Tonye

She is signed to Made Men Music Group since April 2016.

• Name — Tonye • Birth Name — Tamunotonye Nneka Nkiruka Ibiyemi Garrick • Born — 27 August 1983 • Birthplace — England • Origin — Lagos, Nigeria • Genre — *RnB • afropop • urban contemporary • Dancehall • Occupation — Singer-songwriter, fashion and interior designer • Instrument — *Vocals • singing • Years Active — 2010–present • Label — Made Men • Associated Acts — *Timaya • Password • Website — iamtonye.com

Tonye is a native of Benin City in Edo State, South-South Nigeria. Her name "Tamunotonye" was given to her by her grandmother who is a native of Kalabari, Rivers State. She grew up listening to songs by Whitney Houston, Janet Jackson, Celine Dion and Brenda Fassie before she developed her interest in music at the age of 7.

Born in England into the family of an Edo State father who was a diplomat and an Anambra State mother, Tonye had most of her early life in Nigeria, Paris and the United States of America. She attended Vivian Fowler Memorial College and Queen's College, Lagos where she completed her secondary school education. She holds a bachelor's degree in International Business & Fashion Merchandising after graduating from Marymount University.

Prior to picking music as a profession, Tonye had previously worked for UBS Financial and Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited as a business analyst. She dropped her corporate job for a career in music in 2013 and went on to release her first official single titled "Were Niyen" which was received to critical acclaim. On 2 October 2014, she released another song produced by Password titled "Criminal" which did well to gain grounds. In 2015, her song titled "Abi Belema" became popular and thus winning her a nomination at the 2015 Nigeria Entertainment Awards. She cites Whitney Houston, Janet Jackson, Brandy and Aaliyah as her musical influences. In an interview granted to Thisday Live on 21 June 2014, she said she is working on her debut studio album.