Runtown

Douglas Jack Agu (born August 19, 1989), widely known by his stage name Runtown, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, and producer. He is recognized as a prominent figure in African contemporary music, celebrated for his versatile sound, which blends R&B, Afro-fusion, hip hop, and reggae. Early Life and Education Runtown was born on August 19, 1989, in Enugu, Enugu State, Nigeria. He spent parts of his childhood in Abuja and Lagos State, where he completed his primary school education. While his educational background included studies in fashion technology in New York, his passion for music led him to dedicate his career to the arts. Career Progression Runtown began his music journey in 2007. In 2010, he and his longtime collaborator, Phyno, relocated to Lagos to seriously pursue their careers, staying with and working under musician J. Martins. Runtown officially launched his career in 2011 with the single "Party Like It's 1980." His major breakthrough came in 2014 with the release of the hit single "Gallardo," featuring Davido. "Gallardo" served as the first single from his debut studio album, *Ghetto University*, which was released in 2015. This period cemented his status as an emerging international artist. From 2018 onwards, Runtown transitioned into independent music ventures, founding the Soundgod Music Group. Major Achievements and Notable Works Runtown's discography is highlighted by several notable works. Following the success of "Gallardo," his 2016 single "Mad Over You" became a massive international hit, peaking at number 38 on the Billboard Twitter Top Tracks chart. The song is often credited as a major influencer in the global expansion of Afrobeats. His debut album, *Ghetto University* (2015), was a commercial success. Among his major achievements, Runtown won the Best Collaboration of The Year at the 2017 Soundcity MVP Awards Festival and African Artiste Of The Year at the 2017 Vodafone Ghana Music Awards. He has consistently received nominations for major awards, including The Headies, the Nigeria Entertainment Awards, and the City People Entertainment Awards, recognizing his talent as a singer and pop artist. Current Status Runtown continues to be active in the music industry as a singer, songwriter, and producer. He manages his own label, Soundgod Music Group, focusing on independent artistic creation and performance.