Nigerian Music - Timi Dakolo – Artist – Profile

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BACKGROUND

Timi Dakolo was born in Accra, Ghana to a Nigerian father, David Dakolo and a Ghanaian mother, Norah Dakolo (nee Danso). His father is from Bayelsa State. His mother died when he was thirteen years old. When Dakolo was three months old, his parents took him to live with his grandmother, Ateni Dakolo in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. When he was three years old, they came to take him to live with them in their new home in Lagos, Timi refused to follow them. They left him with his grandmother, who raised him. His grandmother taught him how to sing. Timi has two younger siblings. Timi Dakolo started singing in church at the age of 12. In 2003 he joined the singing group Purple Love as a founding member. Purple Love dominated the Port Harcourt music scene, singing in clubs, shows, and the concert circuit. Purple Love disbanded in 2005 because Timi (and other members of the group) enrolled for a degree programme in the University of Port Harcourt.

* Timi Dakolo’s favourite songs are Caroline by Lemar and To Love Somebody by Michael Bolton.

* His favourite colour is blue.

* Timi Dakolo was shot at the lobby of the Presidential Hotel in Port Harcourt on New Years Day, January 1, 2008. He had gone to the hotel to attend a church service in the company of his friends. The attack was a random act of violence by a faction of Niger Delta militants and was not targeted at Timi. A hotel security guard was murdered in the attack. Timi, who escaped with a flesh wound, was rushed to the hospital, treated and discharged on the same day.

* Though he was born in Ghana and his mother was from Ghana, Timi Dakolo does not claim dual citizenship. He holds a Nigerian passport.

CAREER

In 2007, Timi auditioned for Idols West Africa in Calabar. He made it through to the finals. Week after week, Timi energized and inspired his fans across Africa with his unique raspy vocals and blues testify. Remaking classics like Stuck on You and How Am I Supposed to Live without You to critical acclaim, Timi won the competition on May 27, 2007. Since winning Idols WA, Timi has performed in high profile events like the African Movies Academy Awards 2008, Red Cross Day in May 2008, the Grand Finale of The Apprentice Africa in 2008, and Democracy Day Celebrations in Bayelsa State, and Africa Magic’s 5th Year Anniversary Party in December, 2008. He has also performed on the TV shows; Stars of the Future (2007) and Fash Football Challenge (2008); the Starville Concert alongside Lil’ Kim, Amerie and Brick & Lace in 2007, Rhythm Unplugged 2008, From Lagos with Love 2008, and The Future Awards 2009.

Timi Dakolo appeared on The Apprentice Africa in a performance at an event organized by the eventual winner of The Apprentice Africa, Isaac Dankyi-Koranteng as part of the final task of the show. Timi’s performance was featured on episode 17 of The Apprentice Africa. Timi often called “tender-hearted Timi” by his friends is known for his humanitarian outlook. Timi Dakolo has done a number of charity work, performing pro-bono at Valentine at Christmas, a charity concert organized by the British Council in 2008 for the benefit of Lagos State Schools and the Inspired Africa Benefit Concert held in January 2009. Timi teamed up with eight other Nigerian artistes to produce a sound track for the Inspired Africa foundation. On December 18, 2008, Timi released his first single, Let it Shine, a neo soul inspirational self-written autobiographical song under indie label, 1976 Records. It is topping the charts on radio in Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, and Kenya and spreading fast. Within a week of release, “Let it Shine” was listed in the top ten radio plays by The Punch. Timi’s debut album is expected to be released early in 2009.

Label: Unsigned

Booking & Media Contact: Zuri Entertainment, azizauko@zurinigeria.com, +234 8072881775
Plot 315, Akin Ogunlewe Street, Victoria Island
Lagos, Nigeria

DISCOGRAPHY

Let It Shine

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