Harrison Tare Okiri, professionally known as Harrysong, was born on March 30, 1981, in Warri, Delta State, Nigeria. He hails from the Ijaw ethnic group, a community with a rich tradition of music and storytelling. An only child, Harrysong was deeply influenced by his mother, a choir director and pianist, who exposed him to gospel music from a young age.
Tragedy struck early when Harrysong lost his mother, an event that profoundly shaped his emotional and artistic growth. Following her death, he experienced a strained relationship with his stepmother, leading him to drop out of school. Despite these personal hardships, Harrysong remained resolute in his pursuit of music, initially performing in nightclubs and perfecting his skills as both a vocalist and instrumentalist.

Music Career

Early Beginnings

Harrysong’s musical journey began at the age of eleven when he served as a congarist in the church choir directed by his mother. His grounding in gospel music provided a solid foundation for his later exploration into secular music.
After enduring family challenges, Harrysong relocated first to Port Harcourt and then to Lagos in 2007 to further his music ambitions. In Lagos, performing at nightclubs opened doors to broader opportunities, leading to his discovery by popular singer Kcee. This connection resulted in Harrysong signing with Five Star Music, a major turning point in his career.

Rise to Fame

Harrysong’s breakthrough came with the singles “I’m In Love” and “Taiye & Kehinde,” with the music video for the former topping charts, including Trace TV.
In 2012, he released his debut album Testify under QuestionMark Entertainment.
His tribute song to Nelson Mandela in 2013 earned the “Most Downloaded Callertune Award” at The Headies, propelling him into national fame.
Subsequent hits like “Beta Pikin,” “Reggae Blues,” and “Samankwe” consolidated his reputation, earning him awards and nominations, including Best Pop/R&B Artist of the Year at the 2014 Nigeria Entertainment Awards.

Discography

Albums

• Testify (2012)
• Kingmaker (2017)
• Right About Now (EP, 2020)
• God Amongst Men (2023)

Selected Singles

• “I’m In Love”
• “I Want You” (Gyptian cover)
• “Obu Ego (Hustle)”
• “Taiye & Kehinde”
• “I’m in Love (Remix)” (feat. Olamide)
• “When She Loves”
• “Beta Pikin”
• “Kolombo”
• “Ofeshe”
• “Reggae Blues” (feat. Olamide, Iyanya, Kcee, Orezi)
• “Baba for the Girls” (feat. Kcee)
• “Arabanko”
• “Comsa”
• “Under the Duvet”
• “Happiness”
• “Selense”
• “Tekero”
• “Report Card”
• “Chacha (Remix)” (feat. Zlatan Ibile)
• “Kona” (feat. Rudeboy)
• “Piom Piom Piom”

Entrepreneurial Ventures

In 2016, Harrysong parted ways with Five Star Music to establish his independent label, Alter Plate Music Company. Through Alter Plate, he gained greater creative freedom and began nurturing emerging musical talents.

Musical Style and Influence

Harrysong’s sound is a fusion of R&B, Afropop, dancehall, and highlife, heavily influenced by his Ijaw roots and early gospel training. His lyrics often explore love, societal challenges, and personal struggles, resonating with audiences across different demographics.

Legacy

Over a career spanning more than a decade, Harrysong has distinguished himself as a prolific songwriter, performer, and musical innovator. His ability to craft hit songs and his efforts in mentoring younger artists have secured his place as a vital contributor to contemporary Nigerian music.

Personal Life

Marriage and Family

In February 2021, Harrysong announced his engagement to Alexer Perez Gopa, a model and entrepreneur from Bayelsa State. The couple tied the knot on March 27, 2021, in a ceremony held in Warri.
They welcomed their first child, Daviva, on December 9, 2021, in Malta, with Harrysong clarifying that contrary to earlier reports in 2017, Daviva is his first biological child. Their second daughter, Purity, was born on December 21, 2022.

Marital Challenges

In May 2024, Harrysong and Alexer’s marriage became the subject of public controversy.

• Harrysong accused Alexer of infidelity, alleging that she became pregnant by another man and that they had been estranged for almost a year before the pregnancy announcement. He also made allegations about her family’s history of infidelity.
• Alexer, in her defense, denied these claims and demanded DNA tests to prove her fidelity. She further accused Harrysong of emotional and physical abuse, claiming he withheld her and their children’s passports to prevent their travel.
  The couple’s marital problems were made public earlier in 2024, with Alexer announcing their separation and revealing a miscarriage in March. Amid the media frenzy, Harrysong urged the public to respect their privacy during this difficult time.

Previous Relationship Rumors

Harriet Edide (Finiee)

Before his marriage to Alexer, Harrysong was romantically linked to Harriet Edide, popularly known as Finiee, a beauty queen who held titles like Miss Bayelsa (2013) and Miss Niger Delta (2014).
Rumors circulated in 2016 that Harrysong and Harriet secretly married. However, Harrysong debunked these claims, explaining that although they were engaged, the relationship ended after discovering they both carried the AS genotype, which could have posed health risks to their future children.

Controversial Publicity Stunt

In November 2023, Harrysong made headlines by allegedly marrying 30 women in one day, an act that would have broken Fela Kuti’s famed record.
It was later revealed that the event was a publicity stunt tied to a music video project.
The move sparked widespread discussions about the use of shock tactics and publicity stunts in Nigeria’s entertainment industry.

Awards and Recognitions

Major Awards:

• The Headies Awards (2013):
  • Won – Most Downloaded Callertune (Tribute to Nelson Mandela)
• Nigeria Entertainment Awards (2014 & 2015):
  • Nominated – Best Pop/R&B Artist of the Year (2014)
  • Won – Best Pop Single for “Reggae Blues” (2015)
• City People Entertainment Awards (2016):
  • Won – Best Songwriter of the Year
  • Won – Best Collaboration for “Reggae Blues”
• Ghana Music Awards (2015):
  • Nominated – African Artiste of the Year
• Sun Awards (2015):
  • Awarded – Creative Person of the Year

References

• Wikipedia: Harrysong – Wikipedia
• TheCityCeleb: Harrysong Biography
• Naijaloaded: Harrysong Biography
• DNB Stories: Harrysong’s Marital Life
• Vanguard News: Harrysong’s Estranged Wife Story
• Punch Newspapers: Punch News – Harrysong’s Marital Crisis
• Sun Nigeria: Sun Nigeria – Recognition Awards
• Legit.ng: Harrysong Profile
• NG News247: Harrysong News

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