Nigerian music star Timaya has shared the inspiring story of his rise from humble beginnings to mainstream success, revealing how he sold his debut album for just ₦500,000—and his second album for a whopping ₦24 million.
Speaking on The Afrobeats Intelligence Podcast, Timaya described the deal for his first album True Story as a major breakthrough, especially as an up-and-coming artist looking to penetrate the competitive Lagos music scene.
“It was a big opportunity for me. I just wanted to enter Lagos,” Timaya said.
The album turned out to be a massive success, powered by hit singles like ‘Dem Mama’, ‘True Story’, ‘Ogologoma’, and ‘Timaya’. The project’s commercial impact impressed the marketer so much that he went the extra mile to support Timaya.
“He gave me ₦7 million for music videos, paid for the videos, and even bought me a car… He said I was a good market,” Timaya recounted.
From ₦500K to ₦24M
With the success of his debut, Timaya returned with his sophomore album, ‘Gift and Grace’, which turned out to be a game-changer. He revealed that while one marketer initially offered him ₦10 million, another, Abu Ventures, stepped in and paid ₦24 million for the project.
“At that point, only 2Baba, P-Square, and D’banj were paid that kind of money. That’s why I recorded ‘I Don Blow’,” he said, referencing the celebratory track that captured his new reality.
Now with nearly two decades in the Nigerian music industry, Timaya stands tall as an icon. Known for his unique blend of Dancehall, Highlife, and Hip Hop, he has created numerous street anthems and inspired a generation of artists.
You can watch Timaya’s full interview on The Afrobeats Intelligence Podcast below.