Only 19, hip-hop act Dammy Krane has made his presence felt in the music industry. In this interview, he tells how he ran away from school to concentrate on music
When did you discover your talent in music?
I started singing when I was six, joined the toddlers’ choir in church when I was only eight. I was doing back up songs and dancing for other artistes at the age of 11. Professionally, I started music when I got signed on to Tuface’s label, Hypertek.
How supportive were your parents?
They were not supportive; besides, I had not seen my mum for 10 years. She lives in the United States of America where she is an event manager and manager to some Fuji artistes. I am from a polygamous family, the only child of my mum but I was brought up by my grandmother.
Did you lobby Tuface to sign you on his label?
No, I did not. About two years ago, there was a party at a hotel in Victoria Island where a number of artistes were invited. One of my friends Iyad, a white guy was also invited so he took me along. Iyad later invited me over to a corner where he sat with Tuface. Tuface mentioned that he had listened to some of the collabos I did with other artistes and also watched one of my performances. He then asked if I was signed on to any label. Of course I was not and Tuface signed me unto Hypertek.
You were doing your own thing before Hypertek…
Of course I was. When I was in Redeemers University, I was a local champion there. I used to do a lot of free styling and collabos. I had a song ‘Uni Girls’ that was popular in a lot of universities. It was a Fuji pop song. The buzz created by the music got me a job as the face of Dynamix magazine.
With the kind of music you do, are you not scared of incurring the wrath of the authorities of your university?
They don’t support entertainment and that was why I left. I had to leave so that I won’t be rusticated. Everybody in school loved me and I was in my first year studying microbiology. I even ran away from home, though I am back. I was living and working in different studios and was what you would classify as a studio rat. Leaving school was a risk I had to take and I hope to go back someday to study business management this time around.
You must have been influenced by bad friends…
I was 17 then and now I am 19. I don’t think I have ever had bad friends and that is why I don’t have tattoos or piercings. I don’t even think I will be getting any in the future because of the kind of discipline I had growing up. If you remember the kind of home you are from, you won’t want to engage in certain things. I don’t drink or smoke either. I am naturally hyperactive .
Your genre of music is quite different…
I call it 21st century music and it’s a fusion of Fuji, hip hop and R&B. Some people call it concoction music but I don’t mind.
Being a Hypertek artiste must have given you some kind of leverage…
Yes, it has changed things because Tuface is a legend and that is how people see him. For him to have chosen me shows that there is something I have that others don’t. Some people think that I am riding on his back to fame but it is not so and that is why you don’t see me and Tuface together. He leaves me to do my own thing. He even tells me that without Hypertek, I would still have made it. That statement makes me want to do things more on my own. He once told me that he signed me on because he saw himself in me. That is very encouraging.
How did you come about the name Dammy Krane?
My real name is Oyindamola Johnson-Hunga. My mum is from Lagos State while my dad is from Ado-Odo Ota in Ogun state. I was with my brother one day and he asked me what I wanted to achieve as an artiste and I said I want to uplift the industry. He just started calling me Dammy the Caterpillar and later he changed it to Dammy Krane.
There is so much competition. How are you coping?
I don’t believe in competition so I don’t even think about it. I believe that once you are in the industry, your focus should be how to make yourself relevant. My success in a short while can only be attributed to God, my family and my fans.
Which song shot you into the limelight?
That must be my first song, ‘My dear.’ That song was inspired by the fact that I had been doing a lot of collabos and people were asking for a single.
Should we be expecting an album from you soon?
An album is dependent on the demand I get. Right now, I am trying to create a buzz for my music so hopefully, I am looking at towards the end of the year or sometimes thereafter.
Who are those you look up to apart from Tuface?
I look up to the likes of Dbanj, Psquare and KWAM1.
What don’t you like about being in the limelight?
Being in the limelight is a challenge in itself and as an artiste have to be careful about how you handle thing you because there are so many uncertainties. Personally, I have resolved that when life throws me a lemon, I catch it and make lemonade out of it.
Don’t you consider your age a challenge?
I don’t think I am that young. Judging by what obtains in western countries, I am even too old. In this industry, the younger you are, the better. You also need to be intelligent to make it in this industry.
How do you handle female fans?
I grew up with women; my managers are women, so, I am always with women.
You have a unique way of dressing. Is that a marketing strategy?
That is just me. I don’t think it’s a deliberate act. I dress to look good and make my fans happy.
If you were not doing music, what do you think you would have been doing?
Maybe I would have been an actor. I really can’t tell because I have never given life outside music a thought.
Does that explain your relationship with Yvonne Nelson?
That was just a rumour from mischief makers. Yes, she is my friend but we have never been lovers. We met on the set of a movie and we took a picture together. People saw the picture and decided to draw their conclusions from that. I was surprised but not happy. I was on tour when the story broke and I was slightly distracted.
Your single ‘Condom Sir’ generated some controversy…
A lot of people think the song is lewd but it is a safe sex campaign. I am only preaching safe sex .
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