Testimony Jaga
Testimony Jaga | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Salau Aliu Olayiwola |
| Also known as | Testimony Jaga |
| Born | 9 March 1987 Oyo, Nigeria |
| Origin | Ogun State |
| Genres | |
| Occupation(s) | Singer and performer |
| Instruments |
|
| Years active | 2012–present |
| Labels | Loveworld Records |
| Website | testimonyjaga |
Salau Aliu Olayiwola who is popularly called by his stage name Testimony Jaga was born on 9 March 1987, is a Nigerian Fuji, afro-pop recording and performing gospel artist, who started his gospel musical career from loveworld records under Pastor Chris Oyakhilome.[1][2] Testimony Jaga gospel career was preceded by the release of the single: "Igara" which won him the "Artist of the Year" awards at The LIMA Awards 2019.[3][4] His songs are mostly composed in English and Yoruba.[5]
Early life and education
[edit]Salau Aliu Olayiwola was born on 9 March 1987 in Ibadan, Oyo State to a father who married six wives and had twenty-seven children. He happened to be the twenty-second child and a native of Ijebu-Remo in Ogun State. He picked an interest in music at a young age. He began his education at O and A nursery and primary school establishment in Ogun State and completed his secondary school education at Speed Ladded School. Due to his interest in music, he dropped out of University of Lagos to concentrate on full time music.[1]
Career
[edit]Testimony Jaga's career as a gospel singer started in 2012 after he stopped making secular music. He is the pioneer of Street Gospel Movement,[6] a ministry that combines music and social welfare service as tool for spreading the gospel to people in the streets of Lagos.[7][8]
Testimony Jaga became popular after the debut release of his first gospel single titled "Igara" in 2018 which won him award for the "Artiste of the Year" at LIMA 2019.[3] He composes and sings his songs in English, Yoruba and Pidgin language,[5] and has released other singles like Take it, Jehovah Doer amongst other. He has featured gospel artists such Akporo, Frank Edwards, Israel Strong, etc and as well, has been featured on gospel songs belonging to other gospel musical artists such as Mike Abdul, Password, Timi Phoenix, Elijah Daniel, Ologodidan amongst others.[9]
On 20 July 2019, Revolution Plus Property unveiled Testimony Jaga as their brand ambassador.[9][10] He was also unveiled as one of Agil Express brand ambassador on 28 January 2022.[11]
Testimony Jaga embarked on his first major media tour in United Kingdom titled "Testimony Jaga Live in UK" in November 2021.[12][13]
Personal life
[edit]In 2011 Testimony Jaga was arrested alongside a group of other suspects and jailed for alleged car-snatching belonging to a man who died during the supposed car robbery at his residence in Lagos during his early musical career. Four months later after investigation, he was exonerated by the magistrate court and cleared of all charges against him, and he was released.[1][2]
Discography
[edit]Singles
[edit]- "Igara (Boast)" 2019
- "Take it" 2019
- "Jehova" 2019
- "Gbese" 2019
- "Gone For Life" 2019
- "Goal!" 2019
- "Mash It" 2020
- "Kpansa Kpansa" 2020
- "Jehovah Doer" 2020
- "Miracle" 2020
- "Parti Pour La Vie" 2020
- "Kpansa Kpansa (French Version)" 2020
- "Not Enough" 2020
- "I Have Moved ft Israel Strong" 2020
- "Jesus" 2020
- "Biggie Biggie" 2020
- "Gbera" 2020
- "Omo Olorun Soro Soke" 2020
- "Not Normal ft Akpororo" 2021
- "My Style" 2021
- "My Thanks (Ese)" 2021
- "My Evidence ft Frank Edwards" 2021
- "Apero for Christ" 2021
- "Give Him Praise" 2021
- "Power In My Praise" 2022
- "Tungba In Christ" 2022
- "I Don't Care" 2022
Awards and nominations
[edit]| Year | Award ceremony | Prize | Result | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | LIMA Awards | Artist of The Year | Won | [14] |
References
[edit]- ^ a b c "'Street Gospel' tí mò ń kọ, Ọlọ́run ń fi tún ayé àwọn 'Boys' ṣe gan - Testimony Jaga". BBC News Yorùbá (in Yoruba). 3 February 2020. Retrieved 15 September 2022.
- ^ a b Online, Tribune (5 May 2018). "How Pastor Chris Oyakhilome took me from prison to fame —Testimony". Tribune Online. Retrieved 15 September 2022.
- ^ a b Rapheal (1 December 2019). "Sinach, Testimony Jaga win big at LIMA Awards". The Sun Nigeria. Retrieved 15 September 2022.
- ^ "Gospel Fuji Singer, Testimony Jaga, Claims Artiste of the Year". Loveworld News. Retrieved 15 September 2022.
- ^ a b "'Ìbọn ló yẹ kí n máa gbé fi jẹun ṣùgbọ́n Ọlọ̀run gbé mi ga'". BBC News Yorùbá (in Yoruba). 22 December 2019. Retrieved 15 September 2022.
- ^ Oboh (13 July 2022). "Gospel artiste, Testimony Jaga, drops daring song for Christ". Vanguard News. Retrieved 15 September 2022.
- ^ Courage, Onyema (13 August 2022). "Meet Testimony Jaga, the unconventional Nigerian gospel music popstar [Future Sounds Edition]". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 15 September 2022.
- ^ Oboh (15 February 2022). "Why I empower widows, orphans — Popular gospel singer, Testimony Jaga". Vanguard News. Retrieved 15 September 2022.
- ^ a b Admin (20 August 2022). "Biography of Testimony Jaga, Net worth, Age, Songs, Wife". Insidegistblog. Retrieved 15 September 2022.
- ^ "Toyin Abraham Joins other brand Ambassadors such as Testimony Jaga with Revolution Plus Properties – THISDAYLIVE". www.thisdaylive.com. Retrieved 15 September 2022.
- ^ "Agil Express Pledges To Do More For Greater Travel Industry In Lagos – Independent Newspaper Nigeria". independent.ng. Retrieved 15 September 2022.
- ^ Oboh (6 November 2021). "Nigerian gospel artiste, Testimony Jaga, tours UK". Vanguard News. Retrieved 15 September 2022.
- ^ Omorogbe, Paul (6 November 2021). "Nigerian gospel artiste, Jaga, tours UK". Tribune Online. Retrieved 15 September 2022.
- ^ Rapheal (1 December 2019). "Dollar rain as Sinach, Testimony Jaga win big at LIMA Awards". The Sun Nigeria. Retrieved 20 September 2022.