El Corizo is a Nigerian rapper, singer and songwriter. People call him by different real names, like Elijah Iyinbor and Sameer.
He was born on January 13, 1999, in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. He is from Osula or Osua in Benin City.
His parents are from the southern part of Nigeria. He is an Edo boy and can speak the Bini language very well.
He grew up in one of the popular neighbourhoods in Benin City.
Childhood, Family and Early Life
Life was quite hard for El Corizo when he was growing up. There was no money, and he encountered numerous challenges. The experiences he encountered on the streets contributed to what he later sang about in his songs.
His parents raised him and his brothers and sisters as Christians. He also sang in his church choir when he was still a young boy. It is where his talent for singing was discovered.
Despite his tough times and his experiences at school, which did not benefit him much, he wanted to succeed and take care of his family.
Education and Discovering Music
El Corizo attended elementary and secondary schools in Benin City. After finishing high school, he went on to study at one of the top higher institutions in the South-South region of Nigeria.
While still in high school, he started writing music lyrics. As he grew older, he began visiting music studios to record the songs he had written.
Music became his escape and a way to talk about his feelings, pain and hopes.
Style, Sound and What He Sings About
His music style is often called conscious rap.
He raps mainly in Pidgin English and sometimes in Esan.
His songs talk about survival, hope, pain, perseverance, poverty, street life and the determination to succeed.
Many Nigerian youths connect with his music because the stories sound like their own lives.
His music is inspired by street life and his personal experiences.
Corizo First Big Break in 2019
El Corizo’s music started getting attention in the year 2019. He came out with his debut song, “Run Am For Us”, featuring Oh Bad, also spelt as O Bad.
This song immediately topped the charts and remained constant on radio stations and televisions across Southern Nigeria. The song received immense popularity because of its raw and relatable lyrics.
This song describes the life of the underdog who struggles against all odds, which, in a way, is Corizo’s own life story. This song has also been referred to as the hustlers’ anthem because it brought El Corizo into the limelight.
Growth, Shows, and Recognition
El Corizo started getting invitations to perform at shows and concerts in Nigeria following the success of “Run Am For Us”. He has appeared on stage live many times. Sometimes he does full concerts where he talks and interacts with the crowd, other times he sings with a live band or a DJ playing music. You can watch videos of these performances on YouTube.
He has performed in different places, like a tour in Ghana in 2021, and at events like the #EndSARS protest in Benin City. Even though many of his shows are recorded and shared online, he doesn’t have an official tour plan. His live performances are mostly organised by himself or by local promoters, not part of big international tours.
He continued to gain popularity among the youth and was recognized among the fast-rising artists at that time. He is mostly identified as the voice of the street and has been likened to Olamide and Erigga. This is even though he has not yet been affiliated to any record label and still operates as an independent artist.
Debut Album and 2020 Progress
On May 31st 2020, El Corizo released his debut full album titled ‘Chronicles of Corizo’, which was under Big Dawg Records DK. These include songs such as ‘Oh Lord’, ‘Down’, ‘Hell’, ‘Call Me the Devil’, ‘Hate’, ‘Petra’, ‘Therapy’, ‘Inside Life’, ‘Ready or Not’, and ‘Story of Padi.’
All these tracks contain stories about development, survival, and hopes of better days. This debut studio album was greatly appreciated by fans and music critics on the African continent. Most fans, especially the youths, appreciated the stories of struggles, poverty, and hope that are portrayed in this debut album.
Continued Success and Music in 2021
In 2021, he again came up with a song titled “Legend”. This song was about creating a legacy in this world. It further showed his powerful lyrics, as well as his connection with his fans. The videos produced for his songs are normally very simple but filled with emotions and reality that his fans love.
Streaming, Fans and Digital Platforms
El Corizo has many fans because he continually drops good songs. His songs are very much in demand on apps like Apple Music, Spotify, and Audiomack, and millions of fans have streamed them.
He expresses himself through songs in a very simple manner, which enables him to connect with his fans. Fans like him because he appears genuine and energetic.
He also communicates with his fans on Instagram under the name @el_corizo_ with over 37.9k followers and on YouTube at El Corizo.
Brand Deals and Other Work
Because he is one of the fast-rising artists in Nigeria, El Corizo became a brand ambassador for Golden Exchange LTD, a cryptocurrency trading company.
He has also started attracting other brand endorsements and partnerships.
His street credibility and humble background make him appealing to brands targeting Nigerian youths.
He has been featured in songs such as “Endsars” alongside Dee Wayne and Dee Will, and “Story of Padi” featuring Dee Will.
Personal Life and Lifestyle
El Corizo is described as a fair-skinned and handsome young man in his early twenties. He is a Christian and attends a Bible-believing church in Lagos. He currently lives in an upscale apartment in a high-brow area of Lagos.
There’s no proof that Corizo is married. Nobody has written about him having a wife, and there are no interviews or official records that say he does. Any talk about him having a wife isn’t real.
Although he has been described as being in a serious relationship with a young woman whose identity he keeps private. He does not post pictures of his partner online.
Many people believe he has the potential to win the Headies Next Rated Award in the future.
Albums and Singles
Some of El Corizo’s known songs include “Run Am For Us”, “Down”, “Legend”, “Call Me the Devil”, “Hate”, “Oh Lord”, “Petra”, “Therapy”, “Inside Life”, “Ready or Not”, “Story of Padi”, “Instrumental” featuring Uchy and Kharmar, and his album “Chronicles of Corizo”.
Albums & EPs
- Chronicles of CORIZO – Album (2021)
Key tracks: Dead Rose, Ghetto, This Kind Love, Ameno, Fake A Smile, Freedom (ft. Dr Barz), Follow You (ft. Petsy), Take Off
Streaming: Apple Music, Spotify - Dead Rose Chronicles 2 – EP (2021–2022)
Continuation of early themes, includes Dead Rose and collaborations - Great Fool – EP (2022)
Notable for tracks like Great Fool and Inside Life - Wayward – EP (2023)
Features Wayward (title track) and Stand By You (ft. Pablo)
Singles
- Nothing to Prove (ft. Ragz) – 2024
- Receipt – Hip hop single
- Therapy – Featuring Petsy Yo
- Pablo – Standalone track
Popular / Mixtape Tracks
- Run Am for Us
- Call Me the Devil
- Story of Paddi
- End SARS
- Answer Mi
- Petra
- Steady and Grinding
- Ready or Not (Cover)
- Walahi
- Aza
Corizo Net Worth and Income
El Corizo’s net worth has been estimated by different sources to lie between a low of $20,000 and a high of $100,000, with a popular estimation being around $75,000 and $80,000.
El Corizo earns money through his song sales, music downloads, concerts, and endorsement deals.
Although El Corizo has not made it to the top as one of the richest musicians in Nigeria, the fact is that his earnings will keep on rising as time progresses.
Where Is Corizo Now
El Corizo is based in Lagos, Nigeria, and remains an independent artist. He is widely seen as one of the fast-rising voices in Nigerian hip-hop and street-inspired music.