My journey from the army to music industry -Aminu Mai Dawayya

I attended primary and secondary school after which I did not further my education. I started trading in hides and skin. I also did some menial jobs just to keep body and soul together. When things did not work out well, I decided to join the Nigeria Army. Though my stay in the Army was […]

I attended primary and secondary school after which I did not further my education. I started trading in hides and skin. I also did some menial jobs just to keep body and soul together. When things did not work out well, I decided to join the Nigeria Army. Though my stay in the Army was very short because my mother was seriously against it, I still see myself as an Ex-Military man. After my short sojourn in the Nigerian Army I then decided to join the entertainment industry.

How did you get into the entertainment industry?

It is just God’s will that I will excel in the industry. My relationship with the industry started when I was an Okada rider. I have good relationship with people like the late Ahmad S. Nuhu, Ali Nuhu and Rukayya Dawayya. We used to have  cordial relationships with them, but I was not directly involved in the industry. Gradually, things started to change and here I am today, a man crowned as the Sardaunan Mawaka and also an award winning musician.

How did you come about the name Mai Dawayya?

Well, actually it was all because of one of Kannywood’s finest actress Rukayya Umar Santa alias Rukayya Dawayya. I was her fan and as fate would have it she gave me all the necessary assistance I needed in becoming who I am today. We have a very good relationship to the extent that people thought Rukayya will one day feature me in her movies. But our relationship goes beyond that, she is such a person whom I respect a lot, she is my mentor and I will remain forever grateful to her. Because of this respect and also being one of her strongest fans, my name changed to Aminu Mai Dawayya.

How many albums do you have to your credit?

Pardon me please, but to be honest and straight I have to state this, Hausa entertainment industry is full of hypocrites and selfish individuals. I have two albums that is ‘Harigido’ and Dan Mama’, in my ‘Harigido’ album I won an award with a track called ‘Rikitata Rikita’.

But the industry being what it is, I did not get to reap from it the way others did. However this did not deter me from putting extra efforts in making some fresh albums. I am right now working on four albums that will be released into the market very soon.

And another thing is that, my kind of music is quite different from others, I don’t use vulgar language and I don’t preach violence in my music. My music I can say is inspirational it corrects and preaches peace; my music has saved a lot of grave situations especially among couples.

You have been in the industry for quite a long time now, how would you asses the industry so far?

So far so good, the industry has recorded great and tremendous feats in terms of quality in picture, sound and the story itself. For the musicians in the industry, a lot has been achieved. Now you will see most of the musicians having their own studios. To me, all this is a remarkable development worth celebrating in the entertainment circle.

Do you have studio of your own?

I have studios in about three states in Nigeria and there are about 200 youths working under these recording studios. Mine is quite a success story, and I am grateful to Allah for all the good things done to me. Being in this business has equipped me with the zeal of assisting youths to be self-reliant. And the only way to achieve that is through engaging them in rewarding activities that will enable them acquire the skills that even without us they can live their lives happily.

Is Aminu married?

I am not bragging, but I can proudly state here that mine is a symbol of contentment. I have four wives and seven children.