Fast-rising Ondo State music act, Dhortune thatondoboy, speaks
+ Reveals his next plans
Olamidotun Richard Oluwatimilehin fondly called ‘Dhortune thatondoboy’ is undoubtedly, a fast rising entertainer in Ondo State, who recently won the ARIMUSIC contest. He is the first Nigerian and the first musician from the West African continent to win the award. The entertainment industry in Ondo State is growing in leaps and bounds as new talents are been discovered every day. The emergence of ‘Dhortune thatondoboy’ at the AFRIMUSIC Award, has further boost the entertainment industry in the Sunshine State, and Nigeria as a whole. This award-wining entertainer recently spoke to EventDiaryLifestyle News on his life and musical career. It is inspiringly revealing.
Briefly, tell us who Dhortune is?
I am Olamidotun Richard Oluwatimilehin, born on the 10th of October 1988 to the family of Mr. and Mrs. Oluwatimilehin. I am a native of Ondo town, the fifth and youngest child of my family. I am a Musician and an Actor. I recently won the 2020 AFRIMUSIC contest as the first Nigerian and West African to win it.
How did you come about the name, Dhortune?
The name DHORTUNE was a coinage of my name, Dotun and Tune, which stands for pleasant sound. The full alias is Dhortune thatondoboy, a combination of my first name and my place of birth. It reflects my love for tune and Ondo town, my birthplace.
I was born and brought up in Ondo town, Ondo State. I attended Holy Trinity Primary School, Success International College and Adeyemi College of Education respectively. My growing up was filled with fun and love, as a matter of fact, my family had been a great influence on me. I will say my musical talent was discovered early and encouraged by my family who appreciates creativity. I started playing piano and other musical instruments when I was 12. This prepared me well for a foray into the music world. While growing up, I also discovered I had passion for acting and I started with stage play during my primary school days. So growing up was fun and fully of discovery.
How did music start for you?
I started singing on stage in primary school during our drama presentations, from there I proceeded to join the choir and I started singing in church. Getting to secondary school, I joined the school choir and later became the school chapel prefect boy. In tertiary institution I equally sang on campus till I graduated, when I started as a professional musician. As an undergraduate, I won the TENORS TALENT HUNT in 2008, and the following year, I also won the TENORS TOP TEN MUSIC COMPETITION with his earliest music group, Daclefs in 2009. In 2011, Dhortune beat several upcoming artistes for an opportunity to represent Ondo State in the NIGER DELTA MUSIC TALENT HUNT organized by the Federal Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs. He emerged the overall winner of the competition out of 3000 contestants. He also qualified as a contestant at the popular reality show, GLO X FACTOR 2014 edition.
I will say, Dhortune stands out among other artistes due to my versatility. I am a songwriter, a pianist, a drummer, a guitarist, a recording and performing artiste. Due to my passion for music, I caught the attention of Lagos based entertainment outfit, ACI Entertainment, with my demo, ONDO A MA LU YI produced by Anticankerworm. The song was so popular that it was used as ringtone by prominent Ondo sons and daughters including former Governor Olusegun Mimiko. I was officially signed by ACI Entertainment in 2017. I wasted no time to release my single titled AYA MI along with an accompanying video. The song became an instant wedding anthem. Recently, I released YÈMI, dedicated to all mothers and with the song, I contested for the 2020 Afrimusic Song Contest where I emerged as the first West African and Nigerian to win the contest.
What year did you start music professionally?
I started singing professionally in 2017 after I got signed by ACI ENTERTAINMENT
Have you done any collaboration with any artiste?
Yes, my music career has seen me perform on the same stage with the King of World Beats, King Sunny Ade. The performance was so impressive that it earned me the sobriquet, PRINCE OF HIGHLIFE. I also share stage with Nigerias King of Sax, Yemi Sax and prolific actor, Yemi Blaq, to mention a few. I have also performed as a guest artiste at the grand finale of Eurostream 2020, where I did my winning song, YÈMI to the delight of a global audience. I am working on collaborating with other African artistes in order to produce the French version of YÈMI for francophone speaking countries to also enjoy the universal theme of the song.
I have released 4 singles. My first album is going to be released on September 27, 2020
Which of them brought you into limelight?
My first single titled, ONDO AMANUYI was well known by Ondo people, and it went viral, but my second single, titled AYA MI brought me into limelight while my follow up singles MILEGBE and YÈMI respectively increased my fame and popularity because from my first single to the second till the fourth, the creativity and quality of my sound and lyrics kept on rising, thanks to my record label, ACI ENTERTAINMENT, for their taste for good sound and quality music.
You recently won AFRIMUSIC award, how does the feat make you feel?
I feel so happy and glad being the first Ondo indigene, first Nigerian and first West African to win the AFRIMUSIC SONG CONTEST. It is a great thing to have made such a huge history.
How did you start acting?
I started acting stage play in my primary school. I later upgraded my acting skills in my secondary school days. My days in the tertiary institutions saw me acting in movies like Efunsetan Aniwura and several others. This year I got featured in my first film, titled DOD by Niyi Akinmolayan. I am teaming up with ace director, Niyi Akinmolayan, on the set of the movie titled DOD, scheduled to be released later in the year. The movie features popular acts like, Toyin Abraham, Broda Shaggi, Mr Macaroni and others. More of me will be seen in the movie industry.
Have you been to contribute to the Entertainment Industry in Ondo State?
I have been able to follow in the footsteps of iconic King Sunny Ade, Dr Orlando Owoh, Ara, Olu Maintain and many others, in taking the name of the state to the world, in terms of good music and branding. Emerging as the first Ondo state indigene, first Nigerian and first West African to win the AFRIMUSIC SONG CONTEST has also drawn the attention of the world to the state, and the kind of sound we project in terms of entertainment. Also, my songs are written in Ondo dialect, just as my name, THATONDOBOY projects Ondo State.
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