Inetimi Timaya Odon (born 15 August 1980) professionally known by his dais name Timaya, is a renowned Nigerian singer and songwriter. 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. His second album, Gift and Grace, was released in 2008.

Meanwhile, he gained further visibility and international prominence through his third studio album De Rebirth—released in partnership with Black Body Entertainment—and its lead single, “Plantain Boy“.

Real Facts About Timaya

• Full Name: Inetimi Timaya Odon
• Stage Name: Timaya
• Born: 15 August 1980 (age 42 years old)
• Place of Birth: Port Harcourt, Rivers, Nigeria
• State Of Origin: Bayelsa State
• Nationality: Nigerian
• Siblings: 14
• Wife • Spouse: Barbara Nwaokolo
• Children: Emmanuella Odon, Gracey Odon, Maya Odon
• Occupation: Singer • Songwriter
• Net Worth: Not estimated yet

Timaya Early Life & Education

Inetimi Timaya Odon was born on 15 August 1980 in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. He grew up as part of a large family, the youngest of fifteen children in Agip Estate, Port Harcourt. He originally hails from Odi, Bayelsa state.

His father was a banker, and his mother was a trader. Timaya attended Assemblies of God Nursery And Primary School for his early education. His secondary school education began at Nkpolu Oroworukwo in Port Harcourt.

He would often break house rules to attend late-night music events. Before Timaya could graduate from school, his mother arranged to travel to Lagos with his older brother and older sister. After moving to the city, he gained admission into Lagos’ Ikeja Grammar School, where he eventually obtained a secondary school certificate.

Timaya later returned to Port Harcourt to study Banking and Finance at the tertiary level. However, he performed poorly in examinations and dropped out after the first semester. As a backup vocalist, he moved back to Lagos to join Eedris Abdulkareem‘s hip-hop group.

Timaya Career

Timaya‘s career music began As a backup vocalist, he moved back to Lagos to join Eedris Abdulkareem‘s hip-hop group.

After three years of working for Eedris Abdulkareem, Timaya departed from the group to focus on his solo career. He began to record collaborations with fellow up-and-coming artists and made his first cameo appearance in an unreleased music video by UDX, a Lagos-based rap group. He subsequently met producer Obaksolo in Mafoluku, Oshodi, who produced his first major hit record, “Dem Mama,” after hearing him perform the a cappella version.

He worked with Namse Udosen (Menthol X) on the track “Pomporo” on his first album, True Story.

Describing the song in an interview posted in August 2013, Timaya said: “‘Dem Mama‘ was an account of the 1999 destruction of Odi, a riverside community in Niger Delta. Soldiers were hunting down militants they alleged killed eight policemen. The village was burnt down, and numerous people were killed. I bravely tackled the issue years later and won instant street credibility for my boldness.”

After the success of “Dem Mama“, Timaya decided to continue with producer K-Solo. He recorded seven more songs for his first album True Story, eventually released in 2007.

Later that year, Timaya began work on his second album with producers Phyno, Jeggs, Spankie, Akeem D Beat, Obaksolo, and Terry G. In 2008, the album titled Gift and Grace was released in stores nationwide.

Timaya won two awards in 2008: “Album of the Year” at the Nigeria Music Awards and “Best Reggae/Dancehall album” at the Headies Awards. He also received two awards, “Best Reggae/Dancehall album” for Gift and Grace and “Best Collaboration” for his feature on J Martins‘ “Good or Bad (O Wey)” at the 2009 edition of The Headies.

Two years later, Timaya released his third album, De Rebirth, and its success-themed lead single, “Plantain Boy“. The album’s production was handled by Akeem D Beat, Phyno, Flux, M-Yire, Jay Sleek, N.D, Jesse Jagz, and Obaksolo.

Timaya Discography

Albums

• True Story (2007)
• Gift And Grace (2008)
• De Rebirth (2010)
• LLNP Long Life N Prosperity (2011)
• Upgrade (2012)
• Epiphany (2014)
• Chulo Vibes EP (2019)
• Gratitude 2020

Singles

• Ekoloma Demba (Epiphany) – 2014
• Bow Down (Epiphany) – 2014
• Gbagam (Epiphany) – 2014
• Lai Lai (Epiphany) – 2014
• Sanko (Single) – 2014
• Ukwu (Single) – 2014
• I concur (Single Produced by Killertunes) – 2015
• Amayanabo (Single) – 2015
• Some more (Single) – 2015
• I like the way (Single) – 2016
• Bang Bang (Single) – 2016
• Money featuring Flavour (Single) – 2016
• 2 Stoopid (Single) – 2019
• 2021″Eff All Day” (featuring Phyno)

Timaya Networth

Timaya is an A-list artist in the Nigerian music industry and has spent over a decade in the entertainment business.

He has signed some mouth-watering endorsements as well.