May7even, real names Yemisi Odegbami is a singer, songwriter, dancer, producer, actress, model and entrepreneur who recently relocated to Nigeria from UK where she’s been since she was six years old. In this interview with Woman Editor, Temitope David-Adegboye, she speaks about her relationship with her famous father and how she coped with life despite his absence.
Why did you choose music?
Music chose me. When I was a little girl, I wanted to sing just by religiously watching the likes of Michael Jackson and Fela Kuti. Then my dad was a sports man, a professional football player and entertainer. Naturally, if it wasn’t football, it would be music at some point. So I have been an artiste and entrepreneur, learning about the entertainment industry and trying to do what will help others as well.
So is it safe to say your background influenced your choice of career?
It matters. My dad was always entertaining people, a great role model and I guess I wanted to be a great a role model too. I did want to play football at some stage, I was discouraged but music is just in me. I live and breathe music; it was only natural for me to become an entertainer someday.
What kind of music do you do?
I do Afro-Beat. In UK, they call me the queen of Afro-Beat. I started out here in Nigeria in 2007, when we did not have many female artistes. I went to the UK and continued. I am still the only one doing it big time out there. When I visited Nigeria, I was encouraged to infuse Yoruba language into my music so I can sell to Europe. Initially it was a challenge but I continued even included it in my R & B. It’s a way of tricking them into listening to our music and without realising it; they sing along in Yoruba.
Are you now resident in Nigeria?
I just moved back two months ago. I have been based in the UK all my life. I left here when I was about six.
Why did you come back?
I feel I have done what I could in the UK as a Nigerian entertainer. I left here at a time when there was no female artiste but now there are lots of big names and our music is being looked out for all over the world. I left because I needed to enhance and develop a bit more since the infrastructure here still needed to be worked upon. Now that the world is looking at what we are doing, it is very important that we get it right. Apart from been a singer or an artiste, I am also a businesswoman. I have a platform in the UK and I want to bring what I have learnt back here to help entertainers. In the past, I booked Nigeria artiste to perform in the UK. I hope to bring some of my expertise to Nigeria to further develop the entertainment industry
We have a lot of artistes, both male and female, what makes your music so unique and aren’t you afraid of competition?
I started my style of music which is R&B mixed with Afrobeat. I’ve never been worried about competitions. We are in this together. We are trying to develop something. My music is definitely different because I am heavily influenced by Michael Jackson and Fela. I do not think there is any other artiste that is doing what I am doing. I am also a professional dancer so when I go on stage, it is a different ball game. I do not want to look like any other female artiste here. That’s why you’d always find my hair white. I am not here to compete with anyone. I am just here to join and also stand out as well.
Have you thought of collaborating with any artiste here yet?
Yes, I will love to collaborate with Omawumi. I think she is a fantastic singer. I’d also like to work with Tiwa Savage. She is a good friend and we grew up in London together. And, she is more established here so she can show me how things work here. I do not believe in competition, I believe we are sisters in this and we still have a long way to go.
Do you see your male counterparts as threats?
No, not really. People are just doing their own thing, the moment I start seeing them as a threat, then I lose what I am trying to do. I see them as human beings and everyone has something very unique about them.
How much of a support do you get from father?
He wasn’t really supportive at the beginning but now I get his full support. When I was about 16 and he noticed this was what I wanted to do, he asked that I should go to school and finish my studies first. Then, he kind of abandoned me. So I combined studying with performing at night show to raise money. I was also sneaking into the studio. After he saw my first video on TV, he knew I was serious. Since then, he has been supportive.
Does his name open doors for you?
I am a proper musician. I play instruments. I did voice training. So I do not ride upon my father’s name. It’s only now that I tell people my full names. He has left a great legacy that I should be proud of, no doubt. But for many years, I did not want to tell anyone that my name is Yemisi Odegbami because the first thing they’ll think is that my dad (Segun Odegbami) made it happen.
Who is your role model?
Definitely my dad; however, my mother is my biggest role model. Although she is not into entertainment, she is the most selfless person I have ever met. If you meet her, you have met peace.
Where is she now?
She is based in London but she desires to return to Nigeria soon. She has been there for over 35 years though they did not divorce, they were only separated. She struggled to raise the three of us (her children). It was really hard in London but she has come out of it and she is the most beautiful woman I know. You would not even see any trace of history of the past on her face. I get emotional when I talk about my mother because she has been through a lot and now she has come out very strong. So she is my biggest role-model.
Do you have anything against your dad?
For a while, I held it against him because being famous, we thought he was here having fun. But as an adult now, I have come to understand that things are not as always as it seems. You may be famous outside but no one knows you are crying in your small bedroom. It has taken a long time to understand. I was a little bit angry with my dad that is why I grew up with a fighting spirit. However, attaining adulthood has taught me a lot. It was difficult growing up in the UK. There was a time I had nowhere to live, I was literally living in the booth of my car without any money. So there were times I’d be in my car and be listening to my song playing on the radio, and everybody was hailing May7ven. I have come to understand that fame is not everything that one need; people have different issues that they struggle with. I think my dad is going through his own issue which he can explain to me much later.
