Why I turned down recording deals – Niniola

Nigerian singer Niniola has revealed why she has chosen to remain an independent artist despite receiving multiple offers from record labels. In a recent interview with TVC, she shared that her decision to stay independent is rooted in her understanding of the business side of music, which many of her peers overlook.

Having been an independent artist for the past decade, Niniola explained that while record deals have their advantages, they come with limitations. "There are pros and cons of signing with a record label," she said. "I have seen the business side of doing music, which a lot of people don’t see—they just focus only on making music."

Niniola emphasized that being an indie artist allows her to maintain control over her creativity, something she was particularly cautious about early in her career. "A label wanted to sign me after my debut single, but I was skeptical because I didn’t want anyone to switch my style. At that time, nobody was doing Afro-house. They can dictate what you do because they are the ones financing you," she explained. "For me, creative freedom is one of the major pros of being an indie artist."

Despite being an introvert by nature, Niniola also shared that her music allows her to embrace an extroverted side, bringing out a different aspect of her personality when she performs.