Infobox musical artist
Name = Timi Dakolo
Img_size =
Background = solo_singer
Alias =
Born = birth date and age|1981|01|20
Origin = Bayelsa State, Nigeria
Instrument = Vocals
Genre = Soul, R&B
Occupation = Singer-songwriter, record producer
Years_active = 2001–present
Label = Sony BMG
URL = [http://www.timidakolo.com/ www.timidakolo.com]
Timi Dakolo is a Nigerian singer and the winner of the first season of Idols West Africa. He was declared the winner on May 26, 2007 at the home of Idols, Planet One. [ The News, June 4, 2007. "Finally, Timi Dakolo emerges as the first West African Idol". Retrieved on July 6, 2007 from http://www.thenewsng.com/modules/news/article.php?storyid=2862 ] The show was televised the next day. He beat out runner-up, Omawumi Megbele with 63% of the votes. With his victory, he took home many prizes including a recording contract with Sony BMG. ][ Daily Independent, June 21, 2007. "Rewards Pour in for Timi Dakolo". Retrieved on July 6, 2007 from http://www.independentngonline.com/?c=45&a=28919 ] ][ MNet Africa, May 27, 2007. "Timi Takes It". Retrieved on July 6, 2007 from http://www.mnetafrica.co.za/idols/news/default.asp?Id=167 ] ][ Newswatch, June 4, 2007. A Star is Born. Retrieved on July 6, 2007 from http://www.newswatchngr.com/editorial/allaccess/bob/10604110445.htm ] ] Childhood
Dakolo was born on January 20, 1981 in Accra, Ghana to a Nigerian father, David Dakolo and a Ghanaian mother, Norah Dakolo (nee Danso). His father is from Bayelsa State. His mother died when he was thirteen years old. When Dakolo was three months old, his parents took him to live with his grandmother, Ateni Dakolo in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. When he was three years old, they came to take him to live with them in their new home in Lagos, Timi refused to follow them. They left him with his grandmother, who raised him. His grandmother taught him how to sing.[ "Timi Dakolo’s Profile" from MNet Africa. Retrieved on July 6, 2007 from http://www.mnetafrica.co.za/idols/contestant/profile.asp?Id=13 ] ][ Newswatch, June 4, 2007. A Star is Born. Retrieved on July 6, 2007 from http://www.newswatchngr.com/editorial/allaccess/bob/10604110445.htm ] Timi has two younger siblings.] Musical career
Timi Dakolo started singing in church at the age of 12. In 2003 he joined the singing group Purple Love as a founding member. Purple Love dominated the Port Harcourt music scene, singing in clubs, shows, and the concert circuit. Purple Love disbanded in 2005 because Timi (and other members of the group) enrolled for a degree programme in the University of Port Harcourt.
Time on Idols
Dakolo first auditioned in Calabar, Cross River State of Nigeria with Commissioned's "More Than I" and Lemar's "Time to Grow". [ "Timi Dakolo’s Profile" from MNet Africa. Retrieved on July 6, 2007 from http://www.mnetafrica.co.za/idols/contestant/profile.asp?Id=13 ] While in the competition, Timi Dakolo was never in the bottom 3. In the final three weeks of the competition it was revealed by the producers of the show that Timi had the highest number of votes each of those weeks.]While in the competition, Timi's grandmother died, a week before the viewing of the Top 24 performances. This was a big emotional blow to him. At that time, he turned to his Christian faith for strength to pull through in the competition. Before going to Idols West Africa, Timi was a student of Communication Studies in the University of Port Harcourt (Same University with Miss World 2001, Agbani Darego). He had earlier won a local talent hunt contest G.E FACTO held in Port Harcourt.
Idols West Africa Performances
*Top 24 - "It Must Have Been Love" (Roxette)
*Top 10 - "Dance with My Father" (Luther Vandross)
*Top 9 - "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" (Diana Ross).
*Top 8 - "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me" (Elton John).
*Top 7 - "Stuck on You" (Lionel Richie)
*Top 6 - "Oruka" (Sunny Nneji).
*Top 5 - "Flying Without Wings" (Ruben Studdard) and "How Am I Supposed to Live Without You" (Michael Bolton).
*Top 4 - Faith (George Michael) and "Gimme the Night" (George Benson).
*Top 3 - "If There Were Any Justice" (Lemar) and "Everything I Do" (Bryan Adams).
After Idols
Since winning Idols, Timi has performed in high profile events like the African Movies Academy Awards 2008, Red Cross Day in May 2008, the Grand Finale of The Apprentice Africa in 2008, Democracy Day Celebrations in Bayelsa State He also performed at the 2007 Starville Concert featuring Lil' Kim, Amerie and Brick & Lace.
Trivia
* Timi Dakolo's favourite songs are "Caroline" by Lemar and "To Love Somebody" by Michael Bolton.
* His favourite colour is blue.
* Timi Dakolo was shot at the lobby of the Presidential Hotel in Port Harcourt on New Years Day, January 1, 2008. He had gone to the hotel to attend a church service in the company of his friends. The attack was a random act of violence by a faction of Niger Delta militants and was not targeted at Timi. A hotel security guard was murdered in the attack. Timi, who escaped with a flesh wound, was rushed to the hospital, treated and discharged on the same day.
* Though he was born in Ghana and his mother was from Ghana, Timi Dakolo does not claim dual citizenship. He holds a Nigerian passport.
References
External links
* [http://www.timidakolo.com/ Timi's Official Website]
* [http://www.timisfans.com/ Timi's Fan Club]
* [http://groups.yahoo.com/group/timisfans/ Timi's Fan Club on Yahoo Groups]
* [http://www.mnetafrica.com/idols/ Idols WA Official Website]
