Iyanya Mbuk, considers 2013 his best year ever. Besides sealing endorsement deals with MTN, Zinox Computers and Solo Phones, his appearance fees have also tripled.
Pointing to the fleet of cars, neatly packed in his Lekki, Lagos home, the kukere master is quick to react to what he describes as false stories currently making the rounds. Listen to him:
“I didn’t buy four cars in one day o. I only bought just one which I posted on Instagram. So I don’t know where people got their own story from. We have four cars in this house. I also do not get it when people say we (artistes) show off on social media.
“I mean if God has blessed me, there is no reason to hide that. We are not showing off. After all, everyone knows Inyanya’s story. Whenever I post pictures of my cars or money on Instragram, the public should understand that it is just my own way of saying if God can do it for me, He can for you too.”
“I am not half as appreciated in Nigeria as I am overseas. I guess that is the many rewards that ‘Kukere’ has earned me within a short period of time. The track is the most requested of all my songs at home and abroad. The Soul Train nomination was the icing on the cake for me, I felt proud walking and sitting close to my role models at the award ceremony. It was a life-changing moment for me,” he says.
“The truth is that I came up with Kukere to make money because Nigerians were not listening to RnB . See where it has gotten me today,” he adds.
“I had to work harder because at some point things were not moving well or fast for me. So it took me five years to study the industry in order to understand what people really wanted or expected of me. I remember I would walk on the street and people would ask me what was going on, as regards my career, when in reality I was doing RnB music but people were not listening.”
“I come from a very humble background and have also struggled to be where I am. Since I achieved nothing by my own strength or might, I don’t think it is worth talking or boasting about.
“I am also looking into investing in the oil and gas sector in the New Year, because I feel investment is key. Artistes must learn to invest because the fame is temporary and sometimes a façade. Truth is you will not always be in the spotlight and you may become bankrupt if you are careless with funds.”
Looking into the new year, Inyanya dreams, saying, “My craft has no doubt gotten better with time. I plan to remain true to my culture and will also be releasing a single in my native Efik language soon. I desire to be one of Nigeria’s greatest music exports next year.”
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