Fakoya Qudus Oluwadamilare, popularly known as Qdot, is a graduate of Arts from the Yaba College of Technology, Yaba, Lagos. In this interview with ADEWOYIN ADENIYI, he talks about his journey in the music industry and why he broke up with his former record label, among other reasons.
HOW did music start for you? Well, I have been in the music game since I was in secondary school. But I was doing rap at that time before I switched to commercial music, just to do something creative.
Did you switch to commercial music because rap wasn’t paying you?
Rap is not my way, so I had to find another way, which is commercial music; it is the main thing in Nigeria now.
You did a song sometime ago with Seriki and now with Olamide…
(Cuts in)Due to my kind of music, I have to feature people who do something similar. They do Afro-music too. Seriki has been my friend right from time and Olamide too is like a brother to me; so, they are ready to work with me anytime I call on them for music collaboration.
How was your growing up like?
Me nah ghetto boy oh right from time. I wasn’t born with a silver spoon. I am the first-born of my dad and the second born of my mum. I went to the United Senior High School and later Yaba College of Technology, where I studied General Arts. Though I wanted to study music, I didn’t know music wasn’t under the course. So, here I am doing music full-time.
How did you come about your previous hit, Alomo Meta?
I have always wanted to sound different because there are lots of party songs out there and there was no money to promote the song myself; so, I had to do something different and unique. So, I decided to take it to the church and called my producer, Antrass, to cook up the beat; and then, we worked together to make up the hit.
So, you are not a Celestial Church member?
No, I no dey go church oh; I no dey go mosque.
Your latest single, Ibadan, is currently receiving massive airplay. Are you from Ibadan?
Yeah, I am half-Ibadan, half-Lagos. So, if you want to pay me in Lagos, it is okay by me and if you want to pay me from Ibadan, it’s alright. So, I am everywhere like MTN.
What brought about the song?
As I said, I love doing Afro-centric music and African songs. So, Ibadan was just a freestyle song and I didn’t want to promote it. But we decided to work on it and see how much we could push the song. Fortunately, Olamide (Badoo) liked the song, so he jumped on the song and here we are doing fine.
With the high rate of competition in the industry now, how do you intend to break into the industry?
We are coming with a caterpillar oh (laughs). We are coming with full force. This is because the Lima gang is doing well now and we are focusing on Qdot. My producer and the rest of the gang are coming out to promote ourselves because there is no one to promote us. We are just fighting for ourselves. You know, it is not easy to shoot a video and promote yourself, but God go help us.
Are you still signed under Omo Ita Entertainment?
No, I was with them for a year. Actually, I signed a year deal, so I left when my contract expired.
Why did you leave the record label?
Omo Ita Entertainment didn’t want me to do my kind of music. But I have to focus on myself and my style, so I walked away when my contract expired.
What are your plans for the rest of the year?
Right now, I am not signed to any record label, but I am under the Lima Gang management. So, if any record label wants to sign me, they will have to see the management.
Who are your role models in the music industry?
I only look up to God because me sef as I dey, I dey vex gan. I am dropping a new song very soon titled Yorubad Boy produced by Antrass. That is where I am pouring out my mind. Though there are lots of songs, we have to take a step at a time. I believe in myself and my team also. It’s a team work now and we don’t have beef for anybody.
Do you have any plans to do collaborations with anybody?
Right now, I have a song with Patoranking and I am planning to do a song with Black Magic. I have a song featuring my own people.
How do you cope with your female fans?
I love them; we dey together and even when I am with my girlfriend, I still show them much love.
And she doesn’t get jealous?
No, she understands.
What about the male fans?
Well, I treat them well. At times, I show love by giving out a little from my pocket. And if I don’t have money on me, I just scope them- we call that street orientation.
Who is your female crush in the industry?
(Laughs) Nobody; I don’t have any. I am from the streets; so, I don’t have time for that.
