Timaya


Inetimi Alfred Odon, known by his stage name Timaya, is a Nigerian singer-songwriter. He is from Sampou, Bayelsa State, Nigeria.Timaya is known for combining Nigerian pop with elements of dancehall, hip-hop and soca, as well as Afro-Caribbean/Dancehall music. He is the founder of DM Records Limited.
Timaya's solo career began in 2005 with the release of the single "Dem Mama," which is about the Odi massacre. His debut album, True Story, was released the following year, and his second album, Gift and Grace, was released in 2008. His third studio album, De Rebirth, was released in collaboration with Black Body Entertainment and featured the single "Plantain Boy". He collaborated with Dem Mama Soldiers on the album LLNP , released in 2011. In 2012, Timaya released Upgrade. To date, his work has earned him four Headies Awards, two AFRIMMA Awards, one Nigeria Music Award, and one NEA Award.

Early life

Inetimi Alfred Odon was born on 15 August 1980, in Port Harcourt City, Rivers State, Nigeria. He grew up as the youngest of 15 children in a large family. His father worked as a banker, while his mother was a trader. For his early education, Timaya attended Assemblies of God Nursery and Primary School. His secondary education began at Nkpolu Oroworukwo in Port Harcourt, where he often broke house rules to attend late-night music events. After relocating to Lagos, he enrolled at Ikeja Grammar School where he obtained his secondary school certificate.
Timaya enrolled at the University of Port Harcourt, only to drop out after the first semester due to low grades, eventually moving back to Lagos to join Eedris Abdulkareem's hip-hop group as a backup vocalist. After three years with Eedris, Timaya left the group to pursue a solo career. He began collaborations with fellow new artists and made his first cameo appearance in an unreleased music video by UDX, a Lagos-based rap group. Subsequently, he met producer Obaksolo in Mafoluku, Oshodi, who produced his first major hit record, "Dem Mama", after hearing his a cappella performance. Timaya collaborated with Namse Udosen on "Pomporo", a track on his debut album True Story.

Career

2005–2009: ''True Story'', ''Gift and Grace'', and ''De Rebirth''

Timaya's solo career began in 2005 with the release of his debut single, "Dem Mama", which recounted the Odi massacre. The song appeared on his debut album, True Story, released the following year to critical acclaim. His second album, Gift and Grace, was released in 2008, and was reportedly recorded in two weeks. His third studio album, De Rebirth, was released in partnership with Black Body Entertainment. This album featured the hit single "Plantain Boy".

2010–2017: ''Upgrade'', ''Epiphany'', ''Bum Bum Remix'', and Grammy nomination

In 2010, Timaya was featured on the song "Kokoroko" by the late female gospel artist Kefee, which won the Best Collaboration category at the 2010 Headies Awards. On 25 June 2012, Timaya released another album titled Upgrade, which spawned hits like "Bum Bum", "Sexy Ladies", and "Malonogede". The album featured collaborations with Attitude, Terry G, and Vector. Duncan Mighty and Timaya dueted on "I Know I Know Dat", which leaked onto the internet a few hours after Duncan Mighty's album Footprints was released in stores. Both artists were honored at the fourth annual Odudu Music Awards, alongside M-Trill, Sodi Cookey, Becky Enyioma, and Timi Dakolo.
On 25 September 2014, Timaya released his fifth studio album titled Epiphany. It featured 20 tracks, being preceded by "Bow Down" and "Sanko", and 4 bonus tracks, "Ekoloma Demba", "Ukwu", "Hold Me Now" and "Bum Bum Remix" featuring Sean Paul. Outside of those, the album also included collaborations with 2Face Idibia, Patoranking, Olamide, Sir Shina Peters, Deetii, Phyno, and Terry G. The track listing for Epiphany was released on 15 September 2014. On the cover, Timaya is dressed like a Roman Catholic figure, in a cassock with a rosary, posing with a slight wink and his hands together. Al Yhusuff of tooXclusive said Epiphany met Timaya's core audience, calling it "Ukwu-phany" because of the many "bum-bum songs" and noting that it "doesn't fall below par," giving it a rating of 3 out of 5.
In 2017, Timaya performed in Nassau, where he headlined the first Afro-Soca concert. In 2018, he received his first Grammy nomination in the Best Reggae Album category. He was featured on Avrakedabra, an album by Morgan Heritage on the track titled "Reggae Night ". Timaya established his record label, DM Records Limited, which became home to artists like Patoranking and Runtown. In 2017, he signed the young dancehall/Afro-fusion artist King Perryy and producer Killertunes to the DM Records imprint. On 21 January 2019, he collaborated with Kcee on the song "Erima."

2019–2020: ''Chulo Vibes'' and ''Gratitude''

After five years of releasing singles, albums, and touring, Timaya released an EP titled Chulo Vibes. This project featured collaborations with Tanzanian artist Alikiba, Trinidadian Soca legend Machel Montano, and Nigerian Grammy-winning artist Burna Boy. His sixth solo studio album, Gratitude, was released in 2020. The album included singles such as "Balance", "I Can't Kill Myself", "Gra Gra", "Don Dada", and "Born To Win" respectively.

2023–present: ''Gladiator''

In 2023, Timaya's 2022 release, "Sweet Us", became a national hit and an anthem for the 2023 general elections, after he reached an agreement with Nyesom Wike's band leader, Bamidele, who was the original creator of the song's chorus.
In 2024, Timaya released Gladiator, his eighth-studio album. During a discussion with African Folder's Ukpeme Udoh, Timaya stated that his life's challenges inspired the album.

Honours

The Inter-Religious and International Federation for World Peace appointed Timaya as a peace ambassador in 2011.

Discography

Albums

True Story Gift And Grace De Rebirth LLNP Long Life N' Prosperity Upgrade Epiphany Gratitude

Extended plays

  • ''Chulo Vibes''

Music collaborations

Videography

YearTitleDirectorRef
2012MalonogedeGini
2012Bum BumClarence Peters
2012Sexy LadiesClarence Peters
2014Ekoloma DembaMatt Max
2014Watta Bam BamGodfather Productions
2014UkwuMoe Musa
2014Bum Bum RemixShuta Films
2014Bow DownUnlimited L.A
2014SankoUnlimited L.A
2014GbagamClarence Peters
2015HallelujahMatt Max
2015Some MoreUprooted Media
2015HallelujahMatt Max
2015I ConcurClarence Peters
2015I Like The WayUpRooted Media
2015MoneyClarence Peters
2016Bang BangPatrick Elis
2016WoyoUnlimited L.A
2016DanceClarence Peters
2017Telli PersonClarence Peters
2018Ah Blem BlemClarence Peters
2018To UUnlimited L.A
2018Bam BamUnlimited L.A
2018Kom KomUnlimited L.A
2019BalanceUnlimited L.A
2019I Can't Kill MyselfDirector K
20192 StoopidTG Omori
2021Cold OutsideTG Omori
2023TomatoClarence Peters
2024Dey Your DeyMasterkraft
2024In My Head featuring Tiwa SavageDirector Pink
2024Blessings Dey Come wayMasterkraft

Awards and nominations

Tours

  • 2021 – Timaya US Tour.
  • 2019 – Timaya Chulo Vibes Europe Tour.
  • 2018 – Timaya Live in Canada.
  • 2017 – Timaya US Tour.