Biography

Singer ‘Niniola’: Biography, Education, Career, Marriage, Net Worth, Awards and Nominations, and Discography

Published

1 year ago

2022/09/16

Sub-editor

By Balogun Kamilu Lekan

Biography

Niniola Apata, aka NINIOLA is a singer, vocalist, songwriter and performer

She was born on the 15th of December, 1986. Currently, Niniola is 36 years old (2022)

Niniola is the older sister of singer, Teni.

She rose to prominence when she participated in the Season 6 of the MTN Project Fame Music competition in 2013.

Education

Niniola attended Apata Memorial School before bagging a Bachelor of Education from the University of Lagos.

Career

Niniola rose to prominence when she came third in the MTN PROJECT FAME Competition Season 6 (2013), where she performed with KCEE and her composition “ITURA,” which was produced by Cobhams Asuquo”

Her first official single, “Ibadi,” produced by Sarz, is part of a new genre she coined for herself and dubbed “AFRO-HOUSE” – a fusion of Afrobeat and House music. The song became a massive hit in Nigeria and across the African continent.

She did not stop there; she later released songs such as “Gbowode,” “Akara Oyibo,” “Soke,” “Shaba,” “J’ete,” “Start All Over,” “Jigi Jigi,” and the current global hit and new wave singles “Maradona” and “Sicker.”

Niniola’s songs have topped various charts worldwide, with her track ‘Maradona’ leading the way. She has also appeared in several songs that have made waves.

Eddy Kenzo featured Niniola in his hit single, “Mbilo Mbilo” remix. Her contribution earned them the Best Collaboration award at the 2016 AFRIMA Awards.

She released her highly anticipated debut album, “This Is Me,” in 2017. Niniola’s “This Is Me” release and subsequent overwhelming reception propelled her to an Artist Spotlight feature and Apple Music’s New Artist of the Month title.

Maradona and Sicker have both topped several charts and received extensive airplay. Their music videos, Saro, Oyin, Magun, Magun Remix, and Bana have a total of about 17.5 million views on YouTube alone. Maradona also reached No. 1 on the biggest African charts, including Metro FM SA, MTV Base South, YFM, and Beat FM 99.9 Nigeria, becoming the most played song on radio in South Africa.

Niniola had a media tour in South Africa in February 2018. She also performed at SA Music Carnival.

“This Is Me” was nominated for Best African Artist Album at the South African Music Awards in April 2018.

In July 2018, internationally renowned DJ Snake collaborated with Niniola on a hit single titled “Maradona Riddim,” which was heavily influenced by her 2017 hit song “Maradona.”

Niniola became the first female Nigerian artist to reach one million monthly Spotify listeners on August 7, 2018.

Niniola was nominated for a Grammy Award in 2020 for her songwriting and composer work on Beyonce’s “Find Your Way Back” from the album “The Lion King: The Gift.”