Tonye
on NdaniTV
Background information
Birth nameTamunotonye Nneka Nkiruka Ibiyemi Garrick
Born (1983-08-27) 27 August 1983
England
OriginLagos, Nigeria
Genres
Occupation(s)Singer-songwriter, fashion and interior designer
Instrument(s)
  • Vocals
  • singing
Years active2010–present
LabelsMade Men
Websiteiamtonye.com

Tonye Garrick (born 27 August 1983), simply known as Tonye is a British-born Nigerian singer and songwriter.[1] Her a cappella song titled "What About Us?" was used at the Nigerian Youth Presidential debate in 2011.[2] Born in England, Tonye was raised in France, Nigeria and the United States of America where she dropped her job as a business consultant to pursue a career in music in 2013.[3] In 2015, she released a marriage-themed single title "Ari Belema" which got her nominated in the "Most Promising Act" category at the 2015 Nigeria Entertainment Awards.[4] She is signed to Made Men Music Group since April 2016.[5]

Growing up

Tonye is a native of Benin City in Edo State, South-South Nigeria. Her name "Tamunotonye" was given to her by her grandmother who is a native of Kalabari, Rivers State.[6] She grew up listening to songs by Whitney Houston, Janet Jackson, Celine Dion and Brenda Fassie before she developed her interest in music at the age of 7.[7]

Early life and education

Born in England into the family of an Edo State father who was a diplomat and an Anambra State mother, Tonye had most of her early life in Nigeria, Paris and the United States of America.[8] She attended Vivian Fowler Memorial College and Queen's College, Lagos where she completed her secondary school education.[9] She holds a bachelor's degree in International Business & Fashion Merchandising after graduating from Marymount University.[10]

Career

Prior to picking music as a profession, Tonye had previously worked for UBS Financial and Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited as a business analyst. She dropped her corporate job for a career in music in 2013 and went on to release her first official single titled "Were Niyen" which was received to critical acclaim.[11] On 2 October 2014, she released another song produced by Password titled "Criminal" which did well to gain grounds. In 2015, her song titled "Abi Belema" became popular and thus winning her a nomination at the 2015 Nigeria Entertainment Awards.[12] She cites Whitney Houston, Janet Jackson, Brandy and Aaliyah as her musical influences.[11] In an interview granted to Thisday Live on 21 June 2014, she said she is working on her debut studio album.[13]

Discography

List of singles as lead artist, with selected chart positions and certifications, showing year released and album name
Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album
NGA GHA RSA US US
R&B		 AUS UK
"What About Us" 2010 ——————— Non-album singles
"Were Niyen" 2013 ———————
"Wait For Me" 2014 ———————
"Criminal" ———————
"Criminal (Remix)"
(featuring Timaya)		 ———————
"Ari Belema" 2015 ———————
"Written in The Stars" 2016 ———————
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Awards and nominations

Year Award ceremony Prize Result Ref
2015 2015 Nigeria Entertainment Awards Most Promising Act Nominated [14]
ELOY Awards Music Artist of The Year Nominated [15]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Tonye Garrick: the singer getting Nigeria dancing". True Africa. 8 October 2015. Retrieved 30 October 2015.
  2. ↑ Badu, Ama (7 January 2015). "Afrobeats Artist Tonye Releases New Promo Photos". GlamAfrica. Retrieved 30 October 2015.
  3. ↑ Ajose, Kehinde (29 August 2015). "I left my plum bank job for love of music – Tonye Garrick". Vanguard Newspaper. Retrieved 30 October 2015.
  4. ↑ "The 10th NEA Awards 2015– Nominees List". NotJustOk. 11 June 2015. Retrieved 30 October 2015.
  5. ↑ 18 April 2016. "Iyanya Singer's record label Made Men Music Group signs new singer Tonye". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 2 June 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  6. ↑ Filani, Sola (21 March 2015). "I would like to date Don Jazzy because… – Tonye Garrick on love and music". YNaija. Retrieved 30 October 2015.
  7. ↑ Falode, Tolu (25 September 2015). "Statistic With Tonye Garrick". Genevieve Magazine. Retrieved 30 October 2015.
  8. ↑ Okon-Ekong, Nseobong (30 August 2015). "A CHILDHOOD DREAM COMES TRUE". Thisday Live. Retrieved 31 October 2015.
  9. ↑ "Deeva of the Week – TONYE GARRICK". Naija D.E.E.V.A.S. 19 December 2012. Retrieved 31 October 2015.
  10. ↑ "I understand my body – Tonye Garrick". The Punch. 14 April 2013. Retrieved 31 October 2015.
  11. 1 2 Odukoya, Lanre (9 March 2013). "I Started Singing By Accident". Thisday Live. Retrieved 31 October 2015.
  12. ↑ Obioha, Vanessa (1 March 2015). "Changing the Face of Music". Thisday Live. Retrieved 31 October 2015.
  13. ↑ Showemimo, Adedayo (21 June 2014). "My Father is Not Happy with My Music Career, But..." Thisday Live. Retrieved 31 October 2015.
  14. ↑ Segun, Oleniju (11 June 2015). "Nigeria Entertainment Awards 2015 Full Nominations". 36NG. Retrieved 31 October 2015.
  15. ↑ Aina, Idris (5 October 2015). "Yemi Alade, Seyi Shay, Di'ja & More Battle For Glory at the ELOY Awards 2015". Entertainment Rave Magazine. Retrieved 2 February 2016.
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