Biography of Nikki Laoye

Oyenike Laoye-Oturu, professionally known as Nikki Laoye, is a Nigerian recording artist, singer, songwriter and dancer, renowned for her eclectic musical expressions and captivating stage performances. Born in Lagos, Nigeria; the only daughter to Prince Olushola Isaac Laoye & Olori Christiana Yetunde Laoye. With her long natural hair, Laoye bears traces of a mixed heritage as her father, Olushola is of European (Dutch), Ghanaian and Nigerian ancestry. She is sister to three brothers: Femi, Bola and Ade, who is also known as Xblaze, a budding young music producer/Hip Hop artist in Lagos, Nigeria.

Enrolled in choirs and dance classes at the age of five, Laoye started off her education at Grace Children School, Gbagada, Lagos. Soon enough, she was singled out by her music teacher, who noticed her music abilities at such a tender age and personally offered her free piano lessons at the end of each school day. Laoye's musical talent was further enhanced during her high school years at Federal Government Girl's College, Sagamu (from where she graduated in 1998) and at the University of Ibadan respectively as she performed with the school choirs and joined up with music and dance groups including Exousia, Soul Alliance and the girl group trio, Soul Sistas.

Her passion for humanitarian activities attracted the attention of the Nigerian National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), who unveiled her as the celebrity 'Voice of Refugees' in Southwest Nigeria. Her musical style is an Urban Contemporary sound with the fusion of Alternative Rock, R&B, Hip Hop, Pop, Soul, Funk, Jazz and Gospel. Born in Lagos, Nigeria and hailing from the musical lineage of the talking drum legend - Late Oba Adetoyese Laoye (from Ede, Osun State-Nigeria), The singer, fondly called, the small one with the big voice, rose to fame in 2006 with the hit single, "Never Felt This Way Before" from her debut studio album,Angel 4 Life (2008), which also featured other notable singles, including the Hip-Hop collaboration with Rooftop Mcs and her brother, Rap2Sai - "Taka Sufe"; the love ballad "Someone to Love" with R&B crooner Jeremiah Gyang amongst others.

The release of the single "Never Felt This Way Before" brought a fresh urban Christian contemporary sound to the Nigerian music industry. This seven-time award nominated song, (2009 Hip Hop World Awards- Best Vocal Performance (Female) and HipHop World Revelation (Best New Artist); KORA Awards-Best Spiritual Artist and Best Arrangement; 2009 City People Entertainment Awards-Musician of the Year (Female); the 2009 Nigerian Entertainment Awards in the US -Gospel Artist of the Year & 2009 SoundCity Music Video Awards-Best Female Video), received major accolades and gave Laoye the rating as the 3rd Best Performance at the 2009 HipHop World Awards in Nigeria (Darey Art Alade and Tuface coming 1st and 2nd respectively, out of the 10 performances at the awards).

Laoye was the only female contender alongside top male Nigerian Artists - M.I, Banky W and Naeto C for the HipHop World Revelation (Best New Artist) category of the 2009 HipHop World Awards.

In 2009, Laoye performed alongside Kirk Franklin, Cece Winans, Donnie McClurkin to an audience of 500,000 at The Experience Concert in Lagos.

Laoye's music has gained critical acclaim beyond Africa, as she was one of the first three Nigerian artists ever to be interviewed and recognized on American entertainment channel, BET in 2009 and she was one of the preliminary judges for BET's Sunday Best Auditions which held in Lagos, Nigeria in December 2009. In 2011, Laoye's life and career were showcased in a special feature segment on BET, tagged "BET Spotlight – Nikki Laoye".

In 2013, the singer made a comeback into the music scene after being on a hiatus following the loss of her father in 2011.

Laoye was commissioned to record her own version of the Nigerian National Anthem for Nigerian TV Producer, Mo Abudu's Ebony Life Television in June 2013. The video is renowned as the first official music video for the Nigerian Anthem. Since its release in June 2013, Laoye has been invited to perform the anthem for the Presidency in Aso Rock, Abuja and at other official functions. As at 2013, she released the singles "No Be Beans" with Yoruba Hip Hop artist Base One; the dance single "1,2,3"; and the ballad "Only You", a song dedicated to the memory of her late father, for which she won an award for the Best Vocal Performance (Female) at the 2013 Headies Awards in Lagos, Nigeria.

On 11 December 2011, Laoye married Alexander Oturu in Lagos, Nigeria.

Laoye's work has earned her numerous award nominations and accolades including the prestigious KORA Awards, HipHop World Awards (now Headies),Soundcity Music Video Awards, City People Entertainment Awards, NEA Awards(US), Nigeria Music Video Awards (NMVA); Africa Gospel Music Awards(UK), Crystal Gospel Awards, Nigeria Gospel Music Awards(NGMA), and a special feature on MTVBase Advance Warning Reality TV Show. She was announced as one of the brand ambassadors for popular wrist watch brand, Ice Watch, in Nigeria.

On 26 December 2013, Laoye was unveiled as the winner of the category for the Best Vocal Performance (Female) for her soulful ballad "Only You" in a strong field that included singers Waje, Niyola, Seyi Shay and Zaina, at The Headies 2013 Award ceremony in Lagos, Nigeria.

In April 2014, Laoye was unveiled as 'The Voice for Refugees' in southwest Nigeria, by the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI). As part of her role as a celebrity voice, she has appeared at various events organized by the Commission to enlighten the general public about the travails of refugees and internally displaced persons. She has also made donations to the cause and performed at a number of events in support of the cause.

On 21 May 2014, Laoye was nominated in the category of Best Gospel Artiste at the African Muzik Magazine Awards (AFRIMMA) 2014. The Award ceremony is set to hold at the Eismann Centre in Dallas, Texas on the 26th of July 2014. Later that month, Laoye was also nominated for Best Gospel Artiste of the Year by the Nigerian Entertainment Awards (NEA).

On 20 July 2014, Laoye picked up the Crystal award for Best Worship Song for "Only You" at the 2014 Crystal Awards in Lagos, Nigeria. She was also nominated for the Artiste of the Year and Best Female Vocalist categories at the awards.On 24 August 2014 at the Fairfields Hall-Croydon, in London, England, Laoye won the award for 'Female Artiste of the Year' at the 2014 Africa Gospel Music Awards (AGMA). She had also been nominated for the 'Artiste of the Year' (West Africa) at the same awards.

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