Zainab Elizabeth Donli, known as Lady Donli, is a Nigerian musician. She is an alternative R&B, hip hop, alternative jazz and Afrobeat singer and songwriter.
Lady Donli | |
|---|---|
| Born | Zainab Donli |
| Nationality | Nigerian |
| Education | University Of Surrey |
| Occupation | Singer |
| Known for | Alternative rock, alternative R&B[1] and Afrobeat |
| Website | ladydonli |
Biography
editLady Donli was born in Cleveland, Ohio and is the youngest of six children. She spent her early years in Abuja and Kaduna, where her dad is from. After her secondary school education, she moved to the United Kingdom where she obtained a degree in law, from the University of Surrey.[2]
Donli's earliest musical influence was the Evangelical Church of West Africa, where a particular style of synchronous praise-chanting had become established. She was also influenced by the music of Brenda Fassie, Angelique Kidjo, Aṣa and Erykah Badu, as well as Nigeria's pop pioneers.[3]
Donli is part of Nigeria's Alté music scene, which is known for blending sounds from multiple genres of music, including Afrobeat, R&B, and Soul.[4] She released her first project, the 12-song mixtape Love or War, in 2014.[5]
Donli has worked with new afrobeat music acts like Adekunle Gold, Nonso Amadi, Tomi Thomas, M.I Abaga, Mr Eazi, SDC, Davido, Ayüü, Odunsi (The Engine), and Tay Iwar amongst others.[6]
In 2018, Donli lent her vocals to a number of projects. She teamed up with Nigerian rapper, Boogey on 'Motion' and veteran MC Terry Tha Rapman on 'Open Letter'. She also worked with Mr Eazi on his sophomore album, 'Life is Eazi Vol.2', including a featured track off M.I Abaga's A Study on Self Worth: Yxng Dxnzl album.[7]
In 2019, Donli released her debut album, Enjoy Your Life.[8][5]
Discography
edit
Studio albums and EPs
edit- Love or War EP (2014)[5]
- Wallflower EP (2016)[9]
- Letters to Her EP (2018)[10]
- Enjoy Your Life (2019)[8]
- WILD (2021)
- Pan African Rockstar (2023)
Selected singles
edit| Year | Title | Non-album single |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Mr Creeper | |
| 2016 | Kashe Ni | |
| 2016 | Ice Cream Ft. Tomi Thomas | |
| 2017 | Poison | |
| 2018 | Games | |
| 2018 | Classic | |
| 2018 | Comforter | |
| 2018 | Work Ft. Tomi Thomas & The Forbidden | |
| 2019 | Cash (Remix) Ft. Davido | |
| 2020 | Wonda Wonda Ft DarkoVibes | |
| 2022 | Thunderstorm in surulere(feat The Lagos Panic) |
| Year | Title | Albums |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Moonchild Ft. Odunsi | Wallflower EP |
| 2016 | Alice Ft. D.Boi | |
| 2017 | Roses for K | Letters to Her EP |
| 2017 | Spell | |
| 2019 | Corner | Enjoy Your Life |
| 2019 | Cash | |
| 2019 | Suffer Suffer |
Major features
edit| Artist | Track | Album | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Terry Tha Rapman | Open Letter[11] | The Life of Joe Spazm | 2018 |
| Boogey | Motions[12] | Nouveau Niveau | 2018 |
| M.I Abaga | (+-)[13] | A Study on Self Worth: Yxng Dxnzl | 2018 |
| Show Dem Camp | For A Minute[14] | Palmwine Music 2 | 2018 |
| Mr Eazi | Lagos Gyration[15] | Life is Eazi Vol 2: Lagos to London | 2018 |
| DRB Lasgidi | Ma Pariwo[16] | Pioneers | 2020 |
Awards and nominations
edit| Year | Event | Prize | Recipient | Result | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | The Headies | Best Alternative Song | Corner | Nominated | [17] |
| 2020 | The Future Awards Africa | Music (Endowed by Infinix) | Herself | Nominated | [18] |
| 2019 | The Headies | Best Alternative Song | Cash | Nominated | [19] |
| 2018 | Nigeria Entertainment Awards | Best New Act of the Year | Herself | Nominated | [20] |
| Nigerian Teens Choice Awards | Choice Female Artist | Herself | Nominated | [21] | |
| 2015 | Choice Mixtape/EP | Love or War | Nominated | [22] | |
| Choice Female Artist | Herself | Nominated |
References
edit- ^ TV, BN (24 January 2022). "Lady Donli brings her vibrant energy to ColorsxStudios with a sparkling performance of her new single". bellanaija.com. BellaNaija. Retrieved 6 September 2022.
Alternative R&B and Afrobeat singer Lady Donli brings her vibrant energy to ColorsxStudios with a sparkling performance of her brand new single.
- ^ Ehirim, Nnamdi (2020-02-17). "Lady Donli and the Birth of a Pan-African Rockstar". The Republic. Retrieved 2020-05-26.
- ^ Akan, Joey (2018-08-10). "Lady Donli wants you to live your best life". The Fader. Retrieved 2020-05-26.
- ^ Adegoke, Yemisi (2019-09-23). "Alté, Nigeria's emancipated pop scene: 'People aren't used to being free'". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2020-06-28.
- ^ a b c Peter, Dennis Ade (8 August 2019). "Lady Donli Is Ready To Enjoy Her Life". Thenativemag. Retrieved 26 May 2020.
- ^ "Get Familiar With Nigeria's Rising Music Star:Lady Donli". Ndani TV. 2017-12-14. Retrieved 2020-05-26.
- ^ Ohunyon, Ehis (2018-08-10). "Lady Donli, unpacking the fast-rising talent steadily turning 10 fans into 10,000". Pulse NG. Retrieved 2020-05-26.
- ^ a b "Lady Donli's Debut Album 'Enjoy Your Life' Is Here". Okayafrica. 2019-08-09. Retrieved 2020-06-05.
- ^ "Lady Donli - "Wallflower"". Pulse NG. 2016-12-19. Retrieved 2020-06-05.
- ^ "ESSENTIALS: LADY DONLI DEBUTS WITH 'LETTERS TO HER', A STORY OF THE LOVE THAT COULD HAVE BEEN". thenativemag. 2018-01-26. Retrieved 2020-06-05.
- ^ "Terry Tha Rapman – Open Letter ft. Lady Donli [New Song]". Tooxclusive. 2018-01-25. Retrieved 2020-06-05.
- ^ "Lady Donli, unpacking the fast-rising talent steadily turning 10 fans into 10,000". Pulse NG. 2018-10-08. Retrieved 2020-06-05.
- ^ "[Song] M.I Abaga – "+-" ft. Odunsi & Lady Donli". Tooxclusive. 2018-08-24. Retrieved 2020-06-05.
- ^ "Show Dem Camp - For A Minute (feat. Lady Donli)". Wildstream NG. 2018-10-24. Retrieved 2020-06-05.
- ^ "Download: Mr Eazi – Lagos Gyration Ft. Lady Donli". MTVnaija. 2018-11-08. Retrieved 2020-06-05.
- ^ "DOWNLOAD: DRB Lasgidi – Ma Pariwo Ft. Lady Donli MP3". Illuminaija. 2020-05-02. Retrieved 2020-06-05.
- ^ Headies, The (4 December 2020). "The 14th Headies nominees list". The Headies. Retrieved 3 June 2023.
- ^ "The Future Awards Africa: Class of 2020". The Future Awards Africa. 8 November 2020. Retrieved 3 June 2023.
- ^ "Headies 2019 Nominees List: Davido, Wizkid And Burna Boy Vie For Top Awards". Guardian Nigeria. 1 October 2019. Retrieved 26 May 2020.
- ^ "Nigerian Entertainment Awards: Full List Of Winners". Guardian Nigeria. 27 November 2018. Retrieved 26 May 2020.
- ^ "Nigerian Teen Choice Awards 2018 FINAL 2018 WINNERS". ntcawards. 27 November 2018. Retrieved 26 May 2020.
- ^ "NTCA honours 52 teens at 2015 Choice Awards". Daily Trust. 16 August 2015. Retrieved 26 May 2020.