on Timi Dakolo is a singer, songwriter, and music producer from Nigeria. In 2007, he was crowned the champion of the first season of Idols West Africa. Many of his hits songs have earned him multiple awards and international recognition.
Timi Dakolo Biography
Timi Dakolo
January 20, 1981
Accra, Ghana
B.Sc
Singer | Songwriter | Music Producer
David Dakolo (Father)
Norah Kimmy Head
Ateni Dakolo (Grandmother)
Susan Larry (Aunty)
$2.1 million (Not yet verified)
Instagram: timidakolo
Twitter: @timidakolo
Early Life & Education
On the 20th of January, 1981, in Accra, Ghana, Timi Dakolo was born into the family of a Nigerian dad, David, and a Ghanaian mother, Norah Kimmy Head, who died when Dakolo was thirteen years old. Despite being born in Ghana, Timi has always claimed Nigeria. He was brought up in Port Harcourt by his grandmother, Ateni Dakolo, and his auntie, Susan Larry, and he acknowledges his auntie as his initial singing educator. So profound was their relationship that Timi declined a proposal to move to Lagos with his friends, choosing to remain back in Port Harcourt with them.
Timi began singing at church when he was twelve years old. He became a founding member of the musical group Purple Love in 2003. They overwhelmed the Port Harcourt club circuit, yet all at once disbanded in 2005. He graduated from the University of Port Harcourt with a degree in Communication Studies. After winning the West African Idols competition, he moved on to study songwriting to pursue a career as a songwriter.
Career
Idols West Africa
Dakolo auditioned for the reality show Idols West Africa in 2006 in Calabar, Nigeria’s Cross River State. His vocals wowed the judges, and he was tipped as a possible winner. Timi Dakolo was never in the bottom three during the tournament. Timi received the most votes in each of the final three weeks of the competition, according to the show’s producers. Timi’s grandma died a week before the Top 24 performances were to be viewed during the competition. This was a major emotional setback for him.
After Idols West Africa
In October 2009, Timi Dakolo released his first single, which consisted of three tracks. He published the song “There’s a Cry” in 2011. He is currently signed with Muzik as his record label. Timi Dakolo is one of The Voice Nigeria’s judges. In November 2019, Timi Dakolo released “Merry Christmas, Darling,” a Christmas album including guest duets from Emeli Sandé and Kenny G.
Personal Life
Escaped Death
Timi Dakolo was shot in the lobby of the Presidential Hotel in Port Harcourt on January 1, 2008, on New Year’s Day, after winning Idol West Africa in 2007. He went to the hotel with a group of friends to attend a religious service. Timi was not targeted in the attack, which was a random act of brutality by a section of Niger Delta insurgents. Even though a hotel security guard was killed in the attack, Timi escaped with only a flesh wound and was transported to the hospital, where he was treated and released the same day.
Marital Life
In 2012, Timi Dakolo got married to Busola Dakolo. The marriage is blessed with three children.
Songs
Albums
2019: Merry Christmas, Darling
2011: Beautiful Noise
Singles
2021: Everything (Amen)
2020: Take Ft. Olamide
2019: White Christmas
2019: Merry Christmas Darling feat. Emeli Sande
2018: I Never Know Say
2017: Medicine
2016: The Vow
2015: Wish Me Well
2014: Iyawo Mi
2013: Send Down the Rain
2011: There’s a Cry
2011: Great Nation
Awards & Nominations
| Year | Event | Prize | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | The Entrepreneur Africa Awards | The Entrepreneur Africa Prize For Music Business | Won |
| 2017 | Nigerian Entertainment Award | Nigerian Entertainment Award for Inspirational Artis | Nominated |
| 2916 | Nigeria Entertainment Award nominee | Best Song of the Year | Won |
| 2016 | City People Music Award | RnB Artist of the Year | Nominated |
| 2016 | Nigeria Entertainment Award | Alternative Artist of the Year | Nominated |
| 2016 | The Headies Award | Best R&B Single | Won |
| 2016 | The Headies Award | Best Vocal Performance (Male) | Won |
| 2016 | The Headies Award | Best Recording of the Year | Won |
| 2015 | COSCON Award | Best Love Song | Won |
| 2015 | COSCON Award | Best Song in Lyrics | Nominated |
| 2015 | Nigeria Entertainment Award | R&B Artist of the Year | Nominated |
| 2014 | The Headies | Best Vocal Performance | Won |
| 2014 | Nigerian Music Video Awards (NMVA) | Best Cinematography | Nominated |
| 2014 | Nigerian Music Video Awards (NMVA) | Best High-Life Video | Nominated |
Net Worth
According to multiple but unverified sources, Timi Dakolo’s net worth is estimated at $2.1 million.
Social Media
Timi Dakolo is one of the Nigerian celebrities with a great social media presence. To testify to this, both his Instagram and Twitter accounts have been verified. He has over 2.2 million and 337k followers on it, respectively. His social media handles are stated below in case you want to follow him.
Instagram: timidakolo
Twitter: @timidakolo
Timi Dakolo has been a great singer in the Nigerian music industry. We wish him nothing but success. Kindly drop a wish for him in the comment box below.
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