Niniola covers Vanguard Allure’s latest issue

The singer speaks to the magazine about her journey in the Nigerian music industry, her debut album, her style of music and more.

Read excerpts from her interview below:

On what inspired her first single Ibadi, Niniola said: “My first single, Ibadi was inspired by the need to be myself and to represent as a Yoruba girl. I wanted people to understand why Yoruba women move their backside when they dance. It was an introduction to Niniola the singer and dancer.”

On her journey in the Nigerian music industry, she said: “I’ll say I’m thankful because I didn’t know that by now, I’ll be where I am. I still have a long way to go. I’ll just say that everything is still a learning process for me.”

On what informs her style of music, the singer said: “Niniola is very Afrocentric. I don’t think I belong anywhere else other than Africa, my birth continent. I understand my mother tongue and I use it to my advantage. I used to be a ballet singer, purely a ballet singer but I love to dance as well. So I told myself let me infuse this too so that I can sing and dance and generally have fun.