Timaya has broadened the continental horizon of the dancehall genre in the Nigeria music industry
Timaya has been the backbone carrying the dancehall genre for almost 2 decades now, I mean 15 years of consistency, and below is Mp3bullet rundown of his artistic impact in popularizing the modern dancehall genre.
Timaya arrived from the Nigerian Niger Delta’s creeks, determined to be heard on his own terms.
From Lagos to Kingston, he’s spent 15 years effectively chasing and promoting creativity.
Usually, a groundbreaking debut is material for a great career. Some people break the trend, but it’s hard to build a career after a week’s debut. In Nigerian music, that is harder to achieve.
However, in longevity, contributions, and impacts, it is safe to refer to Timaya as a legend, especially as a convener as what is perceived to be the birth of the modern dancehall genre.
With six albums already to his credit in a 15-year solo career, his worldwide success no longer needs to be proven.
Nigerian International reggae star and dancehall prolific hitmaker Timaya has been on the verge of solidifying the dancehall genre.
Today, Jamaican reggae and dancehall are among the most popular music forms in many parts of Africa.
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Timaya was identified as a dancehall but with time it has to be differentiated to Afro Soca.
What is Afro soca? Afro Soca is a collective that aims to strengthen the connection between Africa and Caribbean Carnival culture through the arts, community, and creativity.
Along with hip-hop, house, and African sounds like highlife and kwaito, reggae and dancehall represent a major thread in the expansive category of African dance rhythms that has come to be known as afrobeats, from the patois-inflected bashment pop of Nigeria’s Timaya.
Quick Recap
Inetimi Timaya Odon was born on 15 August 1988, better known by his stage name Timaya, is a Nigerian singer and songwriter.
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He hails from Odi, Bayelsa state. He is the founder of DM Records Limited.
His solo career began in 2005 with the release of “Dem Mama”, which also appeared on his debut album, True Story released the following year.
Storytelling ballads that account for the 1999 destruction of Odi, a riverside community in Bayelsa state.
His second album Gift and Grace was released in 2008.
Reasons why Timaya popularize the dancehall genre in the Nigeria music industry
Timaya’s music has transcended beyond his early beginnings in the south of Nigeria to all parts of the world.
The certified hit maker has numerous multiplatinum hit singles, collaborations (including the remix of his hit single “Bum Bum” with Sean Paul), 6 studio albums, and a recently released EP to his credit.
After Plantain Boy, Single Ladies, Bum Bum, Timaya has teamed up with International dancehall star, Sean Paul, for the remix of his hit single Bum Bum.
Timaya has sold over 30 million records since he came into the limelight, with performances all over the world.
Timaya has successfully completed tours in Africa, North America, the Caribbean, South America, Europe, Australia, and Asia.
With over 200 million views on YouTube and over 2 million followers on social media, the style icon certainly has a strong fan base worldwide.
His 2019 “Chulo Vibes” EP has currently amassed over 15 million streams across all streaming music platforms.
However, Timaya has the Midas touch in spades, anything he comes into contact with transforms to gold as he creates his own sound by combining various musical styles.