In the music industry, a lot of times we focus on just singers, rappers and producers, not much attention is being paid to spoken word artistes or poets. We had a brief chat with Lagos based spoken word act/rapper Fido who just released a new piece. He talks about his influence by rappers, moments as an artiste and many more. 

Who are you?

I am Ogundare Olufisayo Kayode Kolade Korede (just found out I bore that name).

How many years have you been into doing spoken word?

Roughly 3 years.

How has the reception been since then?

The reception has been awesome, a lot of wonderful feedback. People tell me of how the poems influenced their lives and decisions, and I’m like Stan Lee cos that MARVELS me.

You are a rapper and spoken word artiste, which of them would you say is your strength?

I would say spoken word but I’m also good at rap. I even have two tracks I’m working on to be released this year. 

What inspires you as a spoken word artiste?

Life is what inspires me; in fact, my favourite word is life. LIFE can’t be defined at best only quantified. The things that happen to us and events that surrounds are life inspires me.

How many projects do you have out at the moment?

So far so good, have released  4 audio spoken word pieces but I’m dropping my first spoken word EP.

What artistes have helped to influence your music?

A whole lot from all genres and views of music. To mention a few:  All 116 team (both present and old), NF, Suli Breaks, Tobi Toun, Gamie, Magnifico, Jannette Ikz, Kendrick Lamar, Chris Webb, Preston & Jackie Hill Perry, Eminem, B.O.B, Eazy Bobwizzy a whole lot and Naira Marley (just kidding)

There are only a few spoken word artistes in the industry, what would you say has caused this?

Well, I wouldn’t say there are few but most spoken word artistes are doing like 5 things together. Another challenge is harnessing spoken word as a business is not all that lucrative yet especially here in Nigeria where people are just starting to appreciate poetry. So most spoken word artistes are people who do it for the passion and are just growing their art.

What is your favorite moment as an artiste? 

That was when a guy walked up to me almost in tears to tell me how deep the poem hit him and he was going to be a better person. This scenario happened twice. The second time another person promised to call his father after a long time of not speaking to him.

Tell us about your new project.

Ok this is the first time I will be saying the full meaning of WTMP – WORDS TO MY PEOPLES. The project is a message for me, my friends and people who are like us. The crazy things you go through, the moment you fell in love, moments you made mistakes. This project captures different moments in our lives and puts them together.

What inspired the WTMP?

The name came as an inspiration from a Swoope’s track with the same title. The project was inspired by a series of events in my life. Anytime I share these moments in a poem I get feedbacks like yeah bro, I was going through that same issue. I get this feedback a lot. So I decided to let people in on the fact that they are not alone in their life’s journey. 

What’s the thought behind the new piece ‘Son of Ogun Baba Erin’

To reintroduce myself and my upcoming project!

Your favorite record on the expected project?

‘Friends’ and ‘Who Am I’ (which I co-wrote with a late friend).

Are there any videos to be expected from the project?

Yes, the entire pieces on the project are all having videos. Some are currently in the planning stage.

Drop few lines using A Step Fwd

Okaaaaaaaaaay
Against all the odds
Take a step forward
And lean on the Lord
Just like how there is meat at the end of a party, jollof rice
Just know at the end of your dark tunnel, you gat lights

Make sure to stay connected with Fido on Twitter.