Ayoola Ayobami is best known as singer who won MTN Project Fame reality television show in 2012. But he is also pursuing a career in acting. At the just concluded Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF), a short film titled Hex where he played a lead role received an award. He speaks with DGossip247
Could you tell us about your recent single, Hallelujah?
The title of the song is Hallelujah and it was produced by DJ Coublon who also produced Yago for me. Since I dwell mostly on inspirational and love songs, I decided to do something to celebrate success and breakthrough because every day in our lives is a blessing. I thank God for prosperity, for good health and wealth. I decided to put all these in my song.
How would you describe the reception so far?
It is encouraging I would say. I just began to give radio stations, but some had already started playing it. It shows that one is doing something right, though it might be gradual or not as fast as one would expect it. Before I joined Project Fame it took months for someone to play my song on radio after many attempts.
Right now, I get calls from Uyo, Nnamdi Azikiwe University radio station, and I have done many interviews based on the song I put online. God has been good; a lot of people tell me they love the song. I am releasing the video first week of December, so I hope to attract more commendation by God’s grace.
Are you signed to a record label?
No, I am an independent artiste and I have been like that since 2013. I was working with a management company, Goretti. They managed me for a year and I still have a good working relationship with them. They’ve been very helpful, but I am not signed under them.
How has it been since leaving Project Fame?
It has been of different feelings; it is good and sometimes it is not a good one. I would not complain because I know many people are having it tougher than I do and I would not also say it has been a jolly ride all through. Life itself is all about ups and downs. It is not easy, but it has been an enjoyable experience regardless.
What gave you hope when things were really down?
I just looked back to my life and I see that it wasn’t my doing that I got to where I am presently. There is always hope too; as a matter of fact it keeps us alive. When everything is down, hope lightens up the whole situation. It is also my responsibility to push myself to the point where I hold on to hope. The feeling that things are down is just momentary. I hold on to the fact that my tomorrow is better and of course I am a lot better than I used to be last year.
What were those things you learnt from Project Fame that are still helpful?
That was 2012, it is about three years ago. It is a long time actually. If I begin to refer to things that happened to me in the house, it would be a cliché. But things I took from the whole experience were the platform. I was given a leverage, the platform to work on.
Project Fame facilitated the things for me to a certain level, so that is what I had gained. I got what I am supposed to use five years to gather in terms of experience and exposure within a short period of time in the house. I am still using that platform to push ahead.
Do you still keep in touch with other contestants?
There is this popular saying that 20 friends cannot be friends 20 years. It is understandable when we don’t keep in touch; it is not because things are not going well or we don’t like one other anymore. But I keep in touch with people who were not even in my season including Immaculate, Oyinkan and Marvelous. So, the relationship is still there, but like I said life goes on and we are all in a race. If we see today we speak as if we’ve never lost communication.
What areas do you think the organisers need to improve on?
To be honest I am not an expert when it comes to organising reality television shows, so I won’t be able to speak authoritatively. When we were in school we felt that our class was the best and I also feel that I had a lot more fun while I was in the house. I am sure other contestants too enjoyed their seasons, but I can only speak for myself.
I would just say they should keep up the good work because it means they are doing well for them to have lasted this long. For my season, the winner took home N2.5million with an SUV and after me it became N5million with an SUV. At present, people in top six go home with money and other inceptives. They even give prizes to voters, which means people who are supporting at home get rewarded too.
How did you spend your money?
I spent my money on investment, personal matters and my career. You know winning also comes with a year recording contract and that could be helpful if properly channelled.
What did Project change about you?
It changed a lot. The pressure is always there whether you win or lose because life has a way of putting pressure on you and the expectation is always high. The winning just increased the pressure, but the ball was in my court and it depended on how I played it. It also gave intensive fame. More people got to know who I am.
That is priceless, a lot of people would spend so much and years for this fame I got in just three months. I don’t refer to pressure because it would always be there. Bankers face pressure and as a writer too you face pressure. That is constant; what I like to refer to is the popularity that came with it, which was a fantastic deal.
You’ve released an album?
No, I am yet to do that; I only released an extended play known as EP. You know a debut album is always a big deal and it should be a big deal. That is my own opinion, though others may have different opinions about it.
Did you deliberately work on your look?
Yes it was deliberate, you know I am also an actor. It could be possible I kept that look the last time you saw me for a role. I have been acting before I went for Project Fame. I had to put a project on hold when Project Fame was on. This year, I did more of acting than music but I am trying to find a balance.
I must say that acting has been very beautiful for me and based on the experience I got from the competition many people are beginning to trust me with roles. Since I came back to the country in April, I have featured in about 10 movies. I was in America for about three months.
We have Hex which is a 26-minute short film by Clarence Peter. It is my latest effort and getting me more recognition. It is also my first shot film and I did five major roles. We actually won an award at Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) few weeks ago. This is a milestone for me; I am more of a singer but the first award came from acting.
When would you likely release your album?
By God’s grace I am doing everything possible to drop it next year, though not certain of the month. The plan is to keep working on the brand until I really don’t need to introduce myself for people to embrace the album. We are working on it.
What qualities do you look out for in a lady?
My lady must be God-fearing, has good sense of maturity, understand the work I do and be supportive. She has to be a family person too.
