PROFILE
NINIOLA APATA aka NINIOLA is a singer, song writer and performer who hails from EKITI STATE. She was born on the 15th of December. Born into a family that had nothing but Love and support for each other. She went on to attend Apata Memorial School after which she went and bagged her Bachelor of Education from the University of Lagos.
Niniola fell in love with music right from when she was a kid. And in high school she had a sort of request show during her free time where her friends will make requests and she will sing to her classmates. This was possible because of her large repertoire of songs and clear vocals…She was tagged “the human radio”… She later joined the school cultural group and participated in social activities.
Although she’s immersed herself in music, and enjoyed accolades from friends and family, she wanted the world to hear her voice. Thus going for a couple of competitions thereby harnessing her singing skills.
Niniola was the 3rd Runner-Up in the MTN PROJECT FAME Competition Season 6 (2013), where she performed with the likes of KCEE and also performed her personal composition “ITURA” which was produced by COBHAMS ASUQUO…A song that was loved by everyone who heard it.
Niniola with a Vocal range that can crack a glass, takes her influences, from the likes of Dolly Parton, Whitney Houston, Celine Dion, The Cranberries, Madonna, Beyoncé and Yoruba(African) music, and uses them to shape her own style…In her words “I naturally gravitate to a sound that’s filled with warmth and timelessness”.
And finally out with her first Official Single “IBADI” Which was produced by Sarz, A new genre she has created for herself and calls it “AFRO-HOUSE”. That is a blend of afrobeat and House music, the single as we speak is getting massive airplay in Nigeria and around the continent. After which she released another song titled GBOWODE which she delivered in her traditional Ekiti Yoruba. Another song making waves on all radio stations and was produced by Jospo. And she would not stop there as she delivered yet another classically done song titled AKARA OYIBO which she went on to dedicate to all Lovers Out there.
Following successful releases of all her songs Niniola decided to continue dropping HIT songs which lead to the release of SOKE, SHABA, J’ETE & JIGI JIGI. All the songs went on to be another fan favorite and topped radio charts yet again.. Niniola has also worked with EDDY KENZO from Uganda. The BET AWARD Winner featured her on the remix of his HIT single MBILO MBILO.
Niniola released the Sarz-produced single “Maradona” in 2017.The song spent 13 weeks on South Africa’s Metro FM chart, retaining the number 1 position for 6 weeks. Niniola earned nominations at the 2018 BET Awards and SAMAs for “Maradona”. She received nods from Canadian rapper Drake and American record producer Timbaland.
In 2019, elements of “Maradona” were sampled in “Find Your Way Back”, a song from Beyoncé’s soundtrack album The Lion King: The Gift. Niniola is also credited as one of the track’s songwriters and composers.
In April 2020, she received her Grammy nomination certificate for her work as a composer on The Lion King: The Gift.
Niniola has graced many stages since releasing her debut single and is preparing to grace more in the coming years.