IYANYA: I’VE LEARNT TO KEEP MY RELATIONSHIP PRIVATE

Nigerian superstar, Iyanya Mbuk, might come across as a controversial artiste, but beneath all the glamour and the demands of the entertainment world lies an easy-going personality. OVWE MEDEME catches up with him at the video shoot of the tribute song, Mama Oyoyo, where he opens up about his love life, career, future plans, retirement and other issues.

Why did you accept to be a part of this tribute song?

First of all, I want to say big ups to the producers for choosing me to be a part of the song as one of the artistes to pass this strong message across. It is a good thing to recognise our mothers. It is a good thing to always recognise, appreciate and talk about the virtues of our mothers in a song. I’m happy being a part of this.

How challenging was it writing your lines and being a part of it?

I would say it was just a normal process. I was just being natural in the song because it is a mother’s song and it would be unfair to say that we have come this far without our mothers. So I just went back to nursery rhymes just to make sure that even the kids can relate to the song.


Did the experience of losing your mother come to bear in the song?

Yes it did. That also played a role in how I performed in the song. I have a mother’s song too and I’m going to shoot a video for it. But being part of this was the best thing that happened to me. I also would like to say thank you to my mom and all the mothers out there. As I said earlier, we would be nowhere without them.

What are your plans for the year?

First of all, I’m thankful to God for his grace that has kept me. It has not been easy, I won’t lie to you. From Project Fame to present day, the challenges have been there. It’s been awesome too because after every challenge, after I conquer every challenge, I move to greater heights. I’m thankful to God for sparing me. I’m thankful to my manager and to my management, Triple MG. We just keep doing our best to see that we give our fans what they deserve.

What was that one challenge that almost made you quit music?

To be honest with you, nothing has really given me a reason to give up because I am doing this first of all for the passion that I have. I’m doing it for my family that I lost. It is my own way of honouring them wherever they are. I’m not giving this up for anything. Instead, I would retire. I will get to a point where I would just like to chill and do something else.

What are some of the things you would like to do?

When I say I would retire, it is not anytime soon. I’m talking about the later part of my life. I have a lot more albums to drop. But definitely I would be going into business. I can’t reveal the nature of the businesses I would be doing but be sure that real estate would be a part of it. It is just awesome. I feel like it’s the only thing that can keep a famous person going.

What should your fans expect from you this year?

I would be dropping a lot of videos, collaborations and the likes.

Any plans to get married this year? I am making plans to do all that but I don’t think I would want people to know anything about it.

Is it that you would miss the single life?

It is not that I would miss the single life. But the truth is that once it gets to the hands of the media, we both lose it. But it is not your fault because you are just doing your job. But then, it just takes a negative effect on the relationship. It puts us on unnecessary pressure. It gives the people who don’t even have the right to talk, an opportunity to interfere even when they don’t know the truth about what is going on. So I’ve learnt to keep my relationship private and to give the people more music. That is what they know me for first of all. I don’t let the other things cloud the music that I’m known for.

Are you talking in the light of your past experience?

Yes, I’m talking from experience. It just doesn’t make any sense. Once you are famous and you put your relationship out there, it is gone.

Would you trade the fame for anything?

Nothing! There’s nothing that I would trade my fame for.

Presently, what is the situation of things at Triple MG?

Triple MG is doing very well. We have Tekno, we have Selebobo and other artistes and they are all excelling. I’m doing well too. We just have plans to make sure that we can achieve excellence and drop music to impress the people that believe in us. I’m talking about our fans. We are all working hard.

What defines your sense of style?

I just like to be simple in my appearance.

Are you still into the fitness game?

I do it a lot. It is a passion. I used to just do it for the fun of it, but now it has gone beyond that. It is more than a passion. I get paid to do it. It is business too.