Controversial Nigerian Afro-House singer Niniola Apata, popularly known as, Niniola, has spoken out in defense of her lyrical content, arguing that women should be free to sing about their bodies without facing criticism.
The award-winning artist made her stance clear during a recent interview on Jay on Air’s Show, where she addressed the double standards in how male and female musicians are treated for similar themes.
Niniola pointed out that male artists have long sung about women and their body parts in music without facing significant backlash. She emphasized that women should have the same freedom to own their narratives and express themselves through their art.
“Men will sing about women and our body parts… If you can do that, it’s my own body, I can sing about it and make women feel comfortable in their own skin,” Niniola said.
Niniola explained that her goal is to make women confident in who they are, instead of feeling ashamed. She added that what keeps her music strong is not only the message but also her commitment to top-quality production.
“The realism in it is what pulls me through. And also, production — I do not joke with production because music is everlasting. You want to create music that will stand the test of time. That’s why people go back to my old music and it is still a banger,” she said.
The singer also advised upcoming artistes not to think only about promotion while in the studio, but to focus on making timeless music.
Away from her music themes, Niniola reflected on her journey into the industry. She said her career began with struggles and rejections, but she kept going because of the encouragement she received from her family and friends.
“I had to believe in myself and in my craft. The constant affirmation from my loved ones helped me stay focused,” she revealed.
She further recalled joining a live band in her early days, where she sharpened her stage presence and mastered how to hold down a live audience.