Charles Chukwuemeka Oputa (born 19 June 1950), popularly known as Charly Boy is a Nigerian singer-songwriter, television presenter, actor, and producer.

[3] Although he describes his parents as liberals who encouraged their children to express themselves freely, Oputa has also spoken of their conservative nature.

In 1985 was nearly denied a record deal with Polygram Nigeria due to his unconventional appearance until he was introduced to the label's managing director Ton Seysener who signed him, and Nwata Miss was released.

Towards the late 80s, Oputa with the help of stylist and fellow singer/songwriter Tyna Onwudiwe, created a new punk persona consisting of leather jackets and boots, power bikes, mohawks, and a new direction in music, combining African pop and Afrobeat.

[8] 1990 earned Oputa mixed reviews due to its political nature and caused national controversy, and several radio stations refused to play the title track.

Despite this, 1990 was one of Nigeria's best-selling albums of 1988, and Oputa was credited with using his music to stand up to his government, a lá Fela Kuti.

Among the cast were Charly Boy's wife Diane Oputa, actress Stella Damasus, Mercy Oyebo, singing duo Tunde and Wunmi Obe,[13] and actor Patrick Doyle.

Charly Boy's alter-ego Madam Zigizigi (a drag character) and monologues which condemned the country's dictatorship were also popular features.

His political views on the show also came under fire – he would slate Nigeria's military rulers who were accused of corrupting the system.

[17] Although his stint was a ratings success,[18] viewers disapproved of his antics which included bringing his pet python to the judging table during the audition and a human skull to the live shows.

[29] In 2017, Charly Boy started Our Mumu Don Do movement, and participated in a daily sit out protest alongside Deji Adeyanju calling on President Muhammadu Buhari to resume office or resign after the President had spent over 60 days outside the country on a health visit to the UK.

His preference for make-up, relaxed and braided hairstyles, and "women's clothing" caused controversy among conservative Nigerians.

He would later be nicknamed "Nigeria's Boy George" by entertainment journalists, but claimed that he had started this persona long before his British counterpart became famous.

[33][34] In the late nineties, Charly Boy began to wear his hair in dreadlocks and adopted a goth image,[35] acquiring piercings and tattoos which were frowned on by society who viewed his modification as Satanic and occultist.

The article, captioned "Caught In The Act - Yes, I Love Denrele" featured photographs of the pair in suggestive poses including a mouth-to-mouth kiss.

[40][41] In 2012, Charly Boy threatened to take legal action against two national newspapers (The Saturday Mirror and the Daily Independent)[42] after it was reported that he was gay and a member of The Illuminati; he allegedly disclosed this in an interview with entertainment writer Ed Jatto.