“Branding’Alobam’ T-shirts for Phyno made me popular” – Fast-rising hip-hop act, Myro

Ozah Oghenemairo Daniel, popularly known as Myro is a graduate of Architecture from Caleb University. He is a fast rising hip hop artiste in Nigeria, who is equally making waves in South Africa. He is from a family with strict bias for education and could have made it in the industry many years ago, but for his parents who insisted had to go to school first before taking up his music career. Though he is signed on to Masterpiece Entertainment, he was the brain behind the branded Alobam T Shirts for Rap star Phyno, which made him popular and earned him a lot of money. His singles Ocha and Ngala with the videos shot in South Africa have been enjoying airplay and topping charts. The handsome fast rising artiste recently opened up to Bunmi Mustapha on why he chose to study Architecture in school and his journey into music.

It’s hard to see the compatibility between Architecture and Music, why did you choose the course when you knew you will still be coming back to do music?
Architecture is actually frozen music, it is an art. We have 24 hours in a day and it depends on how each individuals devote time. But basically, my love for music made me go into music.

What year did you decide to start your carrer in music?
Its been long. Even before I entered the higher institution, I already had love for showbiz. I had a stint with Hip Hop World and Hip Tv when they first started out. I was a presenter then. So, it’s been love for showbiz, but my mom, who is late now, was always saying I have to go to school to study, and I chose Architecture because I draw a lot, and it is what I can do comfortably well without stress. I didn’t want to be in a situation where I have to read or study so hard. So I just thought my love for drawing and design will make Architecture very easy for me. Throughout secondary school, I have always loved Technical Drawing and throughout my university days, I was the social guy, organising parties, shows, singing and still had very good grades. I finished with a 4.47. To me, I just had to go for a course I am very comfortable with.

What year did you drop your first single and what was the acceptance like in the industry?
Well, prior to being signed on to a label, I had one with Mode 9 in 2011, I had another one with Presh too, I do perform the songs in school way back. But officially, I was later signed on to Masterpiece Entertainment, I dropped my first single last year. It was titled Plantain. It is a club song and it had massive acceptance on the streets. It was huge in Ikeja, Surulere and Agege axis. So from there I wanted to give people another taste of Myro, so I did Ocha, which portray me as a different person from Plantain.

How many singles do you have now?
Officially I have released three, Plantain, Ocha and Ngala with their videos, but I have over thirty songs recorded. I have a studio in my house, so am always recording, and I have a couple of producers that I stay together with. So whenever we have an idea for songs, we come together and we do songs.

Considering the fact that the music industry in Nigeria today is quite competitive, how do you intend to break through?
First of all, I am very versatile. I rap, I sing and I do dance hall, I don’t want to be boxed in a container, I looked up to Wyclef a lot because he has different skills and he is very versatile. Secondly, I am not here to copy anyone, I have my own style, my own distinct way of delivery, I have love for show business. There is music and there is a business part of it. Not many people know I did the Alobam T shirts for Phyno. That was my design, before it went viral and it made me popular. I drew out the proposal, I got a sponsor for it, I made money from it, it was sold on Jumai and Konga. I just have my own way of doing my things, every artiste have their own too, with due respect, but I believe am in my own class, my music, my style, my delivery, my versatilabilty, my business acumen and all.

Who would you say is your role model in the industry?
I have a lot of people for different reasons. I pick out people and try to imbibe what they have archived. I love Eldee, he is a graduate of Architecture too, he is a musician, producer and he is successful. I love Nateo C so much, the only MC with an MSC. Like I said earlier, I pick people for reasons, I love Mode 9, Rugged Man, Tuface, Oritshefemi and D Banj too.

Who among these people do you look forward to collaborating with anytime soon?
I already had a single with Oritshefemi, the remix of my official first single Plantain, which will be out very soon. In the future I want to do songs with all of these people I have mentioned. They are all great artistes, so I really look forward to working with them.

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About Unknown

Deji Sadiq, a.k.a DEJI OF LAGOS is a LASU trained Economist turned freelance journalist, a Blogger, an information strategist, a public affairs analyst and a committed activist with a passion for equal opportunities.