Timi Dakolo

Timi Dakolo (born January 20, 1981) is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, and music producer. He emerged as the winner of the inaugural season of Idols West Africa in 2007. Accompanying his victory was a recording contract with Sony BMG, in addition to other prizes.

Timi Dakolo was born in Accra, Ghana to a Nigerian father, Bayelsa-native David, and a Ghanaian mother, Norah Kimmy Head, who died when Dakolo was thirteen years old. Although born in Ghana, Dakolo holds Nigerian citizenship and does not claim dual nationality. He was raised in Port Harcourt by his grandmother Ateni Dakolo and his aunt Susan Larry, and he credits his aunt as his early singing teacher.

Timi started singing in church at the age of twelve. In 2003, he joined the singing group Purple Love as a founding member. They dominated the Port Harcourt club circuit, but disbanded in 2005 as all its members had gained admission into the University of Port Harcourt. Around that same period, Timi won a local talent hunt contest G.E FACTO, which held in Port Harcourt.