com/don-jazzys-text-on-christmas-day-shocked-me-boy-spyce/|last=Tribune online|title=Don Jazzy’s text on Christmas Day shocked me, Boy Spyce|date=May 29, 2022 |access-date=January 29, 2024|newspaper=[[Nigerian Tribune]]|archive-date=September 9, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220909231305/https://tribuneonlineng.com/don-jazzys-text-on-christmas-day-shocked-me-boy-spyce/|url-status=live}}</ref> On 30 May 2022, Spyce performed with [[Glitch Africa]] Choir for his song "Nobody".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bellanaija.com/2022/05/boy-spyce-nobody-glitch-africa/|last=BNTV|title=Boy Spyce Beautifully Performs "Nobody" Alongside Glitch Africa’s Choir|date=May 30, 2022 |access-date=January 29, 2024|website=BellaNaija |archive-date=June 13, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220613170345/https://www.bellanaija.com/2022/05/boy-spyce-nobody-glitch-africa/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In November 2022, he performed alongside [[Rema (musician)|Rema]], [[Ayra Starr]], [[Magixx (singer)|Magixx]], [[Ladipoe]], [[Crayon (singer)|Crayon]], [[Johnny Drille]], and Bayanni on Mavin's hit single "Wan Da Mo", earning him his second appearance on [[TurnTable charts]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tela |first=Wangeci |date=2022-12-14 |title=TurnTable Top 100: Mavins' "Won Da Mo" Leads the Chart|website=The Native|url=https://thenativemag.com/turntable-top-100-mavins-won-da/|access-date=2024-01-29|language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=BellaNaija |date=November 9, 2022 |title=Mavin Records Puts Out New Single "Won Da Mo" featuring Rema, Boy Spyce, Magixx|website=[[BellaNaija]]|url=https://www.bellanaija.com/2022/11/won-da-mo-mavin-records/|access-date=January 29, 2024|language=en-GB}}</ref>

In January 2023, he released his first single "Folake" after his debut EP, which peaked at number 5 on the Nigeria [[TurnTable Top 100|''TurnTable'' Top 100]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.turntablecharts.com/charts/1|title=Official Nigeria Top 100|date=January 18, 2024 |access-date=January 29, 2024|website=[[TurnTable charts]]|archive-date=January 24, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240124205344/https://www.turntablecharts.com/charts/1|url-status=live}}</ref> "Folake" was produced by Sparrq Beatz, and its accompanying music video, directed by Ahmed Moss, currently has 5 million views on [[YouTube]] as of January 2024.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/music/boy-spyce-returns-with-new-single-folake/cfszg0j|title=Boy Spyce returns with new single, 'Folake'|date=January 26, 2023 |access-date=January 29, 2024|newspaper=[[Pulse Nigeria]]|archive-date=March 24, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230324170922/https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/music/boy-spyce-returns-with-new-single-folake/cfszg0j|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://rhythm937.com/new-video-boy-spyce-folake/|last=Ogugua|first=Ifezulike|title=New Video: Boy Spyce – Folake|date=March 1, 2023 |access-date=January 30, 2024|website=Rhythm|archive-date=March 28, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230328093234/https://rhythm937.com/new-video-boy-spyce-folake/|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 24 January 2023, ''[[OkayAfrica]]'' cited him as one of the emerging artists to watch in 2023, alongside [[Khaid]] and [[Odumodublvck]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.okayafrica.com/12-nigerian-artists-to-watch-in-2023/207848|title=12 Nigerian Artists to Watch in 2023|date=January 24, 2023 |access-date=January 29, 2024|website=[[OkayAfrica]]|archive-date=June 5, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230605171353/https://www.okayafrica.com/amp/nigerian-music-artists-watch-2023-2659304045|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 7 December 2023, he released "Pepe", which peaked at number 23 on the ''TurnTable'' Nigeria Top 100 on 12 January 2024, and debuted at number 13 on the [[TurnTable charts#Main|Top Streaming Songs]] on 18 January 2024.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://albumtalks.com/boy-spyce-closes-2023-with-single-pepe/|title=Boy Spyce Closes 2023 With Single, "Pepe"|date=December 14, 2023 |access-date=January 29, 2024|website=Album Talks}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Official Nigeria Top 100|url=https://www.turntablecharts.com/charts/1
 |website=www.turntablecharts.com |publisher=[[TurnTable]] |access-date=18 January 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Official Streaming Songs |url=https://www.turntablecharts.com/charts/4 |website=[[TurnTable charts]] |publisher=[[TurnTable]] |access-date=29 January 2024}}</ref>

==Discography==
===EPs===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|+ List of extended plays, with selected details
! scope="col"| Title
! scope="col"| Details
|-
!scope="row"|''[[Boy Spyce (EP)|Boy Spyce]]''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bellanaija.com/2022/04/mavin-records-ep-boy-spyce/|last=BellaNaija|title=Mavin Records’ New Signee Proves He’s the One to Watch With Self-Titled EP "Boy Spyce"|date=April 15, 2022 |access-date=January 29, 2024|website=BellaNaija |archive-date=May 16, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220516180355/https://www.bellanaija.com/2022/04/mavin-records-ep-boy-spyce/|url-status=live}}</ref>
|
* Released: 15 April 2022
* Label: [[Mavin Records|Mavin]]
* Formats: [[music download|Digital download]]
|}

===Singles===
====As lead artist====
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|+List of singles as lead artist, with year released and album shown
! scope="col" | Title
! scope="col" | Year
! scope="col" | Album
|-
! scope="row" | "Dreams"
| rowspan="5" | 2022
| rowspan="5" | ''Boy Spyce''
|-
! scope="row" | "Bad Things"
|-
! scope="row" | "Wayo"
|-
! scope="row" | "Destiny"
|-
! scope="row" | "Nobody"
|-
! scope="row" | "Folake"
| rowspan="4" |2023
| rowspan="10" {{Non-album singles}}
|-
! scope="row" | "Relationship"
|-
! scope="row" | "So Bad"
|-
! scope="row" | "Pepe"
|-
! scope="row" | "I Don't Care" (with [[Khaid]]) <ref>{{cite web |title=Boy Spyce tops Rema, Wizkid on the list of the most googled songs in Nigeria in 2024 {{!}} Pulse Nigeria |url=https://www.pulse.ng/articles/entertainment/music/boy-spyce-tops-rema-wizkid-on-the-list-of-the-most-googled-songs-in-nigeria-in-2024-2024121016343263280 |website=www.pulse.ng |language=en}}</ref>
| rowspan="4" | 2024
|-
! scope="row" | "You (Rum & Schnapp)"
|-
! scope="row" | "Shout"
|-
! scope="row" | "Talk"
|-
! scope="row" | "I'll Be There"
| rowspan="2" | 2025
|-
! scope="row" | "Achalugo" (with [[Jeriq]])
|}

====As featured artist====
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|+List of singles as featured artist, with year released and album shown
! scope="col" | Title
! scope="col" | Year
! scope="col" | Album
|-
! scope="row" | "Won Da Mo" and "Overloading (Overdose)"<br />{{small|(Mavins, Crayon and [[Ayra Starr]] featuring [[Ladipoe]], [[Magixx (singer)|Magixx]] and Boy Spyce)}}
| 2022
| ''Chapter X''
|-
! scope="row" | "Carry Me Go"<br />{{small|(Khaid featuring Boy Spyce)}}
| 2023
| rowspan="2" {{Non-album singles}}
|-
! scope="row" | "Doh"<br />{{small|(T-Classic featuring Boy Spyce)}}
| 2024
|}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Spyce, Boy}}
[[Category:2001 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:21st-century Nigerian musicians]]
[[Category:21st-century Nigerian male singers]]
[[Category:21st-century Nigerian singers]]
[[Category:Nigerian Afrobeats musicians]]
[[Category:Mavin Records artists]]