Discover Mavo’s complete biography including his real name, age, songs, net worth, education, career journey, and breakthrough hit “Escaladizzy”. Learn about the rising Afrobeats star from Edo State who is redefining Nigerian music with his unique “Burbur Music” sound.

Who is Mavo?

Mavo is a fast-rising Nigerian singer, songwriter, and medical student who has taken the Afrobeats scene by storm with his unique sound and street-infused lyrics.

Born Marvin Oseremen Ukanigbe on 1 November 2003 in Ekpoma, Edo State, Mavo is currently a medical student at Afe Babalola University whilst simultaneously building a thriving music career.

He is best known for his viral hit single “Escaladizzy” featuring WAVE$TAR, which peaked at number 17 on the UK Official Afrobeats Chart in 2025. His music style, which he calls “Burbur Music,” seamlessly blends Afrobeats, swag bounce, rap, and relatable Nigerian slang, earning him nicknames like Mavoswago, Kilobizzy, and Kilolo.

At just 21 years old, Mavo has collaborated with some of Nigeria’s biggest stars, including Davido, Wizkid, Ayra Starr, Shallipopi, Zlatan, CKay, and Adekunle Gold. His rapid rise from sharing songs on SoundCloud to topping charts exemplifies the new wave of Gen Z artists reshaping the Nigerian music industry.

Mavo Profile Summary

Personal Information	Details
Full Name	Marvin Oseremen Ukanigbe
Stage Name	Mavo
Other Names	Mavoswago, Kilobizzy, Kilolo, Mavoranking, Kilogbede
Date of Birth	1 November 2003
Age	21 years old (as of 2025)
Place of Birth	Emaduo, Ekpoma, Edo State, Nigeria
State of Origin	Edo State
Ethnicity	Esan
Nationality	Nigerian
Religion	Christianity
Occupation	Singer, Songwriter, Medical Student
Genre	Afrobeats, Burbur Music, Street Pop
Education	Medicine, Afe Babalola University (ABUAD)
Record Label	Inner Circle Entertainment / Kilogbede Records
Years Active	2020–present
Relationship Status	Single (no confirmed girlfriend)
Net Worth	₦50-80 million ($30,000-$50,000 USD)
Notable Signature	“No More Way for Poor People”
Influences	Duncan Mighty, Wizkid, Trippie Redd, Young Thug

Early Life and Education Background

Marvin Oseremen Ukanigbe, professionally known as Mavo, was born on 1 November 2003 in the Emaduo community of Ekpoma, Edo State, Nigeria.

He grew up in a supportive Christian household, raised by his parents, Mr and Mrs Ukanigbe. As an Esan by ethnicity, he spent his early years immersed in the street culture and rhythmic speech patterns of Edo. These experiences would later shape his distinctive “Bizzylingua” slang and Afrobeats sound.

Early Musical Interest

During secondary school, Mavo joined a music club in SS1 (Senior Secondary 1). It was here that he began writing songs and creating beats with friends. They used desks and spoons as instruments, demonstrating resourcefulness and passion for music from an early age.

Whilst young, Mavo listened to talented Nigerian musicians such as Wizkid and Duncan Mighty. In interviews, he has stated that his dressing style is inspired by Wizkid, whilst his music career draws inspiration from Duncan Mighty. These two artistes greatly influenced his growth and have been instrumental in shaping his sound as a musician.

University Education

Mavo completed his early education in Edo State, Nigeria. He gained admission to Afe Babalola University (ABUAD) to study Medicine, with ambitions of becoming a well-known doctor.

However, his love for music became stronger as he progressed through his university years. During his journey at the university, Mavo started writing and composing songs on SoundCloud. After recording his songs, he would share his newly recorded tracks with his colleagues at school.

Many of the songs he sent were met with silence—people would leave him on read. However, this didn’t stop Mavo. He persisted, continuing to write songs and infuse local slang and lingo to make his music more catchy.

The Birth of “Burbur Music” and Early Career

SoundCloud Beginnings

Mavo’s first serious step towards a music career began on SoundCloud, where he uploaded early tracks just for friends. He also made his songs available on Apple Music, even though he had little control over his accounts at the time.

In his 400-level (fourth year) at Afe Babalola University, a pivotal moment arrived. Friends encouraged him to take music more seriously. To start fresh, he asked the person managing his accounts to take down all his earlier songs.

He went back to the drawing board, dropped new tracks on SoundCloud, and started personally messaging friends, classmates, and even strangers, asking them to listen. Many ignored him, but these experiences motivated him to keep pushing.

The Breakthrough Moment

Things took a significant turn when his current manager discovered his music and insisted on officially releasing one of his songs. This track, featuring WAVE$TAR, would become “Escaladizzy.”

The song debuted on the UK Afrobeats Chart and earned over 1 million streams in less than two weeks. Before its official release, the single snippet had already generated over a thousand TikTok videos, demonstrating its viral potential.

Within 19 hours of its release on Spotify, “Escaladizzy” racked up an outstanding 100,000 streams, swiftly positioning itself as a hit whilst spreading Mavo’s name and sound to a broader audience.

Musical Style and Philosophy

“Burbur Music” Explained

Mavo describes his sound as “Burbur Music”—a swag sound that makes listeners feel like they’re on top of the world. His music blends Afrobeats with elements of swag bounce and rap, infused with relatable Nigerian slang.

He has stated: “When you listen to my gbedu, it makes you feel like you’re on top of the world. It might take a little time to grow on you, but once it does, you’re hooked. It’s an addiction.”

The “Lizzi” Factor

One of Mavo’s distinctive features is adding “Lizzi” to the end of words, which has become part of his brand. Songs like “Escaladizzy” and “Kilobizzy” exemplify this linguistic creativity. The trend sparked a social media movement of people adding “izzy” to popular slang.

“No More Way for Poor People”

Mavo often starts his songs with the catchphrase “No More Way for Poor People.” According to him, this introduction means that if you’re working hard but not seeing results, you’re doing something wrong—you’re not working smart enough.

He explained that he uses this catchphrase because hard work is not always enough when hustling. One who wants to succeed needs to be smart about their brand. Mavo encourages creatives to measure their talent in dollars, believing this mindset leads to success.

Discography and Major Releases

Debut Project: Ukanigbe (2023)

In 2023, Mavo dropped his official debut single “Ukanigbe” and followed it up with a project of the same name. This project introduced fans to Mavo’s unique slangs and self-made language.

Fans particularly loved phrases such as:

• “No more way for poor people”
• “Fadonomogba”
• “Somonoyopkpon”
• “Tumo Weto” (meaning “two Moët”)

SANKO and SANKO II

A year after his debut, Mavo released his sophomore project, “SANKO,” where he unveiled a new persona called “Kilogbede.” This project marked a more polished version of the artist.

Standout tracks included:

• “Expensive Shit”
• “Kilobizzy”
• “Feel Nice” (featured on the deluxe version)
• “Ukanigbe II”

These songs helped elevate him from underground buzz to a recognised name amongst Afrobeats’ rising stars.

Kilometer and Kilometer II (2025)

By the time he released “Kilometer,” Mavo’s reach had expanded well beyond his underground roots. Tracks like “No More” hinted at mainstream appeal.

However, it was “Kilometer II” that contained his breakthrough moment—”Escaladizzy” featuring WAVE$TAR. The song catapulted him to viral fame and mainstream recognition.

Career Milestones and Achievements

Year	Achievement	Details
2020	Began Music Journey	Started uploading songs on SoundCloud during university
2023	Released Debut Single	“Ukanigbe” officially launched his career
2023	Debut Project	Released “Ukanigbe” EP
2024	Released SANKO	Introduced “Kilogbede” persona
2024	SANKO II/Deluxe	Featured “Expensive Shit,” “Kilobizzy,” “Feel Nice”
2025	Breakthrough Hit	“Escaladizzy” feat. WAVE$TAR went viral
2025	UK Afrobeats Chart	Peaked at #17 with “Escaladizzy”
2025	1 Million Streams	“Escaladizzy” crossed 1 million streams in under 2 weeks
August 2025	Star-Studded Remix	“Escaladizzy II” feat. Ayra Starr, Shallipopi & Zlatan
October 2025	Davido Collaboration	“Shakabulizzy (Remix)” feat. Davido
2025	Major Collaborations	Worked with Wizkid, DJ Maphorisa, CKay, Adekunle Gold
2025	Slang Dictionary	Created official dictionary with Native Mag

Major Collaborations and Hit Songs

Escaladizzy (Original)

Featuring WAVE$TAR, this track became Mavo’s breakthrough hit. The song’s success on TikTok before its official release created unprecedented buzz. It peaked at number 17 on the UK Official Afrobeats Chart.

Escaladizzy II (The Star-Studded Remix)

Released in August 2025, this remix brought together some of Nigeria’s hottest acts:

• Ayra Starr – Brought her signature blend of vulnerability and empowerment
• Shallipopi – Added his playful, unpredictable cadence
• Zlatan – Provided veteran street credibility with his iconic flow

The remix was produced by 2Frosh and Producer X, released via Inner Circle Entertainment under exclusive licence from Kilogbede Records.

Shakabulizzy and Shakabulizzy (Remix)

The original “Shakabulizzy” went viral and sparked social media trends. In October 2025, Mavo released the remix featuring Afrobeats superstar Davido.

The collaboration marked a significant career milestone, with Davido’s involvement providing a major industry co-sign. The track was produced by Dibs and showcases the synergy between Mavo’s street-inspired energy and Davido’s unmatched star power.

Other Notable Collaborations

• “Money Constant” – Wizkid, DJ Maphorisa, DJ Tunez
• “Body (danz)” – CKay
• “Attack” – Adekunle Gold

Industry Recognition and Endorsements

Mavo’s rising star has been supported by endorsements from prominent Afrobeats artists on social media:

• BNXN (fka Buju)
• Joeboy
• Psychoyp
• Jeriq
• Zerrydl
• Cruel Santino (on his Subaru Live stream)

These endorsements affirm his exceptional talent and significantly strengthen his reputation within the industry.

Musical Influences and Inspiration

Mavo cites several artists as major influences on his sound:

Nigerian Influences

• Duncan Mighty – Primary musical inspiration
• Wizkid – Style and fashion inspiration

International Influences

• Trippie Redd
• Young Thug

These diverse influences contribute to his unique sound that blends traditional Afrobeats with modern trap and hip-hop elements.

Net Worth and Financial Success

As of 2025, Mavo’s net worth is estimated to be between ₦50 million and ₦80 million (approximately $30,000–$50,000 USD at current exchange rates), according to industry analyses.

Sources of Income

This modest but growing figure reflects his nascent career trajectory, fueled primarily by:

• Streaming royalties from Spotify, Apple Music, and other platforms
• Revenue from EPs such as Ukanigbe, SANKO, and Kilometer
• Live performance fees
• Emerging brand endorsements
• YouTube monetisation

Despite amassing over 2.4 million monthly Spotify listeners, Mavo is still in the early stages of his career. Industry experts predict his net worth will grow significantly as he continues to release music and secure more high-profile collaborations.

Personal Life and Relationships

Mavo, the 21-year-old Nigerian Afrobeats sensation, maintains a notably private personal life amidst his rising stardom.

Relationship Status

He is not married and has no wife or children. He is currently single, with no confirmed girlfriend. There are no rumoured flings or social media hints that have surfaced in media coverage or fan discussions.

This allows him to channel his Gen Z energy fully into music rather than romantic headlines.

Physical Attributes

Physical attributes such as height are absent from verified profiles, underscoring his focus on artistry over personal metrics.

Balancing Medicine and Music

One of the most remarkable aspects of Mavo’s story is his ability to balance medical school with a burgeoning music career. He remains enrolled at Afe Babalola University studying Medicine, though music has clearly become his primary passion.

The “Mavo Dictionary” and Cultural Impact

In a move that demonstrated his self-aware Gen Z confidence, Mavo partnered with Native Magazine to create an official dictionary explaining his slang and linguistic innovations.

This unprecedented step—releasing a glossary in the middle of a breakout year—showcased his understanding of brand-building and cultural influence. The dictionary helps fans and new listeners understand phrases like:

• “Bizzylingua” (his linguistic style)
• Various “izzy” additions to words
• Edo-influenced street slang

This cultural contribution extends beyond music, positioning Mavo as a creative force shaping youth language and culture in Nigeria.

Mavo’s Impact on Gen Z Nigerian Music

Mavo represents a new wave of Nigerian artists who are redefining Afrobeats with chaotic energy, personality-driven content, and viral-first strategies.

The Gen Z Approach

His rise fits the exact energy this new wave thrives on:

• Personality over polish – Authenticity matters more than perfection
• Slang and linguistic innovation – Creating new language rather than following trends
• Social media-first strategy – Building buzz on TikTok before official releases
• Conversational tone – Songs sound spoken, creating intimacy with listeners

Building Micro-Cultures

Like peers such as Shallipopi, Mavo is building what industry observers call “micro-cultures”—slang ecosystems and viral identities that move faster than traditional label machinery.

He’s not waiting for co-signs anymore. By the time established artists notice, he’s already built his own community.

Record Label and Management

Mavo is signed to Inner Circle Entertainment under exclusive licence from Kilogbede Records. This partnership has provided him with the infrastructure needed to release music professionally whilst maintaining creative control.

His current manager, who discovered his music on SoundCloud, has been instrumental in his career development, encouraging him to take his artistry seriously and facilitating major collaborations.

Future Prospects and Upcoming Projects

As of November 2025, Mavo continues to work on new music. Industry insiders suggest he has several projects in the pipeline, potentially including:

• More singles and collaborations
• A possible debut album
• International tours and performances
• Additional brand partnerships

With endorsements from top-tier artists and a proven ability to create viral hits, Mavo’s trajectory suggests he will become one of the defining voices of his generation in Afrobeats.

Conclusion

Mavo’s biography represents one of the most exciting success stories in contemporary Nigerian music. From sharing songs in his university dormitory to collaborating with Davido, Wizkid, and Ayra Starr, his journey exemplifies the power of persistence, authenticity, and strategic use of social media.

At just 21 years old, Mavo has achieved what many artists spend decades pursuing: a distinct sound, viral hits, industry recognition, and a devoted fanbase. His ability to balance medical studies with a thriving music career demonstrates exceptional time management and dedication.

His unique “Burbur Music” sound, characterised by street slang, swag bounce, and Afrobeats rhythms, has carved out a lane that is distinctly his own. The creation of his own slang dictionary and linguistic innovations show an artist thinking beyond just music—he’s building a cultural movement.

Whether viewed as a medical student moonlighting as a musician or an artist who happens to study medicine, Mavo represents the multi-talented, digitally-native Gen Z creator who refuses to be confined to a single identity. His story is still being written, but if his first few years are any indication, Mavo is poised to become one of Afrobeats’ most influential voices for years to come.

FAQs About Mavo Biography

Q1: What is Mavo’s real name?
Mavo’s real name is Marvin Oseremen Ukanigbe. He was born on 1 November 2003.

Q2: How old is Mavo?
Mavo is 21 years old as of 2025, having been born in 2003.

Q3: Where is Mavo from?
Mavo is from Emaduo, Ekpoma, in Edo State, Nigeria. He is of Esan ethnicity.

Q4: What is Mavo’s net worth?
Mavo’s net worth is estimated to be between ₦50 million and ₦80 million (approximately $30,000–$50,000 USD).

Q5: What does “Burbur Music” mean?
“Burbur Music” is Mavo’s self-described musical style that blends Afrobeats, swag bounce, rap, and Nigerian street slang. It’s music that makes you feel “on top of the world.”

Q6: What is Mavo’s biggest hit song?
Mavo’s biggest hit is “Escaladizzy” featuring WAVE$TAR, which peaked at number 17 on the UK Official Afrobeats Chart and garnered over 1 million streams in under two weeks.

Q7: Is Mavo still in medical school?
Yes, Mavo is currently studying Medicine at Afe Babalola University (ABUAD) in Ekiti State, Nigeria, whilst simultaneously pursuing his music career.

Q8: Who are Mavo’s musical influences?
Mavo cites Duncan Mighty and Wizkid as his primary Nigerian influences, along with international artists like Trippie Redd and Young Thug.

Q9: Does Mavo have a girlfriend?
Mavo maintains a private personal life and has no confirmed girlfriend or relationship as of 2025.

Q10: What does “No More Way for Poor People” mean?
“No More Way for Poor People” is Mavo’s signature catchphrase. According to him, it means that if you’re working hard but not seeing results, you’re not working smart enough. It encourages creatives to be strategic about their brand and measure their success in tangible terms.