“My name is Olayinka Fashola. But my stage name is Phashyo. I am from Isale Gangan in Lagos. I am an Afropop cum R&B artiste, and I am a model too.”

Christian Agadibe

Olayinka Fashola better known as Phashyo has refused to throw in the towel despite the challenges facing up and coming artistes in Nigeria.

Determined to succeed, the Lagos-born singer recently dropped a single entitled, ‘Expensive’, a blend of Afropop and R&B. In this interview, Phashyo, who is also a model, narrates how burning of midnight candles makes success quite expensive.

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Tell us a little about yourself

My name is Olayinka Fashola. But my stage name is Phashyo. I am from Isale Gangan in Lagos. I graduated from Olabisi Onabanjo University where I studied Public Administration. I am an Afropop cum R&B artiste, and I am a model too. I am also looking forward to going into acting.

When did you go into music professionally?

That’s five years ago. I’ve been doing music since when I was young.

My first single came out last year September. I’ve been trying to stand out with my music. I don’t do the regular songs. My song had a unique sound, unique voice different from every other artiste.

What were your initial challenges as an artiste?

It’s very difficult for any up and coming artiste to blow in this industry, but I am trying to see if I can get a label or promoter. It’s been very hard. We hope God intervene in the matter, to find someone who could believe in you, see the best in you. Though, the challenges are there, I’ll keep pushing because success is expensive.

Where do you get your inspiration?

I draw inspiration from different spheres of life. I draw inspiration from what I see around. Sometimes, it could be in a commercial bus. Also, being alone, just sitting down, thinking and writing… so inspiration comes from different places.

Tell us about the single you’re promoting right now.

My new single is ‘Expensive’. I drew inspiration (for the song) from life; I would love to live. So, I titled it ‘Expensive’. What inspired the song? I was in a shopping mall and wanted to buy this expensive stuff, and I thought to myself, ‘everything I love is expensive’, ‘money is very essential’. That’s how I sat down and wrote the song.

Growing up, were you in the church choir?

I wasn’t in the choir, though I would have loved to be. When I was a kid, I remember my parents talking about me falling in love with the likes of Sir Shina Peters and King Sunny Ade. Theirs were the kind of songs my parents said I listened to. I fell in love with these artistes and had passion to be a musician right from there. So, it’s something I have been doing.

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You’re also into modelling, how was your experience?

I don’t want to focus on music alone. There are different channels you can tap from, especially in the entertainment industry. It doesn’t need to be one channel; you have other sources to draw inspiration from. Before I came into music, I was into Mr & Maestro of Nigeria, that’s after I’ve decided this is what I wanted to do. And that’s what I find myself doing right now, music.

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Can you marry a model?

I wouldn’t want to marry a model.

Why?

Good parents with good morals brought me up. We are not looking at the beauty right now; we’re looking at good morals. When you talk about models, yes models are beautiful. But I won’t really go for the beauty; I will go for morals. I just think beautiful women are fake. So, you won’t just go and fall for the beauty.

Do you have all the support you need from your parents?

My parents have been supportive. At first, they didn’t agree with me, I was in the university then.

They were like ‘what you’re doing; I don’t think you have a career yet’. All they wanted me to do was go to school, do this and that. But when they saw the passion burning in me, they were like ‘okay, let’s give this guy a chance’.

Which prominent artiste would you like to feature in your music?

Davido and Wizkid.

Do you have crush on any female Nigerian artiste?

I like Tiwa (Savage). I’ve not seen her before, though. Also, someone I’ve been crushing on lately is Niniola.

What’s it like craving to be recognised?

I could remember the last show I went. I was begging the show manager. I was trying to talk to the DJ if I could give him my song so I could perform and he was like ‘what are  you doing on my stage? Will you get down?’ I felt embarrassed and said sorry. It’s a thing that happens to you all the time. Like I said, success is expensive. But you just keep pushing and I know God will take me there.

How is your girlfriend taking your music career?

I have a problem with the relationship, because she doesn’t want to agree with me and this is what’s going to put food on my table. My girlfriend has mixed feelings about me. But for me, career comes first.

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