Popular singer, Iyanya speaks with TOFARATI IGE on his career and other issues.
You’re set to drop an EP, what should fans expect in it?
Expect 12 tracks of good music. You will be hearing a brand new Iyanya and brand new sounds.
Why did you decide to join Mavin Records instead of setting up your own company like many other artistes?
I refuse to do the normal thing and
that’s why I joined Mavin Records. At that point, my problem was not a
label because I had just left one. I wanted to be in a place where I
could focus on music for a couple of years before I run a label. I’m not
in a rush. For the people out there saying they thought I would start
my own label, I’m sure most of them cannot run a company on their own.
that’s why I joined Mavin Records. At that point, my problem was not a
label because I had just left one. I wanted to be in a place where I
could focus on music for a couple of years before I run a label. I’m not
in a rush. For the people out there saying they thought I would start
my own label, I’m sure most of them cannot run a company on their own.
What has been your experience with Mavin Records?
I have no regret. We’ve just been
working and having good times. I’m so blessed and honoured to be working
with Don Jazzy. I’ve actually learnt a lot.
working and having good times. I’m so blessed and honoured to be working
with Don Jazzy. I’ve actually learnt a lot.
Why did you leave MMMG because many thought you’re a co-owner?
Yes, I was a co-owner. But I left MMMG
because my contract was over and there were no plans to renew. We knew
that after that contract, everyone would go their different ways.
because my contract was over and there were no plans to renew. We knew
that after that contract, everyone would go their different ways.
So you mean you didn’t quarrel with Ubi Franklin?
Why should we quarrel? Everybody has
issues and that includes Ubi and me. But we didn’t break up because we
fell apart. It was just time for me to leave.
issues and that includes Ubi and me. But we didn’t break up because we
fell apart. It was just time for me to leave.
What are the challenges that artistes who try to run their own labels face?
Music is spiritual and you have to be in
the realm to do it. Every time you try to do other things, you forget
the music and music forgets you too. Some people would say they’re
running labels but they end up doing better than the artistes they sign.
That’s because the artiste/owner is focusing on himself and trying to
get better.
the realm to do it. Every time you try to do other things, you forget
the music and music forgets you too. Some people would say they’re
running labels but they end up doing better than the artistes they sign.
That’s because the artiste/owner is focusing on himself and trying to
get better.
You headlined the African Business Conference at Georgetown University, what was that experience like?
It was a blessing being there with great
minds and sharing knowledge. I thank my management company, Temple,
for making that happen. I learnt a lot from that experience.
minds and sharing knowledge. I thank my management company, Temple,
for making that happen. I learnt a lot from that experience.
Would you say that your music has changed over time?
If you listen to the last two songs I released, you would know that there’s a new and better version of Iyanya.
Which of your songs is the most memorable for you?
Kukere. After that song, I’m usually not bothered about what people say about my songs because nobody liked Kukere initially. Everybody who listened to it didn’t think it would be a hit song but it went on to become one of my biggest songs.
Were you tempted to give up after your first album didn’t do so well?
That was also the time I lost my
parents, so I was down. But the loss of my parents spurred me on and I
was determined to make their memory proud. It was the grace of God and
music that kept me through that period.
parents, so I was down. But the loss of my parents spurred me on and I
was determined to make their memory proud. It was the grace of God and
music that kept me through that period.
What would you say are some of the most enduring lessons you learnt at the Project Fame academy?
How to use the stage and the microphone. I also learnt how to connect with the crowd.
Some followers on social media could go overboard, have you ever been tempted to lash back?
Of course, when I’m in that mood. But
these days, the block button makes things very easy. I wouldn’t block
people who offer constructive criticism but I don’t waste time in
blocking noisemakers.
these days, the block button makes things very easy. I wouldn’t block
people who offer constructive criticism but I don’t waste time in
blocking noisemakers.
Can you recall the nastiest comment anybody has made about you?
Somebody said that I used my family for rituals. And that was the day I decided to start blocking people.
What’s the greatest sacrifice you’ve ever had to make for your music career?
When I won Project Fame, everybody
thought I was living large but for two years after that, I was
practically living out of my car and hotels. Nobody should think that
the guys on TV have it so easy. There were times I’d return from shows
and wouldn’t have money to rent hotel rooms. It was also hard for me
when I didn’t have heavy party songs.
thought I was living large but for two years after that, I was
practically living out of my car and hotels. Nobody should think that
the guys on TV have it so easy. There were times I’d return from shows
and wouldn’t have money to rent hotel rooms. It was also hard for me
when I didn’t have heavy party songs.
Was Kukere a deliberate strategy or an accident?
When I met D’tunes, I liked his sound.
The first day I saw him, before we even started working, I told him we
were going to make history together and we did.
The first day I saw him, before we even started working, I told him we
were going to make history together and we did.
What’s the craziest moment you’ve ever had on stage?
I have had a lot of them including girls
grabbing my balls. Most times, I return from shows with scratches on my
body. However, I would not trade it for anything because it is what
makes me who I am.
grabbing my balls. Most times, I return from shows with scratches on my
body. However, I would not trade it for anything because it is what
makes me who I am.
Where’s the most unlikely place you’ve met a fan?
I don’t think I’ve ever been to anywhere
that people didn’t recognise me including Australia and China. Even
when I try to go unnoticed, people come up to me for pictures and other
things. There are Africans everywhere and Nigerian music is so huge all
over the world right now.
that people didn’t recognise me including Australia and China. Even
when I try to go unnoticed, people come up to me for pictures and other
things. There are Africans everywhere and Nigerian music is so huge all
over the world right now.
What has fame robbed you of?
I don’t have the same life I had before I
became famous. There are so many things I cannot do now. I can’t just
wake up and do whatever I want. I have to call my manager and other
people before I make a move. It can be very boring but I don’t have any
regrets.
became famous. There are so many things I cannot do now. I can’t just
wake up and do whatever I want. I have to call my manager and other
people before I make a move. It can be very boring but I don’t have any
regrets.
How often do you work out?
I do that almost every day and I try to eat well too.
A deputy governor once castigated your dancers for dancing raunchily, do you feel like you sometimes go overboard?
I know that happens but that doesn’t
make me a bad person. I’m a musician and performer who is only doing his
job. I like to be myself whenever I’m on stage and I don’t pretend.
make me a bad person. I’m a musician and performer who is only doing his
job. I like to be myself whenever I’m on stage and I don’t pretend.
You’ve been romantically linked with a lot of ladies, which of those are actually true?
I’m sure nobody has heard about me and
any woman in the last two years. Yes, I’ve been in relationships with
about two people you guys know about but that’s all in the past. Even if
I’m going to get married, I would keep it away from the media. My last
relationship was safe for three years till it became public knowledge.
When people know who you’re in a relationship with, they start to say
all sorts and this causes friction between couples.
any woman in the last two years. Yes, I’ve been in relationships with
about two people you guys know about but that’s all in the past. Even if
I’m going to get married, I would keep it away from the media. My last
relationship was safe for three years till it became public knowledge.
When people know who you’re in a relationship with, they start to say
all sorts and this causes friction between couples.
What actually went wrong in your relationship with Yvonne Nelson?
It was just one of those relationships
that didn’t work because it couldn’t work. It’s not like she’s a bad
person and I’m not a bad person either. However, I’m happy that we still
have a nice relationship and we keep in touch.
that didn’t work because it couldn’t work. It’s not like she’s a bad
person and I’m not a bad person either. However, I’m happy that we still
have a nice relationship and we keep in touch.
Do you think it’s okay for entertainers to date?
If you’re ready for all that madness,
then you can go ahead. If you’re dating a famous person, don’t expect
the relationship to be like the one where the person isn’t in the public
eye. Besides, entertainers don’t have regular schedules and we don’t
have a lot of free time at our disposal. You must also be ready to see
such people hugging, kissing strangers and if the person is an actress,
they would even have to fake lovemaking because it’s part of their job.
So many times, girls have approached me while I was with my girlfriend,
and they would tell her to take pictures of us together. Anybody that
isn’t comfortable doing that can’t date me. Before you met me, my fans
were there. And that’s why I’m not in a relationship today because it’s
difficult for most people to understand.
then you can go ahead. If you’re dating a famous person, don’t expect
the relationship to be like the one where the person isn’t in the public
eye. Besides, entertainers don’t have regular schedules and we don’t
have a lot of free time at our disposal. You must also be ready to see
such people hugging, kissing strangers and if the person is an actress,
they would even have to fake lovemaking because it’s part of their job.
So many times, girls have approached me while I was with my girlfriend,
and they would tell her to take pictures of us together. Anybody that
isn’t comfortable doing that can’t date me. Before you met me, my fans
were there. And that’s why I’m not in a relationship today because it’s
difficult for most people to understand.
What do you like in a woman?
I don’t know. If a woman makes me happy and she looks good, then I’m okay.
What would you say is the biggest thing music has done for you?
Music has done all the big things for
me. From being a choir master at the age of five to doing jingles for my
state at the age of 14 and working as a karaoke attendant at the age of
18. I was already making money from music before I became famous. Every
big thing that has happened in my life has been because of music. The
first time I performed before a huge crowd was the first-ever Calabar
Carnival hosted by the Donald Duke administration and that was where I
was discovered. While I was doing music in my home state, I met lots of
stars such as P-Square, Styl-Plus, 2face, and many others before
travelling to Lagos for Project Fame.
me. From being a choir master at the age of five to doing jingles for my
state at the age of 14 and working as a karaoke attendant at the age of
18. I was already making money from music before I became famous. Every
big thing that has happened in my life has been because of music. The
first time I performed before a huge crowd was the first-ever Calabar
Carnival hosted by the Donald Duke administration and that was where I
was discovered. While I was doing music in my home state, I met lots of
stars such as P-Square, Styl-Plus, 2face, and many others before
travelling to Lagos for Project Fame.
Apart from music, what other interests do you have?
Business! Anything that brings money.