Toyin Sokefun Bello, born January 14, 1978, popularly known as TY Bello, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, photographer, and philanthropist. TY Bello is a multi-talented young woman widely known for her hit songs Greenland, Ekundayo, This Man, Freedom, and Funmise.
Wiki Profile
| Full Name: | Toyin Sokefun Bello |
| Date of Birth: | January 14, 1978 (44 years old) |
| Place of Birth: | Ogun State |
| State of Origin: | Ogun State |
| Nationality: | Nigerian |
| Occupation: | Photographer & Singer |
| Net Worth: | $1 million |
| Husband: | Kashetu Bello |
Early Life and Education
TY Bello was born in Ogun State on January 14, 1978, to late Remi Sokefun. Remi Sokefun, her father, was a well-known television producer.
She graduated from the University of Lagos with a bachelor’s degree in economics and is a member of the Nigerian photographic group Depth of Field.
TY was a member of Kinetically Ushering Salvation into Hearts and Homes, a now-defunct urban gospel band (KUSH).
Music Career
TY Bello was a member of the music team in her childhood church, Revival Word Church, where they composed songs based on the previous sermon for the following Sunday service.
We can argue that this is where she honed her songwriting and vocal skills, despite the fact that she was the youngest in the group. She was a brave woman.
While TY Bello was a student at the University of Lagos, she continued to compose and perform with Lara George, Dayo Torimiro, and Emen Ema, demonstrating her talent.
KUSH, a now-defunct band, was formed by the four. In the early 2000s, the band rose to prominence with their single, Let’s Live Together. After her band disbanded, Ty Bello became a solo artist.
Greenland was her first solo album, which she published in 2008. The album was a hit, and she received two significant awards for it. Greenland, TY explained, is a metaphor for her everyday life.
The singer debuted a soft worship series called Spontaneous Worship early last year. Spontaneous Worship is an expression of worship in songs to God that is spontaneous, unfiltered, and raw.
Other notable vocalists included in the series include Sinach, Folabi Nuel, Tolu Ijogun, Wole Oni, George, and others.
Photography Career
When her band broke, she began photographing at a time when photography was not considered a profession.
TY Bello has gone above and beyond to offer a supportive environment and platforms for aspiring photographers to display their work.
She specializes in portrait photography, while she also shoots documentary and conceptual work. Her creations are typically iconic, evoking powerful emotions in her devotees.
Her work has carried her inside the halls of power, as she has photographed three sitting presidents and served as the official photographer for former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan.
TY Bello has also shot the rich and famous, as well as A-list celebrities. TY Bello also contributes to Thisday Fashion Magazine, a well-known Nigerian fashion publication.
Early this year, Ty Bello teamed up with Canon for the “live for the narrative” campaign. The campaign invites ordinary Nigerians to share their personal experiences on what makes their country special.
In 2017, the gifted singer was nominated for the Ten Outstanding Young Persons Awards among 25 others.
The non-profit Communication for Change Organization recognized TY Bello in a five-part documentary video series titled RedHot in July 2011.
TY Bello Net Worth
TY Bellow is a Nigerian legendary photographer, singer and songwriter with an estimated net worth of
Songs
- Greenland (2008)
- The Future (2011)
- The Morning Songbook (2014)
- Africa awake (2020)
- We Are Fire (2022)
Philanthropy
TY Bello hosts an annual photography exhibition to collect funds for Nigerian orphans.
She is also the founder and director of Link-a-Child, a non-profit organization committed to disseminating information about Nigerian orphans and soliciting sponsorship on their behalf.
In July 2011, TY Bello was honored in a five-part documentary video series dubbed RedHot by the non-profit Communication For Change.
Personal Life
In 2009, the model married Kashetu Bello. The marriage is blessed with twin sons Christian and Christopher who were born on October 10, 2014.
