I sold orange, ice water when I was with my grandmum – Timi Dakolo

Popular singer and songwriter, Timi Dakolo has recounted his childhood experience; how he was raised by his grandmother because his parents left him with his grandmother at a very young age.

In a recent interview on the Tea with Tay podcast, Dakolo said his parents, who were young at the time, left him with his grandmother shortly after he was born because they did not have the resources to take care of him.

“My parents, I don’t know why they were doing knacking at a very young age. They were very young so they didn’t know what they were doing,” he said.

“When they had me they were like ‘Let’s go and see your grandma’ Then they dropped me with her and ran away because they were too young and didn’t know what to do with me.

“I don’t think my mother was up to 20 years old when she had me and my dad was probably in his early 20’s. They were childhood sweethearts, then they left each other and he went back to Ghana.”

The singer said while growing up with his grandmother, he never lacked love and care, adding that she provided everything he needed.

“I grew up with my grandmother and it didn’t affect me in any way,” he said.

“I did not lack love and my grandmother was my parent so I didn’t miss anyone. She was doing everything that concerned me.”

Dakolo also revealed how his childhood has shaped him into the person he is today. He said while with his grandmother, he hawked orange and sachet water.

“When you are raised by an old woman, at a young age, alone with her at home, you become an adult at a very young age. You would be doing things while your mates are playing,” he said.

“… and you must sell something. I sell everything in season. I sold orange, ice water. Those days they used to sell waterproof, black and yellow, and pure black colour.

Timi Dakolo hit stardom after winning the inaugural Idols West Africa in 2007.

Dakolo was born on January 20, 1981, in Accra, Ghana. His father is from Bayelsa while his mum is from Ghana.