Bez

Emmanuel Bez Idakula, widely known mononymously as Bez, is a Nigerian alternative soul musician, singer-songwriter, and composer. He is recognized for blending African rhythms with elements of jazz, R&B, and rock, pioneering the genre he terms "Alternative Soul" in Nigeria. **Early Life and Education** Bez was born Emmanuel Bez Idakula on November 10, 1983, in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria. He grew up in a musically inclined family, listening primarily to gospel and country music. His passion for music started early; he began singing in choirs and taught himself to play his father’s guitar at the age of nine. Bez attended Loyola Jesuit College. He later received financial assistance to complete his high school and college education, graduating from Covenant University in 2007 with a Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) in Information and Communications Technology. During his university years, he actively performed at open mic nights, refining his skills as a multi-instrumentalist who plays the guitar, piano, and percussion, in addition to being a vocalist. **Career Progression and Notable Works** Bez officially began his music career in 2007. He is signed to Cobhams Asuquo Music Production (CAMP) and gained significant recognition with the release of his debut album, *Super Sun*, in 2011. The album, produced by Cobhams Asuquo, featured the popular single "That Stupid Song," which garnered international acclaim and was named number 3 in The Boston Globe's top ten world music albums of 2011. In 2012, Bez received six nominations at The Headies, the Nigerian Music Awards, including Record of the Year and Best R\&B/Pop Album for *Super Sun*. He released his second album, *Gbagyi Child*, in 2014, with the lead single "My Baby." **Major Achievements and Current Status** Bez is often cited as a role model for young musicians due to his unconventional sound and dedication to his craft. He has utilized his prominence to mentor emerging talent and is the founder of **RTIST HUB**, an Emerging Artist Program based in Lagos, aimed at building and mentoring future musicians. His music continues to be influenced by artists like Amy Winehouse and The Beatles. Bez currently resides in Lagos, Nigeria, and continues to defy genre boundaries as a multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, artist, and mentor.