Getting nominated for the Headies Award is an achievement because there are people who have been in the industry longer than I have and have never been nominated for anything, talk more of winning. So when you get that level of recognition, it makes you f
If you have the opportunity to feature any known artist perhaps for your next album or single, who would that be and why?
I would go for Bukola Elemide aka Asa; Beyonce Knowles; Simisola Kosoko; Chike; Chinedu Okoli aka Flavour; Chibuzor Nelson Azubuike aka Phyno; Owoh Chimaobi Chrismathner aka Zoro; Kingsley and Benjamin Okorie aka Cavemen; Oluwatobiloba Daniel Anidugbe aka Kiss Daniel; Joseph Akinwale aka Joeboy. These people really understand music on a deeper level.
What are some of the challenges you have faced as a female artiste in Nigeria?
There are many challenges being a female in the music industry and it is pretty obvious in the statistics and ratio of men that are more successful than the women. First off, a lot of record labels do not shy away from telling you they do not want to start with female artistes. When they are scouting for artists, they do not look at women as much as they look at men. I am sure they have their reasons and I am not going to blame them because it is a business but also, I wish they will give more women a chance. There is no way that the balance of the equation will be fair if they do not give women a chance in the first place. This keeps us at the back for a longer time. Another challenge for women is funding. I doubt that women have the same access to funding like the men folks. So funding is a bit of an issue. Also, a lot of females know how to hustle but there are certain things we cannot really do or will not look appropriate on a woman in the quest to push out their music but if a guy does it, it is acceptable but not a woman. There are limitations and most of the people at the top have successfully overcome these challenges and the people coming behind them are finding means to overcome these challenges. I just wish that more people will give women a chance.
What would you say has been your biggest achievement since embracing music?
Getting nominated for the Headies Award. It is an achievement because there are people who have been in the industry longer than I have and have never been nominated for anything, talk more of winning. So when you get that level of recognition, it makes you feel that your work matters, and you know what you are doing. Another intangible achievement is the power of knowing that you can dream something, believe in it and go after it. That in itself is a win.
Are there things you feel should be better done in the industry to enable it thrive better than it is currently doing?
I think a little bit more structure, having governing bodies, making policies etc. So many things can be done better in the industry. I think some people are working on different things to help with the structure part because I assure you, if we had more structures, it would just be better overall. Most artists just go through that lack of structural process, and it sometimes affects your growth and success in the industry.
Who are the people you look up to in the industry and why?
I look up to Tiwa Savage because, let's be honest, I sometimes wonder how she has managed to maintain this whole thing as long as she has and at the level she has maintained it on. I see a lot of people come and go, rise and fall but for some reason, this woman keeps rising like a phoenix every time. It is something to admire because I know how hard it is. When you know what it takes to be a female artiste in Nigeria, then you will appreciate her more for remaining at that level for a long time. I have a lot of respect and admiration for her. I respect Ayodeji Balogun aka Wizkid because of where he has taken Afrobeat to. I also respect Damini Ogulu aka Burnaboy, his lyricism, the quality of his music, his stage craft etc. I respect David Adeleke aka Davido for his heart, his hustle, his team building capability. I also respect Aituaje Iruobe aka Waje, she has one of the most beautiful vocal textures. There are so many I respect in the game for various reasons. Then we have the legends like Sunday Adegeye aka King Sunny Ade. On the international level, there is Beyonce Knowles, Brandi, Alicia Keys, Rihanna, Jay Z. The list goes on and on of people who have done great things.
Do you hope to someday dust your degree in Business Administration (finance) or is it goodbye to it as you face music squarely?
The thing with music or the entertainment space in general is that there is a lifespan to what we are doing. Most artistes have a lifespan and I think the women have a shorter life span that is why it is impressive to see people like Tiwa Savage still operating at the level she is operating for this long. So will I dust my degree certificate? Absolutely, if I get to my wits end or end of my life span, musically, or I couldn't achieve the kind of success I desire at a certain level, I am not afraid to dust off my degree from Howard University, Washington DC, a prestigious university. So if I am not able to convert what I am doing to what I want it to be, I have no shame using my degree.
What was growing up like for you, did it in any way influence your choice of career?
Growing up for me was pretty cool. I have beautiful parents and siblings. We used to listen to music a lot in my family, music like that of Obesere King Sunny Ade etc. We used to listen to very folk original Yoruba music. We also listened to the music of Fela Anikulapo Kuti, Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey etc. So I grew up hearing some of the best music and I think it had something to do with me going down this path.
Fosudo What would you say must have significantly shaped you to be who you are today?
I think my experiences have shaped me to be who I am today, the good, the bad, the ugly. I have learnt to assess things before I speak, decide what kind of brand I want to build, understand the landscape of the people, I just take it all in.
Did you at any time think of quitting music?
There is no artist, from the in-your-face-ones to the laid-back ones, that has not thought about quitting at some point in their career because
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