Mayorkun, a.k.a. Adewale Mayowa Emmanuel, is Nigeria’s fastest-rising music act. Mayorkun became a celebrity in just ten days after releasing his debut music video, Eleko, which had over 900,000 views in just nine days after being posted on YouTube in Nigeria, making him the most recent Nigerian to achieve so. In this interview, the record-breaking singer, who is currently signed to Davido Music Worldwide, discusses the narrative behind his debut song, his journey to DMW, and his thoughts on relationships.
What is Mayorkun’s real name?
My name is Adewale Mayowa Emmanuel, and I am the oldest of five children. At the University of Lagos, I studied accounting. I’m a musician and a potential lover.
Prospective boyfriend?
Yes, I don’t have a girl and don’t desire one for the time being. It’s a personal choice.
However, your screensaver features a young lady.
[Smiles] That’s a girl from London. It’s just a wallpaper, after all.
What is your opinion about women?
To be honest, if you had asked me this question eleven months ago, I would have given you a different response. The girls I met eleven months ago were honest and natural. They didn’t show you much, but they wanted me to think they were trustworthy. However, the majority of the girls now arrive with their own objective. You may be astounded that they are flinging themselves at you, doing whatever you ask and showing you everything you want to see. The truth is, they’re aiming for something, especially if you’re a performer. No girl for you if you’re a random guy in a room full of artists. I believe that artists no longer receive genuine affection and friendship. For one reason or another, everyone wants to be your guy. In the celebrity realm, there is no such thing as a genuine relationship.
Could it be that some of these people genuinely love your work?
The truth is that not everyone will appreciate your work. This country has an excessive population. Even among the A-list artists, not everyone is a fan of their work. According to Instagram, Davido has around 3.3 million followers, making him Nigeria’s most popular star. On a scale of one to one hundred, that equates to 10% of Nigeria’s population. Isn’t it obvious that not everyone can adore your work if Davido is Nigeria’s most popular star, with roughly 10% of the country’s population following him?
Isn’t it possible also that there are fans, who are not on Instagram?
Definitely. Even if you combine them all together, the overall population cannot be more than 20%. What I mean is that your art attracts to a specific type of person, not everyone.
Should we then conclude that the females that surround you enjoy your work?
That’s true. And it’s possible that 70% of them are like this. Others appreciate your work because it appeals to them. All they want is a free banana.
Is this the reason you don’t want to have a girlfriend?
Yes, for now.
If you find a girl with a genuine interest and feelings for you, would you settle down with her?
Hmmm. She’ll have to make due with what I don’t have. I won’t appreciate a female who has the same possessions as me. For example, I am a dark person. I’d like to meet a lovely lady. She has to compliment me in some way. She has to be smart in places where I am not. It’s impossible for me to be ugly and marry an ugly woman. She could not need money if I have money. She can’t be wealthy when I am wealthy. It will be tough to maintain control. There are numerous items.
