Introduction
Niniola Apata (born 15 December 1986), known professionally as Niniola, is a Nigerian singer and songwriter. She participated in the sixth season of Project Fame West Africa in 2013. After releasing her debut single "Ibadi", she was nominated for Most Promising Act to Watch at the 2015 Nigeria Entertainment Awards.
Early life and education
Niniola was born and raised in Lagos State. She attained her primary and secondary school education at Apata Memorial High School. Moreover, she earned a bachelor of education certificate from the University of Lagos.
Career
Niniola participated in several social activities and competitions while attending secondary school. She finished third runner-up in the sixth season of Project Fame West Africa. During the competition, she performed a live rendition of "Limpopo" with Kcee and her Cobhams Asuquo-produced track "Itura". She has cited Dolly Parton, Whitney Houston, Celine Dion, The Cranberries, Madonna, Beyoncé and Angélique Kidjo as her key musical influences.
Niniola released her debut single "Ibadi" on 19 March 2014. Produced by Sarz, the song received positive critical reviews, topped national music charts and gained extensiveairplay. Her singles "Ibadi" and "Gbowode" were included in the soundtrack for season 2 of Gidi Up. NotJustOk included her on its list of the 15 Artists to Watch in 2015. Niniola was nominated in the Most Promising Act to Watch category at the 2015 Nigeria Entertainment Awards.
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.
Artistry
Niniola describes her style of music as Afro-house, a blend of Afrobeat and house music.
Personal life
Niniola is the older sister of singer Teni.
Discography
- This is Me (2017)
Awards and nominations
| Year | Award ceremony | Prize | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Nigeria Entertainment Awards | Most Promising Act to Watch | Nominated |
| Nigerian Achievers Award | Best Promising Female Artist of The Year | Nominated | |
| Lagos Fashion Awards | Most Fashionable Fast Rising Music Star Of The Year Female | Nominated | |
| Scream Awards | Best New Act Female | Nominated | |
| City People Entertainment Awards | Most Promising Act of the Year (Female) | Nominated | |
| 2016 | ACI Awards | New Artist Of The Year | Nominated |
| Nigeria Entertainment Awards | Best New Act | Nominated | |
| All Africa Music Awards | Best Female Artiste in West Africa | Nominated | |
| Best Artiste/Duo/Group In African RnB & Soul | Nominated | ||
| Songwriter of the Year In Africa for "Mbilo Mbilo" (Remix) | Nominated | ||
| Best African Collaboration for "Mbilo Mbilo" (Remix) | Won | ||
| Nigerian Music Video Awards | Best RnB Video for "Akara Oyibo" | Nominated | |
| ELOY Awards | Upcoming Female Music Artist | Nominated | |
| Soundcity MVP Awards Festival | Best Collaboration for "Mbilo Mbilo" (Remix) | Nominated | |
| Best New Artiste | Nominated | ||
| Top Naija Music Award | Artiste of the Year | Nominated | |
| 2017 | Nigeria Entertainment Awards | Best Afropop Female Artiste | Nominated |
| AFRIMMA | Best Newcomer | Nominated | |
| City People Entertainment Awards | Music Artiste Of The Year Female | Nominated | |
| Nigerian Teens Choice Awards | Choice Female Vocalist of the Year | Won | |
| All Africa Music Awards | Best Artiste African Electro | Nominated | |
| Soundcity MVP Awards Festival | Best Female MVP | Nominated | |
| Best Pop | Nominated | ||
| Listener's Choice | Nominated | ||
| 2018 | Maya Awards | Youth Artiste of The Year | Won |
| Glazia Awards | Glazia Persons of The Year | Won | |
| The Headies | Best R&B/Pop Album | Nominated | |
| Best Vocal Performance (Female) | Nominated | ||
| Hip Hop World Revelation of the Year | Nominated | ||
| South African Music Awards | Best African Artist Album | Nominated | |
| BET Awards | Viewers Choice Best New International Act | Nominated | |
| IARA Awards | Best International Female Artist | Nominated | |
| Ghana-Naija Showbiz Awards | Best Female Act | Won | |
| Nigeria Entertainment Awards | Afropop Female Artist | Nominated | |
| The Future Awards | The Future Awards Africa Prize in Music | Nominated | |
| Soundcity MVP Awards Festival | Viewer's Choice | Nominated | |
| Best Female MVP | Nominated | ||
| 2019 | African Music Magazine Awards | Best Female West Africa | Nominated |
| All African Music Awards | Best Female West Africa | Nominated | |
| Best Artiste,Duo or Group in African Electro | Nominated | ||
| Best African Dance or Choreography | Nominated |