Budding Afro hip-hop artiste, Ogunleye Oluwafemi tells BUKOLA BAKARE about his foray into the music industry
What stirred your interest in music?
I have always been interested in music but I only began to pay greater attention to it after I gained admission to Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye. In my second year, I started attending school shows where I performed to the admiration of many students. I won the Artiste of the Year Award in my final year from my department and I also got an entertainment scholarship to go with the recognition.
How would you describe your genre of music?
My brand of music is known as Afro hip-hop and I got the inspiration from the late Abami Eda, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti. I infused his sound into my music but I have also tried to give it a modern flavour by adding my own vibe and melody to it. My goal is to make it an interesting sound and I hope that I can surpass Fela’s style. On the hip-hop side, the likes of Ice Prince and 2face influenced me a great deal.
Tell us a bit about your background.
For my elementary education, I attended Mayflower Junior School. I also attended Mayflower Secondary school, Ikenne, for two years before I moved to Salawu Abiola Comprehensive School, Ogun State, to complete my secondary school education. Thereafter, I proceeded to Olabisi Onabanjo University where I studied Accounting Education and graduated in 2012. I’m the second child in a family of five and the first son. Right now, I do music full-time.
What was your parents’ reaction when you told them that you wanted to do music full-time?
Quite frankly, my father was not happy about my decision initially. However, he found out more about my interest in music when I got to the university and he ordered me to stop. You know that a mother will always support her child no matter the obstacles, so my mother was very supportive in that regard. My father didn’t want to hear anything about it until I got the entertainment scholarship from my department in my final year and I didn’t pay for my final year tuition. My father later got a call that I had been awarded a scholarship for my musical exploits and he had to confirm from the school’s secretary. From that moment, I have had his total support and now, he is my number one and greatest fan. After my university education, I got a white-collar job but I turned it down to focus on music.
How did you adopt the stage name, F-Singz?
My real name is Ogunleye Oluwafemi Johnson but my stage name is F-Singz which is a variant of Femi Sings. Prior to doing my own thing, I belonged to a group of two in school and the both of us bear the same first name (Femi). In order to differentiate us when we mount the stage, my partner was known as F-Raps while I adopted the name, F-Singz. After school, we went our separate ways. A common thing with being in a group is that you get to a certain point and just realise that it’s time to do your own thing. My partner went back to school for further studies while I have since remained focused on my music which I’m still doing right now.
You have released two singles…
I released my first single in February 1, 2016 and it is titled Gbadun featuring Ayo-J and we shot the video in Johannesburg, South Africa. In November, 2016, I followed it up with Morimiwu, and I featured So-Sick, who was late Dagrin’s producer. We are currently holding talks and making plans to shoot the video. For now, I do not intend to put out an album until I gain more ground in the music industry.
When you are not making music, what keeps you busy?
When I am less busy, you will find me at home watching television. I love watching reality shows because they inspire me a great deal. It also gives me a psychological view of how the human mind works. I do not watch movies and I am not one that would be found in clubs, regardless of what I do but sometimes, I could bend the rule. I love to be around people and put smiles on their faces.
Are you signed to any record label?
I am signed to Blue Note Entertainment which is owned by Tunbosun Kola-Daisi.
As an artiste, what is your driving force?
Do not wait for a perfect condition before you pursue your dreams. Like a farmer, just stay focused and plant your crops because you never know which one will blossom and grow. On my part, I’ll do everything that can be done, pray and stay focused as an artiste.
What informs what you wear?
In terms of fashion, I always like to be myself and I like to dress urban. Our society is tilting towards upholding our culture so I also infuse a bit of that into my clothes but for now, I am all-urban.
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