Olurotimi Akinosho (; born November 30, 1988), known professionally as Rotimi, is a Nigerian-American actor and singer. He is known for his role as Darius Morrison on the Starz series Boss, and as Andre Coleman on Power, then as Charles on The Chi; However on June 29, 2024 he confirmed that he would be joining full time in season 7.

Early life and education Rotimi was born in Maplewood, New Jersey to a Nigerian family of Yoruba heritage.Hale, Andreas (October 23, 2015) "Rotimi: Hustler, Actor, Musician, Jay Z Favorite", Rising Stars. OZY. Retrieved January 12, 2017. He attended Columbia High School, where he was on both the varsity basketball team and the choir. He continued his studies at Northwestern University and graduated with a bachelor's degree in Communication with a minor in Business in 2010.

Career

Acting At his first trial with acting, Rotimi auditioned and subsequently got his first acting role on Boss as drug dealer Darius Morrison.Rotimi Gives Power Season 3 Hints + Making Music with 50 Cent. YouTube (July 13, 2016). Retrieved January 12, 2017. 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".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.

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.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. 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 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.50 Cent Signs 'Power' Star Rotimi to G-Unit, Drops 'Lotto' Single. Billboard (June 19, 2015). Retrieved January 12, 2017. 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. 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 fans and newly made ones.

Fashion Rotimi is the lead model/spokesperson of rapper T.I.'s AKOO Clothing 2012 Spring/Summer campaign, April 2, 2012.Najah Goldstein, , Sheen magazine."NIGERIAN-AMERICAN SINGER/ACTOR ROTIMI IS THE NEW FACE OF T.I'S AKOO CLOTHING LINE", Yenih's World, March 29, 2012.Spesh YH. "Hottie Alert: BOSS actor & AKOO Model Rotimi Akinosho". Speshs World.

Personal life On November 25, 2019, Rotimi shared a picture of himself and Tanzanian singer Vanessa Mdee posing in an elevator, with Mdee also confirming their relationship by posting the same picture with a different caption. Rotimi told the story of how the two met at a party and hit it off and Mdee also said in an interview how she knew he was her husband, only two days after meeting him. In a video posted on Instagram with Rotimi who was later joined by Mdee, the pair revealed that they both had tattoos of each other's name on their bodies; her (middle) name, Hau, on his right wrist and his name, Rotimi, on her chest. They also have matching tattoos of the number 1045 on their wrists.

In December 2020, Rotimi got engaged to Vanessa.

The pair welcomed their first child (a boy) Seven Adeoluwa Akinosho in September 2021. Similarly in March 2023, Rotimi announced the arrival of his second child (a girl) Imani Enioluwa Akinosho.

Discography

Studio albums All or Nothing (2021) In My Heart In My Veins (2024)

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 2020 True to The Game 2: Gena's Story Vaughn 2021 Coming 2 America Idi Izzi 2021 Favorite Son Blain Executive Producer 2021For the Love of MoneyTre2023House PartyGuile

+ 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 Malik Guest Star 2023 Will Trent Charles Guest Star 2024–2026 The Chi Charles Recurring (seasons 7–8; guest role in season 6)

Tours Don't Matter Tour (with August Alsina) (2017) In my heart, in my vein Tour (2025)

References

External links http://www.rotimimusic.com