Veteran entertainer and social activist Charles Oputa, popularly known as CharlyBoy, has achieved another milestone as digital billboards at New York City’s famous Times Square displayed advertisements for his forthcoming memoir, 999, ahead of its official launch later this month.
The appearance of the book on one of the world’s most recognised advertising platforms marks a significant moment for the Nigerian entertainer, whose career has spanned more than four decades in music, television, activism and public advocacy.
CharlyBoy shared videos and photographs of the Times Square billboard on his social media platforms, expressing excitement over the international recognition of his highly anticipated memoir.
The book, titled 999, is scheduled to be publicly unveiled on July 31 at the Mike Adenuga Centre in Ikoyi, Lagos.
The memoir features a foreword written by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, adding to the attention surrounding its release.
The unveiling is expected to attract prominent figures from Nigeria’s entertainment industry, politics, media and civil society.
For weeks, CharlyBoy has been building anticipation by releasing excerpts from the memoir on social media, giving readers a glimpse into what he describes as the most honest account of his life.
According to him, 999 is not a conventional autobiography but a deeply personal story that captures the triumphs, failures, controversies and struggles that shaped him into one of Nigeria’s most unconventional public figures.
In one of his posts, he reflected on his life’s journey, saying he chose a different path at a time when doing so came with enormous risks.
“I dared to be different when it wasn’t safe, refused to be defined by my shadow and created my own thunder, unforgettable, loud and defiant,” he wrote.
The 76-year-old entertainer said the memoir recounts experiences that include family conflicts, personal battles, failed marriages, spiritual encounters and years of challenging social norms.
According to him, readers should expect an unfiltered account of his life rather than a carefully polished biography.
“This book is not a biography. It’s a battleground. The ugly, the bad and the very good. It’s a collection of life experiences that would make even the boldest screenwriters cringe,” he said.
He added that throughout his career he deliberately used the CharlyBoy brand to question injustice, challenge societal hypocrisy and speak for people whose voices were often ignored.
“For over 40 years, I used the CharlyBoy brand to challenge Nigeria’s hypocrisy. To provoke, awaken and give voice to the silenced. Was I controversial? Yes. Rebellious? Certainly. But also relentlessly real,” he wrote.
The Times Square display has further boosted interest in the memoir.
Located in Midtown Manhattan, New York City, Times Square is regarded as one of the world’s busiest commercial and entertainment centres.
Situated at the intersection of Broadway, Seventh Avenue and 42nd Street, it attracts millions of visitors from around the world every year.
The area is famous for its giant digital billboards, which display advertisements for global brands, blockbuster movies, music releases, books and major international events.
The massive LED screens, spread across more than 300,000 square feet of display space, have become one of the most recognisable symbols of New York City.
Advertising on the iconic billboards is considered prestigious and among the most expensive forms of outdoor advertising in the world.
For CharlyBoy, the international showcase represents another chapter in a career defined by reinvention and bold public engagement.
Born Charles Oputa on June 19, 1950, he is the son of the late Justice Chukwudifu Oputa, one of Nigeria’s most respected jurists and a former Justice of the Supreme Court.
Despite coming from a highly respected family, CharlyBoy carved out a completely different public identity, earning a reputation as one of Nigeria’s most unconventional entertainers.
Over the years, he has worked as a singer, songwriter, television presenter, actor, producer and social campaigner.
He became widely known for his eccentric style, outspoken views on politics and governance, and willingness to challenge established social norms.
His television program, The Charly Boy Show, gained popularity for its unconventional format, while his music and public campaigns frequently addressed issues affecting Nigerian youths.
Beyond entertainment, CharlyBoy has also played an active role in civic advocacy.
He was one of the leading voices behind the “OurMumuDonDo” movement, which campaigned for good governance, accountability and greater citizen participation in public affairs.
Throughout his career, he has remained one of the country’s most controversial public figures, attracting both admiration and criticism for his lifestyle, opinions and activism.
His supporters see him as a fearless advocate who has consistently spoken against injustice and corruption, while critics have often questioned his methods and public persona.
The forthcoming memoir is expected to revisit many of those defining moments, offering readers a deeper understanding of the man behind the CharlyBoy identity.
According to extracts already shared by the entertainer, the book explores his strained relationship with his parents, his personal struggles, his multiple marriages before the age of 36, and experiences that shaped his outlook on life.
He also reflects on spirituality, family, fame and the cost of living a life that constantly challenged convention.
CharlyBoy has been married for more than four decades to Diane, an African-American singer and former fashion designer.
Their marriage has remained one of the longest-lasting celebrity unions in Nigeria’s entertainment industry.
The couple have children together, while CharlyBoy also has children from previous relationships.
With the official launch of 999 just weeks away, expectations continue to grow among fans, readers and members of the literary and entertainment communities.
Many believe the memoir will provide fresh insight into the life of a man whose career has consistently defied expectations and whose influence extends beyond music into activism, culture and public discourse.