Nikki Laoye – Gospel Artist
| Stage Name: | Nikki Laoye |
| Real Name: | Oyenike Laoye |
| Occupation: | Gospel Artist |
| Date Of Birth/Age: | 19th, December 1980 (43 years) |
| Place of Birth: | Lagos State |
| Gender: | Female |
| Nationality: | Nigerian |
| Marital Status: | Kunle Adeyoola (Husband) |
| Education: | University of Ibadan |
| Known for: | Never Felt This Way Before |
Oyenike Laoye, who goes by the professional name Nikki Laoye, is a renowned Nigerian recording artist and singer. She is also a dedicated humanitarian, accomplished songwriter, skilled dancer, and occasional actress. Nikki Laoye is widely celebrated for her exceptional musical talents and captivating stage performances.
Early Life
Born in Lagos on 19 December 1980, Nigeria, Laoye comes from a musical lineage, as she is the daughter of the late Oba Adetoyese Laoye, a talking drum legend from Ede, Osun State, Nigeria. In her early life, Nikki Laoye attended choirs and dance classes starting at the age of five. She joined the youth band of Ikoyi Baptist Church in 1998, where she was introduced to contemporary gospel music. She later became a lead vocalist for choirs in Ibadan and Lagos for over a decade.
Education
Laoye’s education began at Grace Children School in Lagos. She continued to nurture her musical talents during her high school years at Federal Government Girl’s College, Sagamu, and later at the University of Ibadan. She participated in school choirs and joined music and dance groups, including Exousia, Soul Alliance, and the girl group trio, Soul Sistas.
Music Career
In 2000, Laoye, along with friends Debola Kester and Aboyowa Tene, formed the female girl group “Soul Sistas.” They gained recognition for their soulful harmonies and performed together for five years before pursuing their individual careers.
Nikki Laoye launched her solo career in 2006 with her debut single, “Never Felt This Way Before,” produced by Nigerian music producer Cobhams. This song gained popularity on mainstream radio stations in Nigeria and established Laoye as one of the few contemporary Christian artists with mainstream appeal in the Nigerian music industry.
In 2008, she released her debut album, “Angel 4 Life,” featuring collaborations with top Nigerian artists like Rooftop Mcs, Blaise, Jeremiah Gyang, and others. This album included other notable singles, such as the Hip-Hop collaboration “Taka Sufe” with Rooftop Mcs and her brother, Rap2Sai, and the love ballad “Someone to Love” with R&B artist Jeremiah Gyang, among others. Her singles from this album climbed the Nigerian music charts, and she became a prominent figure on MTV Base’s Rockumentary show.
Nikki Laoye’s musical career extended internationally as she performed alongside American gospel artists like Kirk Franklin, Cece Winans, and Donnie McClurkin at “The Experience Concert” in Lagos in 2009. She also played a theatrical role in the Nigerian-Broadway stage play musical “OLURONBI” in October 2009 and participated in the Tetmosol Girl Power Tour, a nationwide tour across various states in Nigeria.
Nikki Laoye’s music gained recognition beyond Africa, as she became one of the first three Nigerian artists to be interviewed and featured on the American entertainment channel BET in 2009. She also served as a preliminary judge for BET’s Sunday Best Auditions held in Lagos in December 2009. In 2011, her life and career were showcased in a special feature on BET, titled “BET Spotlight – Nikki Laoye.”
Awards
As a recording artist, Laoye has earned numerous awards, including the prestigious Headies Award in 2013 for Best Female Vocal Performance and the All African Music Awards (AFRIMA) in 2014 for Best Female Artiste in African Inspirational Music. Her notable songs include the 2006 hit “Never Felt This Way Before,” the 2013 dance single “1-2-3,” the soulful ballad “Only You” (which she later remixed in 2016 featuring Seyi Shay), and the love song “Onyeuwaoma” featuring Banky W.
For her advocacy and contribution to the social and educational development of the physically challenged in Nigeria, Laoye received the honorary 234Giver Award in 2013. In 2014, she was unveiled as ‘The Voice for Refugees’ in Southwest Nigeria by the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI).
Nikki Laoye has received awards like the Crystal award for Best Worship Song, Best Female Artiste of the Year at the Africa Gospel Music Awards, and Humanitarian of the Year Award by the World Hope Foundation. Her impact is not limited to music but extends to humanitarian efforts, making her a prominent figure in both industries.
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Accomplishments
After a hiatus following the loss of her father in 2011, Laoye made a comeback in 2013. She recorded her version of the Nigerian National Anthem for Ebony Life Television and gained attention for being the first official music video for the Nigerian Anthem. She released singles like “No Be Beans” with Yoruba Hip Hop artist Base One, the dance single “1-2-3,” and the ballad “Only You.” The latter earned her the Best Vocal Performance (Female) award at the 2013 Headies Awards.
Nikki Laoye’s contributions extend beyond music. She has lent her vocal signature to radio jingles for brands like Etisalat, MTN, and Fidelity Bank. She has also provided soundtracks for major Nollywood productions.
In addition to her music career, Nikki Laoye is an on-air personality on television and radio. She hosted the TV show “New Breeze Show” on Silverbird Entertainment Television in 2005 and has hosted her own radio show, “Girls Rock with Nikki Laoye,” on Nigerian internet gospel radio station Praiseworld Radio since 2013. She was also one of the hosts for the gospel reality TV competition “Stars 4 Christ.”
Global Recognition
Nikki Laoye has a global presence in the entertainment industry. In August 2013, she headlined the Nigerian Corner at the Nottinghill Carnival in the United Kingdom and embarked on a church tour of England in the same year. In September 2013, she performed alongside R&B legend Mary J. Blige at the “Sisters with Soul” concert in Lagos, Nigeria.
Laoye has headlined major events like the 2014 Headies Awards and the 10th Anniversary of the Rhythm Unplugged Concert in December 2014. In January 2016, she headlined the Butterscotch Evenings event alongside American R&B superstar Brian Mcknight. She also released a love duet with Nigerian R&B singer Banky W titled “Onyeuwaoma” just before Valentine’s Day in 2016.
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Husband and Kids
Nikki Laoye married Alexander Oturu in Lagos on 11 December 2011, but the couple later separated after seven years of marriage. On 18th march, 2022, She married a longtime friend of 20 years and singer, Kunle Adeyoola, who is also known as Soul Snatcha. The marriage is blessed with 4 children from his prevoius relationship.
Philanthropic Efforts
Nikki Laoye’s philanthropic efforts are commendable. In December 2010, she founded the “Angel 4 Life Foundation,” a non-governmental organization dedicated to mentoring and developing the creative skills of physically challenged youths. The foundation also assists in managing the Music Therapy Clinic of Modupe Cole Home for the Physically and Mentally Challenged in Lagos.
In October 2012, Laoye’s Angel 4 Life Foundation celebrated International White Cane Day in partnership with the Nigeria Association of the Blind (Lagos Chapter). The event included a fund-raising gig, White Cane Awareness Walk, and a Lunch Reception to honor visually impaired citizens of Lagos State.
Nikki Laoye’s foundation also hosts events like “Christmas Day Out,” offering physically challenged youths a day of trips and treats around Lagos. The “Art in Me” project empowers creative physically challenged youths. The foundation contributed to building a fully functional music recording studio for a physically challenged producer, Akeem, at Modupe Cole Home in Yaba, Lagos.
Net Worth
Her net worth is estimated to be about $ 1 million dollars. You can connect with her on Instagram.
