On Entertainment
Popular Nigerian singer Inetimi Odon, better known as Timaya, says he misses the era of authentic music, lamenting that today’s songs feel compromised by commercialism and social media trends.
Speaking to Afrobeats Intelligence, the 44-year-old Port Harcourt-born artist revealed that in recent times, it is expensive to promote a single song, without any guarantee of success. He added that many artists today depend on songwriters and viral gimmicks rather than genuine expression.
Timaya reminisced about the days when studio time was a serious investment and musicians rehearsed intensively before recording.
Recalling his early days, he revealed he sold his debut album True Story for ₦500,000 and even pirated it himself to boost distribution. His second album, Gift and Grace, earned him a ₦24 million advance.
He also shared how the 1999 Odi Massacre in Bayelsa inspired his breakout song Dem Mama, describing the trauma as a lifelong scar turned into music.
Despite acknowledging the ease of making music today, Timaya stressed that he never had a plan B as music was my only option.
Now with eight albums under his belt, Timaya maintains full ownership of his catalogue and says his longevity in the industry comes from building an organic fanbase, not paid trends.
