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Rising Nigerian Afrobeats artist Fido joins Nandi Madida via FaceTime on Apple Music 1 to talk about his latest single “I miss you die”. He also discusses his new EP ‘Olayemi’, his early journey into music, the artists that have inspired him, and working with Kizz Daniel on the remix of “Joy is Coming”.
This Week’s Hottest New Tracks
Nandi Madida shares the hottest new African tracks of the moment. This week’s selection includes new tracks from Rema, Tiwa Savage feat. Skepta, DJ Boat, Supa Gaeta & Shaker, DJ Zinhle, Liema Pantsi, MÖRDA & Mthunzi, and Cici, BoyPee & Hyce.
Tune in and listen to the full episode this Friday, August 1st at 9a Lagos/London / 10a Johannesburg/Paris / 1a LA / 4a NYC on Apple Music 1 at apple.co/_AfricaNow and broadcast on Cool FM in YFM Accra every Sunday at 2 pm, YFM Kumasi on Saturdays at 3 pm and YFM Takoradi on Saturdays at 6 pm.
Fido tells Apple Music about his early journey into music
I attended the PEFTI Film Institute and studied music technology, where I had to learn all of the basics in music and what it takes to be a musician. That really shaped my journey. I want to say ‘big up’ to my lecturers, my producer, and my production manager. Without them, I wouldn’t be where I am today. Also, joining the choir in church! My mom is a Christian mother and she always told me, “You should work for God”. I was like let me join something. I knew I had talent, so I was like let Me join the choir. That started it all!
Fido tells Apple Music about the artists that have inspired him
I got a lot of inspiration from Wizkid, as back then, he was my top rising artist in the last 10,15 years. So I really tapped into Wiz, 2Face, Olamide, the likes of Burna Boy, even Davido. Also, not only from the African side, but internationally. I get inspiration from other international sounds too. So it’s just about getting to know and connecting with the right sound.
Fido tells Apple Music about his 2024 hit “Awolowo”
“Awolowo” was the name of one of our prime ministers, and he’s a legend and a hero here in Nigeria. At the time I recorded this song, I was down. I was with my producer, but I had no money, I was smoking, I was high, and I was like What’s next? What can I do? The moment my producer just played the beat, I was like, This is the sound! “Awolowo” then just came from nowhere. I instantly started my verses, and I said to my producer, Don’t pause that beat! The experience was actually amazing. I never knew it was going to be a hit song, but I had the belief in my mind. You don’t know the plans of God and the moment I dropped “Awolowo”. God just said, This is your time.
Fido tells Apple Music why he named his new EP ‘Olayemi’
Olayemi, that’s my name! It reflects on my journey from the hood where I came from in Ogun State. My childhood, my struggles, and in so many ways, I felt I had to just let people know more about me. All of these eight songs are about my journey from my hood to now, a famous artist in the global space. So many things were involved and it was about me discovering myself – most of the (eight) songs implicate little stories about me along the way.
Fido tells Apple Music about working with Kizz Daniel on the remix of “Joy is Coming”
Kizz Daniel is one of the greatest artists in Nigeria. He has made such an impact on us in the music industry and for Afrobeat across the world. I felt he was the perfect match. Everybody (the fans) has been asking when they were going to see me and Kizz do a song together. I was like, okay, I’m going to surprise my fans. I have to make sure that whatever the fans ask of me, I have to deliver for them. I give fans what they want, and I like to make sure that they’re satisfied.. I know then that the rest is going to fall in place.
Fido tells Apple Music what it means to be one of Nigeria’s new generation of storytellers
It feels great. It feels like me breaking out from a bondage that I’ve been stuck in for years. It feels like Fido is now free to showcase his talent to the world. It feels like I am part of greatness, which has been happening for years from legends back in the days. I’m just so happy to be part of that journey and part of history as well – because when they list artists that have been doing great things in Afrobeats, they will list my name too. This is just the beginning, though. I would say all thanks to God. It’s been God all the way.