BIOGRAPHY: DARE ART ALADE It is the dream of every upcoming music artist around the World to perform their songs on the same stage as the World’s finest superstars, such as; Beyonce, jay Z, Kelly Rowland, Marques Houston, Snoop Dogg, John Legend, KC and JOJO, Rihanna, Shakira, Usher, Joe, Sean Paul, Akon, Ciara, En Vogue, Method man and many more. But, for Nigerian r n’ b sensation, Dare Art Alade, sharing the stage, meeting and making friends with these artists was just the beginning. Over the last ten years, Dare Art Alade, born to legendary Nigerian Jazz pioneer Art Alade and Olapeju Alade has been a disc jockey, TV presenter, music ambassador, style icon, role model, entertainment consultant, voice over artist and performing/recording artist. Dare (pronounced Da-Ray) knew he was going to be a singer since the tender age of eight, and has childhood memories of rummaging through his father’s extensive Jazz collection and tagging along with him to his concerts. These early experiences gave him his first taste of ‘showbiz’. Dare honed his skills at an early age, singing with several choirs, including the National Troupe of Nigeria Choir and then the Cathedral Choir. From the age 15, he began performing extensively in clubs around Lagos, Ibadan and other cities in Nigeria. It was during one of those late night sessions he met an executive at Cool FM, a major Radio station, who appreciated his voice, and his ability to interact with his audience. The determined teenager began shuttling between Cool Fm and the University of Lagos where he was studying for a degree in Music. During his time at Cool Fm, he had the opportunity to acquire the basic knowledge of radio production and marketing. His big break finally came during the 2004 maiden edition of Project Fame Academy, a worldwide musical Reality TV show and continent-wide talent hunt phenomenon, where he had the opportunity to perform in front of over 100 million people, and emerged third in the contest. After an unfruitful Record Deal with Sony BMG Africa, his debut album ‘From Me 2 U’ finally hit the Nigerian market two years later on Storm Records. The album was laced with several hit singles including ‘Fuji’ and ‘Escalade’ which enjoyed massive airplay in the Nigerian and international media. The top selling album also included the song, ‘Original Naija’ which was used as the theme song for the first ever edition of Big Brother Nigeria. After a couple of years in the studio, he is preparing to release his follow up album titled ‘unDAREted’. The hearts of millions of fans across Africa and the rest of the world are thundering with expectation; their ears are itching, as they anticipate the singer’s new body of work. The upcoming album will feature appearances by Dare’s contemporaries and friends: Cobhams Asuquo, 2Face Idibia, Naeto C, 9ice, Uchie , Tee-Y Mix, Don Jazzy and the up and coming Pheel to mention a few. “I want to make one of the most brilliant R&B/Soul albums to ever come out of Nigeria”, Dare says confidently to friends at an Abuja Studio. He’s worked hard for it. And if you know his background: from being the son of Nigerian jazz pioneer, Art Alade, to studying music at the Musical Society of Nigeria (MUSON) school of music and UNILAG and his exploits with a cappella group ‘chordwebs’, you’ll know it’s safe to bet on him.