INTERVIEW: Nigerian born Afrobeat Artist, Stylezz talks Hit Single Baddest Whine, Collaboration with Davido and Tekno, NEA Awards Nomination and much more…

Ope Kayode, better known to most by Stylezz is an afrobeat artist born in Lagos Nigeria and currently lives in NYC.

Stylezz grew up in a household of music fanatics who introduced him at an early age to some legends we know today, Fela Kuti, 2Face, MJ, Jay Z, Bob Marley are just a few of his musical inspirations who peaked his passion for making music.

Flash forward to 2015 a great year for Stylezz, accepting the Nigerian Entertainment Award for diaspora artist of the year and releasing some of his biggest singles yet. Stylezz has already collaborated with some of afrobeats hottest acts and is on the fast track to becoming a heavyweight contender in the African music market.

Stylezz released his hit single ‘Calabash’ in 2014 which quickly became a summer anthem for afrobeat lovers here and abroad, this popularity ultimately lead him to Nigeria where he opened for Olamide in front of 20 thousand fans last year.

This year Stylezz released a string of hit singles that has kept his name buzzing in social media, collabs with davido and his award winning status has proven to suit him well. As he embarks on the new year and all the action it brings, just brace yourself for Stylezz, he’s here to stay and will leave his mark in a major way!

Check out my exclusive interview with Stylezz below:

Hey Stylezz! Would you like to introduce yourself to our readers?
My name is Yemi, but most my friends, fans and fam know me as Stylezz and I’m a Nigerian Afrobeat/ reggae Afro pop artist currently based in The United States.

Talk me through an average day in the life of you?
Right now my main focus is music, but I’m in touch with what’s going on around me. Wake up do the normal things, work on unfinished projects , and go about my hustle for the day. (Studio, meetings, anything productive family friends you know ..)

What institution(s) did you attend and what did you study?
Studied at Mega Evers college, was studying Med.

How did you get the name “Stylezz”?
I got the name cause I’ve always looked at my self as of versatile individual.

What made you venture into music?
Music has always been a part of me, from growing up listening to music at home to the activities that I do in the weekend, and I developed my own love for music. my pops will be playing obe, sunny Ade, Colinton, Fela Kuti, and when I’m with my mom she’s playing Baba Ara, Yinka Ayefele, Atorise, and my brother will be playing Plantation Boiz, Rugedman, all the old school baddos back then, oyeah and on Sunday I go to church and play the drums. When Nigerian music started getting bigger, I started paying attention to it, it looks like something I can do, so I hits up a random producer on FB that lives not too far from me (Jay Moh), we linked up downloaded a beat online, I voiced it and put it out. With the help of my status around NY, and my click FLMG , My music was heard, and colleges just started calling, from then on I know I can do this. Just kept on growing working hard and developing my craft. Making music is my passion.

2015 was a great year for you, winning the NEA Awards for Diaspora Artist of the Year and releasing “Bum Bum” ft Tekno, “Baddest Whine”, “Leave Story” some of your biggest singles yet. What motivated you to write them?
2015 was deff a dope year for me and big up NEA for the award man I never expected it so a big thanks to them.
Now let’s talk about leave story because a lot of people thought it was a diss, I wasn’t talking about anyone, it was a freestyle I did on my voice note when young thug dropped best friend so that song is just me expressing my versatility. BuBum ft Tekno was all vibes really, we came up with that song in 40 mins tops as in composed and recorded it in 40 mins, big ups Young D, he produced it.

Baddest whine is type funniest but true story thou. I met this babe, we both like each other, she’s on of the Good girls u know so she hold back on a lot of things ?, but I can see in her eyes she wanna play, but she’s trying to keep that good girl vibe going with me, I’ll push up on her she will curve me and later hold me on a cuddling P.

That’s how I came up with that pre hook on the track ” the girl say she wan do the man, so me tell her come thru me ah the baddest, her body so hot she need a fan, but she wan take it slow because of her mind, so me tell her slow down she say no, inside her body me wan go and so one. Listen to the track and u will get it more.

Congratulations on your nomination again this year for NEA Awards Diaspora Artist of the Year. How does that make you feel?
Man I feel fulfilled. I feel like they are recognizing me for wat I do, I won the award last year and this year I’m nominees man I’m blessed, Gods plan is the best.

Tell us more about another of your hit “Calabash”. What was the concept all about?
Basically a girl with a big back that’s using her back to collect every thing she needs from a man, but also appreciating the art and the beauty of the African woman ?

What do you think sets you aside from others and and why?
The way I do me. I am dedicated, I spend lots of time with my creative process, from writing to production to art work and more, I am very hands on with my career and feel that I am talented but have not even reached my true heights yet, that keeps me hungry and motivated.

Do you stay in shape year-round?
I ain’t gon lie I don’t, I’m like 77-100.

As an artist, what is required of you as far as maintaining a certain appearance?
Well I’ve heard that I have been known to charm the ladies, so I do try and make sure I’m looking fine boy no pimples when I’m on the town, like I said earlier StyleZZ the name came from my personality and style so my fashion and upkeep is very important to me as well.

What are 5 dos and don’ts when it comes to music?
1. Do put God first
2. Don’t copy, always remain U
3. When things don’t go according don’t give up
4. Do move in silence, music no be noise
5. Be coded.

You grew up in a household of music fanatics, will you say that helped inflence you to what you are today?
Correct.

How would you describe the music industry in the United States and Nigeria?
The industry in the United state is big and structured. Nigerian music industry is still getting bigger, we can only get big, our artist are making major moves to get Nigerian music heard all over the world.

What do you consider the most common stereotype about the music industry?
Well there are a lot, money hungry, vultures lurking around every corner, for the most part I’ve been blessed with nothing but support from my fans and team, but I know that’s a big things about the industry that people fear.

What aspect surprised you the most once you started working in the industry?
Every stage is a new task that you have to beat, that’s the game and Work is the key. One smash hit won’t keep you afloat for ever. The music industry is always changing it’s fast-paced and I know to stay afloat I’ve got to be able to stay consistent.

Is there anything you would like to change about the industry?
Known Artist in the diaspora should get the same treatment as the known artist in Nigera gets. I mean there’s nothing wrong with promoters in Nigeria booking a known artist in America/ Europe to come perform in Nigeria the same way promoters here in the state book them to come perform out here in the diaspora.

Which brands, clients, artists, producers, directors, have you worked with?
Artist – Tekno, Mc Galaxy, Davido.
Director – Mega Boi, Champion studio, junkyard, Patrick Elis
Producer- Magic Finger, Young D, Melvito, Space face, Jaymoh, etc.

What do you consider your biggest professional success so far?
Copping the NEA Award in 2015, and nabbing collabs with couple of the biggest African acts at the moment.

Who do you want to work with that you haven’t yet?
2face , Ice Prince, Ycee, Flavour, Diamond Platinumz, Stonebowy, Wizkid, Etc.

What has been your biggest challenge?
Figuring out my next move after receiving the NEA award.

Tell us two things people don’t know about you?
I’m very chill And friendly.

What’s your opinion about the role of social media in the music business these days?
Social media is amazing it has connected me to fans all over the world that I would’ve never been able to meet or communicate with without this technology, my music is heard on the radio and countries that I’ve never even stepped foot in I mean that’s amazing. Social network is playing a big role for the music industry everywhere right now and forever will.

You moved to the United States from Lagos, why and how is that working out for you?
That was a choice my family made when I was younger.

What are your must visit travel destinations?
I want to take this music thing global there’s no country on the earth but I don’t want to visit I want to spread love my music and positivity all over the world.

Name 5 things we should take seriously about our style choices?
1. My footwear is always on point.
2. I spend time creating performance outfits so if you see me on stage
3. Know I’ve been styling it for days lol
Simplicity is key
4. Can’t go wrong with white denim so summertime looks I always have a white denim in my closet
5. I change my hair often, just keep your eyes on me man. I keep things interesting and whatever I do it’s always a direct representation of who I am.

How would you describe your style?
Calm and simple.

What style genre appeals to you the most?
Dancehall and Afro pop.

What is your favorite dish?
Pounded yam would do lol.

What songs are currently on your playlist?
Umm devastated by Joe Badass,

Apart from music, what other projects are you currently working on?
I rather not say. Need to keep you all guessing , but sky is the limit ! You will be seeing. Lot more of me for a very longtime.

Seeing you’re doing your dreams, what advice can you give others to pursue their dreams?
Your dream is your dream, pursue if it makes u happy and always keep God first.

Any specific plans for the future?
The best one.

Any final words?
Keep God first.

Where can we follow you online and on social media?
Twitter: iam_stylezz
Instagram: Iamstylezz
Snapchat: iam_stylezz
YouTube: stylezzTV
Soundcloud: Iamstylezz
Facebook: Yemi Stylezz