About
Osaze & Marcus are a music duo from Sutton, London consisting of brothers Osaze & Marcus Iyekekpolor. Born in London to Nigerian and Polish parents, their music is a mixture of Rap and Afrobeats.
Music was never a distant dream for the brothers, it was present from the very beginning. Their father, Roland, a former DJ in Nigeria before relocating to the UK, filled their home with Afrobeats and Nigerian classics throughout their childhood. Singing, rapping and dancing quickly became second nature. What began as playful creativity gradually revealed itself as genuine talent.
In 2017, recognising that his passion for music had clearly transferred to his sons, Roland created social media accounts under the name Osaze & Marcus, uploading cover videos of popular songs. The turning point came in January 2018 when a cover of “Arabanko” caught the attention of its original artist, Harrysong. Impressed by the brothers’ charisma and chemistry at just nine and six years old, Harrysong invited them to perform alongside him at his London concert. Months later, the moment became reality as the young duo joined him on stage, a defining milestone that introduced them to industry visibility far beyond their years.
The performance sparked media coverage across Africa and placed Osaze & Marcus firmly on the radar as emerging talent. Their growing online presence soon led to an audition opportunity for The Voice Kids after being approached by an ITV scout. Although they were not selected, the experience further confirmed that the industry was paying attention.
With momentum building, the duo began working towards original releases. Supported by a team assembled by their father, including producer Jenobase, videographer Finch Media and media manager Don Nice, they released their debut single “Ready” in August 2020, featuring Edo State rapper One Touch. The track generated thousands of views within weeks and was covered by major African entertainment platforms including Instablog Naija, Gossip Mill and Tunde Ednut. Follow-up releases “Energy” and “Brexee” continued the growth, with “Brexee” receiving airplay on Naija FM 102.7 and earning them their first radio interview.
In June 2022, Osaze & Marcus released their debut EP, Stepping Out. The five-track project showcased their ability to merge Afrobeats melodies with rap influences. The EP earned them an interview on BBC Bristol, and the track “Champion” received radio play. However, it was the rap-focused single “Obsessed” that marked a major shift. After publicly announcing the filming location for the music video, hundreds of supporters gathered in Sutton for the shoot, creating one of the duo’s first large-scale demonstrations of local support.
By 2023, Osaze & Marcus had become a recognised name within Sutton. Riding the rise of Afro-Drill in the UK, they released “Discoteca”, a high-energy track that quickly became a local anthem. After performing it at their school’s annual talent show, the headteacher invited the duo to perform the song across multiple assemblies for every year group. The impact was immediate, word of their music spread across schools throughout the borough. “Discoteca” later featured at community events including St Helier Festival and Thornton Heath Festival, further strengthening their local presence.
In 2024, their single “Busy” caught the attention of an ITV scout working for Britain's Got Talent. The duo were invited to audition live in front of judges Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon and KSI. After delivering a confident performance and receiving four yeses from the panel, the audition was ultimately not broadcast, preventing progression in the competition. Nonetheless, the experience reinforced their ability to perform at a national level and strengthened their resolve to build independently.
Since then, Osaze & Marcus have released additional projects including Hello and Caution, expanding their catalogue and refining their sound. Entering 2026, the duo have begun a new chapter. Their single “Close To U” has generated strong traction across Sutton, with increasing local recognition and widespread youth engagement.
In March 2026, the duo experienced their first major international breakthrough with the release of “Splendid”, a melodic Afroswing anthem released in 2025, yet revived with a fun dance challenge that exploded organically across TikTok. The track rapidly climbed the UK Viral charts on both Spotify and TikTok, peaking at No. 2 on the UK TikTok Charts, No. 5 on the UK Viral Spotify Charts and No. 1 on the Nigeria Viral Spotify Charts, generating hundreds of thousands of streams and becoming widely recognised among young audiences across the UK. The song’s success significantly elevated the duo’s industry profile, attracting attention from major labels, management companies and established artists.
As momentum intensified, Osaze & Marcus began performing at increasingly high-profile events and venues, including appearances at R.U.M In The Sun 2026 and St Helier Festival 2026, sharing line-ups with recognised UK names including Tion Wayne, Russ Millions, B Young, Not3s and Geko. Their growing live reputation, combined with consistent fan engagement online, further strengthened the perception that the duo were transitioning from viral prospects into serious emerging artists.
At the same time, unreleased material such as “Jacuzzi” has begun building strong anticipation online prior to release, with snippets circulating heavily across TikTok Lives and social media. The growing demand around the track reinforced the belief within the industry that Osaze & Marcus were capable of extending their momentum beyond a single breakout moment.
With roots in Afrobeats, foundations in rap and a story built on family, resilience and community, Osaze & Marcus continue to evolve as one of South London’s most promising young acts. Combining grassroots support with increasing industry attention, the duo are entering a new phase of their career with ambitions that extend far beyond their home borough.
