CELEBROGRAPHY: Interview with Akorede Mehdoh
On this week’s edition of celebrography, fast rising UI entertainer, Akorede Hammed Adeniyi, popularly called Mehdon, speaks with AFAS Press correspondent, Precious Adeyemi, about his career, education, lifestyle, aspirations, and his entertainment journey so far, in an exclusive interview.
AFAS Press: Can you please introduce yourself?
MEHDOH: I go with the name mehdoh. I am Hammed Adeniyi Akorede. I’m a rapper,an entrepreneur and a songwriter. I am a 300 level student of Science and Technology Education, university of Ibadan.
AFAS Press: How did you come about your stage name?
MEHDOH: Okay, my real name is Ahmed,and I grew up in Isara Remo, Ogun State.. I am well known in my community and I was called ‘Hammedo’. So there was a particular time I went for a competition and I met another artiste bearing the name ‘Ahmedo’ so for me to be distinct I removed the “HA” from my name leaving only the ‘mehdoh’ and that is how the name came to be till date.
AFAS Press: What year did you start singing or better still when did you realize you had a thing for music?
MEHDOH: That was 2012, I was in primary four then, although I wasn’t free at that time,all I did then was to rap, in fact I could remember the class captain then always writing my name in the noise makers’ list(laughs).
AFAS Press: What has been your inspiration? As a songwriter what inspires you to write songs?
MEHDOH: My mum is a big fan of Olamide badoo and Apala music. I can still remember her buying every track then, so I listened to them while growing up and their genre has been my inspiration so far …
AFAS Press: Is it safe to say that the music you make is a fusion of hip-hop and Apala?
MEHDOH: I am versatile. My genre is hip-hop,rap and indigenous rap. Most times I do afro- rap too. Let’s just say afro- rap and indigenous rap are my main genre. I delve into other genres too though.
AFAS Press: Since you have been singing, have you produced any track of your own?
MEHDOH: I’ve sang many songs before coming to UI, but I see those songs as rehearsals. I produced my original track in 100 level titled ‘mawobe’ and it was produced by shocker beats popularly known as ‘shocker lo ṣe beats’.
AFAS Press: And since then , have you produced any other track?
MEHDOH: No ,I have not. You know UI can be challenging especially as a fresher then. When I produced mawobe it took a lot of my time. I had no time to read, different interviews from different radio stations ,you know they were curious about this UI guy(smiles) from attending shows to participating in competitions and contests among other things. As a matter of fact, my cgpa was affected. So I had to slow down and focus on my academics. Although, I’ve written many songs, so hopefully before this session ends, I’ll drop something.
AFAS Press: So, since mawobe has been your only song, we can say it’s your hit song right? I mean it gave you that popularity on campus?
MEHDOH: uhm! I’ve been a freestyler before the production of mawobe, so I have known a lot of people. The production of mawobe only increased my audience, in fact, some of them don’t know me as mehdoh but mawobe(laughs).
AFAS Press: It’s a new semester and time has passed since your last production, do you have any juicy project for your fans this semester
MEHDOH: Yes, I have a thought-provoking song that I’m dropping this semester. I already composed it but I don’t want us to dwell on it because it’s a surprise for my fans .
INTERVIEWER: As an upcoming artiste, you freestyle, sing and do a lot of things related to music, how have you been able handle both destructive and constructive criticism till now?
MEHDOH: There have always been destructive criticisms but since I’ve entered UI I’ve not received such . However, when I started music as a career, you know I now operate on a pro level, no longer the amateur of yesterday, I know my craft well now, I produce now in high quality. Even though I am not on the big stage now, I’m making my music like one that is there. I remember when I just started then, a lot of people talked about me going off key, off beat and the likes but I’m no longer the same person. I have worked on myself over the years. I have been to many competitions. There’s a particular one named ‘Naija star search’ I made it to the Nationals. We were just 20 participants that got qualified out of 2000 participants that started. That alone is a great feat for me. Although it’s not everyone that will like you but so far I’ve not received any destructive criticism.
AFAS Press: And if you eventually get these destructive criticisms in the nearest future, how will you handle them?
MEHDOH: All I will do is ‘mawobe’ (laughs). I won’t let it get to me at all. I’ll ignore them and just do my thing
AFAS Press: What impact do you want your song to have on people that listen to your music? You know we are in this era where people are big on lyrics, they want something that resonates with them.
MEHDOH: okayyyyyy, as I have said earlier, I am an educator. There’s something called curriculum. When you are sad there are artiste you listen to their song, like wise when you are happy and you want to flex. I have my own curriculum, what I use….. I see myself as a lecturer, so anytime I enter the studio it’s like I want to deliver a message, like I want to go and lecture my audience . I want to inculcate morals, ethics like humility,also I speak the mind of people through my rap. You know, people’ experience and way of life. I blend these experiences into my rap. So when people who are going through life listen to my song,they feel this sense of belonging because it resonates with them. It gives them the feeling that they are not alone in this jungle called ‘life’. My music is driven by realities and I communicate morals.
AFAS Press: As a student how do you combine academics with your musical career ?
MEHDOH: in 100 level I was shocked. That was when I released mawobe. When it was second semester and I saw my transcript, it was terrible.so I had learn time management and I have been able to manage and balance both since then. I dedicate my night for reading. I ensure that I read at least 4 hours every day. No pressure. I just find a way to split the 4 hours into my daily activities. When it’s exams period, I can come directly from a show into the exam hall because I’m prepared before time. It’s all about time management.
AFAS Press: As an upcoming artiste and the fact that the music industry is a big one, who are your role models?
MEHDOH: Locally or internationally?
AFAS Press: Both
MEHDOH: Okay, my number 1 is Olamide badoo. MF, Vector, Jay Cole. Olamide and Vector are my main role models though.
AFAS Press: In the next five years, what are your goals and aspirations? Also, do you see yourself collaborating with the ‘big fish’ of the industry?
MEHDOH: In the next five years,I see myself on a big platform, doing great things with great people. I want to get there and be a king maker, I want to give back to the streets, be the hope for the young ones coming. In fact having my own record label and I know it is possible with consistency and hard work.
AFAS Press: In conclusion, do you have any word for your fans, young chaps out there that want to venture into music too?
MEHDOH: I only have two sentences for them. No1. Don’t be carried away by life drama, be of good character. No2. Stay focused.
AFAS Press: Thank you very much for your time.
MEHDOH: Thank you for having me.
