As one of the best things to happen to Nigerian and African music in 2024, Mr Fido, whose real name is Olayemi Josiah Awosika, has taken the bull by the horns and is not letting go. Building off the momentum from last year, he is solidifying his place as a force to be reckoned within the music industry.
Capturing the ears of listeners with singles such as, “Awolowo”, and “Joy Is Coming”, the singer is embracing Afrobeats and riding on its wings to share his talent with the world. Drawing inspiration from Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, Kizz Daniel, Wande Coal, Olamide and a host of others, Fido’s music stems from his experiences growing up and an appreciation of what he is living now.
To stamp his position as a force in the music space, he has released his debut project, “Olayemi” a six-track project which tells his story from the past, the present and the future. The project comes off as an autobiography where he shares his personal journey to the global audience.
In a conversation with iMullar, Fido opens up about the inspiration behind the project, his influences, collaboration and the future of African music and how Olayemi is just a start to what is to come.
This interview has been edited for clarity and length.
You have had a very exciting year, and part of that is that you have been one of the fastest-rising artists in recent memory. How would you describe the last 18 months as someone who has lived it?
It has been great all the way. August will be a year since I started. I am really grateful to God for the journey so far and where he has taken me to and where he is leading me to. I am just really grateful.
It is very evident that you are influenced by someone like Wande Coal. Growing up, how instrumental was the music of people like him and others you idolized in shaping your artistry?
Listening to the likes of Kizz Daniel, Olamide, Wande Coal and the likes has really helped me shape my music in a way whereby I learned how to curate music from scratch,their lyrical content. That has influenced how I create music even with my producer. When we are working on a theme, I make sure I stay on theme and not mix things up. That process makes it easy to make music.
In a market where we often hear consumers talk about artists mimicking other artists, how do you stay different and present yourself as just you?
I add a lot of me to every song I make. From my writing, melodies, delivery and stories I tell in my music makes me unique.
Your new project, “Olayemi,” presents a very wide scope of your talent, diversity, and storytelling. How different is this Fido from the Fido we got introduced to with Awolowo?
There really isn’t any difference. It is just me telling different stories on each song. I feel the world has know more of Mr Fido. As an artist that likes to venture into different genres of music, I just wanted to use this project to give the different aspects and sounds of Mr Fido to my fans.
Would you say you were able to execute your vision for the project, and what would you want consumers to leave with after listening to the project?
When people listen to the project, I feel they will connect with every story and song on the project. I did put my all into the songs and you will feel that rawness and organic emotion through the songs.
iMullar: You paint pictures of the lives you have lived in your life thus far on the project in songs like “Dolapo” and “Lungu.” How important is it for you as an artist to share bits of reality through your music like you do?
I feel it is important to share your story with the world. I want people to understand where Mr. Fido came from, where I am and where I am headed. I want people to understand that I appreciate my circumstances and I like to give thanks to who thanks is to be given to.
What three other artists would you have had on what songs on the project and why?
There were definitely people I had wanted on the project. I had wanted to have someone on Boko and Miss U Die but I also wanted to just do things on my terms.
What are some of your favorite highlights in putting this project together?
There were a lot of exciting times but I think Boko Boko was one of the highlights. We were at the beach and I remember my producer playing the beat and the melody and lyrics just easily came to me.
There is an ongoing conversation that Afrobeats being used as an umbrella term for music coming from the continent should not discourage artists from exhibiting their versatility. As someone who has embraced that concept, as seen in this project, what will you say is the direction for African music over the next decade?
I would say African music will still go higher than it is now. African sound will stand out more and get more recognition and appreciation. I feel my sound will also get its moment and acceptance on the global stage.
What does this project mean for Fido going into the next couple of years?
The project signifies the beginning of bigger things for Mr. Fido and OOsha records. I see this as an opportunity to cross boundaries. As my debut project, this is just a start to the many great things that will come.
Consumers are known for creating competition between artists. As someone who is still growing in the space, how do you deal with such incidents, and how can artists adopt the spirit of collaboration as opposed to feeding into competition?
For me partnerships are very important. I do not believe in competition but I recognize that it is also part of life
There was a video of you and Black Sherif in the studio. How soon are we getting that, and how open is Fido to exploring the Ghanaian market?
I know I have some Ghanaian fans because of “Joy Is Coming”. For Blacko, I am looking forward to dropping that soon. After this project, let’s see. We worked on a few songs so I am excited about that too.
What are your last words to anyone reading this?
Big thanks to everyone and I just want to add that keep believing in God and everything will fall in place. Keep supporting Fido and stream the project.
Written and Interviewed by Nana Kojo Mula.
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