Rotimi (actor) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Rotimi
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![]() Rotimi during an interview in May 2019
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Born |
Olurotimi Akinosho
November 30, 1988 Maplewood, New Jersey, U.S.
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Alma mater | Northwestern University |
Occupation |
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Years active | 2011–present |
Spouse(s) | Vanessa Mdee |
Children | 2 |
Musical career | |
Genres | |
Instruments | Vocals |
Labels |
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Associated acts |
Olurotimi Akinosho (born November 30, 1988), who is known by his stage name Rotimi, is a Nigerian-American actor and singer. He is famous for his role as Darius Morrison on the Starz TV show Boss. He is also well-known for playing Andre Coleman on Power and Charles on The Chi.
Contents
Early Life and School
Rotimi was born in Maplewood, New Jersey. His parents are from Nigeria and have Yoruba heritage. He went to Columbia High School, where he was a talented student. He played on the school's main basketball team and also sang in the choir.
After high school, he went to Northwestern University. In 2010, he graduated with a degree in Communication and also studied Business.
Career in Entertainment
Acting on TV and in Movies
Rotimi's first acting job was on the TV show Boss. He played a character named Darius Morrison. He also appeared in a few episodes of the ABC show Betrayal.
In 2013, Rotimi acted in his first movie, Black Nativity. The next year, he starred in Imperial Dreams, a film that won an award at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival. He also had a role in the popular movie Divergent (2014).
One of his most famous roles was on the Starz TV show Power. He played Andre Coleman, the young and ambitious partner of the main character, Ghost.
Music Career
Rotimi is also a talented contemporary R&B singer. He released two digital mixtapes in 2011 called The Resume and While You Wait. His music videos have been shown on channels like MTV and VH1 Soul.
He has performed on stage with famous artists like Jennifer Hudson, T.I., and Estelle. He also performed on the BET show 106 and Park.
In 2015, the famous rapper 50 Cent, who was also a producer for Power, signed Rotimi to his music label, G-Unit Records. Rotimi then released his first single with the label, "Lotto," which featured 50 Cent. In 2017, he released an EP called Jeep Music Vol. 1. His 2019 single, "Love Riddim," became very popular with fans.
Fashion
In 2012, Rotimi was the main model for the clothing brand AKOO Clothing, which was created by the rapper T.I.
Personal Life
In 2019, Rotimi and the Tanzanian singer Vanessa Mdee announced they were in a relationship. Rotimi said they met at a party and connected instantly. Vanessa said she knew he was "the one" only two days after they met. They showed their love for each other by getting tattoos of each other's names.
Rotimi and Vanessa got engaged in December 2020. They have two children together. Their son, Seven Adeoluwa Akinosho, was born in September 2021. Their daughter, Imani Enioluwa Akinosho, was born in March 2023.
Discography
Studio albums
- All or Nothing (2021)
- In My Heart In My Veins (2024)
Filmography
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
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2013 | Black Nativity | Officer Butch McDaniels | |
2014 | Divergent | Ezra | |
2015 | Darkest Before Dawn | Manny | Short film |
2017 | Imperial Dreams | Wayne | |
2017 | Burning Sands | Edwin | |
2017 | Deuces | Face | |
2018 | Acts of Violence | Frank | |
2020 | Singlehollic | Sam Bishop | |
2020 | True to The Game 2: Gena's Story | Vaughn | |
2021 | Coming 2 America | Idi Izzi | |
2021 | Favorite Son | Blain | Executive Producer |
2021 | For the Love of Money | Tre | |
2023 | House Party | Guile |
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
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2011 | Cooper and Stone | Ty | Unsold pilot |
2011–12 | Boss | Darius Morrison | 18 episodes |
2013 | Betrayal | Lil' D | 3 episodes |
2015 | Battle Creek | Danny | 2 episodes |
2015–2020 | Power | Andre "Dre" Coleman | Series Regular |
2017 | BET Experience | Host | Television special |
2018 | Law & Order: Special Victims Unit | Malik | Guest Star |
2023 | Will Trent | Charles | Guest Star |
2024–present | The Chi | Charles | Recurring (season 7; guest role in season 6) |
Tours
- Don't Matter Tour (with August Alsina) (2017)
- In my heart, in my vein Tour (2025)