Rikeino Bent

Rikeino Julia Bisola Bent, was born in Lagos state of Nigeria on the 27th of January in the year 1988. Her father Major Jackson Bent (Rtd) is Bachama from Adamawa State, while her mother, Chief Mrs. Folashade Jackson Bent is Yoruba.

This young talented singer has had a passion for singing from birth and is an excellent song writer. Her Parents play a major role in her music career. They have encouraged her by giving her 100% support to ensure that this rising enigma will achieve her dreams. They have gone all out to make sure she has an enabling environment as well as provided her with a music library that even radio stations will envy. Her library includes C.d's of her role models, which include Mariah Carrey, Brandy, Whitney Houston, and Shade Adu.

All the encouragement and support has paid off and on her first album, ‘This Race’ Rikki has displayed her excellent song-writing skills by writing four songs titled ‘Virus', 'Never Ever', 'Life' and 'Donny’ and Co-writing the rest.

She describes the album production team of Blast, Callen and Mista Seth as "the best guys I’ve ever worked with". In her words she has the following people to thank for the success of ‘this Race’.

"I thank God d fatha, d Alpha and Omega, d beginnin and d end, 4 dis special gift, he has given me. And also 4 d provision, favour and grace he gave my parents and 4 d completion of dis album. Without him, there wud obviously be no Rikeino. I give him all d glory.

Wonderful thanx to my Daddy and Mummy: Major J.M Bent (Rtd) and Chief Mrs Grace Bent. Dey both put in everything to make ‘This Race’ a success. They encouraged me all thru. May you reap wot U hav sown in my lyf in a thrillion folds. I love U both beyond words.

Major thanx 2 my broda’s and sista’s; Jerry, Jeffery, Moreino, Jason, Jairus, Jackson, Hakika, Jackie, Jemima, and Jacintha Bent. Ya’ll stood by all thru, and gave me all d support I needed. I love Ya’ll till d end!

Loads of thanx 2 Ruleclean, who made me hav enuff confidence in myself....I owe U one!

Mega thanx 2 Sawula (Blast) 4 neva givin up on me, and all he went thru 4 my sake...U kno wot I mean men!

Jeremiah Gyang 4 d inspiration and having so much faith in me...saying thank U is an understatement.

Special thank U 2 Uncle Timawus Mathias who made me realize wot I wanted and who I was called 2 b. God bless.....

All my love 2 all d radio stations around the country 4 enuff air play, especially Cool FM 96.9 Abuja, Crowther radio 104.5 Abuja, Capital FM 92.9 Abuja, Rhythm 94.7 Abuja, Aso 93.5 FM Abuja, and supreme FM 96.1 Kaduna... Thank U all.

And finally, thank U most especially 2 those whose names weren’t written, but encouraged and contributed in one way or d other. Ya’ll are toooooooooo special 2 b written on paper... But your names are ENGRAVED in my heart. Thanx 4 d support!"

Rikki believes she is an inspirational singer, and plans to be a role model to young people like herself who want to go into music. In an interview on A.M Express, a Lagos morning Television show she gave the key to success for aspiring musicians when she said “ I think what people are missing is that they forget to trust God and believe in themselves”.

Rikeino who is currently in Secondary school plans to take her music to a more professional level as soon as she graduates. she has this to say about combining schooling and music;
“Things are Kinda difficult for me now cos I’m still in school. I have to concentrate on my books more that my music. I still make good grades by his grace”

'This Race' contains the hits 'This Race', 'Still waiting' and 'No tears to cry' that have received enormous airplay on radio stations across the length and breath of Nigeria. Her first video 'This Race' is a favorite of all the Nigeria television stations.

Rikeino’s hobbies include singing, swimming and dancing. She loves rappers a lot. Eminem, Ludacris, Mase and many others make up her music library, which she guards with a passion.

This wide traveled talented diva who has been to London, Paris, Johannesburg, Kenya and Florida loves pounded yam with any soup apart from Okro (a Nigerian delicacy of mashed or pounded yam and soup) and believes that determination is the key word to success.