Mayorkun is one of the Nigerian Afrobeats artists who successfully turned an online discovery into a major music career. Known for his catchy melodies, energetic performances and ability to blend Afropop with different African sounds, he has remained a familiar name in Nigerian music since his breakthrough in 2016.
His journey is particularly interesting because music was not his first professional path. Before becoming a full-time musician, Mayorkun studied accounting and worked in banking. His career changed after Davido discovered one of his music videos online and gave him an opportunity to join Davido Music Worldwide (DMW).
Today, Mayorkun is known for songs such as Eleko, Mama, Geng, Betty Butter, Of Lagos, Holy Father, Certified Loner (No Competition) and Back In Office. He has also released major projects including The Mayor of Lagos, Back In Office, Love.. For Free and Still The Mayor.
This biography looks at Mayorkun’s age, real name, family background, education, music career, popular songs, albums and the question of how much he may be worth.
Who Is Mayorkun?
Mayorkun is the stage name of Adewale Mayowa Emmanuel, a Nigerian singer, songwriter and pianist associated with the modern Afrobeats and Afropop movement.
He was born on 23 March 1994 in Osun State, Nigeria, and was raised largely in Lagos. As of September 2026, Mayorkun is 32 years old.
He is also popularly called the Mayor of Lagos, a nickname that became closely associated with his public identity and music career.
Mayorkun developed an interest in music from an early age. In an interview with The Guardian, he explained that he was involved in church choir activities when he was young, where he learned some of the fundamentals of singing and voice training.
Although he eventually became a professional musician, his early education and career followed a different direction.
Mayorkun’s Real Name
Mayorkun’s real name is Adewale Mayowa Emmanuel.
The name Mayorkun became his professional identity when he began building his music career. He is also widely known by the nickname “Mayor of Lagos.”
Some older reports and interviews shorten or rearrange his name as Mayowa Adewale, but music databases and later artist profiles commonly identify his full name as Adewale Mayowa Emmanuel. Apple Music, for example, lists his real name as Adewale Mayowa Emmanuel.
How Old Is Mayorkun?
Mayorkun was born on 23 March 1994.
That makes him 32 years old in 2026.
His birth date has been consistently listed as 23 March 1994 by major music platforms and biographical sources. Apple Music also identifies his birthplace as Osun State and his birth date as 23 March 1994.
Mayorkun’s Family Background
Mayorkun comes from a family with strong connections to Nigeria’s entertainment industry.
His mother is Toyin Adewale, a Nollywood actress, while his father, Sunday Adewale, has worked in the film and creative industry. Mayorkun has described himself as coming from an entertainment family, although he also worked toward establishing his own identity rather than relying entirely on his family’s reputation.
He is the eldest child in his immediate family and has younger siblings. In a 2018 interview with The Guardian, Mayorkun spoke about growing up with a younger brother and sister and explained that both of his parents were involved in the creative industry.
Having creative parents meant that entertainment was familiar to him while growing up. However, Mayorkun still pursued a conventional university education before committing fully to music.
Mayorkun’s Education
Before becoming famous, Mayorkun studied Accounting at the University of Lagos (UNILAG).
His decision to study accounting reflected the more conventional career path his family expected him to follow. Music remained a passion, however, and he continued writing songs and developing his abilities while studying.
After university, Mayorkun worked in the banking sector. His experience as a banker is an important part of his story because it shows that his transition into music was not an overnight decision.
According to music biography sources, he was already interested in performing and songwriting before his professional breakthrough. AllMusic also notes that he earned an accounting degree and worked at a bank while writing and recording music on the side.
His experience eventually convinced him to take music more seriously.
How Mayorkun Was Discovered by Davido
One of the most important moments in Mayorkun’s career happened online.
In 2016, Mayorkun uploaded a video of himself performing a cover of Davido’s song The Money. The performance caught Davido’s attention on social media.
Davido contacted Mayorkun and eventually offered him an opportunity to join his record label, Davido Music Worldwide, popularly known as DMW.
This became the turning point in Mayorkun’s life.
At the time, he was working in banking, but the opportunity from Davido opened a completely different path. Mayorkun subsequently joined DMW and released his debut single, Eleko, in 2016.
The story remains one of the better-known examples of how social media can change an artist’s career.
Mayorkun’s Breakthrough With “Eleko”
Mayorkun’s first major professional single was Eleko, released in 2016 under DMW.
The song quickly attracted attention and helped introduce the young singer to a much wider Nigerian audience. Its success established him as more than just an internet discovery.
“Eleko” also helped Mayorkun develop his signature style: melodic vocals, conversational lyrics, catchy hooks and a strong connection to contemporary Nigerian pop culture.
The song’s success was followed by other popular releases, including Yawa and Sade.
Within a relatively short period, Mayorkun had moved from being an aspiring musician with a banking job to becoming one of the most recognizable young names in Nigerian Afropop.
Mayorkun’s Major Songs
Mayorkun has released numerous singles and collaborations throughout his career. Some of the songs most closely associated with his name include:
- Eleko
- Yawa
- Sade
- Mama
- Che Che
- Bobo featuring Davido
- Posh
- Fantasy
- Geng
- Of Lagos
- Betty Butter featuring Davido
- Your Body
- Let Me Know
- Holy Father featuring Victony
- Certified Loner (No Competition)
- Maitama
- Alarm
- Lowkey!
- Lose Control featuring Blxckie
- Reason 2 Japa
- Blessings On Blessings (B.O.B) featuring Davido
- Kaluba
These songs show how Mayorkun’s sound has developed over the years, moving between Afropop, Afrobeats, Amapiano influences, R&B and other African-inspired styles.
Apple Music’s current artist profile lists Kaluba, released in August 2026, among his latest releases.
Mayorkun’s Albums and Music Projects
The Mayor of Lagos
Mayorkun released his debut studio album, The Mayor of Lagos, in November 2018.
The project was an important milestone because it demonstrated that his success was not based on one viral song. It presented Mayorkun as a complete artist capable of carrying a full-length project.
Songs associated with the album include Mama, Bobo, Fantasy and other records that helped establish his identity in the Nigerian music scene.
The album also received industry recognition. At the 2019 Headies, The Mayor of Lagos won the Best R&B/Pop Album category.
Geng
In 2020, Mayorkun released the Geng EP.
The project expanded the “Geng” concept and included collaborations with other Nigerian artists. The song itself became one of his recognizable records and further demonstrated his ability to create music that works strongly in social and party settings.
Back In Office
Mayorkun followed with his second studio album, Back In Office, in 2021.
The album explored different sounds and featured collaborations with artists including Victony, Joeboy, Gyakie, Flavour and others.
Apple Music describes the project as a blend of African influences, including Afropop, Amapiano, soul and Bongo Flava.
Some notable songs from the album include Back In Office, Holy Father, No Strings Attached, Nakupenda, Let Me Know and Oluwa.
Love.. For Free
In 2023, Mayorkun released the five-track EP Love.. For Free.
The project took a more personal direction, focusing heavily on love, heartbreak, disappointment and emotional recovery.
The EP includes For Daddy, Lose Control, My Energy and Lowkey!. Apple Music describes the project as an exploration of a relationship that has gone wrong and the healing process that follows.
This project showed another side of Mayorkun beyond the energetic party records for which he had become known.
Still The Mayor
Mayorkun released his third studio album, Still The Mayor, on 13 June 2025.
The 12-track album featured collaborations with artists including Davido, Fireboy DML, Rotimi, King Promise and Olivetheboy.
Songs on the album include Keep On Rockin’, Innocent, 3:45, Diamonds, Konko Below, Blessings On Blessings (B.O.B), Reason 2 Japa, Hold Body, Woman, Would You? and Jiggy.
The album title reflects Mayorkun’s continued association with his “Mayor” identity after nearly a decade in the Nigerian music industry.
Mayorkun’s Awards and Achievements
Mayorkun’s career has included significant recognition from the Nigerian music industry.
One of his early major achievements was winning Rookie of the Year at The Headies in 2016. This was an important recognition following his breakout with “Eleko.” Apple Music also identifies the Headies Rookie of the Year award as one of his early career milestones.
His debut album later won Best R&B/Pop Album at the 2019 Headies.
Beyond awards, Mayorkun’s longevity is itself an important achievement. He has remained relevant through changes in Nigerian music, moving from the Afropop sound of his early career into collaborations involving Amapiano, R&B, dancehall and other African musical influences.
Mayorkun’s Record Label History
Mayorkun’s professional career began with Davido Music Worldwide (DMW) in 2016.
He spent several years with the label before leaving in 2021. After his DMW period, he entered into a relationship with Sony Music West Africa, under which he released Back In Office and subsequent projects.
His move away from DMW represented an important stage in his development because it demonstrated his ability to continue building a career after leaving the platform that initially introduced him to mainstream audiences.
By 2025, his music catalogue included three studio albums and several singles and collaborative projects.
What Is Mayorkun’s Net Worth?
Mayorkun’s exact net worth is not publicly verified.
This is an important distinction because many websites publish different figures for celebrity net worth. Some online estimates place Mayorkun’s wealth at several million dollars, while other websites publish much lower figures. These estimates are generally based on assumptions about music streams, performances, endorsements and other income rather than audited financial records.
For that reason, it would be misleading to state one exact figure as a confirmed fact.
Mayorkun’s potential sources of income include music streaming, songwriting, live performances, brand partnerships, endorsements and other entertainment-related activities. His long-running music career and catalogue of commercially successful songs provide several possible revenue streams.
Some online estimates currently put his net worth in the $3 million to $5 million range, while other databases give substantially different numbers. Because there is no reliable public financial statement confirming his personal assets, liabilities and earnings, these figures should be treated as estimates rather than established facts.
A responsible biography should therefore avoid presenting an unverified celebrity net worth figure as fact.
What Makes Mayorkun Popular?
One reason Mayorkun has remained popular is his ability to make music that is easy for a broad audience to connect with.
His songs often combine simple, memorable hooks with Nigerian slang, romantic themes, humour, confidence and everyday experiences. This makes his music accessible to listeners who may not necessarily follow every development in the Afrobeats industry.
He is also comfortable working with different artists.
Over the years, Mayorkun has collaborated with performers from Nigeria and other African music markets. His work with Davido, Victony, Joeboy, Flavour, Gyakie, Blxckie, King Promise, Fireboy DML and others has helped him reach different audiences.
His willingness to experiment with different sounds has also contributed to his longevity.
Mayorkun’s Latest Music
As of 2026, Mayorkun continues to release music.
His latest release listed on Apple Music is Kaluba, a single released in August 2026.
This follows Still The Mayor, his 2025 studio album, which marked another stage in his career after a relatively quieter period.
His continued releases show that Mayorkun remains active in the Afrobeats space rather than being remembered only for the songs that made him famous in the late 2010s.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mayorkun
What is Mayorkun’s real name?
Mayorkun’s real name is Adewale Mayowa Emmanuel.
How old is Mayorkun?
Mayorkun was born on 23 March 1994, making him 32 years old in 2026.
Where is Mayorkun from?
Mayorkun is from Osun State, Nigeria, and he was largely raised in Lagos.
Who are Mayorkun’s parents?
His mother is Nollywood actress Toyin Adewale, while his father, Sunday Adewale, is involved in the creative and film industry.
Is Mayorkun married?
There is no sufficiently reliable public information that should be used to confidently state a current marital status. Mayorkun generally keeps much of his private life away from public attention, so claims about his relationships should be treated carefully.
Which record label discovered Mayorkun?
Mayorkun was discovered by Davido after the singer saw his cover of “The Money” online. He subsequently joined Davido Music Worldwide in 2016.
What was Mayorkun’s first major song?
His first major professional single was Eleko, released in 2016 under DMW.
What are Mayorkun’s most popular songs?
Some of his best-known songs include Eleko, Mama, Sade, Geng, Betty Butter, Of Lagos, Holy Father, Certified Loner (No Competition), Back In Office and Lowkey!
How many albums does Mayorkun have?
Mayorkun has released three studio albums: The Mayor of Lagos in 2018, Back In Office in 2021 and Still The Mayor in 2025. He has also released projects such as the Geng EP and Love.. For Free EP.