Celebrogaphy: Interview Session with UI Sensation ‘Yomide

Adeyemi Precious

AFAS PRESS: Who is ‘Yomide?

YOMIDE: ‘Yomide is a multifaceted creative. He’s an actor, singer, songwriter, event host, voiceover artist, and music director. Yeah, that’s pretty much all I can think of now. My full name is Akinyosoye Ayomide Emmanuel. I’ll keep my age confidential for reasons best known to me. I’m a Theatre Arts student in my final year (400 level), majoring in acting and music. I’m also the first of three children.

AFAS PRESS: Can you share with us your journey to Theatre Arts and what inspired you to pursue this path?

YOMIDE: My journey to Theatre Arts was unplanned. I initially wanted to study music, but I think God had better plans because there’s no better place I could have ended up than Theatre Arts. Somehow, I found myself here, and it’s been a fun ride all the way.

Now, about music, it’s been a part of me for as long as I can remember. Growing up, I was always asked to lead songs in the Children’s Church, but I thought it was because I was troublesome! It wasn’t until later that I realized I could actually sing, so I decided to pursue it. I started as a cover artist, posting songs on Instagram just for fun. At first, I didn’t get much engagement, but when I got to the university, I met people who shaped me and made me see music as a potential career. And here we are today.

AFAS PRESS: How would you describe your artistic style, and what sets you apart from other upcoming artists?

YOMIDE: Thank you for that question. For me, it’s all about the music itself—the richness of the sound, the depth of the lyrics. I’ve noticed that most upcoming artists these days are all about vibes, but I focus on creating something meaningful. If you’re not giving your all, then it’s not worth doing.

That being said, it’s been a struggle building my audience because not everyone appreciates that style of music. But I believe that if you give people a reason to believe in your work, they’ll eventually listen.

AFAS PRESS: Who are the people or experiences that have influenced your artistic journey the most?

YOMIDE: One person is Jonny Drille, my legend and the best musician as far as I’m concerned. Listening to his songs inspires me. He took a bold leap to create a unique sound that wasn’t popular in Nigeria, and now he’s thriving. It just shows that if your music is good, it’ll find its way.

Another major influence is my mentor, Mr. James Emetuma. He’s currently abroad, but I’d say 70–80% of what I am today is because of him. He’s always pushed me towards excellence and perfection. I’m grateful to have had him in my life.

AFAS PRESS: What about specific experiences?

YOMIDE: Hmm, I know I’ve had plenty, but right now, they’re all jumbled up in my head.

AFAS PRESS: As a final-year student, how do you manage the demands of schoolwork while pursuing your passion for art?

YOMIDE: It’s not easy at all. For me, being a Christian, I’d say it’s God who’s been helping me manage my time and resources. It’s a lot, between my final-year project, departmental activities, and my plans as an artist. But honestly, it’s God. People might get tired of hearing me say it, but there’s no other explanation.

AFAS PRESS: What’s the most exciting or challenging experience you’ve had on stage or in your artistic journey?

YOMIDE: The most exciting moment was performing at Arya Starr’s concert. When they called my name, it was quiet at first. But as soon as I came out, the crowd erupted. Hearing people, strangers sing my song back to me was surreal.

On the flip side, the worst experience was at a mini concert I organized last year. It was an outdoor event, and it rained heavily. People stayed under the rain for a while, but when it got worse, they had to leave. The whole event became disorganized because of the weather and time constraints. But I try to focus on the positive moments.

AFAS PRESS: How has studying Theatre Arts on campus shaped your perspective and skill as an artiste?

YOMIDE: Theatre Arts has transformed me completely. Who I was before I came here and who I am now are worlds apart. It has taught me how to multitask under pressure, which is something I do a lot these days.

My department feels like a family, and that sense of community has been incredibly encouraging. My colleagues always ask, “When is the next release?” Knowing they’re rooting for me keeps me motivated. It’s a beautiful thing to have such support, it pushes me to keep going and make them proud.

AFAS PRESS: What does your creative process look like, and how do you stay inspired to keep producing art?

YOMIDE: My creative process is not fixed; it depends on how the inspiration comes. Sometimes, I get the lyrics before the melody, and other times, it’s the other way around. It’s not regular, but it works for me.

To stay inspired, I listen to other artists. You hear some people and think, “How did they even become musicians?” But then you hear others like Johnny Drille and it makes you want to push yourself to that level. Listening to great music always keeps me motivated.

AFAS PRESS: You’ve released a couple of songs. Can you give us some insight into what inspired each one?

YOMIDE: My debut single, In My Heart, was released on August 22 last year. It’s a love song, but funnily enough, I wasn’t in a relationship when I wrote it. I tend to overthink and put myself in imagined situations when writing. It took me over a year to finish that song because I wanted it to be perfect. The opening line, “Mirror, mirror on the wall, talo rẹwa among them all?” was me just playing around, and it grew from there.

The second song, Adenike, is from a friend’s EP. It’s his story about heartbreak, and I only sang it for him. The chorus goes, “Adenike, I like you. You should have stayed with me.” It’s a deeply emotional song, and I’m glad I could bring his vision to life.

AFAS PRESS: How do your friends, family, and fellow students support your artistic dreams?

YOMIDE: Their support has been overwhelming. From my manager, Somachi, who’s my classmate, to my friends like Vima, and even my family and church members, everyone has been instrumental in my journey. I’m truly grateful for the love and encouragement I’ve received.

AFAS PRESS: How do you leverage social media to promote your work? What’s your approach to connecting with your audience online?

YOMIDE: I take a more personal approach. I have a group with my little fan base, where we interact regularly. We talk about different things not just music so it feels like a genuine connection. That way, when I release something, it’s easier to ask them to share or post it. It’s all about building relationships, not just making announcements.

AFAS PRESS: Where do you see yourself in the next five years? What are your ultimate goals as an artiste?

YOMIDE: In five years, I see myself as one of the biggest musicians in Africa. My ultimate goal is to remain relevant and keep growing.

Personally, I want to buy a house and car for my parents. They’ve done so much for me, and that’s one way I want to show my appreciation. Money isn’t the main reason I’m doing music, but it’s an important factor. You need money to make music and move forward in this industry.

AFAS PRESS: If your life were a movie, what genre would it be? And who would you cast as your co-star?

YOMIDE: Definitely romance. I’m a lover boy when I want to be. As for my co-star, I’d pick Tomi Ojo.

AFAS PRESS: What advice would you give to other students juggling academics and a passion for the arts?

YOMIDE: Don’t stop. Just keep going. And if you haven’t started, start now. In my level, there’s this trend of starting late, and it’s painful to think about. If we had started earlier, we’d be further along in our journeys.My advice is this: even if you feel like what you’re creating isn’t good enough, just create it. Write it, record it, do something. Don’t wait for the perfect moment, because it’ll never come.

AFAS PRESS: Thank you very much for this beautiful session, Yomide.