Encomium
Fast rising music star Onome Patria Eyamaro popularly known as Patria wants to shake the industry with her style of music. She just released two singles and they is making waves on radio and night clubs around Lagos and beyond, an indication she is set for the top.
Born and bred in Nigeria 21 years ago, the talented musician moved to Canada when she was 12. She has been there since then. Now, she is ready to come back home and take over the Nigerian music scene, she spoke about how it all began…
What were you doing prior to the time you fell in love with music?
I was a student at York University. I have always loved music so I told my parents I wanted to focus on it more.
How did your parents react when you told them you wanted to go into music?
My mom has been a lover of music and she always supported me but my dad didn’t know that I could sing until I sent him a couple of my songs and he began to take me serious. He has been supporting me since then.
What convinced you that you could sing?
At first, I didn’t have the full confidence. I knew I could sing but I always wondered if I could top other musicians who were making hits and money and I wondered if I could get the support they have. So, I started off with my family and friends who supported me. Then I started performing at shows and gigs in Canada and that’s I how I built my confidence.
What are you presently working on?
I am working on a couple of singles that would be released in this year. I already have two singles Moferan and Epiphany.
You have not been in touch with your roots for a while, how much do you know of your origin?
I know few things about Nigeria, but I am not like 100 percent into it, that is why I am also planning to move back to Nigeria, so I can learn more and adapt to the system and become a full fledged Nigerian artists.
The Nigerian music industry is highly competitive, especially among females who exhibit pure talent and sexual appeal. How do you intend to compete?
I feel they are all showing a part of themselves. In this society, sex sells but at the same time you have to present yourself in the way the society will like you. I will adapt a bit from what the society wants and at the same time, be myself.
How do you balance your budding music career and academics?
Whenever I have free time from school, I go to the studio.
Are you interested in anything else apart from music?
Music is my passion. I don’t want to limit myself to just music. I love the performing acts like acting, directing and producing. I will tap into that in the future.
Nigerians, like Davido and DJ Cuppy moved back home to establish themselves in the Nigeria entertainment industry. Do you think you can surpass them?
I don’t believe I can surpass anybody. I just felt I could be myself and if people like me for who I am that will be good enough for me. I am not in it to please people; I am in it to fulfill my dream. If you love something, you just want to put yourself out there and if people love you, they love you and if they don’t love you, that’s just how the world works.
Do you have any favourite Nigerian artiste?
There are a lot of good artiste, I don’t know which to pick. But right now, I’m feeling Patoranking and Tiwa Savage.
What is your idea of Nigerian music?
Nigerian music has an attractive sound. I don’t think I have the right word to describe it because there are a lot of genres of music in it, so it can’t really be described.
What genre of music are you in to?
I have always loved RnB, but I wouldn’t want to limit myself to that because I am a Nigerian and we don’t only do RnB. I would love to go into other genres. My new single is a combination of afro, pop and reggae.
It is largely believed that we have more entertainers than musicians in the Nigerian music industry. Which would you be?
I intend to entertain and be a musician. There are a lot of people who know how to get crowd attention by just standing or moving their bodies and some people sing to get attention. I intend to do both. I dance as well.
Which producer will you like to work with in Nigeria?
I like the works of D Tunes and Gospel. In the course of time, if there are any other producers that I hear of, I will check them out.
Nigerian musicians constantly use the social media to flaunt their wealth. When you started making the money, will you be glamorous and flaunt your wealth as well?
Honestly, I just like being myself; I am not the type of person who flaunts herself. Growing up, I have always been a bold child and at same time, shy. I was never taught to flaunt myself. I am just going to be me. I don’t think I need to flaunt money to show people I am rich, I will just humble myself.
You have two singles already, when do you intend releasing a full album?
I already have two singles dropped on Notjustok, I am still promoting both of them so people will hear my sound and know the kind of artiste I am. I am trying to drop an EP first, like five singles before releasing an album.
What are the messages you passed through the singles you released to the market?
They are just songs about me and things that I have experienced, my personal experiences, my friend’s experiences from things I hear and see.
Would it be right to say your experience inspired Moferan?
It is about a love of mine, someone I thought I fell in love with and I just wrote out my feelings towards the person. A friend of mine, Kekay, worked on the song as well and he felt he could have a good input on it. The song is basically about love, expressing ones feelings towards one another, talking about the future with each other.
How will you handle advances from your male admirers?
I will just blow kisses at them.
Nigerian music industry is one of the biggest markets now in Africa, how prepared are you to be a part of it?
This is something I have been dreaming of doing, if I don’t grab this opportunity here, I will regret it for the rest of my life, so I might as well just take the bull by the horn.
Some artiste don’t know how to manage stardom and get easily carried away, how will you manage stardom?
I just think you have to know yourself, to know that you can’t be influenced by anything anyone tells you, you have to stand your ground and know that your music is what you are there for. In everything, God should be consulted and everything will fall in place.
With stardom comes scandal. How do you intend to manage scandals that will come your way as a star?
This world on its own is a scandal, everybody lies. You just have to look over them. A lot of people will say things about you, but you just have to be firm and remind yourself that with stardom comes scandal. You just have to overlook it and focus on your music. Rumours are always going to be there about you whether you are a star or not, so you have to focus on what you want.
You have been based abroad for years, what fascinates you about Nigeria as a country?
I am not much of a reader. I love coming to Nigeria because of the heat. Canada is very cold. One thing I don’t like about Nigeria is the issue of the abducted Chibok girls. It really broke my heart.
Do you have a songwriter?
I wrote my songs myself. In Moferan, the words that were foreign to me were put together by a couple of friends who are form different tribal backgrounds.
While growing up, what were your childhood ambitions?
I wanted to be a lawyer because I always liked defending myself, but my dreams have changed. I started being in love with music when I was eight. I used to play a lot of instruments and that was how I veered into music.
So far, what are the challenges as an upcoming artiste?
Some people are rude. When you voice your dreams, they discourage you and talk down on you, this could bring you down and make you not to believe in yourself anymore. It was really hard at one point and I wanted to give it up. I had to learn to believe in myself because I had a tough time believing in myself while growing up. This is the only thing I thought I could actually achieve that’s why I want to pursue it.
While growing up, what were the experiences that toughened you?
People did. People toughen you up every day, you have people who hate you, love you, are jealous of you and even the bad belle. When faced with the good, the bad and the ugly, you have to decide not to succumb to anything that is going to make you feel less of yourself.
What is your definition of style?
My mood determines my style. I might feel like wearing a dress today or feel like dressing like a boy the next day. It all depends on my mood.
What is your perception of young artistes like Davido and Wizkid?
I think they are very talented. They are eccentric too. Wizkid sounds very catchy. I am more of a fan of Wizkid but Davido is also as talented as Wizkid.
– NIKE POPOOLA
