Henry Ohanga alias Octopizzo is a renowned Kenyan rapper, Hip Hop artiste, philanthropist, activist, and youth ambassador. He is one of the top rappers who have graced the Kenyan music industry.
Apart from his music career, Octopizo is also a social change agent who is passionate about making a change in society. He runs a community-based organization named Octopizzo Foundation that is dedicated to helping the poor and needy children in the slums of Kibera, Nairobi Kenya.
In this article, we will be looking closely into Octopizzo’s biography, highlighting his career, education, Family, and Music awards.
Age and Birth.
Octopizzo was born in Kibera, Nairobi, as the first-born child in a family of four. He grew up in the slums under harsh conditions, which became a motivation for him to live a better life in the future. He is currently in his early 30s and traces his ancestral roots back to Siaya county in Nyanza.
Unfortunately, Octopizzo’s parents passed away when he was still young, he first lost his father when he was 14, and his mother died a year later. This left him with no one to turn to, being a firstborn, he had to find a way he could help himself and his siblings as well.
Educational Background.
Apart from his successful music career, Octopizzo is a learned man holding two bachelor’s degrees. He attended Mashimoni Primary School and sat for KCPE in the same school before proceeding for secondary education at St. Gloria Secondary School. Upon completion of secondary education, Octopizzo enrolled in a basic computer course at St. Mary’s College in Mombasa.
He later went back to Nairobi and took a course as an electrician. Henry worked as an electrician in a Nairobi-based garage for 3 years before calling it quits joining the music industry.
In a past interview, Octopizzo revealed that he was inspired to join the rap game by high-end rappers such as 2Pac Shakur and Biggie Smalls whose songs he grew up listening to while in the ghetto.
After a successful music career, Ohanga undertook his university education at the University of Pennsylvania from where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Social Impact in 2018.
In 2019, Ohanga graduated with a second bachelor’s degree in Leadership, Organisation, and Social Action from Harvard University.
Octopizzo Career.
Octopizzo’s interest in music developed back when he was in high school when he used to participate in various freestyle competitions and talent shows. He took part in and won various contests such as Usanii Kona Hip Hop Challenge and G-Pange Hip Hop Challenge in Kenya.
He ventured into serious music after quitting his job as an electrician. Octopizzo started composing songs which he would take to the studio for production. However, his star did not just start shining immediately and he had to go hard to make good music that would receive good reception in the industry.
After a long period of trial and error, he finally learned the art of songwriting and singing, and his music was soon topping charts in the local music industry. Over the years, his career has grown from a local rapper to an international artist.
He has released three studio albums which are Chocolate City, LDPC, and Refugeenius.
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Octopizzo Awards and Nominations.
In his music venture, Octopizzo has received several awards, nominations, endorsements, and recognitions. In 2012, he was named the Best Male Artiste at the Coastal Nzumari Awards, and in 2015, he was crowned the Best Hip Hop Artiste at the same Awards.
In November 2020, he made a record when he made it to the 2021 Grammy Awards Consideration list. Grammy Awards Academy proposed the ‘Another Day’ crooner for nomination under Record of the Year and Best Rap Performance categories.