Shadrach Adeboye popularly known as Shaydee in showbiz still sticks with Banky W’s EME label despite the fact that his two friends, Wizkid and Skales had left. He spoke with ORUKPE NELSON.

How would you describe yourself?

I am a layback person who likes to be in his space and a creative person who likes to let his talent gets to the world.

How long have you been doing music?

I have been doing music professionally for about six years; that was when I really took the music thing seriously and decided to make a profession out of it. I dropped my first single under EME in 2012. Prior to that, I had dropped some other materials with another label. My first single was Love Me Like You Used To, which I dropped in 2010.

How well are you doing before EME?

I was doing pretty good, but it was not as big as when I got signed to EME. The record label was new, so it is normal that it would take more effort than when you are on a bigger platform.

How did you come about EME?

I had met Wizkid and Skales on few occasions, but it wasn’t anything serious. But there was a show EME’s crew came for at the University of Ilorin and I performed right in front of them. Banky W was there and he was impressed with my performance. He later called me and asked me what I do for a living. We got talking from there and I started visiting (him) to make music.

Would you say signing under the label was your breakthrough?

Definitely, EME has given me a big platform to get to more people and fans. I am in my third year with the label.

But it seems you are not really there yet; what could be responsible for that?

First, let me correct an impression. We’ve had some artistes who just came with one major song and vanished. The song became the biggest and nothing happened afterwards.

But I am not that kind of artiste. I am an artiste who grows with the process and I am not here for the fame or for a short period. This is what I chose to do. I studied electrical engineering in school (University of Ilorin), so I dropped that to do music. I am not in music to have fun. I am not in a rush to be everywhere; I am growing gradually as an artiste.

Why would you spend years in the university and suddenly the certificate you acquired becomes nothing?

For me, it is pretty much the passion and I feel that as an individual I could do anything I want to do.

How did your parents react to your decision to do music?

I didn’t suddenly go home and said I wanted to do music. I started singing right from my secondary education and they knew. I was in the choir too. But my dad wanted me to finish my university education before I could do whatever I desire.

He didn’t enforce anything; he said ‘finish your education first’ and I did just that. We are just two in my family; I am the second child.

How many songs have you done under EME?

I have done a couple of songs since I got signed to EME. I have Won GboMiftWizkid, Ti e Nikan, Potential, Chakam and I just dropped a new single, High. But before that and in the midst of that I had done a lot of collaborations. I featured in Seyi Shay’s Murda track and many more.

What are you working on right now?

I recently dropped a song out there, like I mentioned earlier. The title of the song is High and it was produced by Papi Jay. It is a reggae kind of song and I got the beat from Banky W. He was just playing some beats and I fell in love with it. I worked on it and it came out right.

Personally, how has it been in the music industry?

The music industry is still growing, it is not as it used to be five years ago. For me, I won’t say there are challenges because in every line there are ups and downs. So, I would call what I had faced in the industry as growing process and I have learnt a lot.

How do you describe your style of music?

I do universal music; I don’t want to say I do RnB or pop. I do everything; the only thing I don’t do is rap music.

What would you change given another chance?

To be very honest with you, I won’t do anything different because I feel everything happens for a reason and where I am now is not where I was five years ago. I have grown as a person and I have learnt a lot. So, everything I had learnt took me to where I am today and where I am headed to.

How do you get inspiration?

I get inspiration from songs I listen to generally. And I listen to any good song, whether it is Nigerian or foreign. I draw inspiration from what I see every day and the things that makes me grow as a man. I just let all that reflect in my music.

Wizkid and Skales are no more with the label; how long do you plan to stay with EME?

EME was created to develop an individual to a level he could create his empire. That is the real essence of EME itself. I would like to grow and I feel that is normal. Because Wizkid and Skales had left EME don’t mean they are no more part of the family. Leaving EME doesn’t change anything as far as I am concerned.

There was an issue between Wizkid and Skales recently; what would you say about that?

I don’t like to react to that because whatever happened between them was between them; my name wasn’t mentioned. We are all humans and people are meant to have disagreements.

People took it seriously because they are known names. I wouldn’t like to say much about that because it doesn’t involve me.

If not music what would you do?

I would probably do what I studied in the university.

What is your major fear for the industry?

I really don’t have fear for the industry. Like I said earlier-where we are right now is different from where we were five years ago. The industry is growing and lots of things are getting better.

What makes you different?

When I got into the industry what made me different was my voice and that has not changed. It is all about the music for me and when you listen to my song you will surely know it is me. I am not here to battle anybody’s space; I am in my own space. So, my real fans recognise my sounds.

What are your plans in the near future?

I really can say this is what would happen tomorrow because anything could happen. I might even get to my dream before the particular time I set. But everyday I make sure I improve my craft and I grow as a person and professional.

If you were to be in a position of authority what would you put in place in the industry?

The direction in the industry doesn’t depend on one person; everyone has to come together and have a brainstorming session. I believe we are in the right direction too.

How many artistes signed to EME at present?

There is Banky W, Niyola, Myself and DJ Exclusive.

How do you describe Banky W?

Banky is like a mentor to me. He signed me personally and he saw great things before signing me. He wanted great things for me too and he has played a major role in my career. He also directed my new video.