Azadus
Babajide Awoyinfa
Next To Blow: I come with good music for global audience - Bayzik
Friday, April 12, 2013Omoba
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Babajide Awoyinfa
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His name is Bayzik. His game is music. Currently,
he is an online rave, and his songs, the current rage. A multi-talented artiste
who glides effortlessly from Hip hop to R&B, from African rhythm to
Afro-pop and unto other unclassified genres, his songs radiates lyrical
creativity and they speak volumes about versatility. Small wonder then that he
has gained a humungous hip hop fan base with his current trending online song
“Ding Dong.”
Now, he is ready to explode beyond the online
stratosphere. His soon-to-be-released sophomore album, scheduled to drop later
this year, is a collection of hit bangers that will create rumbles and ripples.
In a recent chat, the Suave Records & Muzik
up-and-coming talent, whose real name is Sikiru Lamidi, disclosed to
Entertainment Express the grit of his game plan to invade the urban music
scene. Excerpts. *****CHAT BEGINS*****
Tell us about yourself?
My real name is Sikiru Lamidi, but I am popularly
known as Bayzik. The third child of an Islamic monogamous family of four
children, I have a degree in English and Literary Studies from Lagos State
University. Currently, I am on my one-year youth service with Lagos State. I
hail from Oyo State. Easy-going, fun loving and very reserved, that’s me.
What gave you the conviction to embark on a career
in music?
At first, it was all about passion and fulfillment.
Now, I’d say it’s about passion and benefits because the idea of getting good
pay for what gives you joy is quite fascinating. It’s actually a P-Square kind
of thing - passion and pay, or pleasure and pay, depending on what perspective
you view it from.
How did you find music?
It has been a part of me right from childhood. Most
of the things I did then had to do with music in one way or the other. As a
young boy then, I played little football and did more of music. I can still
remember how people often gather around to watch me perform back then. It was
always a marvelous spectacle because I could tell from their expressions and
body languages that they enjoyed it. My first pay through music didn’t come in
form of cash; it came in the form of food - a fan was so impressed that he
bought me bread and soft drink.
Precisely, at what stage of your life did you
develop interest in music?
I developed interest in music very early in life,
say, between the ages of six and seven.
Looking back at your childhood, what was your first
experience with music?
My first experience with music was a memorable one.
I remember an uncle of mine coming home one day with Daddy Showkey’s first
album and putting it on repeat all night. I woke up the following morning
singing most of the tracks flawlessly and as I did, something intense, strong
and penetrating arose in me giving a feel of satisfaction for the first time as
far as I could remember. It was a mind-blowing experience for me.
How long have you been singing now?
It’s been a very long time but I wouldn’t want to
bring in those years of naiveté so I’d confidently say close to ten years now.
It’s actually more though, but I think I’ve been able to measure up to the
accepted standard for close to those ten years.
What were the songs that molded you as you were
growing?
All kinds of songs, as far as they appeal to me.
Listening to Hausa songs for instance helped in shaping my idiosyncratic tone.
Through most of Angelique Kidjo’s songs, I was able to develop the right
attitude needed for a perfect delivery. Songs from Azadus too contributed
immensely. Good music, quirk music, funny music – they all played a part in
informing my music consciousness and helped in no small measure in defining the
“Bayzik” brand.
What genre best describes your music?
I don’t have a particular genre I do. I could be in
the R&B arena today; it could be hip hop tomorrow. I also do country music,
African rhythm, afro-pop and Salsa too - this is not about me trying to be the
mythical jack of all trade; it’s down to whatever stream of thought the
inspiration flows through. In a nutshell, I do virtually most genres. I just
have to be in the right mood, at the right place and at the right time.
What are your chances of becoming a successful
musician?
I have what it takes which is about the 3Cs -
creativity, confidence and consistency. It’s not about just music anymore; it’s
about the music business now, and for any business to thrive, feasibility
studies is not just essential but compulsory and this I don’t stop doing.
Analyzing and psychoanalyzing the audience who form your market base in
relation to what they really want would also help in no small measure.
What change do you think is desirable in the
Nigeria music industry?
We need to
be bold to take up new steps. We don’t always have to play copycats. We can
create new styles of our own rather than restrict ourselves to the confines of
some defined genres. Fela Anikulapo Kuti, Sikiru Ayinde Barrister, Bob Marley,
Haruna Ishola (though all dead now), are still very much relevant today than
most musicians presently alive and this is because they were able to create
their own styles rather than follow existing ones. This is the same reason why
we have to learn from them and trigger the changes necessary.
Tell us about your songs
I’ve composed several songs and each one addresses
an issue and the people that identify with such issue. Not every Tom, Dick and
Harry will subscribe to a war song for instance and for this reason, I make
sure that there is always a song for everybody. But beyond that, I still try as
much as possible to ensure that most of my songs appeal to the general
populace. “Clockstopper,” “Kiss Me,” “My Party,” “Ding Dong,” “Na Naija” are
among such songs.
How did you get inspirations for “Ding Dong” and
“Kiss Me”?
The composition of “Kiss Me” is relatively new
compared to “Ding Dong” which was composed many years back, though the
inspiration for “Kiss Me” is much older. The inspiration for “Ding Dong” came
after watching the movie Why Do Fools Fall in Love that chronicled the life and
times of Frankie Lymon. That of Kiss Me was from an introductory tone in Alhaji
Sikiru Ayinde Barrister’s “Fuji Garbage Series II.”
As an up-and-coming artiste, what are the basic
challenges before you?
Piracy, the age-long challenge of the entertainment
industry. This is the only challenge I think I can have. So far so good,
considerable steps are being taken by the necessary quarters to checkmate this
scourge and before long, the menace, I believe, would be a thing of the past.
Which artistes influence your musical disposition?
I draw ideas largely from Angelique Kidjo, Azadus,
Asa, and I marry their ideas with mine. Though Azadus seem to have been away
for a while now, some of his ideas are still in me. Tuface has been a blessing
to this generation of Nigerian music; likewise, Chris Brown has also influenced
my whole ideas. Bringing the ideas of these artistes together has greatly
influenced my musical tendency.
Tell us about your record label
Suave Recordz and Muzik is not just a record label.
It is an empire where talents are discovered and nurtured to measure up to the
required standard so that there would be no excuse for any failure whatsoever.
The record label is owned by Hassan Bashir Oluwakemi a.k.a. Bashexy, and being
the type who does not believe in sheer luck but hard work, his meticulous
nature runs through the empire. We are just starting out, but we have achieved
some measure of success within a short space of time and it can only get
better.
What other organizations or institutions impacted
your music?
I have a strong Islamic background. In my family,
taking Arabic lesson was made compulsory for us while growing up. I learnt to
recite the Holy Quran and doing so demands employment of beautiful special
sounds and tones. The Arabic lesson contributed significant to my entire
musical endeavor.
What are your plans at the moment?
I have so many plans in the pipeline. Because I’m
just starting out, channeling those plans into gaining acceptability, making
good money, getting credible awards both locally and internationally could do
for now. Other plans are definitely coming up soon, such as having a big
entertainment outfit that touches every aspect of the showbiz entity from movie
production to fashion among others.
What makes your music unique?
What makes me unique is what makes my music unique.
I am very dynamic, hardworking. I can do an album of 10 tracks without you
knowing they are all from the same Bayzik. I have the street appeal; same way,
I can be very classical. I am also consistent and I have my ears to the ground
most times. I look in awkward directions for inspiration and I listen to my
inner voice too. I also take criticisms calmly and use it as a yardstick for
making beautiful compositions. These, among others, make my music very
unique.
You can follow Bayzik on twitter @ytbayzik or add
him on bbm on 26CB14F1. You can also join his Facebook page
www.facebook/suaverecordz & muzik
1 comments
i have heard his musics, he is definatly good and surely he will rull soon.
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