Guvna B
Isaac Charles Bortey Borquaye (born 13 June 1989), better known as Guvna B, is a rapper, author, and broadcaster from Custom House, London. He has released 10 albums, written 2 books, produced segments for the BBC, and served as a football pundit for Sky Sports News' Good Morning Transfers. He has also made appearances on television and in schools to discuss topics that affect young people from underprivileged communities.
Guvna B | |
|---|---|
Guvna B in 2019 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Isaac Charles Bortey Borquaye[1] |
| Also known as | Guvna B |
| Born | 13 June 1989 Custom House, Newham, England |
| Genres | |
| Occupation(s) | Rapper, author, broadcaster |
| Years active | 2007–present |
| Website | www |
Biography edit
Guvna B was born in London, England in June 1989, to Ghanaian parents from Accra.[2] Speaking on his upbringing, he has said: "My upbringing helped me find my faith. The negative things I saw in my society inspired me to do better and inspire people to be the best they can be instead of becoming stereotypical products of a negative environment".[3] He later graduated from University of Hertfordshire studying business and journalism.[4]
He has released ten albums and is the recipient of two MOBO Awards for Best Gospel Act,[5] three Urban Music Awards for Best Gospel Act or Artist, and a Gospel Music Award for Best Gospel Artist. He was the first rapper to top the Official Christian and Gospel Charts for his 2013 album Odd1Out.[6] His story was shared with many when he was featured in the 22 March 2013 issue of the music industry magazine Music Week in a feature covering the gospel music industry in the UK.[7] He has worked with Wretch 32, Samm Henshaw, Matt Redman, Michelle Williams and Andy Mineo.[citation needed]
In January 2013, Guvna B launched his own urban clothing brand, Allo Mate.[8]
Unpopular Culture was published in 2017 by the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge,[9] and Unspoken: Toxic Masculinity and How I Faced the Man Within the Man was published by Harper Inspire, an imprint of HarperCollins, in 2021 after his father's death from cancer.[10]
He has presented documentaries on both radio and TV including BBC World Service's Gospel Meets Hip-Hop,[11] and BBC Radio 2's Keeping the Peace.[12] He has appeared as a pundit on Sky Sports News' Good Morning Transfers, and as a guest on The Zoe Ball Breakfast show on BBC Radio 2.[13]
Guvna B lives in Greenwich, London with his wife and their son.[14] He is a fan of West Ham United F.C.[15] His cousin is the actress and screenwriter Michaela Coel.[16]
Works edit
Discography edit
- The Narrow Road (31 May 2008)
- Scrapbook (1 January 2011)
- Next Ting 140 (18 August 2011)
- Odd1Out (26 May 2013)
- Scrapbook II (31 March 2014)
- Something for the Summer (3 August 2014)[17]
- Secret World (20 November 2015)[18]
- Hands are Made for Working (18 May 2018)
- everywhere + nowhere (3 April 2020)
- The Village is On Fire (26 May 2023)
Bibliography edit
- Unpopular Culture. Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge. 2017. ISBN 978-0281076314.
- Unspoken: Toxic Masculinity and How I Faced the Man Within the Man. Harper Inspire. 2021. ISBN 9780310112471.
Awards and nominations edit
| Year | Category | Award | Result | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Gospel Music Awards | Best Gospel Artist 2009 | Won | [19] |
| 2009 | Urban Music Awards | Best Gospel Act 2009 | Won | [20][21] |
| 2010 | MOBO Awards | Best Gospel Act 2010 | Won | [22] |
| 2012 | RARE Rising Stars | UK's Top 10 Black Students 2012 | Won | [23] |
| 2013 | Urban Music Awards | Best Gospel Artist 2013 | Won | [24] |
| 2013 | MOBO Awards | Best Gospel Artist 2013 | Nominated | [25] |
| 2013 | Ghana UK-Based Achievement Awards | Music Artist of the Year 2013 | Nominated | [26] |
| 2016 | MOBO Awards | Best Gospel Artist 2016 | Won | [27] |
| 2020 | MOBO Awards | Best Gospel Artist 2020 | Nominated | [28] |
| 2020 | Urban Music Awards | Best Gospel Act 2020 | Won | [29] |
| 2021 | MOBO Awards | Best Gospel Act 2021 | Won | [30] |
References edit
- ^ "A LITTLE LOVE". ASCAP. American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. Retrieved 1 May 2023.
- ^ Hearn, Sarah (18 June 2013). "Guvna B: UK Singer Makes Big Splash Across The Pond". PositivelyGospel.com. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
- ^ "Guvna B | Community & Support Interview". Thisislime.net. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
- ^ "MOBO award for University of Hertfordshire Student". Archant Community Media Ltd. 29 October 2010. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
- ^ "Guvna B Made History 2x winner Best Gospel MOBO Awards 2016". astepfwd.com. 7 November 2016. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
- ^ "Guvna B becomes the first rapper to top the official Christian and Gospel". The Official UK Charts Company. 3 June 2013. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
- ^ Guvna B [@GuvnaB] (27 March 2013). "Shouts to music week! They published this article on Christian and Gospel music" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ . Ireadmex.com. Archived from the original on 2 January 2014. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
- ^ "Newham bred rapper Guvna B on his new book". Archant Community Media Ltd. 4 June 2017. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
- ^ "Unspoken: Toxic Masculinity and How I Faced the Man Within the Man". Harper Collins Publishers Ltd. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
- ^ "Gospel Meets hip-hop". BBC. 16 February 2020. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
- ^ "Keeping The Peace with Guvna B". BBC. 2020. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
- ^ "Pause for thought". BBC. 2020. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
- ^ "We're not in a village in Ghana". New Statesman. Retrieved 8 March 2022.
- ^ "Behind The Scenes: 2022/23 Away Kit Launch". West Ham United F.C. 7 July 2022. Retrieved 29 August 2022.
- ^ "Guvna B: How cousin Michaela Coel inspired rapper's new single". Newsbeat. Retrieved 3 April 2023.
- ^ "Something For the Summer by Guvna B on Apple Music". iTunes Store. Retrieved 27 June 2017.
- ^ "Secret World by Guvna B on Apple Music". iTunes Store. Retrieved 27 June 2017.
- ^ "UMA Winners 2009". Urban Music Awards. Retrieved 8 March 2022.
- ^ The Urban Music Award's UK return for another successful night 27 March 2010 at the Wayback Machine (sic.), 3 November 2009, UMA website
- ^ May, Jenny (2 November 2009). "Guvna B wins UMA for Best Gospel 2009". Bandweblogs.com. Retrieved 15 April 2013.
- ^ "MOBO History 2010". MOBO. Retrieved 8 March 2022.
- ^ "Guvna B wins RARE Rising Star Award - 2012". 2011 Rare Recruitment Ltd. Retrieved 31 December 2013.
- ^ "UMA Winners 2013". Urban Music Awards. Retrieved 8 March 2022.
- ^ "Winners for the 18th annual MOBO Awards 2013". BBC. Retrieved 8 March 2022.
- ^ "2013 Ghana UK Based Achievement (GUBA) Awards Nominees out". ghanacelebrities. Retrieved 8 March 2022.
- ^ "MOBO Awards 2016 Highlights". MOBO. Retrieved 8 March 2022.
- ^ "MOBO Awards 2020: See The Full List of Nominees!". MOBO. Retrieved 8 March 2022.
- ^ "2020 Urban Music Awards winners announced". Urban Music Awards. Retrieved 8 March 2022.
- ^ "Guvna B Wins Best Gospel Act Award at 2021 MOBO's". Bucks Music Group Ltd. Retrieved 8 March 2022.
External links edit
- Official website
- Guvna B's channel on YouTube