Enetimi Alfred Odon (born 29 November 1977), higher recognized by his stage titleTimaya, is a Nigerian singer and songwriter. He is the founding father of South South hip hop group Dem Mama Soldiers. His solo profession started in 2005 with the discharge of “Dem Mama”, which additionally appeared on his debut album, True Storylaunched the next 12 months. His second album Gift and Grace was launched in 2008.

Timaya gained additional visibility and worldwide prominence by means of his third studio album De Rebirth—launched in partnership with Black Body Entertainment—and its lead single “Plantain Boy”.[1] Both had been commercially profitable. He collaborated with Dem Mama Soldiers on the album LLNP (Long Life N Prosperity). In 2012, Timaya launched Upgrade, which spawned hits “Bum Bum”, “Sexy Ladies”, and “Malonogede”. To date, his work has earned him 4 Headies Awards, and one Nigeria Music Award.[2]

Enetimi Alfred Odon was born on 29 November 1977 in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. He grew up as half of a big household; the youngest of fifteen youngsters in Agip Estate, Port Harcourt. His father was a banker and his mom was a dealer. For his early training, Odom attended Assemblies of God Nursery And Primary School.[3] His secondary faculty training started at Nkpolu Oroworukwo in Port Harcourt.[1] He would typically break home guidelines to attend late-night time music occasions. Before Timaya may graduate from faculty, his mom organized for him to journey together with his older brother and older sister to Lagos. After transferring to town, he gained admission into Lagos’ Ikeja Grammar School, the place he ultimately obtained a secondary faculty certificates.[4]

Timaya later returned to Port Harcourt to review Banking and Finance at tertiary-level, nonetheless, he carried out poorly in examinations and dropped out after first semester.[3] He then moved again to Lagos to affix Eedris Abdulkareem‘s hiphop group as a backup vocalist.[5] After three years working for Eedris, Timaya departed from the group to concentrate on his solo profession. He started to report collaborations with fellow up-and-coming artists and made his first cameo look in an unreleased music video by UDX, a Lagos-based rap group.[6]He subsequently met producer Okay-Solo in Mafoluku, Oshodi, who produced his first main hit report “Dem Mama” after listening to him carry out the a cappella model.[7]Describing the music in an interview posted on August 2013, Timaya stated: “Dem Mama” was an account of the 1999 destruction of Odi, a river aspect group in Niger Delta. Soldiers had been looking down militants they alleged killed eight policemen. The village was burnt down and quite a few folks killed. I bravely tackled the problem years later and received prompt road credibility for my boldness.”[8]

After the success of “Dem Mama”, Timaya determined to proceed with Okay-Solo. He recorded seven extra songs for his first album True Story, which was ultimately launched in 2007.[9] Later that 12 months, Timaya started work on his second album with producers Phyno, Jeggs, Spankie, Akeem D Beat, Okay-Solo and Terry G.[10] In 2008, the album titled Gift and Grace was launched into shops nationwide. Timaya received two awards in 2008: “Album of the Year” at Nigeria Music Awards and “Best Reggae/Dancehall album” on the Headies Awards. He additionally acquired two awards “Best Reggae/Dancehall album” for Gift and Grace and “Best Collaboration” for his characteristic on J Martins’ “Good or Bad (O Wey)” on the 2009 version of The Headies.[11] Two years later, Timaya launched his third album, De Rebirth and its success-themed lead single “Plantain Boy”. The album’s manufacturing was dealt with by Akeem D Beat, Phyno, Flux, M-Yire, Jay Sleek, N.D, Jesse Jagz, and Okay-Solo. Timaya collaborated with visitor artists, together with 2face Idibia, TJ 2Solo, Allenian, Konga, Lanre, M.I, TJ, and Wrecoba.[12] In 2010, he appeared on the music “Kokoroko” by feminine gospel artist Kefee, which went on to win within the “Best Collaboration” class on the 2010 Headies Awards.[13]

In November 2011, Timaya launched LLNP (Long Life And Prosperity), a collaborative album with Dem Mama Soldiers. The album’s second observe “Dem No Like Me” featured a visitor look by legendary reggae singer, Ras Kimono.[14] On 25 June 2012, Timaya launched a 14-track album titled Upgrade, which produced hits “Sexy Ladies”, “Bum Bum” and “Malonogede”. The album options collaborations with Attitude, Terry G and Vector.[15] Duncan Mighty and Timaya dueted on “I Know I Know Dat”, which was leaked onto the web a number of hours after the previous’s albumFootprints was launched into shops.[16] Both artists had been among the many honorees on the 4th annual Odudu Music Awards alongside M-Trill, Sodi Cookey, Becky Enyioma and Timi Dakolo.[17]

In 2011, Timaya was appointed a Peace Ambassador by the Interreligious and International Federation for World Peace (IIFWP). Dr. Hak Ja Haan Moon, co-founding father of the IIFWP, acknowledged that he’s “one of those individuals whose lives exemplify the ideal of living for the sake of others, and who dedicate themselves to practices which promote the founding ideals of the IIFWP.”[18]