Nigerian singer Niniola Apata has opened up about her decision to remain independent in the music industry, revealing that the fear of losing her creative control was the key reason she never signed with a record label.
In an interview with Hip TV, the Afrohouse pioneer shared that despite receiving multiple offers following the release of her debut single in 2014, she was reluctant to commit to any label.
The 38-year-old explained that she wanted to protect her sound and vision, especially as her genre, Afrohouse, was not widely accepted at the time.
“I have been an independent artiste for 10 years now, and it has its pros and cons. After I released my debut single in 2014, several record labels were calling me, but at the time, I was skeptical because I didn’t want anyone to take away my creative freedom,” she said.
“At the time, nobody was into my genre, Afrohouse, and you know how labels can say they investing in me and I have to do what they want, and I don’t want that happening to me. So, I wasn’t convinced enough to sign to a label. So my former manager, who has become my business partner, decided to set up a label, and that’s what we have been running together. Even all through the years, some deals have been coming, but I have not been comfortable with them.”
Niniola described Afrohouse as a personal fusion of African music and house elements, noting that her unique sound sets her apart. “Afrohouse is a combination of African style and house music, so that makes it Nini, bringing my own flair into house music,” she explained.
She also expressed pride in her role as a genre leader, saying, “It feels good to be known as the queen of Afrohouse, and I have been able to carry on the genre because when I started, some people had concerns about the longevity and the language, because I sing in Yoruba. At the end of the day, I have seen that you just need to be yourself, pray, be thankful, and everything will fall into place.”
Niniola first gained public attention as a contestant on Project Fame West Africa in 2013. She released her breakout single Ibadi in 2014 and has since built a successful career with multiple projects, all while staying true to her independent path.
