Nigerian music star, Adewale Mayowa Emmanuel, popularly known as Mayorkun, has shared insights into his approach to music-making, stating that winning awards like the Grammys is not his driving force.
While he acknowledged the significance of global recognition, he made it clear that his artistic motivation comes from a genuine love for creating quality music.
Speaking on the subject, Mayorkun emphasised that although international accolades carry weight, they should not define an artiste’s journey or creative focus. “When I’m in the studio, I’m not thinking about trophies. I’m focused on making timeless music that people will enjoy,” he explained.
He went on to state that it would be disingenuous for any Nigerian artiste to claim that Grammy recognition holds no importance, especially at a time when more Nigerian musicians are earning global acclaim. “Any Nigerian artiste who claims the Grammys don’t matter is not being entirely truthful,” he said.
However, he cautioned that the pursuit of such awards should never come at the expense of authenticity and originality. According to him, the growing pressure to meet international standards can sometimes dilute an artiste’s unique sound and creative expression.
“For me,” Mayorkun added, “staying true to my sound and delivering good music remains the ultimate goal.”
The singer, known for hits like Cheche and Certified Loner (No Competition), has maintained a strong presence in the Nigerian music industry since rising to fame under Davido’s record label, DMW. His comments resonate with a growing number of artistes who are advocating for creative freedom over industry expectations.
