With an already-extensive catalog underneath his belt since beginning out in 2016, rapper and singer Tobe Nwigwe is without doubt one of the extra established entries within the Finest New Artist class on the 2023 Grammy Awards. Additionally up for the Huge 4 award are Anitta, Domi & JD Beck, Latto, Omar Apollo, Samara Pleasure, Muni Lengthy, Tobe Måneskin, Molly Tuttle, and Moist Leg.

Hailing from Houston, Nwigwe has launched a sequence of acclaimed initiatives through the years. 2022 noticed the artist drop a dwell album, quite a few singles, and his newest full-length, moMINTs. Nwigwe has additionally collaborated with artists like Duckwrth, Huge Ok.R.I.T., Black Thought, and Royce Da 5’9″, and counts Erykah Badu, Beyoncé, and Michelle Obama as followers.

Listed here are 5 issues to find out about Tobe Nwigwe forward of Music’s Largest Evening on February fifth, 2023. Try the total record of nominees right here.

1. He’s a former soccer participant

Earlier than getting into the rap recreation, you might discover Nwigwe on the soccer area at the highschool and collegiate degree. As a linebacker on the College of North Texas, Nwigwe was a redshirt freshman who would go on to be named to the All-Solar Belt’s second group in 2008, the place he led the group in whole tackles and interceptions. There was potential for Nwigwe to develop into an NFL participant, however sadly, he suffered a career-ending harm.

2. He co-founded a nonprofit

Following school, Nwigwe would go on to co-found TeamGINI, a nonprofit that stems from Gini Bu Nkpa Gi?, which within the Ingo language means “what’s your hassle?” In keeping with the non-profit’s Fb web page, TeamGini “empowers the youthful era to rework and develop their reasoning and views inspiring them to find objective for his or her lives whereas reasserting a way of hope for his or her future.”

3. He’s additionally an actor

Nwigwe has been capable of showcase his performing chops in 2022 together with his work on Mo. The Netflix sequence from Mo Amer and Ramy Youssef takes place in Nwigwe’s hometown of Houston; he performs Amer’s childhood buddy, Nick. Nwigwe can also be set to star within the upcoming movie Transformers: Rise of the Beasts, due for launch in June 2023.

4. He’s been nominated for a giant award earlier than

Yep, Nwigwe already has an Emmy nomination to his identify. Nwigwe obtained a nod on the 2021 Emmy Awards alongside the group behind Beats by Dre’s “You Love Me” advert (which Nwigwe supplied the voiceover for) within the Excellent Business class.

5. He’s labored with top-tier expertise

Michelle Obama, who added Nwigwe’s music “I’m Dope” to her exercise playlist, is way from the one distinguished determine who acknowledges his expertise. The rapper has collaborated with Huge Ok.R.I.T., Duckwrth, Royce Da 5’9″, Black Thought, and comic Anthony “Spice” Adams, and starred in one in all Beyoncé’s Ivy Park advertisements.

See the total record of 2023 Grammy Awards nominations right here.

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