TY Bello
TY Bello in 2017
Background information
Birth nameToyin Shokefun
Born14 January 1978
Ogun State, Nigeria[1]
GenresGospel
Occupation(s)
  • Singer-songwriter
  • photographer
  • philanthropist
Years active2003–present
Websitetybello.com

Toyin Sokefun-Bello (born 14 January 1978), better known as TY Bello, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, photographer and philanthropist.[2] Prior to pursuing a solo career, she was a member of the now defunct gospel band Kush. Bello is a member of the Nigerian photography collective, Depth of Field.[3] She is best known for her singles "Greenland", "Ekundayo", "This Man", "Freedom" and "Funmise".

Life and career

Early life and career beginnings

Bello was born on 14 January 1978, in Ogun State, Nigeria. She attained a degree in economics from the University of Lagos. She briefly practised journalism and eventually ventured into photography.[4] Bello emerged onto Nigeria's musical landscape as a member of the defunct group Kush, an acronym for Kinetically Ushering Salvation into Hearts and Homes. Other members of the group included Lara George, Dapo Torimiro and rapper Emem Ema. Kush gained popularity in the early 2000s with the single "Let's Live Together"; the group managed to release an album before disbanding.[5]

Art is about collecting experiences and expressing them. For me music and photography are similar art forms. I collect experiences, stir them in myself and express it in my own language. Just like my photography, music is my language.[2]

-Bello, speaking about her photography and music

2008–2013:Greenland, The Future, The Jubilee Collection and anti-rape campaign

In 2008, Bello released her debut studio album Greenland. It was produced by Mosa Adegboye and took two years to develop. The album earned her a Nigeria Music Award and a Sound City Award. Bello describes the album as a journey of her everyday life. The album's lyrical content explores themes of love, family and nation. Its title track is an inspirational song written to motivate Nigerians to liberate themselves from a place of despair to a place of hope.[6]

Bello first revealed plans about her second studio album, The Future, while speaking to Ariya Today.[7] The album was originally slated for release in 2011, and was ranked 12th on Nigerian Entertainment Today's list of the 12 Albums to Buy in 2011.[8] The singer said she worked with producer Mosa and recorded the album in a few months.[7] On 19 February 2011, TY Bello released "The Future" as the lead single from the album of the same name.[9] The song urges Nigerian youth to be the change they seek. The Kemi Adetiba-directed music video for "The Future" was released on 3 April 2011. It features cameo appearances from Tara Fela-Durotoye, Sound Sultan, Chude Jideonwo and Banky W.[10][11] Ore Fakorede awarded the song 7 stars out of 10, saying its "soft tribal drums, synths and a piano provide a vivid backdrop for TY to contrast her unmistakable voice against, and this she does brilliantly, bringing the poignancy in the song’s lyrics to life."[12] Dapo Osewa of Sahara Reporters described the video as "a narrative in itself that dares to capture the varying and boundless composition of emotion that is the face of the Nigerian."[13] Makeup brand House of Tara launched The Jubilee Collection, a limited edition line of makeup inspired by "The Future" single.[14]

In October 2011, Bello was one of the celebrities featured in an eight-minute anti-rape video compiled by the Nigerian Ministry of Youth Development. The anti-rape video sheds light on the victim of a gang rape at Abia State University in 2011.[15] In December 2013, TY Bello released the Wale Adenuga-assisted single "Yahweh". The song features additional vocals from Nwando Okeke and Mosa. Bello wrote the song's first line in 2004 during a photo-shoot.[16]

2014:The Morning Songbook

On 10 October 2014, Bello released her third studio album The Morning Songbook for free digital download on SoundCloud.[17] It was released without any promotion and comprises 10 tracks, including "Yahweh", "Thirsty" and "Jesu Jesu". The album features collaborations with M Sugh and Fela Durotoye.[18] Udochukwu Ikwuagwu of the Breaking Times gave the album 7 stars out of 10, commending its production and Bello's songwriting.[19]

Photography career

Bello was the official photographer to former President Goodluck Jonathan during his tenure in office; she also does work for Thisday fashion magazine.[20]

2016: Tinie Tempah and a discovery

Bello was working in Lagos where she was creating a photo shoot for the British rapper Tinie Tempah. She later discovered that there was a remarkable looking woman in the background. In an attempt to find Olajumoke Orisaguna, she arranged for Orisaguna's picture to appear on the cover of Style magazine.[21]

Humanitarian work

Bello organizes an annual photography exhibition to raise funds for orphans in Nigeria. She is also the director of Link-a-child, an NGO dedicated to proliferating information on orphanages in Nigeria and seeking sponsorship on their behalf.[6] In July 2011, Bello was honoured by the non-profit Communication For Change organisation in a five-part documentary film series, titled RedHot.[22]

Personal life

Bello is married and gave birth to twin boys named Christian and Christopher on 10 October 2014, which coincidentally marked the release of The Morning Songbook.[23][24]

Discography

  • Greenland (2008)
  • The Future (2011)
  • The Morning Songbook (2014)
  • Africa Awake (2020)
  • We Are Fire (2022)
  • Heaven Has Come (2023)

Awards and nominations

Soundcity Music Video Awards
Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref
2009 "Ekundayo" Best Female Video Won [25]
Nigeria Entertainment Awards
Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref
2008 Herself Best New Act of the Year Won [26]
The Headies
Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref
2008 Herself Recording Artiste of the Year Nominated [27]
Hip Hop World Revelation of the Year Nominated
TY Bello for "Ekundayo" Best Vocal Performance (Female) Nominated
TY Bello & Abbey for "Greenland" Best Music Video (Director) Nominated
Creative Industry Awards
Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref
2013 Herself Visual Arts Nominated [28]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Funmi, Johnson. "I Derive Joy Working With Orphanages ...Toyin Shokefun Bello (TY Bello)". Nigeria Films. Archived from the original on 14 February 2015. Retrieved 14 February 2015.
  2. 1 2 Jennifer, Nkem-Eneanya (25 July 2013). "TY Bello; Speaking Hope through Music & Pictures". Konnect Africa. Archived from the original on 14 February 2015. Retrieved 14 February 2015.
  3. ↑ Gausi, Tamara. "10 Nigerian iconographers you oughta know". AfriPop. Archived from the original on 14 February 2015. Retrieved 25 November 2014.
  4. ↑ "TY Bello's Biography & Updated profile – Latest Albums & Songs of TY Bello - Recent Pictures & Videos of TY Bello". Pulse. 28 April 2014. Archived from the original on 13 October 2014. Retrieved 5 December 2014.
  5. ↑ "TY Bello returns to stage after 7yrs". Vanguard. 28 May 2011. Archived from the original on 12 January 2015. Retrieved 5 December 2014.
  6. 1 2 "TY Bello Biography". One Cubed. Archived from the original on 14 February 2015. Retrieved 11 January 2015.
  7. 1 2 Adelekan, Tayo. "More On TY Bello's Forthcoming Album". Ariya Today. Archived from the original on 30 December 2014. Retrieved 14 February 2015.
  8. ↑ Fawunmi, Tomiwa (16 January 2011). "12 Albums To Buy In 2011". Nigerian Entertainment Today. Archived from the original on 14 February 2015. Retrieved 14 February 2015.
  9. ↑ "BN Exclusive – WORLD PREMIERE: Ty Bello returns to music with "The Future"". Bellanaija. 19 February 2011. Archived from the original on 14 February 2015. Retrieved 14 February 2015.
  10. ↑ Collins, Tadeniawo (3 April 2011). "Video Premiere: 'The Future' – TY Bello". Nigeria Entertainment Today. Archived from the original on 14 February 2015. Retrieved 14 February 2015.
  11. ↑ "New Video: The Future by TY Bello (Featuring cameos from Fela Durotoye, Chude Jideonwo, others)". CP-Africa. Archived from the original on 14 February 2015. Retrieved 3 January 2015.
  12. ↑ Fakorede, Ore (4 April 2011). "Video Review: TY Bello delivers The Future". YNaija. Archived from the original on 14 February 2015. Retrieved 14 February 2015.
  13. ↑ Osewa, Dapo (24 April 2011). "TY Bello's The Future Is Here ( We are Nigeria ) But What Kind Of Future ?". Sahara Reporters. Archived from the original on 14 February 2015. Retrieved 14 February 2015.
  14. ↑ "House of Tara introduces "The Jubilee Collection" inspired by Ty Bello". Bellanaija. 15 March 2011. Archived from the original on 14 February 2015. Retrieved 14 February 2015.
  15. ↑ Lawal, Seyi. "We stand as one! Youth Minister, TY Bello, Ebuka, others record anti-rape video". YNaija. Archived from the original on 14 February 2015. Retrieved 3 January 2015.
  16. ↑ "TY-Bello Back with New Single!". Daily Times of Nigeria. 9 December 2013. Archived from the original on 14 February 2015. Retrieved 3 January 2015.
  17. ↑ "SURPRISE! Download TY Bello's New Album – "The Morning Song Book" for FREE". Bellanaija. 10 October 2014. Archived from the original on 18 February 2015. Retrieved 18 February 2015.
  18. ↑ Showemimo, Dayo (10 October 2014). "TY Bello drops 3rd studio album". Nigeria Entertainment Today. Archived from the original on 14 February 2015. Retrieved 18 February 2015.
  19. ↑ Ikwuagwu, Udochukwu (28 October 2014). "ALBUM REVIEW: THE MORNING SONGBOOK – TY BELLO". Breaking Times. Archived from the original on 18 February 2015. Retrieved 18 February 2015.
  20. ↑ "TY Bello's Biography & Updated profile – Latest Albums & Songs of TY Bello - Recent Pictures & Videos of TY Bello". Pulse. 28 April 2014. Archived from the original on 14 February 2015. Retrieved 14 February 2015.
  21. ↑ A woman selling bread got a modelling contract by accidentally photobombing Tinie Tempah Archived 23 February 2016 at the Wayback Machine, 11 February 2016, Scott, Metro, Retrieved 25 February 2016
  22. ↑ "Stephanie Okereke, Cobhams, TY Bello & others honoured by Communication for Change". YNaija. 11 July 2011. Archived from the original on 14 February 2015. Retrieved 13 February 2015.
  23. ↑ Odulaja, Adedayo (12 October 2014). "Breaking: TY Bello delivers twin boys after 9 years of marriage". Nigerian Entertainment Today. Archived from the original on 14 February 2015. Retrieved 14 February 2015.
  24. ↑ "TY Bello Welcomes Twin Boys". Channels TV. 13 October 2014. Archived from the original on 14 February 2015. Retrieved 14 February 2015.
  25. ↑ "Soundcity Music Video Awards 2009 – Nominees". Bellanaija. 9 July 2009. Archived from the original on 10 June 2015. Retrieved 14 February 2015.
  26. ↑ "Nigeria Entertainment Awards 2008, Top 7 Moments + Brilliant Looks, Artists & Winners!". Ladbrille Magazine. 25 June 2008. Archived from the original on 18 February 2015. Retrieved 18 February 2015.
  27. ↑ "Glitz and Flaws of HHWA 2008". Modern Ghana. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 11 March 2014.
  28. ↑ Enengedi, Victor (22 February 2013). "Ben Bruce, TY Bello, Basketmouth, others for Creative Industry Awards". Nigerian Entertainment Today. Archived from the original on 2 February 2015. Retrieved 14 February 2015.
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