My story is likened to the rejected stone becoming the head corner stone- Daniel Diongoli ‘Idyl’, Season 2 winner of The Voice Nigeria

Winning for me is a step to greatness-Daniel Diongoli ‘Idyl’, Season 2 winner of The Voice Nigeria

For 22 year old Bayelsa Indigene, Daniel Diongoli better known as Idyl, winning the coveted prize of record contract, an all-expense-paid trip to Dubai and a 7Million Naira SUV Jeep at the just concluded most watched musical show ‘The Voice Nigeria’, is ordained by God and Nigerians, who believed in his potential.
Giving a breath-taking performance of Bez’s ‘You suppose know’, Idyl attributes his musical journey to wanting to make his father proud. In an exclusive chat with MUTIAT ALLI, Idyl reveals why he left his final papers at Niger Delta University for music, what Timi told him about been original, next work after The Voice Nigeria amongst others.

Congratulations on your win, what is going through your mind?

Thank you, I can’t even explain how I feel right now, but in all I give God the glory for going  this far in the competition and winning the coveted prize of the Voice Nigeria Season 2. I am indeed blessed and favoured. Like this is the story of a rejected stone becoming the head corner stone; a lot of people have looked down on me, some even criticised me for dropping out of school for music and at the end what is more important is fulfilment which I have now. I just want to say a big thank you to my father, he is my motivation, and he is the reason why I am here today. Everything I had always wish I had, I did it for my father; I just want to say this is the beginning of joy in my family. This is a step to greatness and I am super proud of myself.

So did you see this coming?

Well I always believed that I was going to win, as that have always been my dream from the beginning of the competition and till the final day.

In the cause of the competition, who was your greatest threat all to the finals?

I won’t say I had a threat because it is a competition and we are all unique in our different ways. I did not see anybody as an obstacle as all I had at the back of my mind was that this is a platform that I have been dying to have and must not lose focus. I was my own biggest threat.

What if you had not won at the end of the day?

Then my buddy, Ebube will have and I must say I will be happy at the end of the day because Ebube and I share some sort of connection together. For instance, at the time we came to South Africa, I had no room and Ebube offered that I share with him and ever since then, we kept telling each other that whatever it will take, we will both make it to the final rounds which we did at the end. Now that I won the competition, I believe Ebube is equally the winner too.

Will you say being mentored by Timi Dakolo helped in your winning?

I could have been mentored by any of the coaches and still come out well but been mentored by Timi Dakolo for me is a rare privilege and I always felt at home whenever I am with him. I felt like family each moment with him as he usually calls us all and speak to us the way a brother will speak with his other siblings. Timi tutored us to always put our mind, body and soul into music and in those bits of advice he gave, it did really work for me. He is someone I looked up to and I can relate well to his life and him personally not as Timi the artiste but as a young motivated person who grew up in the yards and waking up to whatever opportunity that comes

What strategy will you say you put in place to emerge the winner?

Well, I will say it’s just originality and being me all through the competition. Been original kept me on a level that I never came down from. I won’t say I am one of the best vocalists but I feel Nigerians saw something different in me and voted me as their winner. I felt Nigerians saw a raw talent that is yet to be seen in the market and believe I won’t disappoint them either. This is just the beginning of greater things for me a brand. Grace has kept me going and will surely continue to.

You left your final papers to graduate as an Economist for a musical competition, do you think music is worth it now?

Definitely, it’s worth the while because music is what I live for and passionate about but that does not mean that I won’t be finishing up my studies. When the opportunity came for me to do music, I have to go all out for it because music is like a jealous lover where you have to give it your all or nothing at all.

What was your parent’s reaction when you informed them you are taking a break from school?

All he did was to ask me if I had thought of it and I said yes that is my decision and all he said was go chase your dream and make our family proud which I have done now.

How proud do you think your father is now that you have won?

First like I said before, am doing music because of my father because my father is my greatest inspiration, he has always been supportive of whatever I do and knowing how far we have gone; am super sure he is proud of his son. My dad has always been a believer that one day I will grow tall in my chosen career.

How was growing up like in Bayelsa?

Growing up in Yenagoa was nice and quite an experience for me; I grew up knowing why hard work really pays and how it is very important to be real in whatever facet of life you find yourself. Growing was so much fun even though I was not born with a silver spoon but at least, we lived a comfortable and meaningful life despite the challenges of life.

As the son of the scion, how do you intend to impact on the lives of youths in Bayelsa?

Although I have been singing but my career took a different turn when I went to school which is Niger Delta University, Amassoma, Bayelsa State; for me school is the first platform for me in real life and that is where you are been mould up to realities of life. For me school is necessary and this is what other youths in my state must cultivate; you may not come out with the best grades but the knowledge you get is not measurable and that will push you forward in life. School is where every young chap out there should be willing to go.

At 22, don’t you think the responsibility on you now is too much to handle?

Not all, I know I can carry the weight, all I ask and seek for now is the direction of the Almighty God, and for those ahead of me in the industry to take and absorb me as one of their own and show me the way to go as I am open to learning new things and how the industry works.

So what is next for you?

From the Voice Nigeria, music is next for me as it has always been what I love to do; for the essence of the handing over of the mantle to me, it means I have to work three times harder than how I work now. Presently, I have been given a task and hope and pray at the end of the day, I am able to deliver. Also, I know am going to be a brand that the entire world would appreciate; I would live my footstep in the sands of time that generations to come would hear of me and be inspired by my story.