Rotimi (actor)

Olurotimi Akinosho (born November 30, 1988), known professionally as Rotimi, is a Nigerian-American actor, singer, and model. He is known for his role as Darius Morrison on the Starz series Boss, and starred as Andre Coleman on Power.

Rotimi
Rotimi during an interview in May 2019
Background information
Birth nameOlurotimi Akinosho
Born (1988-11-30) November 30, 1988
Maplewood, New Jersey, U.S.
Occupation(s)
  • Actor
  • singer
  • model
Years active2011–present
Labels
Websiterotimimusic.com

Early life and education

Rotimi was born in Maplewood, New Jersey, to Nigerian parents; his father an investment banker of Yoruba origin and his mother of Igbo origin,[1] working for the government.[2] He attended Columbia High School, where he was a standout on both the varsity basketball team and the honors choir. He continued his studies at Northwestern University and graduated with a bachelor's degree in Communication with a minor in Business in 2010.[3]

Career

Acting

At his first trial with acting, Rotimi auditioned and subsequently got his first acting role on Boss as drug dealer Darius Morrison.[4] Rotimi also appeared in three episodes of ABC's Betrayal.

Rotimi made his silver screen debut in the film Black Nativity (2013). Following this, he starred in Imperial Dreams at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival, which later won for "Best of NEXT".[5]

Rotimi next appeared in the high grossing film, Divergent (2014). In 2016 Rotimi also acted in the movie Deuces alongside Lance Gross and Larenz Tate.

He was added to the cast of Starz' TV series Power as a series regular, in the role of Andre Coleman, the quick-tempered young protégé of the character Ghost.[6] Rotimi was also cast in a recurring role on Battle Creek as Danny.

Music

A contemporary R&B artist, Rotimi released two digital mixtapes, titled The Resume (March 8, 2011) and While You Wait (November 30, 2011). His videos have been featured on international and U.S. based entertainment media including MTV, MTV Base, and VH1 Soul.

Rotimi has performed on stage, opening for Jennifer Hudson, T.I., Estelle, and NERD; he also performed on BET’s show 106 and Park[7] and appeared in R&B singer Keyshia Cole's music video "Trust and Believe" as Cole's unfaithful boyfriend.

Rotimi garnered music placement with “I’m the One” on the first episode of Boss. In 2015, American rapper and executive producer of Power, 50 Cent signed Rotimi to his label, G-Unit Records.[8] He also released his first G-Unit single "Lotto" featuring 50 Cent.

In 2016, Rotimi released "Doin it", a single from his 5-track project, Summer Bangerz.[9] In 2017 he released his debut EP called Jeep Music Vol.1.

In 2019 he released a single titled "Love Riddim" which has garnered attention from both old fan and newly made ones.

Fashion

Rotimi is the lead model/spokesperson of rapper T.I.'s AKOO Clothing[10] 2012 Spring/Summer campaign, April 2, 2012. [11][12][13][14][15]

Discography
Main article: Rotimi discography

Filmography
Film
Year Title Role Notes
2013 Black Nativity Officer Butch McDaniels
2014 Divergent Ezra
2015 Darkest Before Dawn Manny Short film
2017 Imperial Dreams Wayne
2017 Burning Sands Edwin
2017 Deuces Face
2018 Acts of Violence Frank
2020 Singlehollic Sam Bishop Post-production
2020 True to The Game 2: Gena's Story Vaughn Post-production
2021 Coming 2 America Post-production
Television
Year Title Role Notes
2011 Cooper and Stone Ty Unsold pilot
2011–12 Boss Darius Morrison 18 episodes
2013 Betrayal Lil' D 3 episodes
2015 Battle Creek Danny 2 episodes
2015–2020 Power Andre "Dre" Coleman Series Regular
2017 BET Experience Host Television special
2018 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Mailk Guest Star

Tours

References
  1. "FACTORY78: Rotimi talks about 'POWER' Signing with 50cent, and Collaborating with Nigerian Artists". YouTube. Retrieved March 3, 2015.
  2. Hale, Andreas (October 23, 2015) "Rotimi: Hustler, Actor, Musician, Jay Z Favorite", Rising Stars. OZY. Retrieved January 12, 2017.
  3. "Rotimi Akinosho". www.northwestern.edu. Parrish Lewis. Retrieved May 15, 2012.
  4. Rotimi Gives Power Season 3 Hints + Making Music with 50 Cent. YouTube (July 13, 2016). Retrieved January 12, 2017.
  5. Review: John Boyega Shines in ‘Imperial Dreams,’ One of the Most Overlooked Gems of Sundance (Screens Aug. 9 in LA) | IndieWire. Blogs.indiewire.com (May 13, 2016). Retrieved January 12, 2017.
  6. Deadline Team (September 17, 2014). "Annika Marks Joins ABC Family’s ‘The Fosters'; Rotimi Akinosho In Starz’s ‘Power’". Deadline.com. Retrieved January 12, 2017.
  7. "Rotimi Jack of all Trades". www.bet.com. Calvin Stovall. Retrieved February 16, 2012.
  8. 50 Cent Signs 'Power' Star Rotimi to G-Unit, Drops 'Lotto' Single. Billboard (June 19, 2015). Retrieved January 12, 2017.
  9. Golding, Shenequa (July 17, 2016). "Rotimi new song". Retrieved July 12, 2016.
  10. "Rotimi is a King of One Self". www.globalgrind.com. Noel Walker. Retrieved May 10, 2012.
  11. "Rotimi Akinosho On His Role In Starz "Boss" [EXCLUSIVE]". The Urban Daily. November 10, 2011.
  12. "Cover: Rotimi Akinosho". Northwestern Magazine. Summer 2010.
  13. Najah Goldstein, " Rotimi Akinosho", Sheen magazine.
  14. "NIGERIAN-AMERICAN SINGER/ACTOR ROTIMI IS THE NEW FACE OF T.I'S AKOO CLOTHING LINE", Yenih's World, 29 March 2012.
  15. Spesh YH. "Hottie Alert: BOSS actor & AKOO Model Rotimi Akinosho". Speshs World.
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