At the time of her 2014 debut single Ibadi, Afrohouse was not widely embraced, and Niniola worried labels would push her to alter her sound.
Singer Niniola Apata has opened up on the reason she never signed with a record label despite multiple offers.
Niniola spoke during an interview with Hip TV.
Recall that she has been an independent artist for a decade, stating that her hesitation stemmed from fears of losing creative control over her unique Afrohouse genre which is a blend of African elements, house music, and her personal flair.
At the time of her 2014 debut single Ibadi, Afrohouse was not widely embraced, and Niniola worried labels would push her to alter her sound.
Instead, she partnered with her former manager to establish her own label, maintaining her artistic vision.
She said, “I have been an independent artist 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.
“Afrohouse is a combination of African style and house music, so that makes it Nini, bringing my own flair into house music”.
“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.
She emphasised the importance of authenticity, faith, and gratitude in her sustained success.
“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”,she added.