Timi Dakolo Biography: Age, Net Worth, Family, Height, Education, Personal Life, Music Career, Awards and Nominations 2024/

Timi Dakolo, born on January 20, 1981, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, and music producer. He won the first season of Idols West Africa in 2007, which led to a recording contract with Sony BMG and various other prizes.

Childhood and Early Career

Timi Dakolo was born in Accra, Ghana to a Nigerian father, Bayelsa-native David and a Ghanaian mother, Norah Kimmy Head, who passed away when Dakolo was thirteen years old.

Despite his birthplace, Timi holds a Nigerian passport and does not lay claim to dual citizenship.

Raised in Port Harcourt by his grandmother Ateni Dakolo and his aunt Susan Larry, Timi considers his aunt as his early singing mentor.

Their bond was so strong that Timi chose to remain in Port Harcourt with them, declining an opportunity to relocate to Lagos with his parents.

Timi began singing in church at the age of twelve and in 2003, he became a founding member of the singing group Purple Love.

The group was a hit in the Port Harcourt club scene but disbanded in 2005 when all members enrolled in the University of Port Harcourt.

During this time, Timi emerged victorious in a local talent competition called G.E FACTO, which took place in Port Harcourt.

Idols West Africa

In 2006, Timi Dakolo participated in the auditions for the reality show Idols West Africa in Calabar, Cross River State of Nigeria.

For his audition, he chose to perform Commissioned’s More Than I and Lemar’s Time to Grow.

His exceptional vocals left a lasting impression on the judges, positioning him as a strong contender for the prize.

Throughout the competition, Timi Dakolo consistently avoided being in the bottom 3.

In fact, during the final three weeks, it was revealed by the show’s producers that Timi received the highest number of votes each week.

Unfortunately, tragedy struck during the competition when Timi’s grandmother passed away, just a week before the Top 24 performances were to be aired.

This devastating loss deeply affected him emotionally. However, he found solace and strength in his Christian faith, which helped him persevere and excel in the competition.

Prior to his participation in Idols West Africa, Timi was a student of Communication Studies at the University of Port Harcourt.

After Idol

Following his victory in Idol West Africa in 2007, Timi Dakolo encountered a harrowing incident on January 1, 2008, New Year’s Day, when he was shot at the lobby of the Presidential Hotel in Port Harcourt.

Accompanied by his friends, he had visited the hotel to attend a church service.

The attack, carried out by a faction of Niger Delta militants, was a random act of violence and not specifically aimed at Timi.

Although a hotel security guard tragically lost his life during the incident, Timi managed to escape with a minor injury.

He was promptly taken to the hospital, where he received treatment and was discharged on the same day.

In October 2009, Timi Dakolo released his debut single, which consisted of three songs.

Two years later, in 2011, he unveiled the track “There’s a Cry,” with its music video filmed in Nigeria.

Currently, Timi is signed with Lone Records/Now Muzik and also serves as one of the Judges on The Voice Nigeria.

In November 2019, Timi Dakolo delighted his fans with a Christmas album titled “Merry Christmas, Darling.”

This festive album featured captivating duets with renowned artists such as Emeli Sandé and Kenny G.

Personal life

Discography

Awards and nominations