Runtown

Douglas Jack Agu (born 19 August 1989), better known by his stage name Runtown, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter and producer.

Runtown
Runtown for FV magazine.
Background information
Birth nameDouglas Jack Agu
Born (1989-08-19) 19 August 1989[1]
OriginEnugu State, Nigeria
GenresR&B, Afro-fusion, hip hop, reggae
Occupation(s)Singer, songwriter, producer
InstrumentsVocals
Years active2010–present
LabelsSoundgod Music Group
Associated actsDavido, Nasty C, phyno

Biography

Runtown was born on 19 August 1989 in Enugu but grew up partly in Abuja and Lagos, where he finished his primary education. After the death of his father, he moved to Abuja with his mother, who was working in the Ministry of Health.

In 2014 he released "Gallardo", a song which features vocals from Davido and was released as the first single off his debut studio album Ghetto University.[2] Gallardo went on to win "Best Collaboration of the Year" at the 2014 edition of the Nigeria Entertainment Awards.[3] On 23 November 2015, Runtown released his debut studio album titled Ghetto University via MTN Music Plus through Eric Many Entertainment.[4] The album generated over ₦35million on the music portal thus earning him a spot in the list of "Top 5 Most Streamed Artist".[5]

On 4 November 2016, Runtown released the ballad "Mad Over You", which charted at number 38 on the Billboard Twitter Top Tracks chart.[6][7] Joey Akan from Pulse Nigeria described the song as a "self-produced track that draws inspiration from the Ghanaian Alkayida sound".[8] Runtown told The Fader magazine that the song was inspired by African beauty.[9]

Controversies

Ownership of "Aye"

In 2014, there were reports in the media that Runtown wrote "Aye". In an interview with the Nigerian Tribune, Runtown said, "A lot of people have been asking me that question. Davido has had a number of interviews where he addressed how the song came about. So if you want to learn more about Aye ask David or read his interviews".[10]

Release of Kini Issue

In September 2020, He released his 2nd song since the pandemic called "Kini Issue". The song is from his forthcoming album untitled for now.[11]

Exit from Eric Manny Entertainment

Runtown's contract with Eric Manny Entertainment expired in June 2018. He subsequently started his own label, Soundgod Music Group.[12]

#EndSars Protest

In October 2020, Runtown and a group of other celebrities led #Endsars protest in Lagos, South West Nigeria, for government to end police brutality.[13]

Discography
Main article: Runtown discography

Awards and nominations
This list is incomplete; you can help by adding missing items with reliable sources.
Year Award ceremony Prize Result
2014 2014 Nigeria Entertainment Awards Best Collaboration of The Year[15] Nominated
The Headies 2014 Next Rated Act Nominated[16]
2015 2015 Nigeria Entertainment Awards Best Pop Artiste Nominated[17]
City People Entertainment Awards Artiste of The Year Nominated[18]
2017 Vodafone Ghana Music Awards African Artiste Of The Year Won[19]
2017 Soundcity MVP Awards Festival Best Collaboration of The Year Won[20]
Viewers Choice Won[21]
Listeners Choice Nominated[22]

See also

References
  1. "The full story of the drama between singer and his record label Eric Many". pulseNg. 2018-03-28.
  2. Nduka, Echezonachukwu (7 February 2016). "Album Review: Running through Runtown's Ghetto University". Praxis Magazine. Retrieved 31 May 2016.
  3. Sholola, Damilola (12 December 2014). "Runtown dreams of marrying Rihanna". Vanguard Newspaper. Retrieved 31 May 2016.
  4. Donnet, Jim (23 November 2015). "Runtown Premieres Debut Album "Ghetto University" + Listen To Hot Track Picks From The Album". tooXclusive. Retrieved 31 May 2016.
  5. Oghene, Michael (6 April 2016). "RUNTOWN: The Rising Profile of Africa's Next 'BIG THING'". 360Nobs. Retrieved 31 May 2016.
  6. "Runtown's "Mad over You" debuts on Billboard ranking". soundcityTv.
  7. Salihu, Idoko (7 January 2017). "Wizkid, Runtown make Billboard Twitter Top Tracks chart". Premium Times.
  8. Akan, Joey (12 January 2017). "'Mad Over You' remix should have Mr Eazi and Sarkodie on it". Pulse.
  9. Alexander, Amber (4 November 2016). "Nigerian Star Runtown Is In Love With Ghanaian Beauty On "Mad Over You"". The Fader.
  10. "It's nobody's business if I sold Aye to Davido —Runtown". Nigerian Tribune. 26 July 2014. Retrieved 5 December 2014.
  11. "Runtown – Kini Issue MP3". Montelent. 24 September 2020. Retrieved 24 September 2020.
  12. "Singer launches indie music company, 'Sound God Music Group'". pulseNg. 2018-06-26.
  13. "Runtown And Falz Lead #EndSars Protest After Naira Marley Backed Out (Video)". The African Media. 2020-10-08. Retrieved 2020-10-08.
  14. "EP Review: 'Tradition' is Runtown's honest vibes with a little sonic pitfall". Pulse Nigeria. 27 May 2019. Retrieved 27 September 2020.
  15. "Runtown Wins NEA Awards". ThisDay Live. 27 September 2014. Retrieved 19 November 2015.
  16. Micheal Abimboye (30 September 2014). "Orezi, Patoranking, RunTown, Skales up for Next Rated at Headies Awards". Premium Times. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
  17. "Nigerian Entertainment Awards Unveils 2015 Nominees". Daily Independent. 12 June 2015. Retrieved 2015-07-25.
  18. "City People Awards 2015 Nominees List – tooXclusive, Lil Kesh, Others Nominated…". tooXclusive. 13 July 2015. Retrieved 19 November 2015.
  19. "Runtown wins 'Artiste of the year' award for second time in one month". vanguard.
  20. "SOUND CITY MVP AWARDS 2017 WINNERS LIST". PulseNg.
  21. "SOUND CITY MVP AWARDS 2017 WINNERS LIST". PulseNg. 2018-01-12.
  22. "SOUND CITY MVP AWARDS 2017 WINNERS LIST". PulseNg. 2018-01-12.
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