Harrison Tare Okiri, better known by his stage name Harrysong, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter and instrumentalist, rose to fame after his tribute song to Nelson Mandela won the “Most Downloaded Callertune Award” at The Headies 2013.
Harrysong was born in Warri, Delta State, Nigeria to Ijaw parents but moved to Lagos in 2007 after spending some of his early life in Port Harcourt. Before signing to Question Mark Entertainment, Harrysong used to perform at night clubs until he met Kcee who introduced him to top music icons.
In 2014, Harrysong was nominated in the “Best Pop/R&B Artist of the Year” category at the 2014 Nigeria Entertainment Awards after the release of his chart-topping song “Beta Pikin”.
Early life and Education
Harrysong was born as the only child to Ijaw parents in Warri, Delta State. After the death of his mother, a strained relationship between him and his step-mother led to his drop-out from school which ultimately ended his educational career in the tertiary institution and he became involved in music after relocating to Port Harcourt.
Career
At age eleven, Harrysong’s music career started as a congarist in the church where his mother served as the music director before he went on to learn contemporary gospel songs.
In 2007, he again moved to Lagos as the lead singer of a live band who used to perform at night clubs until he met Kcee who led to him signing for Five Star Music.
His rise to fame came when he released the single “I’m In Love” and “Taiye & Kehinde” with the music video of the former topping music video charts including Trace TV. In 2012, he went on to release his debut album Testify through Question Mark Entertainment
In a recent interview granted Vanguard Newspaper dated Sep 6, 2018 – the Nigerian singer, songwriter and instrumentalist Harrisong said that his fans, well-wishers should not cry for him when he dies. … “Harrysong, the Alter Plate Records boss on Wednesday talking about his death”.
The above comment however generated lots of controversies ranging from the question whether he Harrysong knows when and how he will die or what motivated that comment.
Awards
Harrysong has won many awards and nominations including:
- Most Downloaded Callertune Award” at The Headies 2013.”Tribute to Mandela”
- Best Contemporary Afro Video by 9th Nigeria Music Video Awards “Kolombo”
- Best Pop Extra Video by 9th Nigeria Music Video Awards (My Story)’
- Creative Person of the Year by The Sun Awards 2015 “Myself” and many nominations.
- 2016, he won best collabo of the year the Nigeria Entertainment Awards
Discography
Harrysong has a number of albums to his credit. Some are:
“I’m in Love”, I Want You Gyptian cover”, “Obu Ego Hustle”, “Taiye & Kehinde”, “I’m in Love Remix” (featuring Olamide), “When She Loves”,
“Better Pikin”, “Kolombo”,”Ofeshe”, “Reggae Blues”(featuring Olamide, Iyanya, Kcee, Orezi) among others.
Harrysong is ranked one of the most gifted, most skillful, most creative and most talented young Nigerian artistes in our contemporary musical industry.
Harrysong is rated one of the richest and most influential artistes in Nigeria with an estimated net worth of $1.6 million. We wish him greater things in the years ahead.