Janelia Mcnair Adeyinka , a diva, is a Nigerian-American. She feels at home talking about her lifestyle and how she delved into music because of the burning passion she had and still has for music.
“My dad is an American while my mum is a Nigerian. I grew up in Ibadan, after finishing my college before I decided to go back to America to further my education. While I was in America, I decided to perform with a local band; from there, I started performing with an international band
I performed in different places in American, before coming back to my country and investing in music,” she giggled.
Remembering her days in America, she said she performed with highly rated artistes there. “I worked with Ibrahim Debond, a Jazz musician; I like his kind of music. And some other ones I may not remember now. What thrills me most now is that I have my own four-man band and we are really doing well,” she nodded.
Janelia as she is fondly known, started music 10 years ago after finishing her education. I used to be a backup singer for years, and people started telling me I could go start my own, considering the fact that I was the lead vocalist.
I started almost immediately and guess what? I was very confident in myself to stand on my own. Maybe it’s because music runs in my family. My grandfather is a music composer with the Catholic Church, till date. He writes and composes most of the songs they sing in the church. So I feel like I inherited the song writing and editing skill from him. Moreover, music has always been part of me, right from when I was younger; I like singing and writing songs. It’s something I am so passionate about, so I am not surprised I’m into music now,” she enthused.
Her kind of music? “My kind of music is afro-pop and this is only when I’m in Nigeria. But when I’m in America, I prefer soul music because it has gained a lot of grounds over there. But in Nigeria, I have to follow the trend here, although I’m also doing the hip-hop thing because it is the fad here. So, for now, I am trying to infuse the soul music into Afro-Pop. I want to blend them together and see how it would go. I believe strongly that it would sell in the music industry. Just as my new song titled Sexy Nana is doing pretty well in the industry. It is the fusion of Afro-Pop and soul music,” she explained, as she gesticulated.
Her reasons for leaving America for Nigeria are not far-fetched. “I love Nigeria so much because it is my home. I grew up in this country and I understand the lifestyle of people here. I enjoy being around with my people in Nigeria. In America, most of the club houses play Nigerian music a lot, and that pleases me. Even the white people love our music. That really motivated me into coming back home to start my music career here in Nigeria. Moreover, our music is so popular all over the world, especially in the states where we have more of black people,” she said, excitedly.
Her growing up? “I grew up in Ibadan and I speak Yoruba language very well. My father met my mum in a college and they got married. I am one the products of that marriage.
She mentioned lots of Nigerian divas she would love to perform with. “I love Omawumi, she is my Idol. I also love Tiwa Savage, she is to me the best female singer in Nigeria. Then, for the guys, I love to feature Timaya in my music because I like his swag and his performance on stage. And he’s a guy I would love to have a crush with, I really like him. I work with his producer a lot; he is somebody I would love to work with in future.”
She derives her inspiration “by listening to other people’s music; I love to have fun when I am listening or watching artistes performing, and when I am performing with my band as well.
Since she admires Timaya, does that mean she wouldn’t mind marrying a Nigerian? “Really, Nigerian guys are great. But I wouldn’t say who to marry or not. It’s a personal thing, I wouldn’t say anything for now, I have to keep it private to myself now,” she said, on a final note.
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