TY Bello

**TY Bello** (born Toyin Shokefun on January 14, 1978, in Ogun State, Nigeria) is a highly recognized Nigerian singer-songwriter, photographer, and philanthropist. She is one of Nigeria's foremost figures in both the music and visual arts scenes, known for her Gospel music and her influential work in photography, particularly fashion and portraiture.Early Life and Education TY Bello was born in Ogun State, Nigeria. For her higher education, she attended the University of Lagos, where she obtained a degree in Economics. Following her studies, she briefly pursued a career in journalism before transitioning fully into music and photography.Career Progression and Major Achievements TY Bello first came to public attention in the early 2000s as a member of the now-disbanded gospel band **Kush** (Kinetically Ushering Salvation into Hearts and Homes). The group, which also included prominent figures like Lara George and Dapo Torimiro, gained popularity with their single "Let's Live Together" before separating. After Kush disbanded, TY Bello launched a successful solo career in music. In 2008, she released her debut studio album, *Greenland*, which was produced by Mosa Adegboye. The album featured hit singles such as "Greenland," "Ekundayo," and "Funmise." Her sophomore album, *The Future*, was released in 2011, followed by *The Morning Songbook* in 2014. Parallel to her music career, TY Bello established herself as one of Nigeria's leading photographers, specializing in fashion and documentary photography. She is a member of the Nigerian photography collective, **Depth of Field**. Her photography career includes high-profile work, such as serving as the official photographer to former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan during his tenure. One of her most notable achievements in photography was the accidental discovery of **Olajumoke Orisaguna**, a former bread hawker, in 2016. Orisaguna photobombed a street shoot TY Bello was conducting for British rapper Tinie Tempah. Recognizing her potential, Bello located Orisaguna, photographed her for the cover of *Style* magazine, and helped launch her career as a model.Notable Works and Discography TY Bello’s discography includes several acclaimed Gospel albums: * *Greenland* (2008) * *The Future* (2011) * *The Morning Songbook* (2014) * *Africa Awake* (2021) * *We Are Fire* (2022) * *Heaven Has Come* (2023) * *The Spirit of Light* (2024)Her work has earned her several accolades, including the Best Female Video award for her single "Ekundayo" in 2009.Philanthropy and Current Status As a philanthropist, TY Bello is the director of the non-governmental organization (NGO) **Link-a-child**, which works to gather and disseminate information on orphanages across Nigeria to facilitate sponsorship and support. TY Bello continues to be active in both music and photography. She is married and has twin boys, Christian and Christopher, born in 2014.