How Project Fame prepared Oyinkanade for ACI Awards

• Voting ends on May 14

Oyinkanade’s musical career began on a promising note; he would always disturb everybody in the house with his voice, singing and dancing. From there, he joined the choir of his local church, in Ibadan, and later found myself in a group named D BRIDGEZ consisting of four young guys.

“We used to go around churches to sing. I later went for MTN project fame and that’s how the whole journey started properly. It really assisted my coming into limelight,” he recalled.

For the young talent, being on MTN Project Fame Academy stage was a sort of transformation for his music career.

“Before Project Fame, I was just a normal guy, who only know how to sing to his own best knowledge. I would say that reality show taught me everything I know today and will forever be grateful to them for that,” he said.

Since he dropped his first music video featuring Olamide, Oyinkanade went underground, leaving fans wonder about his whereabouts and the direction of his career. But for the singer, it was a building process for what is to come.
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“I know I have kept my fans waiting for long, but trust me, it will bring out the best in me and my music. With what I’m cooking behind the scenes, I can assure you that it will worth the wait. Remember again that I am a student of University of Abuja; I’m combining education with my music career.”

Though passionate about his music career, which has brought him fame, for the young singer, education is key.

“Fame without education amounts to nothing, it is nothing. Education is the best legacy parents can bestow their children. Apart from my own interest to complete my education, my father, Olusola Akande and my mumsy, Felicia Akande are disciplinarians. In fact, my mother was a retired Principal of the popular Loyola College, Ibadan. Even if I don’t want, they would not support my musical career. I’m presently studying Political Science and have a year to complete my education,” he said.

Just as he was working behind the scene, Oyinkanade was recently nominated for the ACI Awards in the United States of America alongside other entertainment heavyweights.

“I got nominated as Best New Artist of the Year and it’s happening live in Atlanta Georgia, U.S, so, I’m also using this medium to appeal to my fans to please vote for me as Best New Artist of the Year. All they just need to do is log on to www.aciawards.com. Voting ends on 14 May, 2016. The nomination is an icing on cake for my career and me. I can only thank God for it. I hope I will be successful. It is not by my power, but God has made it possible,” he enthused.

Describing his style of music as Urban Fuji RnB, with some influences of fuji, the singer named Chief Ebenezer Obey, King Sunny Ade, Kwam1, Boys2men, Sound Sultan, Tee-YMix and others as his mentors.

Just recently, he did a new song with VJ Adams, which is expected to drop soon.

When is that dropping?

“I will just like my fans to keep their fingers crossed on that and be on the look out,” he enthused.

Aside from music, Oyinkanade is very playful and funny.

“But people don’t know, some of my friends do tell me to try and change occupation and be a comedian but No. Music is my first love but, trust you won’t spend up to ten minutes with me and you won’t start laughing at some funny things I might be saying or doing.”

For the singer, the Nigerian music industry has come of age.

“It’s been a geometric progression since the acceptance of hip-hop from the pioneers such as The Remedies, Plantashun Boiz and others; it’s a continuous process. It takes a true talent with tenacity to stand out; good music will be good music any time or day. So, I’m not intimidated. In fact I’m extremely motivated each time I look at the new cats in the game,” he said.