Single motherhood shouldn’t be a taboo – Yinka Davies

How did you get into entertainment? I have been into entertainment since 1996. I was at the National Theater and it was actually there that I started. It was Fine and Applied Arts I wanted to do. We went for a school excursion in 1986, as at that time I was in form 4 and […]

How did you get into entertainment?

I have been into entertainment since 1996. I was at the National Theater and it was actually there that I started. It was Fine and Applied Arts I wanted to do. We went for a school excursion in 1986, as at that time I was in form 4 and I got taken away by all the beautiful things in the National Theater. So, I went back there and I haven’t looked back again. I just started to gate-crash on everybody, dancing to poetry, stage performances and so on.

What is it about your childhood that influenced your decision to do what you are now doing?

Actually, I was just enjoying my life really; when I was young my siblings and I would play-act and it was such fun. Every evening, we would all come out to entertain our grandmother, because we were living with her then. After all that, she would then make us sit quietly to listen to her own tales.

Sometime back, you had an accident which affected your legs. Would you say that period was one of the darkest hours you had in life?

No, actually, it was not my darkest moment but it was a very trying period. The accident just came and went. I must really say the accident was good training ground for me to slow down in life properly because I was running on the fast track. Actually, when you are on that kind of track, one tends to die young and I on my part, was just leading. I was really having a great time.

We live in a society where people consider single mothers as a taboo. What is your opinion on this matter considering the fact that you are also a single mother?

Most of the time, I don’t use myself as an example because it is delicate for me. Being a mother at a young age to me is a blessing, when you have children you can actually easily get to discuss with them. And they get to understand you, you will become friends instead. It’s actually a lot of work, though at the same time, I must say I am lucky because a lot of my responsibilities are being taken care of by my parents.

If you call child-bearing at a very young age a taboo, you are already giving it a tag, because many people get it by accident. So, if you call it a taboo, you will be killing the whole joy of bearing a child. You see, some people get pregnant by accident. Some girls are being deceived by men into bed. Some are being forced into.

When I found out I was pregnant, I decided that I was going to have the baby. You see, it is a very delicate matter. We have to be very careful as women because there are so many women out there who have gone into a lot in their lives. So, if some people even have their fathers getting them pregnant and they cannot talk about it, then it is very wrong for even the society to see it as a taboo.

What would you be doing if you were not into music?

I would be a farmer because I really love nature. Nigeria is a very special country blessed with nature. Our soil is very special that is why our farmers harvest all sorts of crops that are being exported.

How have your kids managed being themselves regarding the fact that they have a famous mother?

I think it is better they answer this question themselves. I cannot speak for them, but I know they blend well with friends and neighbors. Being their mother, they don’t even get to see me often because of the nature of my job. I am a very busy woman so it is tough for them. But I have great kids.

How do you juggle being a musician and a mother and carrying out other responsibilities?

I just do what I can. I cannot have a routine for the day. I just use my time wisely, as the day comes by. My kids will tell you I never spend time with them but they really love me because I use the little opportunity I have to spend time with them.

How will you rate the entertainment industry in Nigeria in view of the fact that the whole system is veering towards politics?

Well, I don’t allow any internal politics to get at me. I just do my own job and get out of there because I don’t believe in politics. I believe in doing the work and doing it right. Whatever politics they want to play, as far as one gets to do the work correctly so that the crowd out there can really appreciate you and your efforts, that’s fine.

How will you describe your style of music?

It doesn’t have a name from me, yet. Eventually, I will want to come to the north and acquire more sounds from the Birom people in Plateau State and also sounds from Ebira people in Kogi State because of their unique music.

As one of the judges of the talent show Nigerian Idol, why do think viewers say you’re harsh?

Whatever one is doing in life, one has to be so serious about it so that one will not come and make oneself a laughing stock. So being a judge is a tough one, it deals with a lot of work. It takes a lot of work to be in the music industry. So, the best thing to do as a participant is to take to corrections by judges and not feel bad when they correct you.

One has to be balanced and unbiased as a judge so that we can all go with the results from the audience too.

Would you encourage your kids to go into the entertainment industry?

I remember one of them going for a competition and got booted out. But she is a fantastic singer on her part, that’s why am so grateful. So, if any of them wants to go into music, they should be ready to be challenged if they don’t put in their best.

So, if they feel they are equal to the task ahead, then let them come out stronger, not bitter and not angry at the judge’s decision towards them. So, am not against them going out there to be musicians.

In the course of your career, has the thought of quitting music ever crossed your mind?

Because I have always had the zeal of being a musician, it has not really crossed my mind no matter the circumstances I find myself. I just pray to God to see me though that period. I don’t really allow moods I find myself to get in my focus. If you allow that to affect your career, then you are making a big mistake.

What is it that influences your fashion style?

I love black colors and I love to put on chiffon. I have been on black for the past five years now but recently, I am about to start coming into other colors. Fashion for me is the mood you actually find yourself in. It tends to determine your state of mind. Sometimes, I put on jeans. I don’t do my hair and not even make-up. But when the work starts, then the diva comes out.