INTERVIEW: Wizkid Is My First Love, Reveals Cameroonian Song Queen, Kimberly Ayuk
By EPHRAIM NWOSU
Kimberly Ayuk is a 24-year-old Cameroonian rising youngster who started her music career covering popular songs on instagram and stage shows. The artist is proof for young musicians that you can have a global presence irrespective of age. Kimberly Ayuk’s striking beauty, wit and talent seem inconsequential to her drive as the sensational singer has recorded successes upon successes in her chosen career. In this interview with Daylight, she spoke glowingly about Nigerian music stars even as she singled out multiple award winner, Wizkid as one Nigerian musician who has a special place in her heart.
Q – Could you tell us about your growing up?
A – I grew up in a compound full of people because my grandfather was polygamous and had a total of three wives but only two lived with him. I was always very outspoken which often got me into trouble. My mom gave birth to me when she was in high school and had to go back to school after my birth. When she had her advanced level certificate, she moved to Yaoundé where she attended the university after which she travelled out of Cameroon in search of greener pastures. In her absence, I was raised by my grandparents with extended family relatives living with us. So in a sense I had a lot of siblings and my childhood was very colorful.
Q- How did music begin for you?
A – It all started in the church during Sunday school. They used to play drums and we would sing songs and clap our hands along. Then when CD became popular I had cousins who loved rap music and they had music CDs with American songs which I picked interest in watching the music videos with them. There was also this radio my mom had in her room during her university days and when I go for summer holidays I remember playing rock CDs, some Nigerian CDs and other gospel CDs which inspired me. Being a member of chorister in our church and taking part in a singing competition also helped to shape my music career. I also loved being on stage, during my class six graduation, my friend and I put together a performance of a Papiyon song which we rehearsed for weeks during break. We didn’t have any music instrument so we sang with our mouths while dancing. In secondary school I used to always perform in-front of my classmates and sometimes in-front of the entire school and I was never shy. It was all fun in the beginning.
Q -Was any of your parents music inclined?
A – Not professionally but I know my mom loves music and she used to be in a choir when she was in the university of Yaoundé. I also recently found out that she used to be a conductor in her Sunday school choir as a child so I guess the love for music has always been there.
Q -Were your parents supportive of your career from the onset?
A – I don’t think so. I am academically gifted so I know my parents wished I did something more along the line of that. But there is nothing they can do about it now they have realized that music is the part I’ve chosen
Q -How would you describe your type of music? What does the sound represent?
A – I am a rapper, singer, songwriter and my sound represents the new African sound. Hip hop, afrobeats, and a blend of both. You can call it afro-fusion.
Q -Who do you sing to?
A – I sing to anyone who cares to listen. You never can tell who is listening but I know there are many people who feel the way I feel and who go through the same things I go through or know someone with a similar story. so I say what I feel through music and hopefully it translates successfully to whoever is listening.
Q -Your tracks are brilliant. Tell us about it. What was it like creating the music?
A – Thank you very much. Creating music for me is channeling energy. I just pour out whatever I’m feeling and thinking into the creative process and then I start working on it and making corrections and adjustments as I go.
Q -Besides music, what else do you do to make a living or to pass time?
A – I’m into ‘Okrika’ business and fashion. Depending on the time period, during festive periods I focus on fashion ; I buy and sell bags, shoes, jewelry, bags, make up, perfumes, hair, waist trainers and other cosmetic products. Moreso, during the rainy season, I retail ‘okrika’ bails of kids clothes and adult clothes. It’s quick turnover and that’s how I get to fund my music career independently.
Q -What inspires your creativity?
A – A lot. Life experiences, emotions, people, moods, places, dreams, thoughts, family, friends, neighbors, random people, social media and poverty.
Q -Which big record label in Nigeria are you looking forward to working with and why?
A – If I had to choose I’ll name three. Supreme Mavin Dynasty, 30 Billion Gang and YBNL records. SMD because; it’s one of the oldest record labels in Nigeria way back when it was known as Mo Hits records which signed the like of Wande coal, Dbanj and Don Jazzy who is also part owner. They have also signed such talented artists like Ladipoe, Buju, Ayra star, Rema, Ruger, Tiwa savage and many others.
30 billion Gang is great because Davido is the only Nigerian artist who currently has songs with some of the biggest names in the American music industry having featured the like of Lil Baby and Nicki Minaj.This is a strong indication that they have a lot of pull and they will be a good record label for me especially as a rapper who hope to crossover into the American market.
I like YBNL because Olamide is an artist who has stood the test of time in the music industry and has a plethora of successful hits to his name like Shakiti Bobo, Poverty Die, Motigbana and Infinity, just to name a few.
Q – Tell us about what you are currently working on?
A -. I am currently working on my “Ambitious mixtape”. I’ve been working on it for a while now. Working alone without any support for my studio sessions and promo has however made the process a bit slow. It was initially supposed to be a one project made up of 21 songs but I figured It won’t be beneficial to over saturate the playlist so I decided to separate it in two. The second mixtape is called “Trauma” and it contains more of afrobeats instrumentals. Meanwhile the “Ambitious” mixtape contains more rap and bars. It will be interesting to see how people receive them. I am currently rehearsing and applying finishing touches to the mixtape everyday while gearing up towards shooting videos and doing shows.
Q -When are you planning to hit the market?
A – If by hit the market you mean sell a project, I’ll say hopefully by the end of this year 2022. I am currently gearing up towards the release of my mixtape titled “Ambitious”. It’s not going to be for profit making because I don’t own the rights to the instrumentals used in the songs but I believe the mixtapes will lay a good foundation when I am ready to drop my original work and make profit from it.
Q -You seem to be emotionally attached to Nigerian artists, what is responsible for it?
A – I grew up listening to a lot of Nigerian music because I am born to a Nigerian father from Delta state and a Cameroonian mother. In other words, I am half Nigerian and half Cameroonian but I grew up in Cameroon. Nigerian music and movies were always a way to connect and feel a part of Nigeria with it. It’s just a big part of who I am.
Q -You recently took part in a world music competition where you were unfortunate to be eliminated in the semi-final stage. Tell us about the event and your experience?
A – it was a music competition organized by this app called Orbitt. They partnered with Davido to organize a 10,000$ prize competition in which contestants had to register with either a cover of Lala by Davido, a cover of any of Davido’s songs or an original song of yours. The contestants were then selected and sent a confirmation email that they had been selected to take part in the competition. We were each given individual voting links which we had to use to urge people to vote for us; votes cost 1$ each. The competition was then divided into three stages of voting in which the people with the least votes at the end of each voting round were eliminated. I gave my all but got eliminated at the semi finals. I was super grateful for getting the opportunity to take part in the competition and also very proud of myself that I made it that far. It gave me a boost of reassurance that I was doing something right and heading to the right direction.In summary, it was a wonderful experience for me.
Q – How would you compare Nigerian and Cameroonian musicians?
A – Nigerian and Cameroonian musicians have a lot in common but I think the Nigerians are more into show business side of things, while the Cameroonians are into show politics. In fact the two industries are incomparable, they are worlds apart when it comes to age, growth and size. More importantly, Nigeria’s population alone puts them 10 steps ahead of the Cameronian music industry.
Q-You have shown a strong prowess in your ability to make good music out of any word, what is your secret?
A – Wow, thank you. I read a lot of books and watch a lot of YouTube videos in which I learn new words all the time and how to use them. I also listen to a lot of different types of music especially rap which contains a lot of words so I guess constantly working on your vocabulary really helps with the word play.
Q -What is your opinion of the Nigerian music industry? Would you say it is difficult for young talents to make it?
A – I am so proud of the Nigerian music industry and the immense growth. Credit must go to pioneers like Daddy Shoki, African China, Danfo Driver and so many others who didn’t get to benefit from the age of technology but they were able to spread their art across the continent. Looking at Nigerian musicians like Wizkid and Ckay hitting the international billboards and spreading Nigerian music all over the globe is really beautiful. It’s a good sign that Nigerian musicians have all it takes to compete with the best in the world. For Beyoncé to collaborate on a whole visual album with exclusively African talents in a track list dominated by Nigerian musicians such as:Tiwa Savage, Burna Boy, Yemi Alade and Wizkid, gives me the feeling that Africa is the next big thing for music globally and Nigeria is at its forefront.
Q – As a young Cameroonian musician, which Nigerian musician did you look up to?
A – A lot of them too numerous to mention here. First and foremost I will pick Wizkid. I am so much in love with his songs. He is a genius whose songs have a special place in my heart. I also admire Waje, Timaya, Tiwa Savage and lastly but not the least Olamide. They are all great Nigerian musicians.
Q – And do you think you would be doing music with some of them in the near future?
A – Who knows? You never can tell. Man they say, proposes and God disposes. But it will be a dream come true to be on a song with any of these wonderful musicians especially Wizkid.
Q -There are lots of upcoming singers like you that are not yet fully recognized, what would you advise them to do to become visible?
A – They should take full advantage of the internet; learn, connect, and put themselves out there. Use google, be active on social media, learn the algorithms and try to use them to their advantage. Above all, they should rely on themselves first before relying on anyone else.
Q – The music industry today is dominated by lewd and raunchy content which the audience appears to vibe a lot, do you think it will be difficult to rise in the industry without using such lyrics?
A – Yes the audience vibes to the raunchy content, but in that audience are human beings who also go through day to day struggles. So if you focus all your energy on making lewd and raunchy content you will be missing out on a lot and as well doing a huge disservice to yourself and to the people listening to your music. I love music and I listen to music based on my moods and how I feel during a particular period.
Q – As an upcoming youngster, what’s your ultimate dream in music?
A – To be someone’s favorite musician. Beyoncé, Rihanna and Nicki Minaj don’t even know I exist but they have been a huge part of my life from the little girl I was to the young woman I’m becoming. So to be able to impact someone’s life in that way is really a priceless gift which not everybody gets to possess.
