Rising Star: WAYE
Waye has it: effortless confidence and flow, style in abundance. Uwaye grew up in Kano, Nigeria, as an extrovert but since finding her voice as Waye, she's taken her singular blend for R&B and Afrobeats and made them global. One single into her career, Waye after getting the world's attention to her music, gradually, but somehow remains remarkably unphased, as if success was never in doubt. After her latest single, Waye connected with Pelumi Eko to discuss staying true to yourself, even when it feels impossible.
WEDNESDAY 8:30 PM SEPTEMBER 30, 2023 LAGOS
WAYE: How you doing?
PELUMI EKO: I'm good. How you been?
WAYE: I’ve been cool.
PELUMI EKO: You've been working?
WAYE: Mm-hmm. I’m in Abuja, sometimes lagos, locked in every single day.
PELUMI EKO: You're a Cover Star for the Hip-hop publication, Issue V. The last music act that sat down with us to share her story just as you are about to do was Dmw's first lady, Liya. So tell me, how elated are you doing this? And what was Childhood background like for you?
WAYE: Thank you for your interest in me, I’m happy to be here! Family life was amazing! I had the best childhoodwith really supportive parents and my sisters.
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PELUMI EKO: What are the happiest memories from your teenage years?
WAYE: I had alot of happy moments growing up but I think my happiest moment in my teenage years was time with friends and family. I schooled at St. Louis secondary school Kano. I had the opportunity to dance, create music, act, perform, express my talents! There was so much activities going on & learning! I was always on stage performing, It was literally me living my dreams.
PELUMI EKO: Mm.. hmm. So tell me, how would you describe the relationship with your parents like?
WAYE: I think my relationship with my parents have always been very respectful, we’ve always had great communication and its a non-intrusive relationship. They’ve always supported my dreams, my career and always encouraged me to be myself. They’ve kept me grounded and I really love that. I thank God for blessing me with really good parents.
PELUMI EKO: What would you say were the core values passed unto you by them?
WAYE: I will say kindness, discipline, respect, and politeness were the core values I picked up as a kid from my parents, and they’ve always stuck with me.
PELUMI EKO: Asides your parents, whom would you claim played a crucial role into what you have become today?
WAYE: First, I think my elder sister played a major role for my love for music. When I was young she would always bring back home new music! She loved music so much, she had CDs to every new release from almost every artist. Her love for music stirred up my obsession with music.
The second person who played a crucial role was Silas “PapiDee”, back in uni. He was the first person who walked up to me and asked me to take music as a profession he took me to the studio
for the first time to meet a producer who produced my first song and introduced me to my first producers, Andre vibez and also Esbee who gave me some of my first beats. I feel like that moment where he discovered me at the rap competition that I won. I really did know myself then because I had already been recording and doing a few collaborations in kano with my friends, but that moment in university was the moment it all started professionally.
PELUMI EKO: Waye, we can't entirely talk about your Navigation into the music scene without briefly talking about your Educational background. So I'm curious, what did you study in school?
WAYE: I studied mass communication at the University of Benin, Nigeria.
PELUMI EKO: Mm.. hmm. Why did you choose music, was there any particular trigger for you?
WAYE: Music, came naturally to me like I said, growing up I was involved in alot of creating in school performing singing on stage. I guess it’s always been me.
PELUMI EKO: When you think of your success now and how much the society has influenced your journey coming up. What kind of thoughts do you have?
WAYE: I feel grateful for how far I’ve come, everything I experienced has shaped me into who I am, I don’t think it would have been done any differently. I’m really glad for every milestone, and for every journey I’ve been on. I wouldn’t have it any other way.
PELUMI EKO: What would you describe your sound as?
WAYE: My craft is Me. My universe! it’s an expression of the multi-dimensional being that I am. It’s an expression of my soul, so yeah, it’s my soul, my spirit, my world.
PELUMI EKO: What is the most challenging moment of your career?
WAYE: Uhhh, this is a difficult one. I don’t think I’ve had any major challenging moment honestly, i always pace myself. I think being an independent artist is a challenge itself, cause Iliterally have to do everything myself. Feels like I work 30 jobs for myself lol! But I've been kicking.
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PELUMI EKO: What would you describe your experience working with established brands and what value has it added to your brand?
WAYE: My experience, working with established brands has made me more aware of myself, why, because? these brands want me to be nothing but myself. They want the magic in me affiliated with their brand, they give me creative control, they respect my talent It’s shown me, I have to always be true to myself and be original. When you work on your purpose your people will find you. All I have to do is give it my best.
PELUMI EKO: Which Nigerian artists do you regard as mentors?
WAYE: I think we have alot of mentors in the Nigerian industry, but Most of my mentors are rastas and not in the Nigerian industry.
PELUMI EKO: Which music collaboration would you claim placed your feet firmly into the music industry? Tell me.
WAYE: I haven't done any collaborations of my own yet, but I'll soon!I would love to work with Chronix, Projexx, Burnaboy! Yeah, Artistes that would fit in my craft not just for collaboration sake.
PELUMI EKO: Waye, we have the sweetness of your lyrics, but we also have the cleverness of alot of your lyrics. Let's take your latest single "HEALER" for example. Break it down for me.
WAYE: My latest release "Healer" is a masterpiece! Healer is addressing people who battle with themselves and project their insecurities on other people, causing jealousy and bad energy. It's more about my confidence in myself and my gift. Healer talks about the Divine in everyone so, that means it brings out the magic in you! You guys should definitely listen! I’m sure this will bring clarity!
PELUMI EKO: There's this reverence and utmost respect that comes with your name Waye, many Nigerians today know you as. What inspired that and how have you been able to sustain that special name?
WAYE: Waye is actually my real name. “Uwaye” I’ve been nothing but true to myself everyone knows and respect that. My friends and fans have experienced me in different timelines and at different levels in life. They know who I am, and are fans of who I truly am not just what I do. It’s the Authenticity.
PELUMI EKO: Since then, having built a large fan base that listens to you music, what are the strategies already in place to remain marketable for many years to come?
WAYE: By being true to myself and my sound. It’s always been me, my reality and my perspective.
PELUMI EKO: On the wild reception Afrobeats has received globally; Understanding the influx of financial investment as support to many music acts today. In the next ten to fifteen years, do you see our Genre which is our heritage still preserved or become a thing of the past? Tell me.
WAYE: I feel like our gifts and talents are infinite, so it will definitely get better, there’s always something new to be created, New talents, new artists and I don’t see us fading out anytime soon,
we’ve always been this powerful & the world is just catching up. They haven’t seen our talents and gifts as Africans.
PELUMI EKO: Waye, What other opportunities are you hoping more creatives in the industry have access to?
WAYE: Well, I don’t think the type of opportunity matters, I just hope people call artists for what they are good at, and not just numbers. People should get opportunities that fit their brand, so they can grow in their gifts. Basically, artists should have access to opportunities that align more with what they do and who they are.
PELUMI EKO: In general, What do you conceive as your greatest works so far?
WAYE: Waye is the greatest achievement of my work so far. Who I am now and what my music is currently is my greatest achievement.
PELUMI EKO: If you aren't doing music, I'm curious, what will you be doing?
WAYE: I have alot of things I love to do. I’m a fashion designer, I will definitely start up my fashion brand because, I have a unique vision in style. Also, food, Art, things like that. With food, I just want to do it right, cause people don't seem to do it right. I want to be able to reach them how it's done lol.
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PELUMI EKO: Label Owners Reposting upcoming artists covers on their pages: We understand this gives them more exposure. However, do you think it is the best for them, or it is exposing them early enough to the industry hazards, which can make them fade out, not being a master of their game. What's your opinion on this?
WAYE: Hahaha, for them to be posted, they’re already masters of their craft. People go from covers and become the best artists, music is expressed indifferent kind of ways. It’s always amazing for art to be shared to the world, so your people can find you. So, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that.
PELUMI EKO: Waye! That's all for now. I've got full download. Everything I wanted to ask when I told my team, we needed to cook something with you.
WAYE: This Interview is crazy. By the way, if we were to be in the same city again, I'd love to link up and vibe.
PELUMI EKO: Yeah most definitely.
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