Harrison Tare Okiri (born 30 March 1981) better known by his stage name Harrysong, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter and instrumentalist who 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.
Prior to signing to QuestionMark Entertainment, Harrysong used to perform at night clubs until he met Kcee who introduced him to top music personalities. 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 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 and his involvement with music grew after moving to Port Harcourt.
Career At age eleven, Harrysong's music career started in the church his mother served as the music director before he went on to learn contemporary gospel music. In 2007, he moved to Lagos as the lead singer of a live band who perform in night clubs until he met Kcee which 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. He went on to release his debut album Testify through QuestionMark Entertainment in 2012. However, just before COVID-19 entered Nigeria he released a new song titled Bumbumbum which he teamed up with Davido.
Personal life On June 22, 2017, Harrysong welcomed twins with Alexer Perez Gopa named (boy; Perez & girl; Tare). On February 4, 2021, he confirmed his engagement with Alexer Perez Gopa on his Instagram page, and they got married on March 27, 2021, in Warri.
Awards and nominations
Selected awards and nominations
YearAward ceremonyPrizeRecipient/Nominated workResultRef20138th Nigeria Music Video AwardsBest Pop Extra Video"I'm in Love (Remix)" The Headies 2013Most Downloaded Callertune"Tribute to Mandela" 20142014 Nigeria Entertainment AwardsBest Pop/R&B Artist of the YearHimself9th Nigeria Music Video AwardsBest Contemporary Afro Video"Kolombo"Best Pop Extra Video"My Story"2015The Sun Awards 2015Creative Person of the YearHimself20162016 Ghana Music AwardsAfrican Artiste of the YearHimself2016 Nigeria Entertainment AwardsBest Collabo"Reggae Blues"The Headies 2016Best Pop Single2021The Beatz AwardsSpecial Recognition AwardHimself
Discography
Studio albums Testify (2012) Kingmaker (2017) God Amongst Men (2023) EPs Right About Now (2020)
Selected singles "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) "Baba for the girls"(featuring Kcee) "Arabanko" "Comsa" "Under The Duvet" "Happiness" "Selense" "Tekero" "Report Card" "Chacha" (Remix) (featuring Zlatan ibile) "Kona ft Rudeboy "Piompiompiom
References