Tonye Garrick
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2019}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Tonye
| image = Tonye Garrick talking on NdaniTV.png
| image_size =
| alt =
| caption = on NdaniTV
| birth_name = Tamunotonye Nneka Nkiruka Ibiyemi Garrick
| alias =
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=y|1983|08|27}}
| birth_place = England
| origin = Lagos, Nigeria
| death_date =
| death_place =
| genre = {{flat list|
| occupation = Singer-songwriter, fashion and interior designer
| instrument = {{flat list|
- Vocals
- singing}}
| years_active = 2010–present
| label = Made Men
| associated_acts = {{flat list|
| website = {{URL|iamtonye.com}}
}}
Tonye Garrick (born 27 August 1983), simply known as Tonye is a British-born Nigerian singer and songwriter.{{cite news|url=http://trueafrica.co/article/tonye-garrick-the-singer-getting-nigeria-dancing/|title=Tonye Garrick: the singer getting Nigeria dancing|publisher=True Africa|date=8 October 2015|accessdate=30 October 2015}} Her a cappella song titled "What About Us?" was used at the Nigerian Youth Presidential debate in 2011.{{cite news|url=http://blog.glamafrica.com/2015/01/07/afrobeats-artist-tonye-launches-new-website/|title=Afrobeats Artist Tonye Releases New Promo Photos|work=GlamAfrica|last=Badu|first=Ama|date=7 January 2015|accessdate=30 October 2015}} 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.{{cite news|url=http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/08/i-left-my-plum-bank-job-for-love-of-music-tonye-garrick/|title=I left my plum bank job for love of music – Tonye Garrick|work=Vanguard Newspaper|last=Ajose|first=Kehinde|date=29 August 2015|accessdate=30 October 2015}} 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.{{cite news|url=http://notjustok.com/2015/06/11/the-10th-nea-awards-2015-nominees-list/|title=The 10th NEA Awards 2015– Nominees List|work=NotJustOk|date=11 June 2015|accessdate=30 October 2015}} She is signed to Made Men Music Group since April 2016.{{cite web|url=http://pulse.ng/buzz/iyanya-singer-s-record-label-made-men-music-group-signs-new-singer-tonye-id4932635.html|title=Iyanya Singer's record label Made Men Music Group signs new singer Tonye|work=Pulse Nigeria|last=18 April 2016|accessdate=2 June 2016}}
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.{{cite news|url=http://www.ynaija.com/tonye-garricks-talks-music-love-brandy-going-date-don-jazzy/|title=I would like to date Don Jazzy because… – Tonye Garrick on love and music|work=YNaija|last=Filani|first=Sola|date=21 March 2015|accessdate=30 October 2015}} 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.{{cite news|url=http://www.genevieveng.com/statistic-with-tonye-garrick/|title=Statistic With Tonye Garrick|work=Genevieve Magazine|last=Falode|first=Tolu|date=25 September 2015|accessdate=30 October 2015}}
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.{{cite news|url=http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/a-childhood-dream-comes-true/218905/|title=A CHILDHOOD DREAM COMES TRUE|work=Thisday Live|last=Okon-Ekong|first=Nseobong|date=30 August 2015|accessdate=31 October 2015}} She attended Vivian Fowler Memorial College and Queen's College, Lagos where she completed her secondary school education.{{cite web|url=http://www.naijadeevas.com/2012/12/deeva-of-week-tonye-garrick.html|title=Deeva of the Week – TONYE GARRICK|publisher=Naija D.E.E.V.A.S|date=19 December 2012|accessdate=31 October 2015}} She holds a bachelor's degree in International Business & Fashion Merchandising after graduating from Marymount University.{{cite news|url=http://punchng.com/spice/personalities/i-understand-my-body-tonye-garrick/|title=I understand my body – Tonye Garrick|work=The Punch|date=14 April 2013|accessdate=31 October 2015}}
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. 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.{{cite news|url=http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/changing-the-face-of-music/203017/|title=Changing the Face of Music|work=Thisday Live|last=Obioha|first=Vanessa|date=1 March 2015|accessdate=31 October 2015}} She cites Whitney Houston, Janet Jackson, Brandy and Aaliyah as her musical influences.{{cite news|url=http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/i-started-singing-by-accident/141614|title=I Started Singing By Accident|work=Thisday Live|last=Odukoya|first=Lanre|date=9 March 2013|accessdate=31 October 2015}} In an interview granted to Thisday Live on 21 June 2014, she said she is working on her debut studio album.{{cite news|url=http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/my-father-is-not-happy-with-my-music-career-but-/181482/|title=
My Father is Not Happy with My Music Career, But...|work=Thisday Live|last=Showemimo|first=Adedayo|date=21 June 2014|accessdate=31 October 2015}}
Discography
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|+ List of singles as lead artist, with selected chart positions and certifications, showing year released and album name ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:20em;" | Title ! scope="col" rowspan="2" | Year ! scope="col" colspan="7" | Peak chart positions ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:12em;" | Certifications ! scope="col" rowspan="2" | Album |
| scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;" | NGA
! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;" | GHA ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;" | RSA ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;" | US ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;" | US ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;" | AUS ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;" | UK |
|---|
| scope="row" | "What About Us"
| 2010 | — || — || — || — || — || — || — | |rowspan="7"|Non-album singles |
| scope="row" | "Were Niyen"
| 2013 | — || — || — || — || — || — || — | |
| scope="row" | "Wait For Me"
|rowspan="3"|2014 | — || — || — || — || — || — || — | |
| scope="row" | "Criminal"
| — || — || — || — || — || — || — | |
| scope="row" | "Criminal (Remix)" (featuring Timaya) | — || — || — || — || — || — || — | |
| scope="row" | "Ari Belema"
|2015 | — || — || — || — || — || — || — | |
| scope="row" | "Written in The Stars"
|2016 | — || — || — || — || — || — || — | |
| colspan="14" style="font-size:90%" | "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. |
Awards and nominations
{{Expand list|date=October 2015}}
| class ="wikitable" |
| Year
!Award ceremony !Prize !Result !Ref |
|---|
| rowspan="2"|2015
|2015 Nigeria Entertainment Awards |Most Promising Act |{{nom}} |
| ELOY Awards
|Music Artist of The Year |{{nom}} |
See also
{{portal|Biography}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{commonscat}}
- [http://www.iamtonye.com Official website]
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Garrick, Tonye}}
Category:Musicians from Edo State
Category:21st-century Nigerian women singers
Category:Nigerian women singer-songwriters
Category:Nigerian singer-songwriters
Category:Vivian Fowler Memorial College for Girls alumni
Category:Queen's College, Lagos alumni
Category:Marymount University alumni