Fast rising Ibadan based singer Awolola Opeyemi known as Fabulous Pizzy, is a household name in Ibadan.
The budding Afro-pop artiste in an exclusive interview with Gistyinka, open ups on challenges he faced when growing up, challenges he encounter an IB based artiste, plans for the future and many others.
Can We Meet You
My name is Awolola Opeyemi, Am an artist, music producer, songwriter, basically am an entertainer.
Your Background
My dad is from Osun State but am deciding to create my own state, which is the state of emergency. We are 3 in my family — one brother, one sister and me, I lost my mum at the age of 13.
Educational Background
I attended Bola Immaculate nursery school here in IB, I also attended Ibadan Grammar School, but i had to leave for Federal Government College, Ikirun Osun State. I proceeded to Ado-Ekiki University to study Psychology. Have lived in Ibadan all my life asides going to Lagos once in a while for business.
Religion
Am a christian
How and when did you start doing music
Started music at age 8 in the church choir, but professionally i started doing music in 2009, after sometime of training with my boss Tpiano.
Why music?
Music is life, i feel without music everything is going to be boring.That is the only way i can preach to people, but music to me is a way of life. I just think is cool for me, instead of being a psychologist.
How did you come up with your stage name ” Fabulous Pizzy”
I gave myself a nickname “Opizzy” in secondary school (Federal Government College, Ikirun Osun State), and people changed it to OPC meaning something else, so, i decided to remove the O leaving Pizzy, along the line Pizzy became fabulous.
Challenges faced along the way?
For a person like me whose parents did not want to hear anything entertainment, it was somehow tough, you know then it was either you want to become a lawyer, a doctor, things like that. It was kind of rough, not having money to record a song, not getting the right producer, not knowing how to do it better but now that my dad is seeing me on TV, i am getting his support through his prayers. My sister and brother (Dj Breeze and MJ) have always been there though. Now i get almost all the support and encouragement i can get because people want to be associated with success.
Challenges as an IB based artist?
As an IB artist, people look down on you, and even the entertainment stakeholders are not helping, just imagine someone calling me for a show and wants to pay 400k and because somebody knows my brother or my background, he would say 400k is too much, let’s pay him 50k, and they expect us to grow, and complain about us not having videos on cable stations, videos that cost a lot of money.
As an IB based artist the work we do is more than the pay we get. when artistes in Lagos go to clubs, they pay them for appearance, but here in Ibadan, they want you to come so that they will give you a drink (i don’t drink). It would be very difficult for an artist blow from Ibadan to the world, they believe that you have to move out of the town, we have examples, i won’t mention names. People don’t want to help, because they believe that when you become somebody you start having bodyguards, driving luxurious cars, and they don’t want that, they want all of you to be on the same level.
Relationship with Lagos based artists?
We have a cool relationship, but I like my work to introduce me, they are normal guys like us “they are just hardworking guys and if we are not lazy, we will get there and beyond”
Ever thought of quitting music?
Well, i have bigger plans, i have bigger dreams, not quitting so to say, but i would move into something else with time. I have a target, i just want to spend 15years in the game, effectively, 15years with 7 Albums. I love cameras, i love music videos, i love directing and i love business, as time goes on i would venture into some other things, but quiting music, no. I would always sing.
Are there any instances in your career that you reminisce and smile?
Yeah. There are times like that. There was this event that happened last year “Rep your Club” at one of this halls around town, Alhaji Pasuma, Orezi, Sanyeri were all there, my manager called me in and the MC introduced me “eyin ti gboro fabulous pizzy” and i was so suprised at the ovation i got that day because i wondered how this people got to listen to my song, talkless of know me, you can imagine the gathering and the cheers “omo wa ni’.I remember there was a time Wizkid came to IB, we were in the VIP Lounge together with Ja Rule, Tu Wyze e.t.c and i discovered that while i was performing Wizkid actually stood up to watch me, and i felt, wow, for someone that is like a boss in the game to do that, i was actually overwhelmed. I’ve heard people say am wasting my time, even my dad, but now am grateful, am not yet where i want to be but am definitely not where i was, and that’s a good one.
Who do you respect in the Industry today?
I respect everybody, the good ones, the real ones. In one way or the other i have gained from every artist in Nigeria and even beyond the shores of this country.
We learnt Pizzy is proud?
If you don’t know Jesus, you can’t know how he works and his ways. Am a cool person when i go outside but there is this artist shield you have to put up when you go outside, basically because i don’t wan’t people disturbing me. Am a very shy person when am not around my people. I have heard people say it, but i am not proud.
Are you single?
I’m not single.
Who is she?
(laughs) It’s personal, but she’s beautiful, she’s all the above.
How do you relate with your female fans?
Platonically, no strings attached. They love me, i love them.
How did you come about Reminisce for the remix of your track ‘Side Talk”?
Reminisce has been a big bro to me since way back, we worked together in 2012 with another guy. He knows what Pizzy can do, So, when i asked him for a featuring, he asked me to come over to Lagos, ’cause he was very busy at the moment.
How much did he charge?
Baba hin no charge money o, but that doesn’t mean he won’t charge someone else.
Which artists are you looking up to work with?
I am looking up to working with Davido soon, he’s busy but we are just about fixing that. I want to work with Olamide, Wizkid, Flavour, Waje, 2face, D’banj, so many of them.
2015 Plans?
I allow God plan for me o.Though i have some things i would like to achieve, i plan to shoot 4 videos this year, get more experience, more training on stage presence, recording and even the media part, there are still lots of things for me to learn, i want to drop more songs, by God’s grace drop an album before June, shoot some cool videos and have some great collaborations with great people in the industry.
Are you currently signed to any record Label or Management?
Record label, no, but i am under a management YWMG Young Weird Musical Guys, am currently with them but am ready to move, ready for change.
What’s your view of celebrities endorsing Politicians?
All these people want to make money, from my point of view, asking me to make a song for your campaign is a strategy to get people, and i would do it because i want to make money, but it goes a long way because if the politician doesn’t fulfills his campaign promises, people would come to you like “shebi o endorse oga”. The basic line is we all want to make money, though it might not be so so political.
Asides music?
Am a photographer, i like cameras. Basically music is what i do for now, not like i cant do some other things but i decided to focus on one thing at a time so i can do it better, but there are several things i can do. I am a very good cook (laughs). I can actually be a very good business man, i can be a carpenter, a generator repairer. I can do all things as long as i have Jesus on my side, i will just have to learn them.
Do you pay to get airplay?
I would do anything i need to do to get my song played, as long as it is legal. It’s not always about money but gratitude, showing your appreciation to OAP’s playing your song and establishing a sort of personal relationship with them, it could be wine, recharge card or a wristwatch, anything to show gratitude, but i did not pay, capital letter, I DID NOT PAY.
Favourite track of the moment?
GODWIN by Korede Bello
Celebrity Crush?
I am crushing on myself, I love music more than i love girls but i would like to put a ring on Dj Cuppy’s finger. What if nah? What if you guys think am a gold digger?
Word of encouragement to up and coming artistes?
First of all, put God first, be sure of what you wan to do. Are you ready to sleep in the studio? Are you ready to be criticized? Are you ready to learn? Are you ready to be original? Most importantly, be humble, be respectful, be sure you are cut out for music. Get your own Don Jazzy, your own producer who knows your level. Don’t be proud like Pizzy (laughs).
Which of your videos are on cable stations?
I have two videos on local TV but none is on cable. I want to shoot a proper video that is good enough for the cables, before March by God’s grace the video of side talk remix with Reminisce should be ready.
How can your fans reach you?
Contact: Twitter — @callmepizzy
Instagram– @callmepizzy
Facebook — Pizzydawees
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