Eedris Paid me Nothing – Timaya

Timaya, the Egberi Papa 1 (the people’s town crier) of Bayelsa is doubtless today one of Nigeria’s top Hip Hop musicians.  In this chat with our reporter, LUCY EZELIORA, in Asaba, Delta State, he speaks on music, career and his days in the hood, as plantain hawker. Enjoy this piece.
You are so much in love with your State, Bayelsa. Did you grow up there? If yes, how was growing up like for you?
Bayelsa is a blessed State. Although, I was born in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Bayelsa remains my own State. Those people made me who I am today.  I started singing in Lagos State but nobody was ready to support me. I even joined Edris Abdulkareem‘s band; yet didn’t get any recognition. It wasn’t until I went to Bayelsa State that I hit it big.
Now everybody wants to sing with me, how do you expect me to forget the people that supported me? Bayelsa is my root so I will always talk or sing about my State.  I am proud to be a Niger Deltan and a Bayelsa boy. Quote me anywhere, any time.
What made you shave off your dreadlock trade mark?
I want to look different. I’m not a Rastafarian. I’m happy with the way I look now and I confess, I look better and more mature.
You always talk about how you suffered as a child in most of your songs. You want to elaborate on that time of your life?
People don’t know the real me. They just know about my music and how I became famous. My music represents a struggle and quest for change.  Let me start by telling you about my stories; stories that will shock every listening ear. First, I ran away from home when I was 14 years old. I was stubborn and had this big dream. The last child of a family of 15 children, my father wanted me to become a banker like him but I had other ideas.
I couldn’t imagine sitting down at a spot and monitoring other people’s money. I loved entertainment and was not ready to compromise my dream for anything else. Besides, I wanted freedom from my domineering older siblings who attempted to turn me into an errand boy.
So every time there was a show in town, I’d sneak out to watch the show. My mother almost killed me for this.  At one time, I was even hawking plantain to earn a living, of which I am proud of today because there is pride in legitimate hard work.
One day, I left the house but they caught and returned me after a year of living wild on the streets. I was tied and beaten up severely until I ran into a woman older than me that promised to help me. The woman accommodated and fed me. Of course she handed me rules and regulations. I must be in the house by 7 p.m. and slept with me whenever she liked; irrespective of whether I wanted to or not.
Any day I voiced my tiredness, she’d sanction and threaten me for daring to be with someone else. This, was my lifestyle until I found myself in Lagos and joined Eedris Abdulkareem’s band as a back-up singer. I worked for him for about three years, left to begin my hustle again when all that bubble burst with him. I don’t like to be in a place where I’m being used.
Eedris never paid me a dime in the three years I worked for him except for an occasion he gave me N1000 after a show in Kuramo beach. Everybody that worked with Eedris when I was with him, had a dream but he never helped make our dreams happen.
Today, all the boys in my band are car owners and live well on their own. I don’t owe them because I know they have families. As they’ve helped build my career, I also have to help build theirs. Eedris never did all of these for his band boys and that was his problem. He never had time for anyone.
I actually started out with a couple of early collaborations with some underground artists until I was inspired to sing about my State, Bayelsa and the recent killings in the Niger Delta region.  My first major hit, “Dem Mama” was an account of the 1999 destruction of Odi, a river side community in Niger Delta.  Soldiers were hunting down militants they alleged killed eight policemen. The village was burnt down and numerous people killed.
I bravely tackled the issue years later and won instant street credibility for my boldness. That was the song that brought me to limelight. Today, so many musicians are interested in doing collaborations with me. I have collaborated with J Martins, P Square,  Kefee on Kokoroko, Spyder Man and others. These are some of the challenges I faced that most people know nothing of. Also, in 2011, I was appointed a Peace Ambassador by the Interreligious and International Federation for World Peace, (IIFWP) So, its God finally.
How many Albums do you have now?
I started with True Story in 2007 before God helped me with another album, Gift and Grace in 2008.  In 2010, I came up with De Rebirth. My more recent works, include, {LLNP} long life and prosperity, Upgrade, Plantain Boy, Bum Bum and many more. So far, I have sold over 30million records since 2007 when I started.  I have also performed in so many countries all over the world. I will say, who God has blessed, no man can curse.
Do you write your songs?
Yes, but not all.
Tell us about some of your awards?
I have so many awards to my credit. Let me start with Nigeria Music Awards in 2008: album of the Year, 2008 Hip Hop World Awards, the Headies: Best Reggae/Dancehall Album Timaya; 2009 Hip Hop World Awards the Headies: Best Reggae/Dancehall Album (Gift and Grace); Best Collaboration Good or Bad with J. Martins and P-Square; 2010 Hip Hop World Awards, the Headies; I also won best collabo of the year,“ Kokoroko” with Kefee. And I know many more are still coming.
I noticed you are a car freak. What was the first car you drove?
My first car was a Rover given me by Danco Music. I wish I could still do business with the guy but levels don change.
Lets talk about your ex girlfriend, Empress Njama as well as the mother of your child. Are you still friends with them?
My story with Empress, isn’t what I’m really in the mood to talk about. But the story about my going to church to fight her didn’t happen. If it did, this is a modern world; you’d have seen pictures of what happened all over. My bad boy reputation is just a one off thing. Because of my relationship with just one woman, people now judge me wrongly. When I met Empress, she was just there and not very popular.
A lot of people just want to use you as a ladder to get fame. She would call some of her media friends to tell tales about our relationship which didn’t go down well with me. Yes, I have a child so what is new about it? Am I not a man? Let’s discuss more important issues. Right now, my career comes first. I wish I could marry my mother because she is the only woman who understands me.