M-AYO is a fresh new artiste whose musical background is deeply rooted. With a ton of experience gained from living in Nigeria and abroad, he is back in the country to fully pursue his first love; music. He already has a single – titled “Low Time” out and doing well. He gives us the exclusive gist of what’s next to come from him on this episode of “Into the Life Of An Artiste.”
49thStreet: Can you briefly introduce who M-ayo is & what he represents?
M-Ayo: My name is Mayokun Olamide Somide. I am a musician, mainly a singer and song-writer. I’m from Abeokuta, born and bred in Lagos State. My brand represents reality in M-AYOs perspective. I have some good days and some bad days and you know I just share my experiences in a song.
49thStreet: What/who inspired you to go into music?
M-Ayo: I’ll say my house hold in general. My father composes music and plays several instruments, So I grew up listening to piano almost every evening. I just found myself understanding music better than my peers!
49thStreet: How long have you been in the music game?
M-Ayo: I recorded my first song in 2010 with fefefab!
49thStreet: Who were your earliest music influences?
M-Ayo: Michael Jackson, Wizkid
49thStreet: Can you explain to us what genres of music you like to explore?
M-Ayo: I personally love listening to nostalgic music and rap but because my environment is heavily influenced by Afro-Beats the rhythms reflect on my songs too. But M-AYO can do all!
49thStreet: I hear a bit of pidgin in your music. How did studying abroad influence or affect your music?
M-Ayo: Well schooling abroad made me love my culture even more. I used to hate when my Arab friends speak in their language and I wouldn’t understand a thing. For Nigerians our common language is pigin. It’s unique.
49thStreet: You released Low Time on 18th of December? Why did you choose it as your first release?
M-Ayo: ‘Low Time’ is the core of how I felt when I decided to make this project, it was a low time mentally for me and this record was my release. so it was only right!
49thStreet: Which Nigerian music artistes do you think influenced your kind of music? Is there anyone in the Nigerian music industry you look up to particularly?
M-Ayo: Fela Kuti, Wizkid Ayo, Burnaboy, Wande Cole. I look up to God!
49thStreet: What are your plans for the future? Do you have anything in the works, a full music project, EP or single?
M-Ayo: The Ep is definitely on the way! All I can say is it drops in the first quarter of 2021.
49thStreet: What would you like to say to anyone looking to go into music full-time? What were your mottos while pushing your music?
M-Ayo: Have fun with it. Your team is key!
I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me!
49thStreet: What message would you love to send to your fans? What would you like to tell them?
M-Ayo: To all the people who have been following me on this journey, I really just want to say thank you! You all are my motivation! To my new family, It’s 2021 and we are taking over! We need to break out of that friend zone real quick. Holla at your boy let’s talk, let’s know each other and let’s push this culture!
