DAVINA ORIAKHI

Davina Oriakhi, an undeniably gifted rising star, always impresses with her releases. - (ZIKOKO)

Davina Oriakhi is the rare Nigerian artiste that can jump genres at the drop of a hat without losing her individuality or sacrificing her impressive songwriting ability

- (KONBINI)

BIOGRAPHY

London based British-Nigerian Soul Fusion artiste Davina Oriakhi, is an eclectic singer-songwriter and poet. Davina hit the ground running in the digital music scene in 2017, and since that time has manifested into a versatile and multifaceted artist with her own signature sound and stylisation.

Aptly described as a lyricist who is musically fluid and writes songs about life, love and spirituality. Davina is known for her wholesome and tasteful style which includes elements of R&B/Soul, Afrobeats, Reggae, Gospel and Jazz.

The eclectic nature of her music is reminiscent of several artist influences like Lauryn Hill, Sade, Alicia Keys, Erykah Badu, Kirk Franklin, India Arie, Solange, and Fela Kuti.

Davina’s music touches on equal parts originality and familiarity, giving her audience a taste of something fresh yet still identifiable. Born to Nigerian parents in London, United Kingdom in the mid 90’s, Davina was surrounded by a plethora of sounds, from Disney soundtracks, to 90’s Pop on London radio, her parents old favorites such as Fuji, Highlife, Nigerian Praise and Worship, and African American Gospel.

Her debut Album “Love to a Mortal” seamlessly weaves through a plethora of genres from R&B/Soul to Jazz , Hip Hop to spoken word, and reggae to Afro-Fusion to highlight her musical fluidity, as she takes listeners on a spiritual love journey of love, lust, pain and joy.

Since the release of “Love to a Mortal”, Davina has performed at O2 Academy Islington London as an opening act for Nigerian Star “Simi”, amongst other venues and festivals in the UK and Nigeria including The Roundhouse, Eric Festival, and The Lambeth County Festival, The Basement Gig. She has also released riveting music including an ode to a long distance lover, “Lagos” featuring Tim Lyre.

Davina has also delivered powerful duets with Preyé; showing political and cultural awareness on "Bang the Drum" and classic 90's R&B influence on "Vanity". Showcasing her commendable dance ability, she released a stunning dance focused lyric video for her enchanting and deeply spiritual single “Hosea 4v6”. Bravely shedding light on the issue of mental health among creatives, she released her most vulnerable single yet “Tears” in October 2019.

Davina has received international support of her music since 2017 from numerous radio stations, official spotify playlists and online music magazines and websites in the UK, US and Nigeria, including BBC Radio 3, CoolFM, Westside FM, TheBeatFM 103.6, Earmilk, Soulbounce, Pulse Nigeria, Konbini, OkayAfrica, amongst many others.

Currently, Davina is working on her sophomore EP due to be released Autumn 2020, funded by Help Musicians UK and the MOBO trust. Davina was the latest awardee of the MOBO Help Musicians Fund 2019.