Tonye Garrick

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Tonye
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on NdaniTV
Background information
Birth nameTamunotonye Nneka Nkiruka Ibiyemi Garrick
Born (1983-08-27) 27 August 1983 (age 40)
England
Origin Lagos, Nigeria
Genres
Occupation(s)Singer-songwriter, fashion and interior designer
Instrument(s)
  • Vocals
  • singing
Years active2010–present
Labels Made Men
Website iamtonye.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]

Contents

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
TitleYearPeak chart positions Certifications Album
NGAGHA 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

YearAward ceremonyPrizeResultRef
2015 2015 Nigeria Entertainment Awards Most Promising ActNominated [14]
ELOY AwardsMusic Artist of The YearNominated [15]

See also

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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.
  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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