Eniola Akinbo, the official first lady of Banky W’s EME Records, is popularly known as Niyola. With ‘Toh bad’ and ‘Crazy’ to her credit, she has a lot to share with Reporter, REGINA WHENU…
As the only female in the E.M.E (Empire Mates Entertainment) Records family, would you say that there are times you feel like the odd one out?
Eniola AkinboNo, I have never felt odd. The feeling I have is of being special ans unique. This is because all the guys dote on me. I think of them now as my brothers and we look out for each other. It’s a communal feeling, and knowing there are people in your corner is a very good source of motivation.
What do you like most about your profession?
I love the opportunities it gives me to share my music and experiences with the world. I love making music, and being able to give that to a large number of people is very rewarding. The feeling I get from knowing that my music makes someone else’s life better or a little more meaningful is priceless. It’s a beautiful thing being able to make music, and I’m grateful.
What do you like least about it?
It gets a bit overwhelming and frustrating sometimes, especially during those instances when I can’t do certain things because people know who I am. I also miss the anonymity sometimes. But there is a price for everything. I chose to make music, and being famous is an offshoot of that. So, I’m learning to deal with it.
Who do you consider to be your role model(s)?
My father is my hero. Growing up, he was the strongest influence in my life. He was a hands-on father. Most of the things I know and my outlook on life are as a result of him. I think I am very lucky to have that kind of father, especially in an environment when most fathers are usually absent, due to the fact that they have to work twice as hard to bring home the bacon.
Have you ever felt that the public and critics expect too much from you?
The thing about public expectation is that I have no control or influence over it. Every human being has expectations; it is the way we are wired. So I always try to stay true to myself. I am human and imperfect. Everyone is. On the other hand, there’s the adage that says: to whom much is given, much is expected. I also take it as a compliment when people expect great things from Niyola. It means that they think highly of me and are appreciative of my journey so far.
How hard do you push yourself?
Pretty hard. I am my biggest critic. Let’s just say if I want something done, I will stop at nothing to overcome the challenges that are on my path. When I set my mind on achieving something, I have an unwavering positivity to do it, no matter how daunting the situation might seem. I believe that we can always do better and you’re only as good as your last performance.
What inspired your hit tracks ‘Love to Love You’ and ‘Toh Bad’?
The goal of the music I make is to express the female opinion. I want to share the female experience with my songs. Those particular songs were inspired by the enduring nature of women in relationships when we are in love and how fulfilling love can be. I believe it is easy to create timeless music when you can relate to what you’re singing about. I’m female and I’ve been in love. I also have friends who have been in or are presently in love. I’m simply telling our stories.
What day would you say is the most important in your life?
Every day is as important as the next. Life is fleeting and I live my life like every day was my last. So I make sure that I am appreciative of life, each day. As far as milestones go, there have been several important ones, and going into each one might take a while.
How do you keep fit?
Looking the way I do now was due to a lot of hard work. Unfortunately, there are no short cuts to staying fit. I have worked out almost every day for the past six years. So my fitness has become second nature. It is more or less a lifestyle now. I’ve conditioned my body; so if I went a whole month without actively working out, I’d be fine. Fitness is also about making healthy choices when it comes to meals and portion sizes.
What song of yours are you most proud of?
All my songs are like my children; so I’m immediately proud of every song I record. It’s hard to pick one; but I think ‘Toh Bad’ stands out. This is not just because it is probably my most popular song so far, but I am most proud of how well I think I performed on the record. The backstory as regards recording ‘Toh Bad’ is one of those against-all-odds stories. So I have a soft spot for that particular song. But I’m also very excited about my new song, ‘Love to Love You’. The video is out in a couple of weeks. I have a very strong feeling that it will do even better than ‘Toh Bad’. Of course I have another single, ‘One Night Stand’, which drops right after the video.
Why did you settle for music, of all vocations?
This word, ‘settle’… Well my history with music goes a long way back. I realised I could sing when I was very young. So it wasn’t a case of settling for music. Music chose me. There’s no way I would have lived in fulfilment if I didn’t pursue a career in music. It’s the one thing I would never have been able to forgive myself for not doing. I love making music and I can’t imagine a life where I wasn’t able to do this.
Do you censor yourself; for instance, have you ever written anything and then decided it was too harsh?
I don’t think so. The way I write is an offshoot of the way I speak. And since I’m not one who uses profanity regularly, there is little or no risk of that spilling into my records. Now, there are several ways of infusing a more mature message into songs. The idea is to be tactful and classy with your message. However, if I can say it, then I can sing it.
What next should we expect from you?
I will put out an album in 2015. For the next few months, the goal is to release more singles, videos and collaborations. I’m really not in a rush as far as an album is concerned. I want people to know and understand the Niyola brand; one single at a time, before I give them a compilation.
Do you engage in volunteer work?
Yes I do. But I keep this to myself, as I do it not for recognition but just as my way of making the world a better place. I am working on a new initiative as regards volunteer work. As soon as all the bolts are in place, I’ll share it with the people who will benefit from it.
Which do you enjoy the most: a night out or staying in with that special someone?
Going out, for me, is only fun when I am with the right people. I would rather be home.
Who is the special man in your life?
What is the fun of being a woman if I’m not entitled to a secret or two?
We gathered that it is pretty difficult to maintain a relationship when you are a star. Is that applicable to you?
Maintaining a relationship is a collective effort between both parties in it. Being a star or not has little to do with it. Relationships are very delicate and difficult to maintain, regardless of how popular you are. I think celebrity relationships only seem more problematic because there is always a spotlight on celebrities.