Timi Dakolo (born January 20, 1981) is a Nigerian singer, songwriter and music producer. He emerged winner of the inaugural season of Idols West Africa in 2007. He was named the golden voice of Africa and has a record deal with the Virgin Emi Records (UMG). Mr Dakolo was born on the 20th of January 1981, in Accra, Ghana, to a Nigerian father and a Ghanaian mother. He hails from Bayelsa State, Nigeria. At age 13, Timi Dakolo’s family experienced a painful ordeal with the passing of his mother. After his mother passed, his grandma, Ateni Dakolo, took up the responsibility of raising the music star.

Timi Dakolo obtained a degree in Communication Studies from the University of Port Harcourt. In 2005, the music group disbanded because all its members gained admission into the University of Port Harcourt. Almost at the same time, Timi Dakolo won a local talent hunt contest called the G.E FACTO.

After he won the West African Idols competition, he went on to study songwriting, so that he could become a professional. Timi Dakolo is married to Busola Dakolo and they are blessed with three children.

Timi Dakolo gives his grandma credit for encouraging him to join the choir and nurturing his talent as a singer. His grandma’s encouragement made him join the Purple Love singing group. The group eventually became one of the popular music groups in Port Harcourt.
He got his big break in 2007 when he won the Idols West Africa reality show in Calabar, Cross Rivers state. While the competition was ongoing, Mr Dakolo received the heartbreaking news of his grandmother’s passing which shattered him.
On leaving the reality show, he recorded a rock ballad Heaven please, as a tribute to his grandma and featured the rapper, M.I. Timi Dakolo released his first single in 2009 and released his debut album, Beautiful noise in 2011. The album garnered widespread critical and commercial acclaim.