Odunayo Mohammed Mamud aka Faya Flame was born on 14th January 1994. He’s a BSc Sociology holder from Uni Ilorin (University of Ilorin), and here’s his JJC interview.
Background
I was raised by a single parent; my mum may her soul rest in peace. The child of this serious Pentecostal Evangelist. Ever since I could remember, I always sneaked to the quiet parts of the house, you know, just to listen to music. Worldly music, as it was termed back then.
I will say hip-hop and music in general have been my first love, my best friend, and my best company. Till date, nothing has changed.
Once I have music, good food to eat, clothes to wear, and a bed to lay on, things are calm for me, I be simple man!
First Encounter with Hip-Hop
I remember the first ever album I bought Grass 2 Grace by TuFace Idibia. My biggest musical influences and inspirations were Akon and Kanye West.
The first Akon song I heard, Locked Up featuring Styles P was my first encounter with hip-hop. I watched that music video and wanted to be a gangster like Akon. Ye’s Jesus Walks also made me dream.
I would say Kanye West was the person who made me want to be a musician. Everything about his sound, the nature of his sonics, the intentionality of his brand and artistry, his music videos, and his fashion sense sparked the fire in me.
Silva West was my first rap name you should know, wagwan lol. In case you’re wondering about the Silva bit;
- I felt like that young whiz kid who just wanted to create!
- I also had big love for playing and watching football; David Silva, was a very young, creative footballer in the world at the time when played for Valencia CF in Spain’s La Liga.
These were reasons for using Silva.
Writing Music
I’ve written raps since I was around 13 years old and probably got into the studio for the first time at the age of 15. I accept I’m a new cat to the industry, although, I am not new in the game.
My inspirations were TuFace, Sound Sultan, D’Banj, Wande Coal, M.I Abaga, Wizkid, and (later on) Burna Boy. I also like a lot of Ice Prince. But, if you’re speaking about hip-hop, especially from a Nigerian perspective M.I Abaga’s Talk About It album is that project that initiated everything for me in a sense locally!
Hip-Hop Head to Emcee
“Mr. West Mr. fresh I got the Bragging rights. Bla bla bla flashing lights”
[Chuckles] I can’t remember but those were my first ever bars recorded in a studio close to 15/16 years ago now. I guess I held back on this side of me for quite a while, and you are only just hearing of Fàyá Flame is because of the upbringing I had.
I genuinely have had positive reactions to my music as far as I can remember. I thank God for that cause even when I wasn’t recording I had my closest friends, Joe Lee, Ibrahams and Teni Cruise asking me “Yo! When are you getting back into the game?!”
Most Underrated Song/Verse
Pockets, cause that was my first drop in quite a long time and I’m not sure people knew or gave it attention. I feel deserves more recognition. It shows a lot of versatility in my sound, and I don’t think many rappers could bounce on that beat the way I did, “while standing on bi’ness, you know”.
I’m willing and happy to release an open verse for this song to be proven wrong.
Worst Song or Verse
I wouldn’t say worst, but the verse I put in the least creative juice or effort into is the second verse on my most recent drop, In Bulk off the Double Whammy single pack.
It was a freestyle Crimina Riddim (the producer) and I loved, so we stuck with it.
My Plans
Making music I love, enjoying and sharing it with the world is my humble answer.
My church mind?
I didn’t come into the industry to “just partake and survive”. I’m going in to create lasting memories and a legacy. I’m convinced the sky is the starting point for my sound and artistry!
There’s a lot to come from me over the next few months and years. I’ll just say you know the Apex of everything is where I wanna be! Headies, Grammys… Watch out bruhhh!!
