In 2007, Timi Dakolo won the first edition of the Idols West Africa. His victory in the reality show would have propelled his musical career but it wasn’t until 2009 that he released his debut three-pack single, Let It Shine which kickstarted his music journey that had been years in the making. Timi Dakolo’s music career like most musicians started in a church choir in Port Harcourt, Rivers State in Southern Nigeria in 2003.
Born in Accra, Ghana, to a Nigerian father and a Ghanaian mother who passed away while he was thirteen, Dakolo was raised by his grandmother in Port Harcourt, his early exposure to reggae, courtesy of his aunt’s husband, laid the foundation for Dakolo’s introduction to music. Despite suggestions to move to his parents’ home in Lagos, he declined and decided to stay with his grandmother in Port Harcourt. Making his debut as a singer in the church at twelve, he later became a founding member of Purple Love, a singing group popular in that region before the members dispersed for university education.
In 2009, with a recording contract from Sony BMG, after winning Idols West Africa, Dakolo kickstarted his musical journey, and after a series of singles and concluding his contract with Sony BMG, he took the journey he had already started with the release of his debut single, Let It Shine with the release of his debut album, Beautiful Noise. The 14-track project paid homage to his early roots in Port Harcourt, featuring love-themed songs like Let It Shine, The Woman I Love, and I Love. The track Heaven Please was a tribute to his grandmother, who played a crucial role in his formative years and passed away while he was competing on the Idols reality show. Other tracks on the project centered on the message of love passed through Rock, Psychedelic rock, Reggae, Soul, and R&B sounds. His stock rose with a nomination for the Hip Hop World Revelation of the Year at the 2010 Headies Awards, following the success of the Beautiful Noise album the previous year, but he lost the award to Wande Coal.
Undeterred, he pressed on, creating songs that would resonate as anthems across the country. Remaining committed to his affinity for love records, he unveiled Iyawo Mi, an anthem that quickly became a favorite for weddings. Expanding his discography, Dakolo released other records. Wish Me Well, The Vow, Medicine, and I Never Know Say were an extension of his love symphonies. In 2019, he released his sophomore album, Merry Christmas, Darling, under Universal Music. The album’s title suggested Dakolo was dedicating his Christmas to a love interest. Among the 11 tracks on the project, Hallelujah and Where Did We Go Wrong (Cry) were the two tracks that took a different theme of praise and reflection of the past. The other nine were dedicated to the festive season and its trappings.
When the album dropped, Timi Dakolo had firmly established himself as one of Nigeria’s to pay attention to, with choruses that never failed to get fans and listeners humming along. The project featured cross-border collaborations with Emelie Sandé, Kenny G, Benét, and The Eben Voices Of Gabon Choir, underscoring his growth and foreshadowing future bold moves, all of which he attributed to divine guidance from the beginning.
Continuing his streak with hits like I Love You, Obim, Everything (Amen), and Send Down The Rain, Timi Dakolo solidified his status as one of the soulful storytellers in the Nigerian music industry. Pausing his ongoing project, Love & Consequences, a long-form album he has diligently worked on with his long-time producer and friend, Cohbams Asuquo, Timi Dakolo released his third album, The Chorus Leader, on January 26, 2024. Arriving four years after Merry Christmas, Darling, Dakolo unabashedly established his role as a chorus leader, a proclamation supported by ample evidence of his musical prowess and success.
With The Chorus Leaders, Timi Dakolo ventures into creating a gospel project tailored to resonate with a generation drawn to contemporary sounds assisted by a backup choir. Introducing the project with Omo Ayo, Dakolo advocates for resilience in the face of adversity. The production mirrors an orchestral arrangement, incorporating violin runs, subtle piano chords, and traditional elements to form a lush and dynamic backdrop. While the song’s essence is driven by Dakolo’s poignant songwriting and expressive vocal delivery, it is taken a notch higher by an acapella choir, setting a standard for the entire album. The track transitions smoothly to Nothing Dey Spoil For God Hand with Timi Dakolo guiding the audience on a spiritual journey to entrusting everything to God.
On Everything (Amen), Timi Dakolo anticipates divine intervention when he sings, “I take my problem, leave am for God hand/ The one wey pass me, na there I drop am.” The track reminds a listener of Matthew 11:28. Timi Dakolo infuses Amapiano sound into Happy Fellows, which is sure to get a listener dancing and grooving, for it effortlessly glides over gentle log drums, bass guitar grooves, and is punctuated by moments of brilliance from the lead guitar on Premium Enjoyment. The song serves as a heartfelt promise to a deserving lover. It underscores the artist’s intentional and genuine emotions, expressing a commitment to providing the very best for the cherished partner, reaffirming unyielding and undying love on Anything For You, a reflection of commitment to loyalty and enduring love.
Dakolo showcases versatility on the Masterkraft-produced Ogene track, Men of the South, a lead single off the project that celebrates his Bayelsa heritage, which is already turning it into an anthem for the Southern Nigeria region. On Na So E Be, Dakolo delves into life’s complexities, urging listeners to embrace small joys. Collaborating with Patoranking on the Highlife gyration track, the duo urges listeners to savor every moment. Na So E Be complements Hustle where Dakolo reminds that sweet moments of life are most of the time backed by money, and Timi Dakolo aptly explores the significance of Hustle. The addition of shakers, bass lines, and saxophones evokes the musical style associated with the legendary Fela Kuti with Dakolo’s lyrics championing diligence. The emphasis lies on the notion that one’s value is frequently acknowledged through concrete accomplishments, with a particular focus on financial success. The line “Na who get money naim people know” underscores society’s prioritization of material success and highlights how financial standing can shape perceptions.
On No Forget Home, Dakolo digs into Afrobeats, paying homage to his roots, and advises everyone to remember their beginnings. His classic Iyawo Mi, complements This Woman, featuring Falz, Phyno, Cobhams, and Black Jeez delivering verses in praises of their love interest in Igbo, Hausa, and Ijaw, creating a nationally appealing track.
Dakolo reveals his romantic side in Hard Guy, narrating his transformation from a tough guy to a hopeless romantic, and in The Vow, he pledges eternal love. In a bid to appeal to his Hausa audience, Dakolo delivers a love track on Ke Na Ke So, which means “You’re the one I want,” and Obim for his Igbo audience, which features Ebuka and Noble Igwe. On the concluding track of the project, Dakolo bids farewell to a lover in the R&B track One Day. Dakolo highlights the theme of falling out of love in this track, and despite its upbeat tone, Dakolo’s lyrics convey the underlying pain and frustration that often accompany such losses. The open-ended promise to be there if she decides to return adds a layer of complexity to the narrative, encapsulating the intricate emotional nuances of love and heartbreak.
On The Chorus Leader, Timi Dakolo’s consistency shines through, as he continues to deliver songs that resonate with his fans and listeners mirroring fragments of himself for his listeners. This unwavering commitment has endeared him to audiences for nearly two decades. Remaining authentic to his persona, he stays true to himself and his fans, presenting perspectives that have made him beloved. He delves deeper into his creative reservoir, enhancing the appeal and value of his narratives, and making them more captivating and meaningful.
Listen to The Chorus Leader here: