*Says Mum paid for his first production

By Busola Samuel

Adeyinka Okedara a.k.a. YKEEZY is an upcoming music star, who works have been distributed online but looks forward to better deal. In this interview with The DEFENDER, he tells why he like other artistes has craze for ladies even as he salutes the Alaafin of Oyo Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III and Oba of Lagos Alhaji Rilwan Akiolu I, being the monarchs of his two roots; father and mother, respectively. Excerpts:

Can we kickstart this interview by getting to make you talk to The DEFENDER’s readers about yourself?

I am Adeyinka Okedara, a.k.a. YKEEZY, Global boy. I was born in Lagos and my state of origin is Oyo. I actually have my roots from Oyo Alaafin Atiba and Isale Eko, Lagos Island, so I’m also an Islander. Dad is from Oyo Alaafin and Mum from Isale Eko. Permit me to doff my hat in much respect and reverence to Iku baba Yeye, Kabiyesi Alaafin Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi and Olowo Eko Baba Fuad, Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu I. May God continue to bless their reigns.

What’s your childhood like?

It’s been tough growing up. I attended Disciple Children School, Amukoko from where I obtained my First School Leaving Certificate and then moved to Government Junior College Surulere for my junior high school and finally completed my high school education at St. Phillen’s College, Ajegunle Apapa, Lagos. I hold a National Diploma in Business Administration from Igbajo Polytechnic, Osun State. So I had my growing up years in Amukoko and Ajeromi Ifelodun Area.

How did you start your music career?

I’ll say music chose me because, I could remember my mum narrating how I did a birthday song for my little sister when I was just four. I went to a Christian mission school, where we participated in a lot of music rehearsals. I was also a member of a group of young guys in high school who played with sticks and tins as drums etc, while I do the free styling.

Most importantly I think my brother pushed me more, we did a lot of freestyle, practice and rehearsals together, and he told me, “Brother! you’ve got the talent, why not pursue a career in it?” immediately I gained admission to the polytechnic, I started partaking in school shows and gigs. My mum paid for my first single release production.

What inspires your kind of songs?

I get my inspiration from my environment, people and events around me.

You dropped your first single release “Ladies on Me” in 2014, then another single; WUNDIA earlier this year, tell us about both.

On “Ladies on Me”, I’m trying to put it rightly so I don’t get misunderstood.  Well, I’ve always been the ladies-guy right from my childhood, and still much in love with them all, so I did that song to express my experience with them and appreciate their love.

On my last single, WUNDIA, as a songwriter and composer, I have lots of unpublished or not yet released songs in my library.  So, I just picked up one and didn’t even know what title to give it. I have a mentor that I always go to as a young lad, I shared the song idea with him and he said “Oh it’s about ladies again (laughs)?  Okay, why not make it more African and creative by inserting WUNDIA instead of the clichéd “baby, bae etc”?” So I researched and found out that WUNDIA is the Yoruba word for young unmarried lady, better put; maidens. I followed my mentor respectfully and there was or should I say here comes WUNDIA because it’s still smashing hot.

Wundia is a song I want to use to encourage lovers in their relationship, make bold proposal, toasting and even try to mend broken relationship. It’s my celebration of love, African women in particular and womanhood in general. So it’s Wundia, fresh Bae, Maidens! (laughs)

Now your two works have to do with ladies, what is this craze about ladies and women among you artistes? Are you an RnB or blues artiste? Tell us your genre of music.

(Laughs) Well, like I said earlier, I have always been the ladies guy and I have always had them around me from my childhood.  My mum told me the women-folk has always loved me and has always adorn me, and presently I have more ladies as friends than men.

Having said that, I don’t think there is any craze or obsession. Women are just the salt of the world, for you to succeed, and you ignore them at your own peril.

So I think that is why artistes will keep celebrating them. Don’t forget your mother is a woman o! hahahaha. To disappoint you, my newest song set for release is far away from “ladies”.

On my genre of music, I do Afro Pop, Rock song, Electronic and dancehall. Let me say I’m dynamic; don’t bother about the two love songs, now I have something for the hood and more  versatile, epic and dynamic still coming.

Who are your role models and icons in the industry, locally and globally?

Baba 70, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, King Sunny Ade (KSA), Tu-Baba, Bob Marley and Michael Jackson.

Are you presently on any record label or management?

No, I’m presently self-managing with the support of my mentor, who is a creative branding consultant and copyright advocate. However I am open to any favorable deal and agreement with willing labels or management.

On a lighter mood, what is your view about baby mama and baby daddy in the industry; you as a lad, would you also fall in?

Well, frankly speaking, anything can happen in the industry, not even in the entertainment industry alone, everywhere. So on baby mama, for me I will say anything can happen (laughs).

What is your view on the industry trend presently and where do you see yourself in 5 years time?

I believe the industry especially in Nigeria has grown tremendously and is still growing fast.  We are rapidly getting to the top. I would like to see myself as the best African artiste in 5 years time.

So, your songs are presently distributed online and digital platforms? Are you doing physical distribution?

Yes.  “Ladies on Me” and “Wundia” are presently on different musical platforms online but I also published Wundia’s single for promotional and physical distribution. We are having Hood Anthem on stream.

On another lighter mood, what would you do if a lady fan asks you for a signed autograph in her privy?

No (laughs), I would do that politely. I’m not saint Ykeezy though…

Okay rounding up, what is your take on the media and the entertainment?

For me, no entertainment without the media.  Big ups to our friends in the media, we appreciate you. I personally would be appreciating the media a lot on this my journey to stardom. Thank you

So your to words to fans out there…?

Yeah, I want my esteemed and respected friends, fans, in Nigeria and Africa, to go download my songs “Ladies on Me” and “Wundia”.  They are available online and I want to announce the release of “Hood Anthem”, a song in appreciation of my hood, Orile Iganmu, Coker and Surulere.