Timi Dakolo facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Timi Dakolo
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| Background information | |
| Born | January 20, 1981 Accra, Ghana |
| Origin | Bayelsa State, Nigeria |
| Genres | Soul music |
| Occupation(s) | Singer |
| Instruments | Vocals |
| Years active | 2007–present |
| Labels | Virgin Records (UMG) |
Timi Dakolo (born January 20, 1981) is a talented Nigerian singer, songwriter, and music producer. He became famous after winning the very first season of Idols West Africa in 2007. Winning the show helped him get a big music contract with Sony BMG and other cool prizes.
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Timi Dakolo's Early Life and Music Journey
Timi Dakolo was born in Accra, Ghana. His father was Nigerian, and his mother was Ghanaian. Sadly, his mother passed away when Timi was thirteen years old. Even though he was born in Ghana, Timi has a Nigerian passport.
He grew up in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, with his grandmother, Ateni Dakolo, and his aunt, Susan Larry. Timi often says his aunt was his first singing teacher. He loved his grandmother and aunt so much that he chose to stay with them in Port Harcourt. He even turned down a chance to move to Lagos with his parents.
Timi started singing in church when he was just twelve years old. In 2003, he helped start a singing group called Purple Love. They were very popular in the clubs of Port Harcourt. However, the group broke up in 2005 when all the members went to the University of Port Harcourt. Around that same time, Timi won a local talent show called G.E FACTO in Port Harcourt.
Winning Idols West Africa
In 2006, Timi Dakolo tried out for the TV show Idols West Africa. The auditions were held in Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria. Timi sang "More Than I" by Commissioned and "Time to Grow" by Lemar. The judges were very impressed with his voice. Many people thought he could win the competition.
During the show, Timi Dakolo was never among the bottom three contestants. This means he always had a lot of votes from viewers. In the last three weeks of the competition, the show's producers even shared that Timi had the most votes each week!
A week before the Top 24 performances were shown, Timi's grandmother passed away. This was a very sad time for him. He found strength in his Christian faith to help him continue in the competition. Before joining Idols West Africa, Timi was studying Communication Studies at the University of Port Harcourt.
After Winning Idol
After winning Idol West Africa in 2007, Timi Dakolo faced a scary moment. On New Year's Day, January 1, 2008, he was shot in the lobby of a hotel in Port Harcourt. He was there for a church service with his friends. It was a random act of violence, and Timi was not the target. He got a minor injury and was treated at the hospital and released the same day.
Timi Dakolo released his first group of three songs in October 2009. In 2011, he released the song "There's a Cry." The music video for this song was filmed in Nigeria. He is currently working with Lone Records/Now Muzik.
Timi Dakolo is also one of the judges on The Voice Nigeria, a popular singing competition.
In November 2019, Timi Dakolo released a Christmas album called "Merry Christmas, Darling." This album featured special duets with famous artists like Emeli Sandé and Kenny G.
Timi Dakolo's Family Life
Timi Dakolo married Busola Dakolo (whose maiden name was Amupitan) in 2012. They have three children together.
Timi Dakolo's Music Albums and Songs
Albums
- 2011: "Beautiful Noise"
- 2019: "Merry Christmas, Darling"
- 2024: "The Chorus Leader"
Singles
- 2011: "There's a Cry"
- 2011: "Great Nation"
- 2014: "Iyawo Mi"
- 2015: "Wish Me Well"
- 2016: "The Vow"
- 2017: "Medicine"
- 2018: "I Never Know Say"
- 2019: "Merry Christmas Darling feat. Emeli Sande"
- 2020: "Take" Ft. Olamide
- 2021: "Everything (Amen)"
Awards and Nominations
- 2010: Nominated for Hip Hop World Revelation of the Year at The Headies
- 2015: Won Best Recording of the Year for "Wish Me Well"
