Iyanya

Iyanya Onoyom Mbuk (born 31 October 1986), known professionally as Iyanya, is a Nigerian singer and songwriter. Born and raised in Calabar, he gained recognition after winning the first season of Project Fame West Africa. Iyanya released his debut studio album, My Story, in October 2009. It was supported by the singles “No Time” and “Love Truly”. He co-founded the record label Made Men Music Group with Ubi Franklin in 2011. Iyanya’s second studio album, Desire, was released in February 2013. It yielded the singles “Kukere”, “Ur Waist”, “Flavour”, “Sexy Mama”, and “Jombolo”. Iyanya has won several awards, including Artist of the Year at The Headies 2013. In October 2016, he announced on Instagram that he signed a record deal with Mavin Records. Prior to signing with Mavin, he inked a management deal with Temple Management Company. Iyanya first announced his intentions to leave Made Men Music Group in July 2016. Applaudise (2015), Once Upon a Cat (2024), and The Forester’s Son (2025) were released as his third, fourth, and fifth studio albums, respectively.

Iyanya was born on 31 October 1986, in Calabar, Cross River State. His mother was a head mistress and his father was a forester. Iyanya has described his mother as the household disciplinarian, while his father was the gentler of the two. His parents both died in 2008, and his older brother died around the same time. Iyanya’s grandfather was a clerygyman who owned a church. He began leading the children’s choir at the church when he was five years old, and eventually joined the main choir. Mbuk completed his primary, secondary, and university education in Calabar. He is a business management graduate from the University of Calabar.