Mr Dakolo gives his grandma credit for encouraging him to join the choir and nurturing his talent as a singer. His grandma’s encouragement made him join the Purple Love singing group. The group eventually became one of the popular music groups in Port Harcourt.

In 2005, the music group disbanded because all its members gained admission into the University of Port Harcourt. Almost at the same time, Timi Dakolo won a local talent hunt contest called the G.E FACTO.

He got his big break in 2007 when he won the Idols West Africa reality show in Calabar, Cross Rivers state. While the competition was ongoing, Mr Dakolo received the heartbreaking news of his grandmother’s passing which shattered him

On leaving the reality show, he recorded a rock ballad Heaven please, as a tribute to his grandma and featured the rapper, M.I.

Timi Dakolo released his first single in 2009, and released his debut album, Beautiful noise in 2011. The album garnered widespread critical and commercial acclaim.