Rising Nigerian rapper, Nicholas Ihua-Maduenyi, popularly known as Psycho YP, has revealed that he started his career as a footballer before switching to music.
The ‘Long Way From Home’ crooner singer said he attended Arsenal Football Academy but later quit his dream of playing football and chose to be a musician.
The Hip Hop act, however said that Arsenal remains his team and he still cherishes the moment he had there but he had to choose between the two.
Pyscho YP made this known during a recent interactive session on Citizen TV Kenya’s programme, 10 over 10, in Nairobi.
He said; “I attended Arsenal Football Academy but I stopped playing football when I started music. I had to pick one.
“Arsenal is still my team. My experience at the academy was all good. But after that, when I started music, I just fell in love with it.”
On why he chose to do rap despite afrobeat being the trend, the rapper said, “I just love hip-hop. I love rap. I grow up listening to rap.”
Meanwhile in other news…
Nigerian rap star, Blaqbonez, whose real name is Emeka Akumefule, has revealed that there used to be a time rave of the moment, Asake was his backup singer.
He said that before the YBNL act hit stardom, they were friends and worked together while still in the University.
According to Blaqbonez, him, Fireboy, Asake, Superboi Cheque, Yhemolee, and Zamorra were close friends from the early days of their careers at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ife, Osun State.
The ‘Haba’ crooner disclosed this while being interviewed by reality star, KimOprah on Hip TV’s entertainment programme, Trending. He recounted how Zamorra and Asake used to assist him in the studio with background vocals.
Blaqbonez said; “I have known Fireboy, Asake, Superboi Cheque, Yhemolee, and Zamorra since OAU days. Zamorra and Asake have always been great at backups. You know this thing Asake does now with his vocals, he has understood this thing from time.
“So, I used to ask him to help me figure out these things. They’ve always been influential in my music journey because I feel like every phase of BlaqBonez helped build the BlaqBonez that I am now.”
Still on entertainment news…
Nigerian Twitter Influencer, Daniel Regha has said music star, Ayo Balogun aka Wizkid started becoming less of a force after he took a jab at rappers.
It may be recalled that during an interview with 10 magazine, the “Essence” crooner said rap is dead while arguing in favour of Afrobeats dominating the Hip Hop genre.
According to the Starboy Entertainment founder, Hip Hop artistes mostly rap on the same beats, and they have similar styles.
Wizkid also took to social media and said Nigerian rappers are non-rappers who lack development and he went on to list South Africa’s Nasty C and Ghana’s Sarkodie as the ‘real rappers’ in Africa.
Subsequently, Wizkid received backlash mostly from Nigerian rap artistes who either responded to him online or released diss freestyles.
Months after the singer made these comments, Regha said he lost his star power due to the outcome of his utterance. According to the social commentator, it also led to Wizzy’s More Love, Less Ego album turning out as a big failure.
He advised the Joro crooner to recant his statement, beg for forgiveness and make efforts to improve his behaviour.
Regha said; “Wizkid’s star power has seriously dropped after he mocked rappers; MLLE is no doubt a mid project, but this also led to the album being a big flop (compared to MIL). He needs to retract his words, beg for forgiveness & improve his behaviour. Humility goes a long way. No offense.”
