A lot of musician fails because they are yet to discover their full potentials -Oyinkasade

From MTN Project Fame, I learnt the fusion of Fuji & RNB songs-Oyinkasade

Oyinkasade on the path of being a force to reckon with in the industry
He was the cynosure of the eyes when he came 4th at the season 5 edition of the MTN Project West Africa where he displayed his unique skills in singing and stage performance. Born Oyinkasade Dare Akande is one of Nigeria’s popular RNB whose distinctive style of music differs him from others. He caught the watchful eyes of music mogul Tee Y Mix, who went on to sign him to his record label- Vivace Records and He was the first male artist to be signed into Vivace Records.

Known for his fusion of Yoruba and English in his music, Oyinkanade debut single hit the scene in 2012 and was produced by Tee-Y Mix, ever since it has been back-to-back music production for the promising singer. He kicked off 2018 with two amazing songs Oluwa Feat. Qdot and Ayo (My Prayer). In this chat with MUTIAT ALLI, he tells us more about his music, plans for the year, how MTN Project Fame platform have been impactful amongst others.

With your experience as an artiste that broke from the norm, why do you think Musicians fail?

I think basically a lot of musicians out there fail because a lot of them don’t really discover themselves, Secondly it’s either you talented or not you can’t force it, you don’t have to do it because a few friends do it. Lastly the team is everything. Lot of musicians don’t have the right team, who can go the extra mile for them, correct them when they are going wrong and impact in their music. It’s crazy, I have worked with a lot of people in the past and I think it opened my eyes to the fact that the team you have can either make or kill the artiste.

When you started this professionally after the music reality TV show, how did you carve a niche for yourself and what were the goals you had set for yourself at that time?

After the reality TV show, I put into work all the things I learnt at the academy because it was there I learnt I could do Fuji easily with a blend of my RnB, blending both genres together defined who Oyinkanade was. My goals basically were Global Domination. I think to a point we have been able to cut across, it has not been easy, but I thank God.

Did you have a weakness at that time that stared at you in the face when you kicked off?
It’s normal for a human being to have weakness, you can’t be 100 percent but for me at that time when I started was self confidence which I have outgrown right now.

You mentioned the fact that you are a song writer and how long does it take you to come up with a song?
Yes I write songs, it’s very easy for me to write songs now. I could just hear the beat and I create something instantly, I trained myself like that because it makes you versatile as a musician and more importantly I think it’s also not a bad idea if musicians get song writers to write for them, My song Honey (Oyin) that was produced by Tee Y Mix was written my me and friend, even the big dogs in the industry have writers too.

Have you ever been stucked?
No, I have never been stucked because Music excites me.

Tell us a few things about Oyinkanade that a lot of people don’t know?
I studied Music as a course at Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife, I am a political scientist, I can play football very well, but man’s gotta shed off this weight lol, I have a good sense of humor and I can practically make people laugh with ease.

Were there any other professions you were thinking of pursuing in, or were this like your childhood dream?
It has always been music but sometimes I often thought about two being a politician or a footballer. I was confused but I think football was the way, I remember how much I loved soccer then. But obviously if I wasn’t an artiste or a musician I would be doing any of those.

Let’s say you become a politician tomorrow what impact would you make?
It depends on the mandate or power I have, honestly, I would like to ensure that various sectors in country actually walk the talk. Its one thing for you to say, it’s another one for you to do, basically it’s not like the other countries a lot of people visit don’t have issues too but the system works, if I walk the talk, then system should function too.

In 2016, your contract got expired, why you didn’t renew because they were a lot of rumors out there saying your label was suing you for a breach of contract.

There were rumors which I can confirm they were not true but honestly the year 2016 was a trying period for me, I was in dilemma and it was making a decision of either renewing my contract and when the time came the label and myself came to a conclusion to discuss and the results was the brand Oyinkanade was firm and strong to stand alone but I’m forever grateful to Vivace records and my boss Tee Y Mix.

Fast Track to 2017, you put out a few songs, Adebanke and Jekanmo, How well are those songs doing in the society and how was 2017 like for you generally?
You know when I look at 2017 and I ask myself the question of how you put up with just two songs in a whole year and I still attended events. I can only say it was God. 2017 was learning, restructuring and reorganizing process for me. I spent the whole year trying to figure out the actual plan for the brand, it was the same year, I met with my manager Kolade Dominate, one of the best in the media, pr and management business who on a low has worked with so many big names in the industry, we created a plan dropped Adebanke, shot the video, we didn’t even see how far it was going to go until it dropped and it was like a bombshell like people had been waiting for it, It went well but could have done better but a remix coming soon with one of the finest voices in the country on it it would do extremely well, wait on it. Jekanmo was a song that showed me being versatile. I could do the jollof music as well, not just RnB and all, we had competition that went viral, a cash prize was given and it went well. It was bought across digital platforms and we know how much we made from that, I thank God.

It’s 2018 already, and you have two great songs out, Oluwa feat Q Dot and Ayo respectively, how has the response been so far?
It has been amazing, I couldn’t believe it. Oluwa dropped on the first day of the year, with massive reviews and attention it has gotten so far, It drives me crazy like people have been asking for the visuals which is coming very soon and Ayo dropped a week ago and I am amazed at the level of reviews. The views on various platforms speak for themselves.

What standard or criteria does someone out there who wants or you want to work with meet?
A good sound, Once the sound is right, Holla at me, I will jump on it and kill it.
Are there any collaboration, projects, E. Ps and Albums coming soon?

No exclusives, lol. You should expect collaborations, more visuals, see me at your events more often. We will keep you posted as they unfold.

Any Shout outs?
Thanks to all my fans out there that has supported me thus far, I am a grateful. Please check out my new singles Oluwa featuring Q-dot and Ayo tell me what you think. I love you all. More fire coming