TOPE DADA (TEE DREADS)

Tope Dada, professionally known also as Tee Dreads, is a Nigerian-British multidisciplinary creative professional, music artist, songwriter, music producer, event, concert and festival producer, artist manager, artist relations professional, creative director, cultural curator, Music & Performance Director, author and community leader based in Bradford, West Yorkshire.

His creative practice sits at the intersection of music, live entertainment, arts, culture, media, community development and social impact. His work has been profiled across regional and national media, including the Telegraph & Argus, Yorkshire Evening Post, The Guardian Nigeria and Tribune Online. The Telegraph & Argus has profiled Dada in connection with his work as a Bradford musician and his use of creativity to connect cultures, while the Yorkshire Evening Post featured his work across music, books and community engagement.[1][2][3][4]

Music and Creative Career

Tope Dada began performing music in 2000 and subsequently recorded under the name Tee Dreads, before adopting Tope Dada as his principal professional name.[3]

His recorded work spans Afrobeat, Afro-pop, Urban Contemporary, inspirational and contemporary music, with themes encompassing faith, identity, hope, resilience, wellbeing, purpose, community and the human experience.

His catalogue includes projects and recordings such as Adara, The Diary, Clap and Dance, The Best of Tope Dada, "Iwo Loba", "Yahweh", "Prayer", "Miracle Working God", "Igwe (King)", "Jehovah Jireh", "Call You Odogwu", "Better", "I Am Blessed", "The Storm Is Over", "Ubuntu", "HALLELUYAH", "Smile", "One Love Africa", "Heartbeat of Africa", "Forever Grateful" and "NKOSOO".[3][5]

His music is commercially distributed through major digital music platforms, including Apple Music.[5] The Guardian Nigeria has profiled his music career and reported on his recordings, live performances, community activities and his use of music to engage with themes including hope and mental wellbeing.[4]

NKOSOO

In 2026, Tope Dada released "NKOSOO", associated with the Bradford African Festival of Arts (BAFA) as its theme song. The project reflects his continuing involvement in music, African cultural expression and Bradford's creative community.[6][7]

The title NKOSOO is a Ghanaian term associated with progress and advancement, aligning with the festival's wider cultural focus.

Event, Concert and Festival Production

Alongside his work as a recording artist, Dada works in live entertainment and event production, developing concerts, cultural programmes and community-focused experiences.

He was the producer of UK Laugh & Sing with Tope Dada, a Bradford live event held in May 2026. It's On In Bradford, a cultural events platform supported by organisations including Bradford Council and Bradford Producing Hub, identified Dada as the event's producer and described the programme as a community-focused experience combining live music, worship, entertainment and positive engagement.[8]

Tope Dada has also developed and organised other live experiences, including GratitudeFest, which began in Nigeria and subsequently expanded to the United Kingdom.[4]

His event-production work encompasses concept development, programming, artist coordination, performance direction, production planning, partnerships, audience engagement and delivery of live creative experiences.

Bradford African Festival of Arts

Tope Dada is associated with the Bradford African Festival of Arts (BAFA) as its Music Director, contributing to musical programming, artist coordination and performance-related activity.

Coverage by New Telegraph Nigeria identified Dada as Music Director in reporting on BAFA's 2026 programme and its wider UK–Africa cultural partnerships.[6]

His involvement with BAFA has included the development of musical projects and performances, including "NKOSOO", the festival's 2026 theme song.

Artist Development, Management and Relations

Tope Dada's work within the creative sector extends beyond his own artistic career to include artist development, artist coordination, artist management and artist relations.

Through his event and cultural-production work, he works with artists, performers, promoters, festivals, venues, creative organisations and community partners, supporting performance opportunities, professional relationships, programming and live-event delivery.

His wider approach to artist relations is centred on connecting creative talent with opportunities across music, festivals, cultural events, media and community platforms.

Men's Porch

Tope Dada is the founder of Men's Porch, a community platform focused on men's wellbeing, relationships, responsible fatherhood, personal development and stronger families and communities.[4][9]

Through Men's Porch, he has developed community programmes, conversations, workshops and public engagements addressing issues including men's wellbeing, emotional intelligence, fatherhood, relationships and positive male engagement.

The organisation is also associated with the Men's Porch Legacy Awards, an initiative established to recognise individuals making positive contributions to families, communities and society.

In 2026, Men's Porch CIC was shortlisted for the Community Organisation Award for Gender at the National Diversity Awards. The official National Diversity Awards profile identifies Dada as the founder of Men's Porch and documents the organisation's work around men's wellbeing, responsible fatherhood, gender equality and community engagement.[9]

The shortlist was independently reported by FairPlay Talks.[10]

Writing and Publishing

Tope Dada is also an author whose published work explores parenting, leadership, personal development, music, emotional wellbeing and mental health.

His books include:

Feel More Fulfilled as a Parent

Published in 2021, Feel More Fulfilled as a Parent explores parenting approaches, parenting styles, communication, discipline, relationships and the development of healthy relationships between parents and children. The book is independently documented through ResearchGate and has a publisher record with Lulu.[11][12]

Winning People, Making Impact: A Motivational Guide to Lasting Influence

Winning People, Making Impact examines influence, relationships, leadership, personal development and the importance of building meaningful connections. The publication is listed under Dada's authorship and was published in 2025.[13]

Sound Mind: How Music Shapes Mental Health and Emotional Well-being

Published in 2025, Sound Mind examines the relationship between music, emotional wellbeing and mental health. Contemporary publication coverage reported that the book was made available in paperback and Kindle formats through Amazon, with an audiobook version also planned.[14]

The three books form part of Dada's wider interest in the relationship between creativity, personal development, family life, music and wellbeing.

Education

Tope Dada studied Psychology at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria, before undertaking postgraduate study in Peace, Conflict and Development at the University of Bradford, United Kingdom.[3]

His academic background has informed aspects of his work around psychology, wellbeing, community engagement, relationships and social development.

Global Talent and Creative Recognition

Tope Dada has received a Global Talent endorsement from Arts Council England in the music field. Independent Bradford event coverage identifies the endorsement and describes it as recognition of his contribution to arts and culture in the United Kingdom.[8]

His creative work has also received various awards and nominations. The Guardian Nigeria reported his recognition through the Bradford Music Scene Award, Africans4U Award and Author of Excellence UK Award, as well as his finalist status for the Canadian Selah Music Awards and nomination for the Prayze Factor Awards in the United States.[4]

CREATE Britain lists Dada within the West Yorkshire creative and music network.[15]

Cultural and Community Leadership

Tope Dada's work extends beyond music into cultural exchange, community development and social impact. His activities in Bradford have brought together music, African culture, community engagement, faith, creativity and social development.

His work with BAFA, Men's Porch and his live events reflects a broader commitment to creating platforms where artists, communities and audiences can connect.

He has also participated in cultural and international engagements, including creative and diplomatic cultural programming involving the Embassy of Ethiopia in London, BAFA and the University of Bradford.

Professional Focus

Tope Dada's professional portfolio encompasses:

Music Artist
Songwriter
Music Producer
Event Producer
Concert Producer
Festival Producer
Artist Management
Artist Relations
Artist Development
Creative Director
Cultural Curator
Music Director
Performance Director
Live Event Production
Festival & Cultural Programming
Media & Creative Production
Author
Community & Cultural Development

Through these interconnected roles, Tope Dada—also known as Tee Dreads—continues to develop creative projects and platforms connecting music, artists, audiences, culture, entertainment and community impact.

References

[1] Telegraph & Argus — Bradford musician Tope Dada using talents to unite cultures.

[2] Yorkshire Evening Post — Tope Dada: one song, one book, one community at a time.

[3] Tribune Online — Interview covering Dada's education, music career and Tee Dreads identity.

[4] The Guardian Nigeria — Profile covering Dada's music, community work, performances and recognition.

[5] Apple Music — Tope Dada artist catalogue and recordings.

[6] New Telegraph Nigeria — Coverage of Bradford African Festival of Arts, Dada's Music Director role and UK–Africa cultural partnerships.

[7] Apple Music — NKOSOO, identified as the official BAFA theme song.

[8] It's On In Bradford — UK Laugh & Sing Concert with Tope Dada, 23 May 2026. The listing identifies Dada as producer and states the Global Talent endorsement.

[9] National Diversity Awards — Tope Dada / Men's Porch CIC nominee profile, 2026.

[10] FairPlay Talks — 2026 National Diversity Awards finalists.

[11] ResearchGate — Feel More Fulfilled as a Parent, by Tope Dada.

[12] Lulu — Feel More Fulfilled as a Parent, publication record.

[13] Tope Dada publication record — Winning People, Making Impact: A Motivational Guide to Lasting Influence. The publication is also recorded in Dada's professional publication profile.

[14] MyFernandez — 2025 coverage of Sound Mind, including Amazon paperback and Kindle availability.

[15] CREATE Britain — Tope Dada / West Yorkshire Music Network profile.

Tope Dada BIOGRAPHY

TOPE DADA (TEE DREADS)