TY Bello

Bello was born on 14 January 1978, in Ogun State, Nigeria. She attained a degree in economics from the University of Lagos, and briefly practiced journalism before venturing into photography.{{cite web|title=TY Bello's Biography & Updated profile – Latest Albums & Songs of TY Bello - Recent Pictures & Videos of TY Bello|url=http://pulse.ng/music/bio-ty-bello-id2789473.html|publisher=Pulse|accessdate=5 December 2014|date=28 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141013041022/http://pulse.ng/music/bio-ty-bello-id2789473.html|archive-date=13 October 2014|url-status=live}} Bello emerged onto Nigeria's musical landscape as a member of the defunct group Kush, an acronym for Kinetically Ushering Salvation into Hearts and Homes. Other members of the group included Lara George, Dapo Torimiro and rapper Emem Ema. Kush gained popularity in the early 2000s with the single "Let's Live Together", and released an album before disbanding.{{cite web|title=TY Bello returns to stage after 7yrs|url=http://www.vanguardngr.com/2011/05/ty-bello-returns-to-stage-after-7yrs/|publisher=Vanguard|accessdate=5 December 2014|date=28 May 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150112075355/http://www.vanguardngr.com/2011/05/ty-bello-returns-to-stage-after-7yrs/|archive-date=12 January 2015|url-status=live}}

{{Quote box |quoted=true |bgcolor=#bbccff |salign=center

|quote = Art is about collecting experiences and expressing them. For me music and photography are similar art forms. I collect experiences, stir them in myself and express it in my own language. Just like my photography, music is my language.

|source = -Bello, speaking about her photography and music

|width = 40%

|align = right

}}

In 2008, Bello released her debut studio album Greenland, which was produced by Mosa Adegboye and took two years to develop. Described by the singer as a journey of her everyday life, Greenland earned Bello an award at both the Nigeria Music Awards and Sound City Awards. The album's lyrical content explores themes of love, family and nation. Its title track is an inspirational song written to motivate Nigerians to liberate themselves from a place of despair to a place of hope.

Bello first revealed plans about her second studio album, The Future, while speaking to Ariya Today.{{cite web|last1=Adelekan|first1=Tayo|title=More On TY Bello's Forthcoming Album.|url=http://ariyatoday.com/?p=2377|publisher=Ariya Today|accessdate=14 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141230062342/http://ariyatoday.com/?p=2377|archive-date=30 December 2014|url-status=live}} The Future was originally slated for release in 2011 and was ranked 12th on Nigerian Entertainment Today{{'}} s list of the 12 Albums to Buy in 2011.{{cite web|last1=Fawunmi|first1=Tomiwa|title=12 Albums To Buy In 2011|url=https://thenet.ng/12-albums-to-buy-in-2011-2/|publisher=Nigerian Entertainment Today|access-date=14 February 2015|date=16 January 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150214054446/http://thenet.ng/2011/01/12-albums-to-buy-in-2011-2/|archive-date=14 February 2015|url-status=live}} Bello worked with producer Mosa and recorded the album in a few months. On 19 February 2011, she released "The Future" as the lead single from the album of the same name.{{cite web|title=BN Exclusive – WORLD PREMIERE: Ty Bello returns to music with "The Future"|url=http://www.bellanaija.com/2011/02/19/bn-exclusive-world-premiere-ty-bello-returns-to-music-with-the-future/|publisher=Bellanaija|accessdate=14 February 2015|date=19 February 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150214050440/http://www.bellanaija.com/2011/02/19/bn-exclusive-world-premiere-ty-bello-returns-to-music-with-the-future/|archive-date=14 February 2015|url-status=live}} The song urges Nigerian youth to be the change they seek. Directed by Kemi Adetiba, the music video for "The Future" was released on April 3, 2011, and includes cameos from Sound Sultan, Chude Jideonwo, Banky W, and Tara Fela-Durotoye.{{cite web|last1=Collins|first1=Tadeniawo|title=Video Premiere: 'The Future' – TY Bello|url=https://thenet.ng/video-premiere-the-future-ty-bello/|publisher=Nigeria Entertainment Today|access-date=14 February 2015|date=3 April 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150214053840/http://thenet.ng/2011/04/video-premiere-the-future-ty-bello/|archive-date=14 February 2015|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=New Video: The Future by TY Bello (Featuring cameos from Fela Durotoye, Chude Jideonwo, others)|url=http://www.cp-africa.com/2011/04/03/video-future-ty-bello-featuring-cameos-fela-durotoye-chude-jideonwo/|publisher=CP-Africa|accessdate=3 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150214053109/http://www.cp-africa.com/2011/04/03/video-future-ty-bello-featuring-cameos-fela-durotoye-chude-jideonwo/|archive-date=14 February 2015|url-status=live}} Ore Fakorede awarded the song 7 stars out of 10, saying its "soft tribal drums, synths and a piano provide a vivid backdrop for TY to contrast her unmistakable voice against, and this she does brilliantly, bringing the poignancy in the song’s lyrics to life."{{cite web|last1=Fakorede|first1=Ore|title=Video Review: TY Bello delivers The Future|url=http://ynaija.com/video-review-ty-bello-delivers-the-future/|publisher=YNaija|accessdate=14 February 2015|date=4 April 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150214053822/http://ynaija.com/video-review-ty-bello-delivers-the-future/|archive-date=14 February 2015|url-status=live}} Reviewing for Sahara Reporters, Dapo Osewa described the video as "a narrative in itself that dares to capture the varying and boundless composition of emotion that is the face of the Nigerian."{{cite web|last1=Osewa|first1=Dapo|title=TY Bello's The Future Is Here ( We are Nigeria ) But What Kind Of Future ?|url=http://saharareporters.com/2011/04/24/nigeria-ty-bellos-future-here-we-are-nigeria-what-kind-future|publisher=Sahara Reporters|accessdate=14 February 2015|date=24 April 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150214054719/http://saharareporters.com/2011/04/24/nigeria-ty-bellos-future-here-we-are-nigeria-what-kind-future|archive-date=14 February 2015|url-status=live}} Makeup brand House of Tara launched The Jubilee Collection, a limited edition line of makeup inspired by the song.{{cite web|title=House of Tara introduces "The Jubilee Collection" inspired by Ty Bello|url=http://www.bellanaija.com/2011/03/15/house-of-tara-introduces-the-jubilee-collection-inspired-by-ty-bello/|publisher=Bellanaija|accessdate=14 February 2015|date=15 March 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150214052925/http://www.bellanaija.com/2011/03/15/house-of-tara-introduces-the-jubilee-collection-inspired-by-ty-bello/|archive-date=14 February 2015|url-status=live}}

In October 2011, Bello was one of the celebrities featured in an eight-minute anti-rape video compiled by the Nigerian Ministry of Youth Development. The anti-rape video sheds light on the victim of a gang rape at Abia State University in 2011.{{cite web|last1=Lawal|first1=Seyi|title=We stand as one! Youth Minister, TY Bello, Ebuka, others record anti-rape video|url=http://ynaija.com/we-stand-as-one-youth-minister-ty-bello-ebuka-others-record-anti-rape-video/|publisher=YNaija|accessdate=3 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150214061544/http://ynaija.com/we-stand-as-one-youth-minister-ty-bello-ebuka-others-record-anti-rape-video/|archive-date=14 February 2015|url-status=live}} In December 2013, Bello released the Wale Adenuga-assisted single "Yahweh", which features additional vocals from Nwando Okeke and Mosa. Bello wrote the song's first line in 2004 during a photo-shoot.{{cite web|title=TY-Bello Back with New Single!|url=http://www.dailytimes.com.ng/article/ty-bello-back-new-single|publisher=Daily Times of Nigeria|accessdate=3 January 2015|date=9 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150214061058/http://www.dailytimes.com.ng/article/ty-bello-back-new-single|archive-date=14 February 2015|url-status=live}}

Bello's third studio album, The Morning Songbook, was released for free digital download on SoundCloud on 10 October 2014.{{cite web|title=SURPRISE! Download TY Bello's New Album – "The Morning Song Book" for FREE|url=http://www.bellanaija.com/2014/10/10/surprise-download-ty-bellos-new-album-the-morning-song-book-for-free/|publisher=Bellanaija|accessdate=18 February 2015|date=10 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150218094526/http://www.bellanaija.com/2014/10/10/surprise-download-ty-bellos-new-album-the-morning-song-book-for-free/|archive-date=18 February 2015|url-status=live}} It was released without any promotion and comprises ten tracks, including "Yahweh", "Thirsty" and "Jesu Jesu". The album features collaborations with M Sugh and Fela Durotoye.{{cite web|last1=Showemimo|first1=Dayo|title=TY Bello drops 3rd studio album|url=https://thenet.ng/ty-bello-drops-3rd-studio-album/|publisher=Nigeria Entertainment Today|access-date=18 February 2015|date=10 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150214100817/http://thenet.ng/2014/10/ty-bello-drops-3rd-studio-album/|archive-date=14 February 2015|url-status=live}} Udochukwu Ikwuagwu of the Breaking Times awarded the album 7 stars out of 10, commending its production and Bello's songwriting.{{cite web|last1=Ikwuagwu|first1=Udochukwu|title=ALBUM REVIEW: THE MORNING SONGBOOK – TY BELLO|url=http://www.thebreakingtimes.com/album-review-morning-songbook-ty-bello/|publisher=Breaking Times|accessdate=18 February 2015|date=28 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150218094423/http://www.thebreakingtimes.com/album-review-morning-songbook-ty-bello/|archive-date=18 February 2015|url-status=live}}

Bello was the official photographer to former President Goodluck Jonathan during his tenure in office; she also does work for Thisday fashion magazine.{{cite web|title=TY Bello's Biography & Updated profile – Latest Albums & Songs of TY Bello - Recent Pictures & Videos of TY Bello|url=http://pulse.ng/music/bio-ty-bello-id2789473.html|publisher=Pulse|access-date=14 February 2015|date=28 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150214062528/http://pulse.ng/music/bio-ty-bello-id2789473.html|archive-date=14 February 2015|url-status=live}}

Bello was working in Lagos where she was creating a photo shoot for the British rapper Tinie Tempah. She later discovered that there was a remarkable looking woman in the background. In an attempt to find Olajumoke Orisaguna, she arranged for Orisaguna's picture to appear on the cover of Style magazine.[http://metro.co.uk/2016/02/11/a-woman-selling-bread-got-a-modelling-contract-by-accidentally-photobombing-tinie-tempah-5675402/ A woman selling bread got a modelling contract by accidentally photobombing Tinie Tempah] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160223044421/http://metro.co.uk/2016/02/11/a-woman-selling-bread-got-a-modelling-contract-by-accidentally-photobombing-tinie-tempah-5675402/ |date=23 February 2016 }}, 11 February 2016, Scott, Metro, Retrieved 25 February 2016

Bello organizes an annual photography exhibition to raise funds for orphans in Nigeria. She is also the director of Link-a-child, an NGO dedicated to proliferating information on orphanages in Nigeria and seeking sponsorship on their behalf.{{cite web|title=TY Bello Biography|url=http://www.1cubed.com/display.php?ID=324§ionID=26|publisher=One Cubed|access-date=11 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150214061853/http://www.1cubed.com/display.php?ID=324§ionID=26|archive-date=14 February 2015|url-status=live}} In July 2011, Bello was honoured by the non-profit Communication For Change organisation in a five-part documentary film series, titled RedHot.{{cite web|title=Stephanie Okereke, Cobhams, TY Bello & others honoured by Communication for Change|url=http://ynaija.com/stephanie-okereke-cobhams-ty-bello-others-honoured-by-communication-for-change/|publisher=YNaija|access-date=13 February 2015|date=11 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150214062410/http://ynaija.com/stephanie-okereke-cobhams-ty-bello-others-honoured-by-communication-for-change/|archive-date=14 February 2015|url-status=live}}

Bello is married and gave birth to twin boys named Christian and Christopher on 10 October 2014, which coincidentally marked the release of The Morning Songbook.{{cite web|last1=Odulaja|first1=Adedayo|title=Breaking: TY Bello delivers twin boys after 9 years of marriage|url=https://thenet.ng/breaking-ty-bello-delivers-twin-boys-after-9-years-of-marriage/|publisher=Nigerian Entertainment Today|access-date=14 February 2015|date=12 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150214061449/http://thenet.ng/2014/10/breaking-ty-bello-delivers-twin-boys-after-9-years-of-marriage/|archive-date=14 February 2015|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=TY Bello Welcomes Twin Boys|url=http://www.channelstv.com/2014/10/13/ty-bello-welcomes-twin-boys/|publisher=Channels TV|access-date=14 February 2015|date=13 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150214071455/http://www.channelstv.com/2014/10/13/ty-bello-welcomes-twin-boys/|archive-date=14 February 2015|url-status=live}}

• Greenland (2008)
• The Future (2011)
• The Morning Songbook (2014)
• Africa Awake (2021)
• We Are Fire (2022)
• Heaven Has Come (2023)
• The Spirit of Light (2024)

{{Expand list|date=February 2015}}

;Soundcity Music Video Awards

{{awards table}}

!Ref

|-

|2009

|"Ekundayo"

|Best Female Video

|{{won}}

|{{cite web|title=Soundcity Music Video Awards 2009 – Nominees|url=http://www.bellanaija.com/2009/07/09/soundcity-music-video-awards-2009-nominees/|publisher=Bellanaija|access-date=14 February 2015|date=9 July 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150610212938/http://www.bellanaija.com/2009/07/09/soundcity-music-video-awards-2009-nominees/|archive-date=10 June 2015|url-status=live}}

{{end}}

;Nigeria Entertainment Awards

{{awards table}}

!Ref

|-

|2008

|Herself

|Best New Act of the Year

|{{won}}

|{{cite web|title=Nigeria Entertainment Awards 2008, Top 7 Moments + Brilliant Looks, Artists & Winners!|url=http://www.ladybrillemag.com/nigeria-entertainment-awards-2008-top-7-moments-brilliant-looks-artists-winners/|publisher=Ladbrille Magazine|access-date=18 February 2015|date=25 June 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150218100239/http://www.ladybrillemag.com/nigeria-entertainment-awards-2008-top-7-moments-brilliant-looks-artists-winners/|archive-date=18 February 2015|url-status=live}}

{{end}}

;The Headies

{{awards table}}

!Ref

|-

|rowspan="4"|2008

|rowspan="2"|Herself

|Recording Artiste of the Year

|{{nom}}

|rowspan="4"|{{cite web | url=http://www.modernghana.com/movie/2152/3/the-glitz-rewards-and-flaws-of-hip-hop-world-award.html | title=Glitz and Flaws of HHWA 2008 | publisher=Modern Ghana | access-date=11 March 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304055455/http://www.modernghana.com/movie/2152/3/the-glitz-rewards-and-flaws-of-hip-hop-world-award.html | archive-date=4 March 2016 | url-status=live }}

|-

|Hip Hop World Revelation of the Year

|{{nom}}

|-

|TY Bello for "Ekundayo"

|Best Vocal Performance (Female)

|{{nom}}

|-

|TY Bello & Abbey for "Greenland"

|Best Music Video (Director)

|{{nom}}

{{end}}

;Creative Industry Awards

{{awards table}}

!Ref

|-

|2013

|Herself

|Visual Arts

|{{nom}}

|{{cite web|last1=Enengedi|first1=Victor|title=Ben Bruce, TY Bello, Basketmouth, others for Creative Industry Awards|url=https://thenet.ng/ben-bruce-ty-bello-basketmouth-others-for-creative-industry-awards/|publisher=Nigerian Entertainment Today|access-date=14 February 2015|date=22 February 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150202120730/http://thenet.ng/2013/02/ben-bruce-ty-bello-basketmouth-others-for-creative-industry-awards/|archive-date=2 February 2015|url-status=live}}

{{end}}

• List of Nigerian gospel musicians
• List of Nigerian Women Photographers

{{Reflist}}

• {{Official website|https://tybello.com/}}
• [https://soundcloud.com/tybellomusic TY Bello] at SoundCloud

{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Bello, TY}}

Category:Living people

Category:Musicians from Ogun State

Category:Nigerian gospel singers

Category:Nigerian photographers

Category:Nigerian women photographers

Category:Nigerian philanthropists

Category:University of Lagos alumni

Category:Yoruba-language singers of Nigeria

Category:English-language singers from Nigeria

Category:Yoruba women musicians

Category:Yoruba musicians

Category:Yoruba photographers

Category:Yoruba women philanthropists

Category:Yoruba philanthropists

Category:21st-century Nigerian singers

Category:1978 births