"I have a girlfriend and she is cool"- Sheyman

Ademoye Oluseyi, popularly known as Sheyman is a renowned producer, singer, rapper and songwriter who has been in the industry for over a decade.

In this Interview with Entertainment Rave Newspapers, he spoke about his career, life and other interesting issues. Enjoy

How does the acceptance of your latest single makes you feel?

I must say I’m very happy that the song is making waves. We only try our best but is God who crowns our efforts. What we do is just put out the music and expects people to appreciate it and when they do, thenmoney comes in.

Why the choice of Davido on the remix of the song?
The song, Paper is basically about spending money and Davido once released a hit song, Dami Duro where he introduced himself as Omo baba olowo (Billionaire son). I thought about the remix and I felt that he’s the best person to feature on the song. And when he eventually feaured, it came out the way I predicted.

What is the concept behind the ‘Paper’ song?
Paper is basically about the money you’ve worked so hard for and you deserved all kinds of enjoyment and comfort. Since you can’t take the money with you when you die, you have to spend the ‘paper’ while you are alive and live a good life.

When it comes to mixing and mastering of songs, you are one of the best in the industry, what is your secret?
It’s the grace of God that makes people to see me as one of the best when it comes to mixing and mastering songs. Also, hard work and experience counts. The experience is working for me because I have been in the sound engineering business for years. So with my experience and talent, I have been able to get to where I am now and I’m grateful for that. For example, while mixing Kukere, I knew it’s going to be a hit. I told Iyanya this song will rock and thank God Kukere came out very big. Right now, I’m currently working on his two new singles coming out very soon and I believe they are going to be hits too.

If you are to choose between producing, singing or mixing, which one will you go for?
I will choose being an artiste because of the commercial value. When you are big, there is more revenue coming in and we need to make this money.

What are your winning principles?
My winning principle is the fact that I’m focused and I don’t let other things distract me from my work. I’m much focused.

What is the greatest challenge you’ve faced in your career so far?
In every sphere of life, in any industry and in everything you do in life, there are always challenges in order to scale to the next level. You will definitely face lots of challenges in life. I don’t think there is anything like the greatest challenge because you keep facing them and you keep going.

How has it been since floating your own outfit, Phatbase Entertainment?
It’s been pretty cool and really interesting because there is nothing like having a thing of your own and dictate the pace. You know when to spend money, what to spend money on, what is right and what is wrong. You also don’t have other people dictating for you based on their own selfish interest.

Any artiste signed on the label?
We are working on Sheyman’s project for now because promoting an artiste is actually not that easy. So we need to really do our homework well but we have plans to sign one artiste next year.

You have been here for over a decade, how do you manage to still stay relevant?
Some of the new guys still come to me for songs in one way or the other. I can choose to be singing just for fun actually and that is what I’m doing right now. It doesn’t affect me because music is what I love doing. For like over a decade ago, I have been in this industry and am still here doing my thing. Lots of people have come and gone but I’m still here and I thank God for that.

What do you think of the Nigerian music industry?
It’s getting interesting and the industry is evolving. I like the fact that people are embracing new stuffs and that is having a positive impact on the entertainment industry.

Any other business you are into apart from music?
Apart from music, we run events and consult for other people that try to do entertainment business. I do a little bit of forex trading as well and we have businesses outside the country. We also have an eye in the oil business.

What is the cause of your break up with Trybe Records?
I was more like a business partner with Trybe Records and I just decided to leave and set up my own label. There is no rift with Trybe Records whatsoever.

What do you think are the things that are working for your brand?
Most importantly, I would say maturity. Before I make any move, I consult people. I have advisers and I don’t just jump into conclusions. I seek advice from people who are like role models to me and that have been helping my career.

Do you think anything is working against your brand?
The only thing that I think is working against my music career is the fact that I can do a lot of things in the industry. I can rap, sing, produce, mix and even direct videos. I don’t put a lot of effort on one of them and not concentrating on one is really affecting Sheyman’s music brand.

What is the worst thing you’ve ever heard about yourself?
The one I heard from some girls that didn’t even know me from Adam was that I impregnated Omawumi. They were discussing it among themselves and I heard. I wondered how far people can go in creating false stories and it’s not nice. How do you impregnate someone you never dated or had an affair with? It is not nice

What is it that you don’t like about stardom?
What I don’t like about stardom is the fact that you are not free to move as you like. Sometimes, I just want to go to some places probably for sightseeing but I might not be able to because lots of people are watching you. I just feel like I should be able to go to one amala joint and eat amala with ogufe but because you are a celeb, you have to order it down to your spot which is somehow boring.

Let’s talk about your love life?
I’m not married and I’m not single. I have a girlfriend and she is cool. She is my princess.

Any plan to walk down the aisle soon?
Tying the knot is what you pray to God about and not something you just go into. You need to be well prepared. So we will do that when the time is right.

How emotional can you get?
I have overcome being too emotional which is a trait in my family. Now, I don’t want to be too emotional.

What is your happiest moment?
I’m always happy whenever there is a good deal, when the money is coming in. I’m always excited seeing people around me as well.

Any plan to drop a new album soon?
Yes, we are dropping an album before the year runs out by the grace of God.

"I have a girlfriend and she is cool"- Sheyman