Johnny Drille Biography

Johnny Drille, born John Ighodaro on July 5, 1990, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and record producer from Edo State. He grew up as the first of five children and studied English and Literature at the University of Benin. He began singing in church at a young age and gained early recognition after participating in Project Fame West Africa (Season 6). In 2015, his cover of Di’Ja’s “Awww” caught the attention of Don Jazzy, leading to his signing with Mavin Records in 2017. Johnny Drille became widely known for his alternative folk sound, with hit singles like “Wait for Me,” “Love Don’t Lie,” “Beautiful Love,” and many more. In 2021, he released his debut album, Before We Fall Asleep, featuring collaborations with top Mavin artists. In 2025, he released the single “Angelina” with Fireboy DML and also embarked on a successful UK tour, performing in major cities. His musical influences include Mumford & Sons, Passenger, Jon Bellion, Owl City, and Nigerian producer Cobhams Asuquo. Johnny Drille is admired for his soulful storytelling, emotional depth, and unique folk-inspired style. He is married to Rima Tahini, and they welcomed their daughter Amaris Esohe in 2023. With over 800,000 YouTube subscribers and strong digital streams, Johnny Drille has grown into one of Nigeria’s most respected alternative music voices.