Lady Donli

Last updated
Lady Donli
Born
Zainab Donli

NationalityNigerian
EducationUniversity Of Surrey
OccupationSinger
Known for Alternative rock, alternative R&B [1] and Afrobeat
Website ladydonli.com

Zainab Elizabeth Donli, known as Lady Donli, is a Nigerian musician. She is an alternative R&B, hip hop, alternative jazz and Afrobeat singer and songwriter.

Contents

Biography

Lady Donli was born in Cleveland, Ohio and is the youngest of six children. She spent her early years in Abuja and Kaduna, where her dad is from. After her secondary school education, she moved to the United Kingdom where she obtained a degree in law, from the University of Surrey. [2]

Donli's earliest musical influence was the Evangelical Church of West Africa, where a particular style of synchronous praise-chanting had become established. She was also influenced by the music of Brenda Fassie, Angelique Kidjo, Aṣa and Erykah Badu, as well as Nigeria's pop pioneers. [3]

Donli is part of Nigeria's Alté music scene, which is known for blending sounds from multiple genres of music, including Afrobeat, R&B, and Soul. [4] She released her first project, the 12-song mixtape Love or War, in 2014. [5]

Donli has worked with new afrobeat music acts like Adekunle Gold, Nonso Amadi, Tomi Thomas, M.I Abaga, Mr Eazi, SDC, Davido, Ayüü, Odunsi (The Engine), and Tay Iwar amongst others. [6]

In 2018, Donli lent her vocals to a number of projects. She teamed up with Nigerian rapper, Boogey on 'Motion' and veteran MC Terry Tha Rapman on 'Open Letter'. She also worked with Mr Eazi on his sophomore album, 'Life is Eazi Vol.2', including a featured track off M.I Abaga's A Study on Self Worth: Yxng Dxnzl album. [7]

In 2019, Donli released her debut album, Enjoy Your Life. [8] [5]

Discography

Lady Donli at the Enjoy Your Life Concert in 2020 Lady Donli at Enjoy Your Life Concert in 2020.jpg
Lady Donli at the Enjoy Your Life Concert in 2020

Studio albums and EPs

Selected singles

YearTitleNon-album single
2014Mr Creeper
2016Kashe Ni
2016Ice Cream Ft. Tomi Thomas
2017Poison
2018Games
2018Classic
2018Comforter
2018Work Ft. Tomi Thomas & The Forbidden
2019Cash (Remix) Ft. Davido
2020Wonda Wonda Ft DarkoVibes
2022Thunderstorm in surulere(feat The Lagos Panic)
YearTitleAlbums
2016Moonchild Ft. OdunsiWallflower EP
2016Alice Ft. D.Boi
2017Roses for KLetters to Her EP
2017Spell
2019CornerEnjoy Your Life
2019Cash
2019Suffer Suffer

Major features

ArtistTrackAlbumYear
Terry Tha RapmanOpen Letter [11] The Life of Joe Spazm2018
BoogeyMotions [12] Nouveau Niveau2018
M.I Abaga (+-) [13] A Study on Self Worth: Yxng Dxnzl 2018
Show Dem CampFor A Minute [14] Palmwine Music 22018
Mr Eazi Lagos Gyration [15] Life is Eazi Vol 2: Lagos to London2018
DRB LasgidiMa Pariwo [16] Pioneers2020

Awards and nominations

YearEventPrizeRecipientResultRef
2021 The Headies Best Alternative SongCornerNominated [17]
2020 The Future Awards Africa Music (Endowed by Infinix)HerselfNominated [18]
2019 The Headies Best Alternative SongCashNominated [19]
2018 Nigeria Entertainment Awards Best New Act of the YearHerselfNominated [20]
Nigerian Teens Choice Awards Choice Female ArtistHerselfNominated [21]
2015Choice Mixtape/EPLove or WarNominated [22]
Choice Female ArtistHerselfNominated

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References

  1. TV, BN (24 January 2022). "Lady Donli brings her vibrant energy to ColorsxStudios with a sparkling performance of her new single". bellanaija.com. BellaNaija . Retrieved 6 September 2022. Alternative R&B and Afrobeat singer Lady Donli brings her vibrant energy to ColorsxStudios with a sparkling performance of her brand new single.
  2. Ehirim, Nnamdi (2020-02-17). "Lady Donli and the Birth of a Pan-African Rockstar". The Republic. Retrieved 2020-05-26.
  3. Akan, Joey (2018-08-10). "Lady Donli wants you to live your best life". The Fader. Retrieved 2020-05-26.
  4. Adegoke, Yemisi (2019-09-23). "Alté, Nigeria's emancipated pop scene: 'People aren't used to being free'". The Guardian. ISSN   0261-3077 . Retrieved 2020-06-28.
  5. 1 2 3 Peter, Dennis Ade (8 August 2019). "Lady Donli Is Ready To Enjoy Her Life". Thenativemag. Retrieved 26 May 2020.
  6. "Get Familiar With Nigeria's Rising Music Star:Lady Donli". Ndani TV. 2017-12-14. Retrieved 2020-05-26.
  7. Ohunyon, Ehis (2018-08-10). "Lady Donli, unpacking the fast-rising talent steadily turning 10 fans into 10,000". Pulse NG. Retrieved 2020-05-26.
  8. 1 2 "Lady Donli's Debut Album 'Enjoy Your Life' Is Here". Okayafrica. 2019-08-09. Retrieved 2020-06-05.
  9. "Lady Donli - "Wallflower"". Pulse NG. 2016-12-19. Retrieved 2020-06-05.
  10. "ESSENTIALS: LADY DONLI DEBUTS WITH 'LETTERS TO HER', A STORY OF THE LOVE THAT COULD HAVE BEEN". thenativemag. 2018-01-26. Retrieved 2020-06-05.
  11. "Terry Tha Rapman – Open Letter ft. Lady Donli [New Song]". Tooxclusive. 2018-01-25. Retrieved 2020-06-05.
  12. "Lady Donli, unpacking the fast-rising talent steadily turning 10 fans into 10,000". Pulse NG. 2018-10-08. Retrieved 2020-06-05.
  13. "[Song] M.I Abaga – "+-" ft. Odunsi & Lady Donli". Tooxclusive. 2018-08-24. Retrieved 2020-06-05.
  14. "Show Dem Camp - For A Minute (feat. Lady Donli)". Wildstream NG. 2018-10-24. Retrieved 2020-06-05.
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  16. "DOWNLOAD: DRB Lasgidi – Ma Pariwo Ft. Lady Donli MP3". Illuminaija. 2020-05-02. Retrieved 2020-06-05.
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