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The basic challenge as an artiste is funding, says SHEYMAN

Sheyman is a singer cum music producer. In an exclusive chat with ENCOMIUM Weekly, he opened up on his career, pains and gains and a lot more…

 

What have you been working on?

I have been working on my new album, entitled, Zero To Hero slated to drop later this year, and many more. I am signed onto a new record label Phatebase Entertainment. I hope to brand Sheyman because a lot of people are of the perception that I am just a studio person or engineer not knowing that there are more to me than what they see.

Why have you stayed off music?

I have never abandoned music. At each point in time, I release one song. Actually, most of my time is always occupied with other people’s works in the studio that I barely have time to concentrate on my own music. That is why I had to look for another management that would create time for me out of my busy schedule in the studio even when I’m busy with other people’s works. I believe in “The more you push, the better result you get.”

How would you describe the music industry at the moment?

I feel it is a transition from old school to new school because every time there is something new coming on board. Back then, it was fuji, juju and others but now, we have hip-hop, afro beat, afro fusion and the likes. Also, new artistes emerge everyday because there are a whole lot of talents out there and they have to show what they have but one thing new artistes must know is, if you are in the game and you want to be relevant, you have to first find your content and make it fit into the rave of the moment.

How would you rate your career over the years?

So far it has been good even if we face challenges. A lot of people have come and gone and a lot of people are still here and we are still here as well. I would say it takes the grace of God to be relevant in whatever you do. I would rate my career good because I am happy with what I’m doing.

What has been the challenge?

Life itself is a challenge. The basic challenge right now is funding because you need proper funds to push a project if not, the project will not fly. As a brand, you have to keep doing public relations for your image and all these things come at a cost.

What would you count as the pains and the gains?

You start feeling pains when all you have laboured for seem to be wasted especially when you promote a particular song and it failed to work out the way you planned it. Also when you spend money on a particular song and your fans are not feeling it, it takes you back to your drawing board to start thinking of a new strategy or concept. Part of the pains you experience in the Industry is when some of your colleagues tend to discriminate or segregate because you are not in the same class or caucus. It is unfortunate that some artistes do not encourage good and quality artistes. They don’t even care about their music, all they care about is your personality because they feel you have to be successful before they support you. For me, good talent does not come from rich background but I thank God that I have passed that stage and no one can look down on me.

As for the gains, one of them is when you perform on stage and your fans go crazy about it. Also when you are being paid heavily to perform at a show.

How has it been producing and singing at the same time?

They are both challenging. The mixing is more challenging because I have to do my best for each artiste to make sure that the song is dope. That alone takes a lot of your time. I travel out to record my own song, then come back to promote it and start facing other people’s jobs again. My songs, Paper and Kokan Aye were recorded in London.

Can you tell us how many songs you have produced so far?

I see production as a good but mixing music is a better. So, I chose mixing. Basically, I mix and master songs now but I only produce for myself and for others that cannot do without my producing them. I have produced a lot of popular songs. I have lost count. I mixed for virtually everybody in the music industry and I still mix for them. I have mixed for, Davido, Wizkid, P-Square and many more.

How did you become a mixing and mastering guru in Nigeria?

It all started when I was producing songs for myself and other artistes started asking who mixed it and they liked it. Before I knew it, people started bringing songs which I mixed for free. They kept choking me with loads of songs to mix, so I attached a fee to it and they continued paying, when I increased the fee, they did not care. All they cared about is me mixing their songs. So, I told myself to go for mixing since it is lucrative and it takes less stress and short time. In anything you are doing, keep doing good because in one way or the other people will recognize that talent. But, God has been there for me.

Who would you say is the best music artiste you have ever worked with and why?

They are all the best in their areas. I have worked with Flavour on Sampowa, worked with Davido on Paper and I’m currently working with Wizkid on Terminator and they are all unique talents. I choose the kind of song I feature artistes, I don’t just tell them to jump on one song or the other because I know the kind of songs they fit into.

How financially rewarding is music for you?

Music has been good to me, at least I am able to turn the profit into investment. It’s been good but I still need more.

You just released a new single, Kokan Aye, what inspired it?

When I look at myself, I see a man thinking of people’s opinion about him, I also see that God has been good to me and I ask myself ” Why am I stressing myself over what people are saying about me”. So, at that particular point, I felt whatever you think or say about me, either good or bad, Kokan Aye. That mood inspired the song.

What would you say has kept you going in the music industry?

God has kept me going all these years. Also, the ability to reason and manoeuvre situations because I have been through heartbreaks in terms of music, betrayals here and there but the ability to think of what next to do, the ability to move out of your state to another level is what has kept me going.

What would you count as your unique selling point?

First, I try as much as possible to stay on my own and respect others and I earn my respect back. So, if you are not bringing business to me, I’m not stressing you but if you do, fine by me. We will do business and still remain friends.

What is your philosophy of life?

Never make decisions when you are mad because you can make wrong decisions which might not only affect the other party but you as a person.

What should your fans expect from you?

They should watch out for my album, Zero to Hero, Kokan Aye video and hopefully, we might do a national tour. I’m also working on signing new artistes for 2015 project and might be hanging the boot as well.

 

-DOLAPO AMODENI

Encomium

Written by Encomium

A media, tech and events company.

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