Being an On Air Personality (OAP) and a Hypeman/Hypewoman definitely have one activity in common, talking! However, these kinds of talk don’t come cheap, neither are they done the same way. No doubt, both are energy-demanding, require that you be giddy & witty, yet the tempo of energy required to do both are quite varying.
Everyone has that favourite voice or face on the radio & TV that they look forward to hearing and seeing at different times of the day, some fans even go as far as carving a nick-name for their beloved talents, based on their overall experience from consuming their content. Most talents usually choose either side of the camp to pitch their tent in, but there are those who would rather juxtapose both roles and further exemplify the words of Shallipopi “Inside that your Evian another Evian dey inside,” choosing to tow a path that the crowd would rather take a rain-check on till whenever or never.
Some have been at it a while earlier than the others, yet the train keeps moving. From being popular & endearing voices and faces on the radio and television, to being propellers of energy-bundles in live shows, house/block parties, raves you name it, we present to you a list of OAPs in Nigeria doubling as Hypewomen/Hypemen.
- MIA: Melody Ifeanyi Adigo popularly known as M.I.A (Pronounced one letter at a time) who’s never-missing-in-action is an OAP and Hypewoman par excellence. Currently a radio host Soundcity Africa, previously known to be a presenter at Jamz 100.1fm. She found her love for radio and hype in 2018 when she enrolled at the National Broadcast Academy. Back then she was tagged the “ginger-driver” at parties, evolving further in her craft and gradually going global, she’s currently known as the “Action Queen”, she is currently the only female doubling as an OAP and Hypewoman in Nigeria and remarkably so.
- Do2dtun: Oladotun Ojuolape Kayode or as he’s fondly called Do2dtun(pronounced D-O-To-The-T-U-N). Do2dtun began his broadcasting career in 2004 as an intern at Cool FM 96.9, he served in this capacity for approximately five years before he climbed up the ladder to being a full time radio show host. As a hype man, he’s also known as the “ENERGY g∆D” and he does a quite impressive job at winging this role alongside being an OAP.
- Sheye Banks: Seyebomi Ogunsanya fondly known as Sheye Banks started his radio career in 2010 as an intern, he has crossed many waters ever since and he is currently an OAP/VJ at Soundcity Africa. In 2018, he won the award for ‘Youths Favorite OAP” at the Scream Awards and he is regarded as one of the pioneers of hypefest. By no reason of doubt, Sheye Banks is definitely a talent worth the hype.
- Jimmie Akinsola: Folajimi Oluwasegun James Akinsola popularly known as Jimmie is an award winning presenter. His career began in 2003 when he joined Godwin Dudu Orumen’s “The Best of Football” and “Lucozade Boost Sports Reel” as a sports presenter, he then went on to become the Head of Sports for three radio stations : The Beat 99.9FM, Classic FM 97.3, and Naija 102.7FM, with these years behind him, he has transitioned to TV, and he’s currently a presenter at SuperSport TV. On the hype stage Jimme is known as King Jimmie, always ready to carry his audience on an upbeat journey and delivering as anticipated.
- Dada boy Ehiz: Okoeguale Ehizogie known as Dadaboy is undoubtedly a household name in the entertainment scene. He is an award winning VJ and TV presenter. His career as an OAPkicked off after he won the MTV Base VJ search in 2013 where he has worked as a full time official VJ and a host of a couple of other shows before he departed in 2021. He has since gone on to host reality shows and self-created shows and he does these outstandingly.
- Mc Brightlife: Bright Ogunsaanu known as Mc Brightlife is a versatile talent and a bundle of energy. He started off his radio career as an intern at OOUfm 92.1, before moving on to work as a full-on radio host at Eagle Fm 102.5 where his wit, sense of humour, and articulateness make him an endearing talent. In the world of hype, he’s fast rising and usually tagged as “the one with the brightness” and his footprints so far have been nothing short of enthralling.
- Twix: Onimole Oluwasegunfunmi popularly known as TWIX DA JIMS started out as an intern at CityFM 105.1 before he became a full time host there. He calls himself “The World Inspirational Xpressionist” Twix Da Jims is a dynamic OAP and hypeman who brings energy and enthusiasm to the airwaves and to parties, making him a notable figure in Nigeria’s media and entertainment landscape.
- Edwin Sage: Edwin Paul Jnr popularly known as Edwin Sage works as an OAP at Splash 105.5fm. A multidimensional talent he is, and on the stage of hype he is known as the Hype OG, he is definitely a talent to reckon with.
