On #AOTW today, the spotlight is on Banker turned Singer, pianist, song writer and entertainer whose YouTube video was stumbled upon by one of the raves of the moment in the music industry all over the world. We talking that raw talents spotted on the internet, got noticed, and got an invite to join a record label. This artiste has impressed the ears that have listened with a good number of Afropop hit tracks under his belt.
It’s no other but that DMW guy Born Emmanuel Mayowa Adewale popularly known as Mayorkun. Mayorkun was born 5th April 1994. Mayorkun is a native of Osun state, born to the artistic family of three (a younger brother and a younger sister). His father is a professional musician, Actor and Director, while his mum, Toyin Adewale is a popular Nigerian actress (younger brother and sister).
He did his primary and secondary school education at Living – Spring Montessori and Hi Grade College. He then proceeded to study accounting at the University of Lagos. At the age of 22 years, Mayorkun was already a graduate of the University of Lagos
He’s always had the passion to do music. He was part of the church choir at a very early age where learnt the rudiments of music, voice training to sing properly. He had always wanted to do music professionally but had secure his degree in accounting first according to him.
In 2012, Mayorkun released his first single which was titled butty babe but before then after his youth service, he worked in a bank, before he went into music finally. Mayorkun also released GBO in the year 2013 which made him gain audience a little bit
Before becoming a well-known artiste in Nigeria, he actually started his musical career way back in school, but he made sure he was focused more on his studies before he was able to go into music fully.
Mayorkun came into limelight after Nigerian biggest artiste- Davido- watched him online from there his life changed. Davido saw a 14 secs Youtube video where Mayorkun re-sang his song and Davido was impressed then called him up for a meeting and he was signed to the HKN gang label (comprising artistes like Davido, B-red, Dremo, and Danagog). Mayorkun dreams came true as Davido has actually been one of the biggest artists he has been looking up to for a long time now
He had recorded a song using his cousin’s piano in late December, 2015 and he shared it on social media late January 2016. Davido saw the song on February 1. Then he followed him and sent him a direct message via Twitter. He later followed him on Instagram and asked if he can do more than playing the keyboard. He then sent Davido some of the songs he had done. He picked on one that he recorded while still in school and told him ‘guy I am signing you on’
4. Yawa 2016
His father supported his decision to quit the job in the sphere of banking and to turn to music, but his mother was strongly against such measures, she thought that banking was his calling. Mayorkun ft Davido Everything changed when his mother found out about Davido’s invitation to join Davido Music Worldwide Music Label. The HKN gang label. Signing in to the HKN Gang Label was a success and Mayorkun was able to release his first official single ELEKO. ELEKO was a hit in the Nigerian Music market, after releasing the video, the music actually sets a record as one of the fastest music YouTube video to reach one million views in 10 days and during that time the music also made a hit to the tunes chart in Nigeria.
He sings using wordplay. He records himself sometimes. Mayorkun has done some collaboration with some music artistes in Nigeria which has actually pushed his career forward. In August 2016, Mayorkun went on his first International tour with his label mate Dremo to the United Kingdom.
2017 has actually been an amazing year for Mayorkun. He dropped two new songs which one way during the middle of the year while the other was dropped towards the end of the year. Mama’ and ‘Che Che’ were two of Mayorkun’s hit songs in 2017. He had his first headline gig in December 2017. Mayorkun performed at Wizkid and Davido’s end of year concerts, days after headlining his solo gig, ‘Mayor of Lagos’. Hard work is really good. Many things actually come when you do not give up that easily.
3. Mama: is me reminiscing about the girl of my dreams I think I’ll meet soon.
Mama was Mayorkun hit song of 2017, made him gain more popularity far and wide, after the release of the song fans were actually demanding for the video which was dropped and got lots of views online. The song became the tune of everyone as this song was played on the streets and every other place especially wedding ceremonies
2. Che Che: During the end of the year, he dropped Che Che. Che Che became a popular streets anthem, as everyone sings the song and rhyme the lyrics together. Mayorkun song has not only gotten far in Nigeria but other countries as well.
People he’s worked with
He’s worked with Davido, label mates likeDremo, Ichaba, Yonda. He’s with Masterkraft, Kiddominant, Krizbeats, IllBliss, DBack and Kidi from Ghana, and many others. He claims Kiddominant has to be one of the favourite people he’s worked with because he produced his two recent singles. He says they’ve both have some sort of synergy and it’s amazing.
Now, apart from talking about Mayorkun musical career, his net worth this 2018 is reportedly $120,000
Ralationship with Davido
He says Davido is someone he respects so much. He’s someone who gives everyone the chance to make their own choices. He advises label mates on decisions to make sometimes because he’s been there and has conquered. Basically, he’s like an older brother to us all. Sometimes we forget its business. He would like to work with Drake in future and with anyone making great music. Internationally, I want to work with Drake. Here in Africa including making music with some of these French-speaking artists because the music has to travel.
Closing the year, the DMW artiste promised to own two of the biggest songs in 2018. Mayorkun reportedly got a New Crib on a few days ago. We look forward to a body of work from him: EP, mixtape or album as hinted and the two “biggest songs in 2018”. Mayorkun’s Debut Album 80% Ready: Jan 3, 2018
He claims life experiences/ social issues reflect in his works
4. Eleko: He rose to prominence in 2016 with the release of the song “Eleko” which hit over 1 Million views on YouTube 9 days after it was published and also topped the iTunes chart as number 1.
The song was inspired by a girl I asked out years back and she snubbed me. In a guardian interview December 2017.He says he didn’t really have access to a proper studio and solid production until he got signed to Davido Music World. He had his first proper studio session when I got signed. He says Davido and a couple of other people were present. The studio was so packed because everyone wanted to hear me record my first song. As it happened, I made Eleko that day.
DMW sensation, Mayorkun, has revealed that his debut album id already 80% complete. He did not reveal the due date for the release, neither has he revealed the album’s official album art or tracklist, but via his twitter handle, but we’re keeping our fingers crossed against this year, 2018.
Bonus: DMW – Mind ft. Davido, Peruzzi, Dremo & Mayorkun 2018 and Sade
Award
He won the 2016 Nigerian Teen Choice Award for Choice New Song of the Year, the City People Entertainment Award for Most Promising Act of the Year and The Headies ‘Rookie of the Year’ award.
