Roymedia meets Niyola...I'm taking over 9ja with my music- Niyola

Niyola recently spoke to Ige Rotimi about her plans for 9ja domination. Enjoy

Question: So what has Niyola been up to since she joined EME?
Answer: I’ve been either holed up in the studio recording music or out and about performing.

Question: How did the signing come about?
Answer: Banky has a famous story he tells about the first time he heard me sing, you’re probably familiar with that. However the official signing came about after I worked with Banky on a song. He offered me a deal when we were done.

Question: "Don't Delay me" was a commercial success. Tell us about the story behind the song.
Answer: We wanted to do a different kind of party song and we wanted it to be one that anyone in the world could relate to, so the beat was kind of foreign but we made it more “Nigerian” by infusing Yoruba.

Question: So you have two new songs. What inspired them?
Answer: Love, good old fashioned L.O.V.E. I wanted to write songs that would speak to anyone who has ever been in love or pined for love. I think succeeded in doing that; judging by the emotions both songs seem to invoke in listeners.

Question: What kind of music do you do?
Answer: My genre is Contemporary R n B/Pop

Question: Tell us about a typical day in the EME family
Answer: *Laughs* I wake up, have a shower and the works, then I’ll go to the studio to make music. Banky walks in at some point to give his opinion. If I have interviews scheduled or an event to attend I’ll do that. I’m most alive when I’m recording so yea, I do spend a lot of time in the studio.

Question: Describe each person as you see them.
Answer: Banky is an intelligent and spiritual person who cares about humanity. Skales is a deep and driven young man. Shaydee is a very happy -go - lucky person who has got no issues and as long as he can sing, he’s fine and Wiz just loves to make music!

Question: What's next for you?
Answer: I’ve got new singles out, so promoting them. I’ll shoot a few more videos, drop more singles and collaborations. I’ve also dabbled recently into acting, so I’ll also explore that.

Question: Any album in the making?
Answer: Yes, definitely. The goal for every recording artiste is to put out albums.

Question: Tell us a bit about your background?
Answer: I was born into a large Christian family of 13; I have four brothers and six sisters. I’m the last. Growing up I had a lot of attention showered on me because everyone had a hand in bringing me up and tried to make me do what was right, especially since my dad was a disciplinarian. After graduating from secondary school I decided to pursue journalism and somehow I wound up in music. It wasn't exactly easy but eventually my family accepted the path I chose and is very supportive.

Question: Earliest memories?
Answer: I remember that my father would make me read news stories from the national dailies out loud like I was a broadcaster. Another thing he liked to do was give me higher grade exercise books to write choruses for the morning devotion.

Question: Education?
Answer: I had my primary school education in Lagos. Secondary school was at Queens school, Ibadan, then AGGS and Saint Saviors’. I got a diploma in Journalism and then studied English language at the University of Lagos. Afterwards I pursued a diploma in Travel and Tourism. I am still studying because I’d like to own an institution someday so I am taking courses to that effect

Question: When and how did you discover your talent for music?
Answer: I was about 8 and my father made me write choruses for the family morning devotion. One day he took me to a Funmi Adams concert, when we got home I started imitating things I saw at the concert. Not long afterwards he coached me to sing at a church conference for the first time, the outcome was amazing. That was the “it” moment for me.

Question: How did you groom your talent?
Answer: I listened to a lot of music, and tried to sing as they did. Mariah Carey, Rachelle Ferelle, Whitney Houston and even Michael Jackson

Question: Did you have your family's support?
My Dad always supported me as well as my mum but I had a brother who gave me hell and one of my sisters, mostly out of the concern that I wasn't doing the right thing. But they eventually came around.

Question: How would you rate your achievements in the music industry since you began?
Answer: I have evolved from where or who I was and I still am evolving. Music for me is beyond accomplishments and awards. Does your music change lives? That’s what I hope to achieve with my music. I want to Influence people powerfully and positively and I’m on that path.

Question: What has music/entertainment given you?
Answer: It has given me the strength to be my own true person

Question: Who were your greatest musical influences while growing up?
Answer: Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, I loved Diana Ross and Madonna and Michael Jackson

Question: Why?
Answer: Mariah and Whitney for their strong vocal abilities and Diana Ross Michael Jackson and Madonna

Question: Tell us some of the stages you've shared since you started?
Answer: Off the top of my head, I’ve performed at The Akon in Lagos Concert, The Headies, Calabar Christmas festival in Cross River, Y’hello Festival, The Grand Love Concert, the EME concert, The Beat of Lagos and many more.

Question: What other projects are you involved in?
Answer: I am working on a movie project, one is SG a short film I did last year which is about to be made into a series and the rest I’m not at liberty to disclose yet, but as soon as I can, you’ll be the first to know.

Question: What would you have been if not a musician?
Answer: I would have been in the media, as a consultant of some sort.

Question: Would you say you are a fashionable person?
Answer: Well I like to think so. Fashion for me is an expression of my creativity.

Question: What are you favourite fashion items?
Answers: I like my rings, maxis and tights because they are comfortable and I also love bodicon dresses and jackets.

Question: Favourite designers?
Answer: Elie Saab and Dior

Question: Perfume?
Answer: Gucci Guilty and Creed Love in black

Question: Your favourite hangout spot in Lagos?
Answer: Any place with a decent Karaoke machine is my favorite hangout spot…*Laughs*

Question: How would you rate the Nigerian entertainment industry and artistes at the moment?
Answer: The industry has grown greatly.

Question: What problems have you encountered in your craft and how did you overcome them?
Answer: People always have a picture of who you should be painted for you, especially when you are female but I stay true to myself because I know who I am.

Question: Critics say female artistes are not as appreciated as their male counterparts. Is this true, If yes, why?
Answer: It’s not just the entertainment industry; it is the society at large. Women are not just as respected as men but its fast changing. However we must all do the best we can, women must learn to thrive in adversity.

Question: How do you intend to take over the industry with your brand of music?
Answer: By giving my art the best I can possibly give, the rest will fall in place.

Question: Final words?
Answer: I’d like to thank everyone that has supported me so far. Anyone that has listened to music by Niyola, I’m eternally grateful. Your continued support is appreciated. God bless you all.