Bracket (duo) Biography: Members, Age, Height, Net Worth, Songs, Parents, Wives, Children

Bracket, the Nigerian afropop and R&B duo made up of Obumneme Ali (Smash) and Nwachukwu Ozioko (Vast), have been one of West Africa’s most consistent hit-making acts since the late 2000s, blending silky harmonies, infectious melodies, and heartfelt lyrics that resonate across generations.

Formed in 2004 as a trio before Bistop’s departure, they exploded onto the scene with the timeless love anthem “Yori Yori” in 2009, a song that dominated African airwaves for years and remains a wedding staple.

With platinum-selling albums, multiple Headies and Channel O awards, and collaborations with stars like Flavour, P-Square, and Tiwa Savage, Bracket’s smooth, romantic sound has earned them the nickname “the kings of African love songs.”

Profile

• Full Name: Obumneme Ali & Nwachukwu Ozioko
• Stage Name: Smash & Vast (Bracket)
• Formed: 2004
• Age: Smash – 41 years old (born March 20, 1984), Vast – 42 years old (born August 30, 1983)
• Birthplace: Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria
• Nationality: Nigerian
• Occupation: Singers, Songwriters, Record Producers
• Height: Smash – 1.78 m | Vast – 1.75 m
• Parents: Unknown
• Siblings: Unknown
• Spouse: Smash – Linda Ali | Vast – Married
• Children: Smash – 2 | Vast – 3
• Relationship: Married
• Net Worth: $5 million

Early Life and Education

Obumneme Ali (Smash) and Nwachukwu Ozioko (Vast) both hail from Nsukka in Enugu State, Nigeria, where they grew up in Christian homes surrounded by church choirs and local highlife music.

The two met as teenagers at the University of Nigeria Secondary School, Nsukka, bonding over a shared love for R&B acts like Boyz II Men, Brian McKnight, and Westlife.

They later studied at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka — Smash in Electrical Engineering and Vast in Computer Science — but music quickly overshadowed academics.

A third member, Bistop, completed the original trio before leaving in 2006, leaving Smash and Vast to push forward as a duo.

Career

Bracket was formed in 2004 in Nsukka by childhood friends Vast, Smash and Bistop.

After releasing a modestly received debut album Happy Day (2006) under a small label, Bistop left the group in 2006, leaving Vast and Smash to continue as a duo.

The turning point came in 2009 with the release of their sophomore album “Least Expected” and the single “Yori Yori”.

Produced by Dekumzy and released under Ape Planet Records, the romantic mid-tempo track exploded across Nigeria and the rest of Africa, spending months at No. 1 on radio charts, winning Song of the Year at multiple award shows and going multi-platinum.

Overnight, Bracket became the new face of African love songs, earning comparisons to P-Square and international R&B acts for their smooth harmonies and relatable lyrics.

Riding the “Yori Yori” wave, Bracket delivered a string of massive hits: “Muah Muah”, “Girl” (feat. Wizkid), “Me & U”, “Temperature”, “Ada Owerri”, and the Flavour-assisted “Chop Kiss”.

Albums Cupid Stories (2011) and Alive (2015) both debuted at No. 1 and achieved platinum status within weeks.

They swept awards — Headies, Channel O Music Video Awards, Nigeria Entertainment Awards — and became one of the most booked live acts on the continent, regularly headlining concerts in Ghana, South Africa, Kenya, and Europe.

In 2013, Vast was diagnosed with lymphoma; the duo paused activities while he underwent successful treatment in London, returning stronger with the uplifting single “Alive” in 2015.

By the end of the decade, Bracket had firmly established themselves as one of Nigeria’s most consistent hit-making duos.

After fulfilling their contract, Vast and Smash founded their own imprint, Bracket Records, gaining full creative and financial control.

They released the critically acclaimed album Love Letters (2020) and continued dropping singles such as “African Woman”, “Out There”, “Let’s Go”, and “We Go Dey” (2024), proving their sound still resonates with both old fans and Gen-Z listeners.

Now in their twentieth year together, Bracket remain one of the few early-2000s Nigerian acts still actively releasing music, touring extensively, and enjoying heavy rotation on radio and streaming platforms.

Their catalog — especially “Yori Yori”, which has surpassed 100 million streams and views — continues to generate substantial royalties, while their reputation for flawless live vocal performances keeps them in high demand for weddings, corporate events, and major festivals across Africa and the diaspora.

Social Media

• Instagram Handle: @bracketmusic
• Facebook Handle: Bracket
• Twitter Handle: @Bracketmusic

Personal Life

Smash married his long-time partner Linda in a lavish ceremony and they have two children together.

Vast is also married (he keeps his wife’s identity more private) and has three children.

Both artists are devout Christians and often credit faith and family for helping them navigate fame, health challenges, and the ups and downs of the music industry.

Discography

• Happy Day (2006)
• Least Expected (2009) – featuring “Yori Yori”
• Cupid Stories (2011) – featuring “Muah Muah,” “Girl”
• Alive (2015) – featuring “Temperature,” “Panya”
• Love Letters (2020)

Net Worth

Bracket has a combined estimated net worth of $5 million.

They built this through decades of hit records, royalties from evergreen songs like “Yori Yori,” lucrative corporate performances, endorsement deals, and income from their own label Bracket Records.