“I Wanted People To See Me As A Rude Boy” – Timaya Speaks In New Interview

One of Nigeria’s most consistent singer, Timaya had a few interesting things he had to say in an interview with the Punch newspaper.
The Egberi Papa 1 of Bayelsa gave quite a number of insights on his music, personal re-branding and of course why he isn’t married by now. He spoke on the subject of having a baby mama and also about his lovely daughters.
Hear Timaya speak on why he isn’t yet married and his baby mama.
“I am not getting married soon. My life is a journey. My career is my journey. I didn’t lie to my baby mama when she was pregnant; I told her I wasn’t ready to get married. I never said I wasn’t going to get married. But at the moment, I am not ready. When she told me she was pregnant, I accepted the pregnancy. She told me she hoped I wasn’t going to be like other musicians who had kids from different women. I told her no. My two kids are from same woman. I know what I am doing.”
Being a father taught Timaya how to really love.
“I never knew I could love anyone the way I love my daughters. My first daughter is my best friend. I didn’t know what I wanted when I had her. But I knew I wanted to rebrand. So I had to take off the dreadlock.”
Sporting dreadlocks was strategic for the “Money” crooner to look more rugged and intimidating.
“My dreadlock was a strategy. I wanted people to see me as a rude boy. I couldn’t have been giving all those trouble with a calm and clean face. I wanted a look that would associate with it. Now, people come to me and I smile.
“I was happy I was controversial and I was being talked about. I used to struggle to be known before then and I desperately wanted to be known. Finally, they started talking about me. People felt I was troublesome. Some felt I was controversial. Even those who didn’t know my music knew my name. When I had got what I wanted, I felt it was time for me to rebrand.”
Doing music means everything to Timaya as he can’t bear the thoughts of quitting music for something else.
“I realised that I have a passion for music. I didn’t go into it because of money; I didn’t see money when I started. I have never thought of doing anything else. I know my life is finished if I am not doing music. If not music, my life is finished.
“I know some musicians are coming into the industry because they feel there is money in it. But that shouldn’t be the case. When your target is money, you will not get it. I try as much as I can not to sound the same way I have been sounding. When there is no innovation, people wouldn’t appreciate you.”
With new artistes buzzing in the music industry, Timaya admits he is not in any way intimidated by their successes.
“I know these young artistes are vexing. I don’t feel threatened that there are younger musicians out there now. I just try to beat every hit song I have done before. I am not in any competition with anybody. I do songs every day. But music should not be taken for granted. At this point, much is expected of me. I can do a song for a whole month. The bottom is for me to have the body of the song, the hook and the melody. I don’t want to sound like a joke to my fans. I take my time. This is my profession, it is not a joke. I don’t want my name to be forgotten,” he said.