Nigerian Dancehall icon Timaya has opened up about the humble beginnings of his music career and how he struck gold with his early albums, revealing details many fans may not have known.
In a recent interview on the Afrobeats Intelligence Podcast hosted by Joey Akan, the “Dem Mama” crooner shared how his first major breakthrough came when a marketer at the famous Alaba International Market offered him ₦500,000 for his debut album True Story.
Timaya, who was then an up-and-coming artist trying to penetrate the Lagos music scene, saw the offer as a golden opportunity.
According to him, True Story turned out to be a massive success thanks to hit singles like ‘Timaya,’ ‘True Story,’ ‘Dem Mama,’ and ‘Ogologoma,’ which quickly gained traction on the streets and on radio.
“The album did so well, the marketer offered me an extra 7 million naira to shoot music videos for the album, and even bought me a car,” Timaya said. “He gave me 7 million naira for the music video, paid for the videos, and even bought me a car…He called me a good market.”
With the buzz from his debut project placing him firmly in the mainstream spotlight, Timaya’s stock soared, and so did the value of his music. When it came time to release his sophomore album, Gift and Grace, the negotiations took a different turn.
“I was being priced at 10 million by the first marketer, then Abu Ventures came and offered to buy the album. He ended up paying 24 million for the album. At that point, only 2Baba, P-Square, and D’banj were paid that kind of money,” Timaya revealed.
The life-changing sum inspired the creation of his popular anthem I Don Blow, a song that celebrated his sudden rise from the trenches to stardom.
Nearly two decades into his music journey, Timaya has grown into one of Nigeria’s most consistent and respected hitmakers. Known for his signature blend of Dancehall, Highlife, and hip hop, the self-styled Egberi Papa 1 of Bayelsa has delivered countless street anthems and continues to enjoy the love and admiration of fans across Africa and beyond.
From a ₦500K deal to selling albums for tens of millions, Timaya’s story is a testament to resilience, street credibility, and the reward that comes with believing in one’s talent.
