Runtown At 37: 5 Things You Probably Didn’t Know About The Afrobeats Star

Nigerian Afrobeats singer, songwriter and record producer Douglas Jack Agu, popularly known as Runtown, is celebrating his 37th birthday today, August 19, 2026.

Born on August 19, 1989, in Enugu State, Runtown has established himself as one of the notable figures in Nigeria’s contemporary music scene, developing a distinctive style that combines Afrobeats, R&B, hip-hop and reggae.

As the singer marks another year, here are five notable facts about his life and career.

Runtown was born in Enugu but spent parts of his childhood in Abuja and Lagos, experiences that exposed him to different cultures and musical influences. His passion for music grew stronger in the late 2000s, and he later moved to Lagos alongside rapper Phyno as they both pursued careers in the entertainment industry. He also worked with artistes such as J. Martins and has identified Timaya as one of his early musical influences.

His breakthrough became more evident in 2014 following the release of Gallardo, featuring Davido. Produced by TSpize, the song became a commercial success and helped introduce Runtown to a wider audience across Nigeria and Africa. The track, which served as the lead single from his debut album Ghetto University, also earned him the Best Collaboration of the Year award at the 2014 Nigeria Entertainment Awards.

Runtown reached another major milestone with the release of Mad Over You in November 2016. The song became one of the biggest records of his career, enjoying massive airplay across Africa and gaining popularity internationally. It also peaked at No. 38 on Billboard’s Twitter Top Tracks chart. The song’s success inspired several covers and remixes from artistes across the continent.

The singer released his debut studio album, Ghetto University, in November 2015. The project featured prominent names including Davido, Wizkid and Uhuru, while producers such as Shizzi, Maleek Berry, TSpize, Del B and Pheelz contributed to the album. Songs on the project included Gallardo, The Banger, Bend Down Pause and Walahi.

Following the expiration of his contract with Eric Many Entertainment in 2018, Runtown founded Soundgod Music Group, allowing him to exercise greater control over his music career. He subsequently released projects including Tradition and Signs, while songs such as For Life and Mad Over You continued to strengthen his catalogue.

According to Ireporter Online, Runtown has continued to remain active in the music industry, with the singer teasing a new project titled Morning Again in 2026.

As he celebrates his 37th birthday, fans and music lovers have continued to reflect on his contribution to the growth and global appeal of Afrobeats.