Tim Omaji
Omaji at I Give It a Year Australian Premiere in January 2013.
Omaji at I Give It a Year Australian Premiere in January 2013.
Background information
Birth nameTimothy Ugbedo Omaji
Also known asTimomatic or Mitch Crotty
Born (1987-09-09) 9 September 1987
Kaduna, Nigeria
OriginSydney, New South Wales, Australia
GenresPop, dance, R&B[1]
OccupationsSinger-songwriter, record producer, dancer, choreographer, magician
InstrumentsVocals
Years active2009–present
LabelsSony
Websitetimomaticworld.com

Timothy Ugbedo Omaji (born 9 September 1987), better known by his stage name Timomatic, is a Nigerian-born Australian singer-songwriter and dancer. Omaji rose to fame as a contestant on So You Think You Can Dance (Australia) in 2009 and placed seventh in the competition. In 2011, he appeared as a contestant on the fifth season of Australia's Got Talent and was placed third. This led to his most recent rise in fame by sparking the now infamous Facebook page "Timomatic was robbed on Australia's Got Talent",[2] a Facebook page dedicated to the victimisation that Tim was forced to undergo on 'Australia's Got Talent'. Later that year, Omaji signed with Sony Music Australia and released his first single, "Set It Off", in November 2011, which peaked at number two on the ARIA Singles Chart and was certified four times platinum by the Australian Recording Industry Association.

Early life

Timothy Ugbedo Omaji[3][4] was born in Kaduna, Nigeria, on 9 September 1987.[5] He emigrated to Australia with his family when he was 10 months old. His father was an academic and was sent to different positions around Australia.[5] Omaji has an older brother and sister, and a younger sister.[6] He came from a musical family, with his father often playing guitar and the rest of his family displaying their passion for singing and dancing.[5] At the age of nine, Omaji formed a band with his family and he was the percussionist for that band.[5] During the intermission of their shows, Omaji would go on stage mimicking Michael Jackson's singing and dancing skills.[5] His parents have now moved back to Nigeria.[6] He spent part of his life in Darwin, Northern Territory where he taught a break dancing class. He left Darwin in 2003 and moved to Canberra.[7]

At the age of 15, he was nicknamed "Timomatic" by his friends, because of his hip-hop dancing skills.[5] He also secured a part-time position as artistic director and choreographer of dance company Kulture Break in Canberra.[8] He represented Kulture Break in overseas performances, including the United States, China and Singapore.[9] Timomatic finished Year 12 at Narrabundah College and then spent six months at University of Canberra before dropping out.[9] In 2008, he attended music school JMC Academy for a year and got a diploma in entertainment, majoring in vocal training.[5] Omaji stated: "I did this because I wanted to get my vocals and music up to scratch; that was me paying attention and focusing on my music."[5]

Career

2009–12: Reality shows, Welcome and Timomatic

Timomatic in concert, 2011

In 2009, Omaji appeared as a finalist on the second season of So You Think You Can Dance Australia and reached the top eight.[8] In 2010, he went on to play the role of Tyrone Jackson in the Australian version of Fame the Musical.[10][11] Omaji later withdrew from his role in the musical due to a back injury.[12] This led to him focussing more on producing music.[12] Omaji then began writing songs with DJ Poet, the official DJ for The Black Eyed Peas.[12] In 2011, Omaji appeared as a contestant on the fifth season of Australia's Got Talent.[13] He chose to audition for the show to prove that he was more than just a dancer, and chose Australia's Got Talent over The X Factor because it gave him full control over what he did, from music to styling. Has done a gig at Chipping Norton Lakes. New Years Eve. Free entry. Kid's loved it.[3] Omaji placed third in the competition, with Jack Vidgen announced as the winner.[13]

On 12 May 2011, Omaji released his independent debut studio album, Welcome, which he began working on during his time in Fame.[12][14] "Save the Dancefloor" was released as a promotional single from the album on 1 August 2011.[15] In October 2011, Omaji was as a supporting act for American rapper Flo Rida's Australian tour.[16] On 17 November 2011, it was announced that Omaji had signed a recording contract with Sony Music Australia.[17] On 24 November, he was a supporting act for American hip hop group Salt-n-Pepa's Australian concert at the Enmore Theatre in Sydney.[18] Omaji's debut single "Set It Off" was released on 25 November.[19] It peaked at number two on the ARIA Singles Chart and was certified four times platinum by the Australian Recording Industry Association, denoting sales of 280,000 copies.[20][21] "Set It Off" peaked at number 14 on the New Zealand Singles Chart and was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of New Zealand, denoting sales of 7,500 copies.[22][23]

On 12 January 2012, it was announced that Omaji had signed a global publishing deal with EMI.[24] His second single "If Looks Could Kill" was released on 23 March 2012.[25] It peaked at number eight on the ARIA Singles Chart and was certified double platinum, denoting sales of 140,000 copies.[20][21] In May 2012, Omaji was a supporting act for Nicki Minaj's Australian leg of her Pink Friday Tour.[26] His third single "Can You Feel It" was released on 22 June 2012.[27] It peaked at number 18 on the ARIA Singles Chart and was certified platinum, denoting sales of 70,000 copies.[20][21] In August 2012, Omaji was a supporting act, alongside Havana Brown and Taio Cruz, for Pitbull's Australian leg of his Planet Pit World Tour.[28] His self-titled second album was released on 24 August 2012, which debuted at number three on the ARIA Albums Chart.[20][29] On 3 October 2012, Omaji received his first ARIA Music Award nomination for Song of the Year for "Set It Off".[30] Omaji received more international exposure at the Miss Universe 2012 beauty pageant, where he performed in front of a huge global audience.[31]

2013–2016: Subsequent releases, return to Australia's Got Talent, and name change

Omaji's fifth single "Parachute" was released on 5 June 2013,[32] after he debuted it at the first 2013 State of Origin game.[33] "Parachute" peaked at number 3 on the ARIA Singles Chart and was certified two times platinum.[20][34] In New Zealand, it peaked at number 22 and spent five weeks in the top 40.[22] In August 2013, Omaji returned for the seventh season of Australia's Got Talent, this time as a judge alongside Dawn French, Geri Halliwell, Kyle Sandilands and host Julia Morris.[35][36] His sixth single "Waterfalls" was released on 13 September 2013, and peaked at number 26 on the ARIA Singles Chart.[20][37] Omaji's first extended play, The Rain Remixes, was released on 11 October 2013, featuring five versions of "Waterfalls" and one of "Parachute".[38] On 12 November 2013, Omaji released his seventh single "Everything Is Allowed",[39] after premiering it on the Australia's Got Talent series final. In September 2014, Omaji won Male Artist of the Year at the Afro-Australia Music and Movie Awards.[40][41] In October 2014, Omaji released his eighth single "Delilah", featuring American rapper Pusha T,[42] and it failed to chart.

In January 2015, he changed his name from Timomatic to his birth name Tim Omaji.[43][44] Omaji was the supporting act for Jessie J's Australian tour in March 2015.[45] His ninth single "Something Bout You" was released on 6 March 2015, and was his first single released under the name Tim Omaji.[46] Omaji's tenth single "Go to Work" was released on 30 October 2015.[47]

2017–present: Stamina and Dance Boss

In 2017, returned to releasing music under his stage name Timomatic. On 1 April 2017, Timomatic released "Swave", followed by "Do Want You Want" in July. In December, Timomatic released his second EP Stamina.

In April 2018, the Seven Network announced Timomatic has been appointed one of the three judges for up-coming new dance competition Dance Boss, alongside Sharni Vinson and Adam Garcia and hosted by Dannii Minogue.[48]

From October and November 2018, Timomatic will play Sam Onatou in the Australian season of MADIBA The Musical – A Celebration of the Life of Nelson Mandela.[49]

On 1 December 2021, Timomatic surprise released the album Bittersweet posting on Facebook "This project has been a labor of love. From R&B to Afrofusion, come vibe with me".[50]

On the 4 August 2022, Timomatic played at the Melbourne University law ball to a wild reception. Omaji also appeared in the Australian production of Moulin Rouge in 2022 under the name Tim Omaji.[51]

In 2023,Timomatic became an ambassador for BYD.

In 2023, Omaji played the role of Ike Turner in the Australian production of the Tina – The Tina Turner Musical.[52]

On 10 September 2023, Timomatic performed at the Monash University Law Ball to another wild reception.

Discography

  • Welcome (2011)
  • Timomatic (2012)
  • Bittersweet (2021)

Filmography

Television
Year Title Role Notes
2009So You Think You Can Dance AustraliaHimself; Contestant
2012Talkin' 'Bout Your Generation[53]Himself; guest appearance1 episode
2011, 2013Australia's Got TalentHimself; Contestant, Judge
2018Dance BossHimself; Judge
2021Clickbait (miniseries)Jimmy Akintola1 episode

Concert tours

Supporting

Awards and nominations

Year Type Award Result
2011 Poprepublic.tv IT List Awards[54] Australian Male Artist Nominated
Breakthrough Artist of 2011 Nominated
2012 ARIA Music Awards[30] Song of the Year ("Set It Off") Nominated
Channel [V] Awards[55] [V] Oz Artist of the Year Nominated
2013 APRA Music Awards Most Played Australian Work ("Set It Off")[56] Won
ARIA Music Awards[57] Song of the Year ("Parachute") Nominated
Best Video ("Parachute") Nominated
MTV Europe Music Awards[58] MTV Europe Music Award for Best Australian Act Nominated
Channel [V] Awards[59] [V] Oz Artist of the Year Nominated
Poprepublic.tv Awards[60] Favourite Australian Male Artist Nominated
Favourite Single of 2013 ("Waterfalls") Nominated
2014 Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards[61] Aussies' Fave Homegrown Talent Nominated
Logie Awards[62] Most Popular New Talent (Australia's Got Talent) Nominated
World Music Awards World's Best Male Artist[63] Nominated
World's Best Song ("Parachute")[64] Nominated
World's Best Video ("Parachute")[65] Nominated
Afro-Australia Music and Movie Awards[40] Male Artist of the Year Won

References

  1. ↑ "Staff picks: Who's news in 2012?". Inner West Courier. News Community Media. 10 January 2012. Retrieved 17 January 2012.
  2. ↑ Gersh, Ethan. "Timomatic was robbed on Australia's got talent". Facebook. N/A. Retrieved 21 May 2020.
  3. 1 2 "Dancer Tim 'Timomatic' Omaji takes next step to develop talent". Herald Sun. Herald and Weekly Times. 15 May 2011. Retrieved 17 November 2011.
  4. ↑ "'Assassin' at APRA search engine". APRA AMCOS (Australasian Performing Right Association, Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners Society). Retrieved 7 August 2020. Note: For additional work user may have to select 'Search again' and then 'Enter a title:' &/or 'Performer:'
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Timomatic – Bio". Timomatic.com. Archived from the original on 21 November 2011.
  6. 1 2 "A star is born – Page 2". The Canberra Times. Fairfax Media. Archived from the original on 31 January 2014.
  7. ↑ "TIM OMAJI". Darwin High School. Retrieved 20 April 2021.
  8. 1 2 "The Harbour Agency: Timomatic". Theharbouragency.com. Archived from the original on 18 September 2011.
  9. 1 2 "A star is born – Page 3". The Canberra Times. Fairfax Media. Archived from the original on 25 February 2014.
  10. ↑ Browne, Sally (20 June 2010). "Young stars of Fame the Musical are living their characters' dreams". The Sunday Mail. News Limited. Retrieved 18 November 2011.
  11. ↑ Johnson, Kristy (31 July 2010). "SYTYCD Stars Take Over the Theatre". Dance Informa. Archived from the original on 4 December 2011.
  12. 1 2 3 4 Johnson, Kristy (28 April 2011). "Timomatic – Dancing to his own beat". Dance Informa. Archived from the original on 5 March 2012.
  13. 1 2 Habib, Rashell (28 July 2011). "Timomatic comes third in Australia's Got Talent". Inner West Courier. News Community Media. Retrieved 17 November 2011.
  14. ↑ "Timomatic, Welcome – Album". iTunes Store. Apple. Retrieved 17 November 2011.
  15. ↑ "Save the Dancefloor – Single". iTunes Store. Apple. Retrieved 17 November 2011.
  16. ↑ "Fans go with the Flo and party on". Townsville Bulletin. News Limited. 24 October 2011. Retrieved 18 November 2011.
  17. ↑ Adams, Cameron (17 November 2011). "So you think Timomatic has talent". Herald Sun. Herald and Weekly Times. Retrieved 17 November 2011.
  18. ↑ Khalil, Shireen (26 September 2011). "Timomatic to support Salt N Pepa at the Enmore Theatre". Inner West Courier. News Community Media. Retrieved 18 November 2011.
  19. ↑ "Set It Off – Single". iTunes Store. Apple. Retrieved 25 November 2011.
  20. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Hung, Steffen. "Discography Timomatic". Australian Charts Portal. Hung Medien (Steffen Hung).
  21. 1 2 3 "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2012 Singles". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 14 January 2014.
  22. 1 2 Hung, Steffen. "Discography Timomatic". New Zealand Charts Portal. Hung Medien (Steffen Hung).
  23. ↑ "NZ Top 40 Singles Chart". Official New Zealand Music Chart. Archived from the original on 15 February 2012.
  24. ↑ "Singing sensation nets record deal with music giant". Herald Sun. Herald and Weekly Times. 12 January 2012. Retrieved 17 January 2012.
  25. ↑ "If Looks Could Kill – Single". iTunes Store. Apple. Retrieved 23 March 2012.
  26. 1 2 "Nicki Minaj Australian Tour Support Acts Confirmed As Timomatic And Stan Walker!". Take 40 Australia. MCM Entertainment Pty Ltd. 16 May 2012. Retrieved 17 May 2012.
  27. ↑ "Can You Feel It – Single". iTunes Store. Apple. Retrieved 22 June 2012.
  28. 1 2 "Pitbull Announces Australian Tour In August 2012". The Hot Hits Live from LA. MCM Entertainment Pty Ltd. 21 May 2012. Retrieved 25 July 2012.
  29. ↑ "Timomatic (Signed Copy), CD". Sanity. Retrieved 3 August 2012.
  30. 1 2 "Winners & Nominees Announced – 26th ARIA Awards 2012". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). 3 October 2012. Retrieved 3 October 2012.
  31. ↑ "Miss Universe 2012 Final Look Performance by Timomatic". YouTube. 19 December 2012. Retrieved 22 December 2012.
  32. ↑ "iTunes – Music – Parachute – Single by Timomatic". Itunes.apple.com. 5 June 2013. Retrieved 8 April 2014.
  33. ↑ "Australia's Got Talent judge and pop star Timomatic launches new single Parachute for love". news.com.au. 5 June 2013. Retrieved 10 August 2013.
  34. ↑ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2013 Singles". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 10 August 2013.
  35. ↑ "Timomatic announced as next Australia's Got Talent judge". Sydney Morning Herald. 19 March 2013. Retrieved 10 August 2013.
  36. ↑ "Julia Morris to host channel 9's Australia's Got Talent". perthnow.com.au. 13 April 2013. Retrieved 10 August 2013.
  37. ↑ iTunes – Music – Waterfalls – Single by Timomatic
  38. ↑ "iTunes – Music – The Rain Remixes – EP by Timomatic". Itunes.apple.com. 11 October 2013. Retrieved 8 April 2014.
  39. ↑ "iTunes – Music – Everything Is Allowed – Single by Timomatic". Itunes.apple.com. 10 November 2013. Retrieved 8 April 2014.
  40. 1 2 "AAMMA Winners 2014". Afroozmmawards.com. Retrieved 2 February 2015.
  41. ↑ "Timomatic & A.T.M JEFF Winner Of AAMMA Awards 2014 (**AAO Exclusive**)". AfricanAustraliansOnline.com. 13 October 2014. Archived from the original on 30 January 2015. Retrieved 2 February 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  42. ↑ "Delilah (feat. Pusha T) – Single by Timomatic". iTunes Store. Apple. Retrieved 20 September 2014.
  43. ↑ "Timomatic turns a new leaf after split with long-time girlfriend Tahlia Fowler and goes back to birth name". The Sunday Telegraph. News Corp Australia. 25 January 2015. Retrieved 13 February 2015.
  44. ↑ "Timomatic's new name: Tim Omaji". News.com.au. News Corp Australia. 28 January 2015. Retrieved 13 February 2015.
  45. 1 2 "Jessie J announces 2015 Australian Tour!". ARIA Charts. 15 January 2015. Retrieved 16 January 2015.
  46. ↑ "Something Bout You (CD single) – Tim Omaji". JB Hi-Fi. Retrieved 13 February 2015.
  47. ↑ Damian (28 October 2015). "The Purge #80". Auspop. Retrieved 28 October 2015.
  48. ↑ "Seven announces the judges for new reality series Dance Boss Australia". Media Week. 30 April 2018. Retrieved 5 June 2018.
  49. ↑ "Tim Omaji (aka Timomatic) To Star In MADIBA The Musical". noise11. 5 June 2018. Retrieved 5 June 2018.
  50. ↑ "Thought I'd finish the year off with some nu vibes 4 U 👀🙌🏿…". Facebook. 1 December 2021. Retrieved 3 December 2021.
  51. ↑ "Moulin Rouge". Retrieved 7 November 2022.
  52. ↑ "Further cast announced for TINA – THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL". Arts Review. 1 March 2023. Retrieved 2 May 2023.
  53. ↑ Fox, Tiffany (28 February 2012). "Painfully funny". The West Australian. Seven West Media Limited. Retrieved 5 March 2012.
  54. ↑ Manser, Robert (31 December 2011). "2011 IT List Awards Nominees Announced". Poprepublic.tv. Archived from the original on 2 January 2012.
  55. ↑ "Channel V Oz Artist of the Year 2012". Channel V Australia. Archived from the original on 18 October 2012.
  56. ↑ "Most Played Australian Work". Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) | Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners Society (AMCOS). 2013. Retrieved 19 March 2015.
  57. ↑ "ARIA Awards Nominations 2013". Take 40 Australia. MCM Entertainment. 15 October 2013. Retrieved 14 January 2014.
  58. ↑ "'2013 mtv ema' local worldwide act winners announced!". MTV News. 28 October 2013. Retrieved 9 October 2020.
  59. ↑ Knox, David (6 October 2013). "[V] Oz Artist 2013: Top 50". TV Tonight. Retrieved 11 January 2014.
  60. ↑ Manser, Robert (25 January 2014). "Poprepublic.tv Awards Nominations Announced". Poprepublic.tv. AKA Entertainment. Archived from the original on 1 February 2014.
  61. ↑ "2014 Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards". Nickelodeon. Viacom International. Archived from the original on 26 February 2014.
  62. ↑ Knox, David (31 March 2014). "Logie Awards 2014: Most Popular nominees". TV Tonight. Retrieved 31 March 2014.
  63. ↑ "Nomination for World's Best Male Artist". World Music Awards. Archived from the original on 20 February 2014.
  64. ↑ "Nomination for World's Best Song". World Music Awards. Archived from the original on 26 February 2014.
  65. ↑ "Nomination for World's Best Video". World Music Awards. Archived from the original on 16 February 2014.
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