Charles Chukwuemeka Oputa

Charles Chukwuemekea Oputa better known as Charly Boy or Area Fada is one of Nigeria’s most controversial entertainers. He is also a songwriter, television presenter, and publisher. He is best known for his alternative lifestyle and a former president of the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN). His preference for make-up, relaxed and braided hairstyles, and "women's clothes" stirred controversy among conservative Nigerians.

Early life

Charley boy was born into a catholic family and is the second son of the late Chukwudifu Oputa, a former justice of the Supreme Court. The entertainer is also the cousin of Swedish musician Dr. Alban. Due to his controversial lifestyle, Area Fada’s real age has always been uncertain. But on his Instagram page on June 11, he announced that he turned 70 and celebrated 40 years in marriage. Interestingly, he had set out to become a priest but left seminary school after a year. He moved to America in his late teens and attended a college where he graduated with a degree in communications.

Career

Although Charly Boy began his music career as far back as 1982 when he released a highlife album, he did not gain popularity until 1985 with Polygram Nigeria with the release of Nwata Miss, which included the title track. Being a politics critic, in 1990 he released an album that made reference to Nigeria’s corrupt military government. Mixed reviews trailed the album as a result of its team and some radio stations did not play the track title. He has also worked series of collaborations with his cousin Dr. Alban, most notably on the song "Carolina" which sampled an earlier hit of Dr. Alban's – "Guess Who's Coming To Dinner". He is the publisher of ‘The Charly Boy Magazine’ launched in 2010. Charly Boy is also the owner of New Waves Productions and has TV series and shows such The Charlie Boy Show, The Charlie boy Kiddies Show, Zoom Time to his credit. He is also the convener of OurMumuDonDo Movement – one dedicated to promoting social justice.

Personal life

Area Fada was encouraged to get married at the age of 19 by his late mother who observed his incessant love affairs. Prior to marrying his current wife, Lady Diana who is an African-American singer and former fashion designer, Charley Boy had two failed marriages. However, the number of his children is unknown but according to Lady Diana, she had two kids for the legendary entertainer. According to him, he was sexually molested at a very tender age by his then nanny and at age 12 he lost his virginity to a whore who gave him his first sexually transmitted disease. Although he has never been dead, he is no stranger to caskets as he is often time pictured in it.

According to him, it is better to die laughing than live each moment in fear. "Why I go Fear? When I know say nobody comes out of dis life Alive. When I know dat there is nothing on the other side to Fear. I do not seek death. Death will find us where ever, however. So let’s seek the road which makes Death a fulfillment," he tweeted.

Controversy

For someone whose lifestyle is controversial, there are bound to be scandals for him. In most radio stations across the country, his song “Big Bottom” was denied airplay due to what was described as raunchy lyrics. In the music video, his wife, Diana featured as a guest at his wedding, bending over during the ceremony as she grasps the attention of the groom to the bride’s annoyance. It also features members of the public who were unaware of the camera filming their 'buttocks'. The music video was banned on National TV. His TV production “The Charly Boy show” was widely criticized as being overtly sexual. In 2010, he was rumored to be gay for declaring that he loved Denrele Edun whom he posed with in photographs for an interview. The pictures appeared that they shared a passionate kiss. He threatened to sue two national dailies in 2012 after they reported him to be a gay and member of the Illuminati.