Didun Akinyelure, popularly known as D.O.A to the world, is a multi-genre musician. Didun incorporates various genres and styles into his music, from Hip Hop, Rnb and Afrobeats. He is constantly experimenting with different genres, reinventing the way he approaches music and adjusting himself to flow on anything given to him.
Didun was born and raised in Lagos, Nigeria. Although, he currently resides in Hamilton, where he attained his degree. He graduated from McMaster University with an Honours Bachelor of Commerce. Sports are huge for him; he enjoys playing soccer. However, he is also interested in the NBA and NFL. Going to the gym is another love of his; he is there six times a week. He calls it his relaxing place.
As a kid, he always enjoyed listening to music. The euphoria he would experience from listening alone was astounding. Often, he would spend his time learning the lyrics to all his favourite tracks, singing along word for word. Doing this brought him an incomparable feeling of joy. It wasn’t long before he started free-styling, coming up with his own rhymes and raps in his head. Even though he had no idea how to turn these raps into actual songs yet.
The more complicated aspects of making a song; producing, recording, or mixing and mastering. Didun had no idea how to navigate that. Thankfully, an uncle who was into music intervened. His uncle was well versed in making music and its components, plus he owned a recording studio. Starting Didun’s journey of going to the studio, watching, learning and occasionally recording with his uncle.
Through this practice, Didun realized he could actualize all his dreams. Sadly, he couldn’t go to the studio as much as he wanted to, so he found another way to record; by himself at home. As time passed, he understood that his talent was boundless. Confirming even more that this was his purpose after dropping his first song in 2017. The reviews and feedback were astonishing.
When creating, Didun begins with the beat election. He sifts through beats on youtube until finding the one that matches his energy or calls to him. After beat selection, he begins to freestyle to get the perfect flow. He does not write lyrics before. Instead, he tries to channel specific energy going into any song. Didun states that he prioritizes his flow over lyrics because that’s what he believes actually makes a song stick. It is also what he searches for when listening to music.
Once he has pinpointed a flow, he writes to it. Continuing this process over the entire track. One of the main things on his mind while creating is to make something dynamic and unpredictable. Something people won’t expect. To do so, he makes sure to switch his flows as frequently as possible. To alternate through different social ranges to keep listeners on their toes.
According to Didun, music is everything to him. His passion in life, his release, his career, his way of life. Music is his talent given o him by God. Therefore he is passionate and driven about it. His main agenda when making music is just for people to feel his emotions. The energy he channels during his creative process depends on how he feels in that moment, whether it’s sadness, anger or happiness. His listeners must feel those emotions. Conveying a feeling and curating the perfect vibe to ensure those emotions get across efficiently.
Regarding inspiration, Didun states that he doesn’t draw it from any one person. Instead, he talks about how there are s many talented artists who do great things. Consequently, he draws inspiration from the multitude, combining all of that into delivering a unique sound.
If you’re intrigued by Didun, his words, and his sound, he has an EP coming out soon. The EP is called “Glimpse of Pain.” It is a recap of his emotions and feelings over the past few months since he lost his mother late last year. I cannot wait for this EP to come out. It is a beautiful accumulation of sound, lyricism and honesty.
D.O.A’s instagram : @doattw