Nigeria’s queen of arts and music, Yinka Davies’ journey into the arts started in 1987 when she visited the National Theatre in Lagos to explore the possibility of becoming a visual artist. It was one of her adventures to the theatre that she stumbled on a famous Ghanaian dancer, Elizabeth Hammond, who became her inspiration and eventually Yinka was commissioned as one of her dancers. That was how the journey into music began for the pretty mother of two, who, in this interview, shares her other passion and experiences with the Editor, FOLORUNSHO HAMSAT. Excerpt…
Looking back, how would you define those years of youth and exuberance?
I would call them rebellious, tumultuous, breaking and remoulding years! Believe me, stubbornness would not easily shake off an unwilling person except through love.
You are lucky to have fame, name and relevance. But while you were pursuing the dream, did you at any point get the door slammed in your face, probably by those who didn’t believe in your dreams?
I wouldn’t say I pushed myself much to get the doors slammed in my face like that. I guess I was just too busy building other people’s businesses anywhere I’m needed. As you can see, NGO has been the order of the day in our country. There are too many charity events that I’m yet to see their actual contribution in our society except a few.
Who are those personalities that helped in shaping your dreams while growing in life?
(Laughs) Let’s just tag them all as, the good, the bad and the ugly!!!!!!!!!!
You seldom discuss your family but we know about Jeremiah and Nicholas. How are they doing and what more can we know about their exploits?
Jeremiah is studying sociology and Nicholas is having a time of his life in the creative arts department. When they are settled in all of their exploits, they shall do the talking themselves (laughs).
Please, share some interesting family secrets if you would?
We are very heady people! As I’m talking to you, Bambo, my eight- year old niece is facing the wall for the first time.
If you could change something about the past, what might that be?
It will be to listen more, understand what I’ve heard and followed instructions obediently, not with my mind grumbling by asking why I had to do what I was told to do!
Do you have all-time favourite beauty accessories?
Over the years, I have observed, that the God-given smile I’m blessed with, has saved many more lives than gold or silver. Believe me, Hamsat, a sweet hug has stopped many suicidal attempts. Once, with a smile, a gentleman told me to just walk and wave. I’m telling you what my beauty accessories are; the gift of smile I’ve been blessed with and the heart that warms up many people that I encounter on a daily basis, plus the gift of songs. These three qualities have been and are still keeping me ever relevant in the world, and I thank God for the rare grace.
What dictates what you wear at all time?
You know, theatre life really gave me, as brief as it was, an unforgettable mark. Thus, the show must go on! Whatever the show requires is what I wear.
How would you like to counsel the singles about marriage, using your experience about life?
Hmmm…The self-esteem spirit differs in each human being, how we respond to life’s issues also differs. I know that some of us are free- spirited, some are desperate, some are covetous, some are indifferent and some are even unaware they need their soulmate. My prayer is that we all should be guided by integrity, decency, the fear of God, respect and honour, in whatever it is each of us is looking for in our partners. This means, we must check how far and how well we have gone in grooming our minds and intellect, how we comport ourselves among our friends and relations must first be checked before looking for who complements us.
What gives you happiness always?
Seeing the next person smile gives me happiness.
In what ways do you give back to the society that gave you the opportunity to excel?
It’s in many ways and I’m just about working on something special too. I will let the world know what I’m cooking when it is ready soon.
You have maintained your stunning look. What are the secrets?
I read my Bible and pray always (laughter).
Please, share your experience in the hands of men even now.
(sighs)… ooohhhhh my Lord. I love this question. Okay; honestly, men see me sexier now than when I was much younger (general laughter). To me, I’m bigger than I’ve ever been in my entire life and yet, men still see me as sexy! Truth be told, when I was still 45 kilos which was just like 8 years ago, I had shut men out of my life. I had decided that if they couldn’t accept my skinny body, I won’t even encourage their advances when I get to be 66 kilos, alas! Here I am now, men still salivate after me.
What’s the next big project we are expecting from you?
My plan was to title my next album ‘The 9th Mile’. This will need a whole lot of research because I’m talking of the Eastern melodies, the Oriental Brothers stuff, if you care. I so need to do justice to their sound and what my brain is cooking for the east. That pot, ndu, cleft, that native flute, and those gongs, have spirits in them which I desperately need to explore. I can feel the excitement, thinking of all those great styles. You watch out.
