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Ayodeji Oladele is a multi-talented Nigerian musician based in Russia. He narrates his evolution story in this exclusive online interview with BODE GBADEBO.
Who is Ayodeji Oladele?
Ayodeji Oladele a.k.a. Dejarvuh is art. I am a programmer, poet, model, music producer, song writer and rapper. I am a graduate of computer science from LAUTECH Ogbomosho, south-west Nigeria. I speak English, French, Russian, Yoruba and Hausa languages.
Music keeps me going, it regulates my mood and gives me the fix I need, I have two sisters and a brother. I had my childhood in the northern Nigeria - Kaduna, Funtua, and lastly Abuja where I had my secondary education. I am a product of my family, education, religion and culture.
My parents and family have always been a good influence in my life, my stereotype is western but I have a strong hold on the African culture. I currently live in Novosibirsk, Russia, where I am a postgraduate student in Informatics and practise my art.
You are a Nigerian musical export in Russia, were you cut out for music?
Music runs in my blood. My mum is a very great singer, although she never goes commercial (she was a banker). She told me I started singing as early as age of four with self-created lyrics. R & B was actually my first love I sang with my friends in school and later fell in love with rap.
I wrote lots of rhymes since 1999 but I never made records because my undergraduate education was important to me and I wanted no distractions. However I met with Kola Omotuyi (K-Black) and Steven Idowu (Steve-bars), we formed “Mystique Crew” and made our first single “Oyampiaun” (meaning I have a lot) in my final year at the university.
What is your parent’s reaction to your opting for a career in music?
For my parents, it’s not a surprise, they knew I had the talents. My mum will like me to make some gospel tracks.
What brand of music are you into?
Hip-Hop flavoured with Yoruba and Hausa
How would you make your music available for your Nigerian fans?
My album will be ready this summer for the European market and as for Nigeria and the rest of Africa, my promoter is yet to have talks with Nigerian interest like marketers, promoters, e.t.c., but proposals are welcome.
Also my mixtape and some singles from my new album titled “Dejavudoo” are available for free download online.
What are the challenges of singing in a foreign land?
The hip-hop culture here is not so old but it is amazing, some days ago I was at the NSK Hip-Hop festival it was a great time.
English is not so widely spoken so I made some joint tracks with Russian artiste to make a balance. My fan base is growing by the day and I get a good reaction of excitement when I cheer the crowd with my rap.
What is your stage name and musical label?
“Dejarvuh.” My label is ULAN/Mystique Entertainment Records
What are your future plans?
I hope to make my music more international. Soon I will be going on tour in Europe and I also hope to make a African tour too. I want to make some international collaborations and joint tracks with some Nigerian artistes. I have my eyes on acting too.
That’s all I can say as regards my plans for now, the rest of them are in my bag of tricks, I will reveal them soon.
What is your philosophy of life?
For me I think life is in stages and there is a perfect time for all things. I also think you cannot judge what you have never experienced. Travelling is also good education, you learn a lot in the process. I believe in God, we live in a material world where all that exists was made.
We are also part of this existence so we definitely have a maker too. Finally I think true love, if you find it, is the best thing that can happen to you.
What would you like to change about your past decisions if given the opportunity, and when are you returning back home?
Past? I don’t even think about it. I hope to visit Nigeria very soon for the yelutide.
