Dad would have supported my music — Waliyah Abiola
Waliyah Abiola, one of the daughters of the late MKO Abiola, is a music artiste. In her late 20s, she talks about her career
You studied sciences, how come you ended up in music?
I studied sciences, then Chemical
Engineering in which I have a master’s degree in Engineering from
Imperial College, London. But I’ve always been good at writing,
literature and music. As I got older, I didn’t feel my life was complete
if I didn’t explore my musical/creative side and that was how it all
began. I am an artiste but I still play at banking.
How did the journey to music start?
Since I was a teenager, I have had a
flair for music. But I never thought anything of it. It didn’t occur to
me that Nigerian girls could be singers. I thought it was something
only African American girls did. I only started looking into music
seriously about five years ago. I just felt a need to be up all night
writing songs and decided it was time to go to a studio and record
something. The progress was slow. I did it on odd weekends when things
weren’t too hectic at the investment bank where I worked. It’s been my
favourite companion, hobby and pastime ever since. I am already
successful in another career (banking) and I am only doing this because I
love it.
Did your family accept this?
They were not very receptive. It’s
something a lot of creative people go through if you come from a
conservative family. In Africa, we value education and parents want the
best for us. They want us to be in stable, low-risk professional
careers. Ultimately, you would be allowed to live your life on your own
terms if you make a good life for yourself. Any concerns will be
baseless if backed up with success.
Were your father to be alive, would he have supported this?
I think my father, the late MKO Abiola,
would have supported me and would have been quite tickled by the whole
thing. He loved proverbs and music; therefore, what I am doing is not
strange. He loved to sing and was in a band. He often sang at weddings
and as a school boy in Abeokuta. I have fond memories of him singing,
“The Beatles” songs in the kitchen. This must have been a relic from the
time when he was studying to become an accountant in Scotland. I am
not relying on my family name to gain acceptance. Many people have known
me on the music circuit for a year now and don’t even know my family
background. It is something I never bring up and this is the first time
I’m discussing it in an interview. I am proud of whom I am but as I
don’t want to trade on it, I simply never mention it. I’m not very
comfortable discussing it, even now.
You don’t want to use an alias?
There is always the temptation to use an
alias. It keeps the person and the artiste as two separate entities and
it’s easier to step into character. For me, a specific alias didn’t
come to mind and if something doesn’t come to me naturally, I just leave
it. I am happy to use my real name.
Why did you decide to relocate to Nigeria?
I started coming home a bit more on
holidays and on mentioning to the odd family friend or person that I did
music, I got such a positive reception. People were interested in
hearing what I had written and I wondered why I didn’t look into doing
music in Nigeria sooner than I did. I’m bonding more with home, meeting
so many talented people here and I believe I have something unique to
offer.
How will you describe your genre of music?
I don’t have a specific genre of music. I
just do whatever comes to mind. The tempo or instrumental may be
different but it’s the same Waliyah applying herself to a song. These
things are just labels used by myself and others as a way of letting you
know what to expect from a specific recording.
The competition is stiff here…
We will see how it goes. Hopefully, as
we go along, the music audience will take to me. You can only do your
best and then it becomes a case of supply and demand.
How do you view the Nigerian music scene?
It is a mixed bag. Our actual content
and music execution is world class but the process that supports the
distribution and exploitation of that content is understandably not as
sophisticated as it should be. We are still early in the journey and
that evolution will hopefully happen. Lots of music executives are
doing excellent jobs bearing in mind that many corporate organisations
are reluctant to invest in the music industry.
Have you faced challenges?
There are few opportunities to launch
yourself, since you are not known, but the catch is, how can you then
prove yourself? That’s just the way life works and I guess it’s about
paying your dues and staying diligent. If you keep pushing and you are
good enough and it’s your destiny, then it will come together. If not,
then you will remain one of the millions of up and coming artistes out
there. It is the boulevard of broken dreams for millions of people. In
all things, the toughest part is starting out and trying to gain a
foothold. It’s a bit like launching a rocket, almost all the fuel is
expended in launching into orbit and from then it’s free fall and
maintenance of your course.
Already, you have your label?
Having my own label was an obvious thing
to do. I have a brain, some business and entrepreneurship knowledge.
I’m not just a chic singer hopping around, I have substance. It made
sense to do my own thing first and then see where it will take me to. I
am on the lookout for finding collaborators or another label that can
take care of me and my needs as well as I can.
How far have you gone with your debut album?
It will be released within the next
year. I already have half an album’s worth of material as well as an
album of my UK-based work. My new single, Siwaju, was produced by Sarz.
Are there musical influences?
I like contemporary music – Afro pop,
American music, UK music of any genre; soul, pop, country, rock, Indie
pop, you name it. I also like world music, for example, Arab, Asian,
Turkish music and hope to apply some of these in my music as I go
along. My compositions are inspired by anything and everything. Often, I
try to make the music I want to hear and perhaps that which no one else
has made.
How do you unwind?
I like to catch up on current affairs,
news, politics and movies as well as spend time with friends. I also
love to travel and I am blessed to have been to a lot of places. It’s
mentally stimulating and gives you a fresh perspective each time you
come back. I’ve ticked a lot of places off the list but Turkey, Greece,
Egypt and Japan will be good sometime in the future.
What does style means to you?
Style is ideally a reflection of our
personality and mindset. It can be such a joy and means of artistic
expression especially for women. I like to be comfortable but elegant.
It varies but depends on mood and phase. I’m currently heading towards a
“less is more” style. I feel less of a need to always wear bright
colours or sequins all the time. I think it’s about confidence and
letting your real self come through. Whatever outfit serves as a good
frame, wins my vote.
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