Iyanya speaks on why Nigerian entertainers are forced to live large | Welcome to Linda Ikeji's Blog

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Wednesday 15 January 2014

Iyanya speaks on why Nigerian entertainers are forced to live large

During a recent interview with Encomium magazine, singer Iyanya gave an insight into why some Nigerian entertainers are forced to live large. Excerpts...
"Why do you think some artistes come come up with hit songs and find it difficult to maintain it?"
Iyanya "Music is very expensive. Most of them make money and its had to put it back in the same thing. Your next money is not guaranteed because there are lots of artistes. If you say you wouldn't do show A, they can take artiste B for that show. It doesn't mean that because you have a hit song, you would be performing at all shows. It doesn't work like that. So, some of these guys, its hard for them. Its hard for them to follow up. Follow up is the hardest thing to do. Many artistes make a hit but the money they make from that hit is not even enough for them to support or sponsor the next video. So don't blame them'. Continue...

So they need a lot of money to remain relevant?
Iyanya "Yes. Let me give you an instance. I had a show here in Lagos, I was in Dubai. They made a mistake and booked my flight for Monday and the show was on Sunday. We rushed to the airport, they said no that my ticket was for the next day. After much pleading and explaining that I had a show that night in Lagos, they said alright. I could board but not business class since it wasn't my flight. I had to fly economy class with my business class ticket. Sitting down there, people around where staring at me like what am I doing here. A woman even walked up to me and said "Iyanya, you no suppose dey here now, na the other side you suppose dey". What came to my mind next was that I can't just decide to fly economy today, it will become gist. I have to work hard, I have to make money, to live up to your expectations. It's not like am living my life for you but its the life I chose. So, I have to do it".

116 comments:

Anonymous said...

Oh Pleaaaaasssseeee! rme

Unknown said...

Ok iyanya I seee

Chris said...

Yeah most of you entertainers are not real. Leave a real life be yourself and the world is yours. U guys should take a cure from Femi kuti. He is rich but one of the simplest musicians of this generation

Unknown said...

Abeg jare,,,stop d hyping....

Unknown said...

Yh he is right

Anonymous said...


his explanation doesn't really make sense.

OMG!WOMAN said...

Eyaaa' the explanation, makes sense, that's society for.

Mr simple said...

Living large True talk you work for your money enjoy life

Julit said...

Lame example. Too lame

Blog Queen said...

Iyanya my guy,d day u'll propose to me is d day i'll say yes to a man. It's u or never.

Mr simple said...


Iyanya true talk my brother

Akeem Rotimi said...

Awww!! So sweet, #packaging is very crucial 4 we entertainers *wink*

Unknown said...

Iyanya is true but biko what do u hv with waist.? All u music na abt waist. #lekwaukwumid9t.

BONARIO NNAGS said...

What a flimsy excuse. can't find any rationality here.
I guess thats the same reason OJB married 3wives.
Same reason most celebrities buy cars worth millions but still hide from their landlords.

~BONARIO~says so via NOKIA3310

Rough Diamond said...

Iyanya don't live ur life for anybody or bcos of wat pple will say!
Do ur thing, be urself! Cos if u'r broke 2moro na d same pple go still talk about u.
Iyanya I like ur person sha! Free spirited! Shout out to Ubi Franklin!!!
One love.

AnnMarie said...

I guess that explains why they hardly if ever invest

Anonymous said...

STUPID!!!

Unknown said...

Do ur thing was important is that u are happy

Unknown said...

Do ur thing what is important is dat u are happy

Ochuko Tonukari said...

Well, you are correct. This is part of the problem with Nigerians. Everyone wants to imitates the other without caring about the source of wealth. We are are so full of ourselves, so full of the thought of what people would say if we do this or that. Many a times, we make people do what we know they are not capable of with our action and reaction.

Unknown said...

He is very foolish, so celebs shud liv extravagantly bcos of dier fans ???does dat even mke sense ??liv ur life hw u want to,nt hw pple want uu...

Phaeton Phoenix said...

Looooool. Look at this nigga! Are you the first celebrity to fly economy?

If you are indeed trying to live up to our expectations then you should not even be found on a commercial plane to begin with. Get your own damn jet!

Phaeton Phoenix said...

If your work is good, it should speak volumes for you, not the class you fly on a damn plane.

No one asked you to live up to our expectations, just keep singing your "whine-your-waist" type of music with its over-repetitive tune and we would judge you by that.

seunLondon said...

What you talking about??? Gobbledygook!!!.....#SeunLondon

Unknown said...

He just Nailed It... Work Hard, Play Hard, Live Larger!! #Ejanla!!

¤¤MR Comment Waiting For Approval¤¤

Lepa shandy said...

Can't sign into my Google account from a mobile device.
Is anyone having the same problem? Abi na witches

Anonymous said...

CARRY ON USE ALL YOUR EARNINGS TO SHOW OFF PLEASE PPLE... WHEN YOU CANT SELL MUSIC AGAIN YOU WILL END UP IN ECONOMY CLASS...YOU BETTER LIVE YOUR NORMAL LIFE TO A BIG FAT BANK ACCOUNT..INSTEAD OF LIVING YOUR LIFE LIKE ALL THOSE LAGOS FAKE BIG BOYS..JUST A BIT OF ADVICE I KNOW YOU VERY WELL..YOU CAME FROM NOTHING TO SOMETHING..GOD BLESS AND REMEMBER YOU ARE NOT A MILLIONAIR IN DOLLARS..

T Tina said...

Next please

jbankzE said...

Nawa finally ooooo,fake life is wat Nigerianz want frm artist.......plz if ur artist live ur life or u die poor

Unknown said...

mehnnn tins dey hapn

Bonita Bislam said...

Iyanya u spoke d truth.too whom mch is given mch is xpected

ary said...

Dust! Absolute dust

Hope Emeghara said...

Its true though'..nıgerıanz alwayz make up gıst frm every lıl thıng..

Blitz Crush said...

Æ”☺Ï… rite Iyanya cos D̶̲̥̅̊ε̲̣̣̣̥γ̲̣̣̥ wll b †Ñ’ξ ones Τ̅☺ laugh @ É£☺Ï… wen É£☺Ï… finally flop,keep making Äžoº°˚°ÂºÏ‘ music keep making C̣̲̣̣̣̲̣̣☺̣̣̥̇☺̣̣̥̇ƪ̣̥.. Cash n keep living big.

Anonymous said...

Hmmmmm na u sabi. Amyluv

Unknown said...

And if your entering economy class becomes gist nko...mtcheeeeew...so make we dey clap?...
MAPUTOHQ™

Editor said...

I see

Unknown said...

If your entering economy class becomes gist nko...mtcheeeeew....so make we dey clap...
MAPUTOHQ™

Fammie said...

That's life when you make money, people expect you to live a life that is commensurate with the kind of money you are making..

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Anonymous said...

A piece of useful advice for Inyaya:
Sir, like most entertainers, it is evident that u have difficulties in establishing priorities and knowing what is useful for u in the long run.

Most of u are living way beyond your means, faking it till you "hopefully" make it. What if u don't in the long run?

Please, seek good financial advice or better still find a good, trutsworthy financial adviser who will help u manage the financial aspect of your profession so that you can live frugally yet efficiently. Yes sir, it is possible, you just have to be astute instead of faking which will eventually catch up with u in the long run.

One Little tip:
When u go to the bank to collect your salary, 10% of it u reinvest, 10% tithe (you can donate to orphans or build a classroom in your village if u fear pastors will chop it all. I challenge u to put the Lord to the test here and see if HE will not bless u), the rest, well try to divide it on what u and mr financial adviser deem appropriate and which has long lasting value.

Thanks for at least putting some light into this fake entertainment industry.

All the best in your endeavours.
P.S: Till date, i still dance to the "Your Waist" song.


ayisha said...

hahahaha at the part when the woman said iyanya u no suppose dey here lol. lmao! trust nigerians to have such big mouths, like whats seriously your business lol. *dies

Anonymous said...

That does not even answer the question according to what the headline read.

Anonymous said...

Living a fake life dats wat it is. Be real nicur...

success igbinoba said...

Okay next

Liza said...

abeg dis explanation no make sense jare,

Anonymous said...

What he said is so true,I will ask the same question if I see him fly economy cos most of them artist are always putting themselves in our faces showing us hw much dollars,hw many cars they av in their garage and so on........ Tintini.

Apple said...

Always be yourselves, fake life dose'nt pay. In the end you are only fooling yourselves .

Anonymous said...

I agree with you Chris, they should take a "cure" from Femi Kuti....lol

Anonymous said...

I used to wonder.what would make a celebrity who lived big yesterday to start complaining of neglect today ? Nyyanya,please don't live your life to please people .that woman that queried you for using economy class,would she assist you tomorrow if you run ino financial problems? Enjoy yourself but but Ty and invest against tomorrow.
Good luck. Love.
Andy

tokefunmi said...

We don hear you...Next pls

runty said...

Next please!

Unknown said...

Cool story bro

Anonymous said...

That's true @ Chris

Anonymous said...

Doesn't make sense to me. You consider what people would say about you and you try to live up to it yet you say you're not living your life for them? Confusing #Mr Lucky

ify said...

Itz stupidity, itz more like he is saying dat he doesn't Av power ova himself, d world r pple influence his decisions. Datz lame, I know very rich pple yet dey live a very simple life

Anonymous said...

That's true @ chris

Unknown said...

Lips sealed 4 now.

Anonymous said...

Next news....


Bookiegold

Anonymous said...

which one be una own na?let them live their lives however they want it joor!

Unknown said...

I think dis guy is confused, what's dis jargons he is saying, I'm sure he was high on sumtin before dis interview

Anonymous said...

I just hope he's saving some money for the rainy day. Most of these new musicians waste all their money on cars and clothes only. Don't live up to our expectation Iyanya, live up to a money saving expectation. I don't see you applying to join Glo Customer Care when all this is over. Learn from Majek Fashek. B.A.

Anonymous said...

What he said is the truth #bright bravo#

Livvsreamblog said...

I dont see any meaning to what he said.......but one thing for sure when you have money enjoy your life!

Anonymous said...

Mak sur u release anoda songoooo....cos sexy mama don de fade 4 ear.it ur tym 2day njoy ur mony.EBY

Igor said...

That is the pressure the society put on this entertainers.

Anonymous said...

Mscheewwww Iranu..lmao

mmykel said...

U ryt bro let haters go to hell

Anonymous said...

Makes no sense at all. Sit your ass down sir, it ain't even correlating..that woman prolly said so cos of the way you always run your mouth in interviews like yu are some Bill gates. I'm sure they will see some other people and ignore because they haven't put themselves extremely higher than they are. Yes, expectations can be high, but you have over done yours.

halliday said...

Enjoy no skin pain..

Anonymous said...

O! Yes wit his lousy music?but l like am sha. Anyway make meaningful music like MJ so that it will precede u.

Unknown said...

His explanation makes a whole lotta sense! Society is part of d reason pple do waht dey do! Yu tell pple to be demself yet yu jdge dem!!

Unknown said...

His explanation makes a whole lotta sense! Society is part of d reason pple do waht dey do! Yu tell pple to be demself yet yu judge dem!!

Unknown said...

Come again!

Anonymous said...

Ok ooooh! You all should continue living large and don't save money when you now have kidney disease you will come to us who you were posing for to donate surgery money! No worry,we are keeping our fingers crossed so keep living large. Ode

Anonymous said...

You don see small money now you don forget what poverty is! I pity all you celebrities who waste money all in the name of showing off!

Anonymous said...

Fool... u will also fly first class to hell...

Unknown said...

Boring explanation

Anonymous said...

Not a say....


#That happy sister!

Unknown said...

Real talk though..

~~Success Has No Limitation~~

wendy gabriel said...

gud story...but nt wel explaned

Unknown said...

Bounce of rubbish.

Unknown said...

U're working for your money so please enjoy it, it's ur sweat jare.

Anonymous said...

But they all claim they bought buggatti worth $50m.so all na for showoff?
*pathetic*

Anonymous said...

Societal problems

didi SigNature said...

Take a cure ko take an illness ni... Its take a cue sweetie....Iyanya we av heard u o! To b a celeb is sure not easy. Na person Wey wear shoe Sabi were e dey pain....

dhobiz said...

Yeah most of them are forming

shannia said...

Iyanya is ryt

lois sam said...

Ehen, nd wat is so wrong in taking economy class?...On a gud day,Airlines mess up pple's flight nd seating arrangement all d time.....are u saying u nid to work hard so u won't av to do shows or to buy ur own private jet?....

Debbie Chelsea said...

Ok!

Star Banker said...

Femi Kuti's the most consistent,most successful and by a mile the richest Nigerian musician today...you can take that to the bank with you!

Anonymous said...

2013 saw an unprecedented sense of poorly prioritized investments in frivolities by the Nigerian entertainer. Garages looking like exotic car shops while the front door still gets the annual knock from the landlord for his rent.

Blings, accessories and globetrotting for the sake of Instagram etc.

Getting high off the attention being a major factor that makes blowing money fast a sweet road to travel for them.

Perception may be pivotal in this business but the rainy day is an overriding reality

Lagbaja has never flaunted nothing. Not even his face, Yet the likes of him, Ebenizer Obey, Charley Boy, Alibaba, Tuface, Onyeka, RMD, Femi Kuti, Adewale Ayuba, Nkem Owoh are super multimillionaires who’s lack of a desire to advertise wealth has not negatively impacted on in flow of business or public perception. None of the above mentioned is using the kind of wonder on wheels bought by Sean Tizzle. “Sean Tizzle of yesterday”........ Emma Ugolee

Mc Hammer is a case study that all the guys that make it rain should read about. http://emmaugolee.com/when-i-hammer-first-thing-na-hummer/

Wande said...

Take a what?! Abeg no take laff tear my belle.

♥ ȊƦȋƺȟ ƘƦȋϻ ♥ said...

Hmmm realyyyy,lyk criously.......

Unknown said...

Ok didn't knw inyanya was smart but he said is true and I like that he admits its his choice nd not blaming society or what not like everyone does these days.

Anonymous said...

Wetin? Who be u?

Unknown said...

lolzzzzz... na so ooooo... dahs hw ppl relate with celebrities like me when found in an unwanted place...

http://www.gagagist.wordpress.com

Anonymous said...

WHEN HE SPEND FINISH HE NO GO ONLY LAND FOR ECONOMY CLASS BUT FOR 'ECONOMICS CLASS' SEF JOIN.

Anonymous said...

At least someone is been sincere!

Anonymous said...

LMAO @flying first class to hell.... Tintini.

Anonymous said...

Iyanya NEVER EVER has anything sensible to say in interviews, I mean NEVER EVER..Always coming across as naive as being naive gets. Now do us all a favour and reject every single interview that comes your way !

Amarachukwu said...

End of discussion.

Nneka said...

Is it how I read it, cus me sef no understand.
Help a sister pls.
Oyibo na ahia zi ahu.

Anonymous said...

Lmao!

Anonymous said...

It answered d question, duo indirectly. When u live 2 impress or please ur fans u will hav little or nothing 2 put back(reinvest). C, d guy is real. I like him. He does not beg question(s)! Ogamba Chuks

Anonymous said...

Hmmm, hes not even intelligent. #iknowwhatudonigga#

Anonymous said...

And drug trafficking...?

Anonymous said...

U might be single a loooooong time

Anonymous said...

Yeah right! That's being stupid. Seen very simple ppl dat ordinary I won't say hi to buh when I got close to them, I was humbled. To be honest, that's the best way sef. Just live ur life. No1 givs a shit buh will laff later if tins go wrong.

Anonymous said...

Thank God am not nigerian that I have to live in a society where I HAVE TO LIVE TO NON ENTITIES expectations to feel validated and respected. Materialistic nation who put materials before God. Mschewwwwwww. #GodForbid

olori said...

True dat

Anonymous said...

I also think he spoke a lot of sense. Kudus iyanya

staff said...

This response is lame and corny

Anonymous said...

Ridiculous. Tomorrow now he will need kidney and be looking for the public for help because they don't invest to maintain their own hype. I wouldn't even recognizes him anyway.

lamy said...

Phoenix am sorry to say dis but i am very sure u failed english during when u were in school. Iyanya was not complaining about flying economy he was talking about wat and how people expect stars to live der lives. d woman in d plane was shocked to see him sitting in economy class. stop d beef please and get a life

lamy said...

Phoenix am sorry to say dis but i am very sure u failed english during when u were in school. Iyanya was not complaining about flying economy he was talking about wat and how people expect stars to live der lives. d woman in d plane was shocked to see him sitting in economy class. stop d beef please and get a life

wale said...

Iyanya is saying the truth on this. I was on that flight from Dubai to Lagos and I was telling my wife it was Iyanya.He was wearing huge sunglasses and a face cap( to cover up IMO). My wife didn't agree with me that he was Iyanya just cos he was in economy side. We just decided to let it go cos I really dont follow all these artists. In the 1st place, I managed to know him cos of his Kurukere that my wife liked.

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