Mayé Hunta & the 'ekaette' experience

When I first heard the name 'Maye Hunta,' I thought 'this dude has got to be from South Africa." I was totally off because I found some interesting bit of info while reading your biography which is now available on this website. I'd however like the fans to hear directly from you. Tell us how 'Maye Hunta' came to be.

My stage name Mayé Hunta comes from my real names Olumayowa Adekunle Odejimi. Mayé, from Mayowa is a nickname I got from friends in the university (OSU) precisely. I thought it sounded very African with the accent and all so I chose to stick to it. Hunta is from my surname, Odejimi in Yoruba means the Crowned Hunter so I decided to go with Hunter but I choose to spell it differently "Hunta". In case you don't know Mayé also means Maga in 9ja, yahoo boys una know now but like I love to say I'm a maga (sucker) for music. Na me be the only Mayé wey no dey pay but dey play.

Hmmm I didn't know that until now. Anyway, let's get down to business. How long have you been in the industry?

Music and entertainment has always being a part of my life but I decided to take it up as a career in 1998(started writing songs and all) but only started doing it professionally in 2004. I'd say 11years because that's how long I've been on the music hustle and flow!

Speaking of music and entertainment, the music industry in naija is fast growing, but some people are starting to wonder why some of the sounds are too similar. What are your thoughts on that?

There's no doubt that its growing but mos def it could be better, in terms of getting a better structure, originality and all. I also think a lot of Nigerian artists sound alike but if one is truly in love with the art and is doing it for the right reasons you would want to carve a niche for yourself and would be willing to take calculated risks. That's exactly what I'm trying to do oh!

What exact role do you plan to take in the Nigerian Music Industry?

I think the role that I plan to take is already evident in Ekaette which is the first single from my new album ‘MayéFestation’. I've had such compliments such as its original, highly creative and message embedded from my fans, so yeah I want my work to entertain but beyond that get people thinking.

What inspired the song, Ekaette?

If I must say, the song was divinely inspired. It was born out of my craving to do something totally different from what my pears are doing. Sincerely when I first conceived the idea even I, thought it was totally bizarre but then I've always being the kind of artist that wants to make a statement so I decided ride with it and here we are....the rest is history.

Is the story in the song a true story?

Didn't you here me say TRUE STORY OH OH... in the song?

I did hear that and we have the song lyrics on the website as a matter of fact. I just had to throw that in there because everyone did not hear it.

[smiles] yeah it's a true story but on the real it didn't happen to me. In Nigeria, you hear stories like this on the regular so yeah I decided to make it my song.

Yes o, we hear too many stories like that and it’s scary. After watching the video, I made notes for future purposes. There shall be no such thing as a live in house girl ha-ha I’m sure many women are thinking twice about hiring one too. Let’s get back to business… (straight face) you are certainly talented and creative lyrically. The 'ekaette' song says it all. What can you say about the concept? Was it challenging to put into a video?

Absolutely, the concept was challenging to put into a music video, we shot for 22hours and planed the process for over a month. Our biggest challenge was striking a balance between the Drama, i.e. the narrative angle of the song and glitz and glamour that comes with a music video. Thank God I worked with professionals and we were able to pull it off. I feel very blessed cause of the outcome and its acceptance.

My God! 22 hours is a long time o...and yes the outcome was worth all that time. QUESTION! What impact does music have on you? I mean music in general/your music; has it changed your life in any form?

Music has changed my life because it's made me a happier person. I'm living my dream and fulfilling my destiny. I could as well be doing a 9 to 5 but I know I was born to do what I'm doing right now. It brings me joy to be able to touch people’s lives positively with my music.

Jeje actually posted the ekaette video on this website, she also helped with the compilation of questions for you go JEJE!!. I was blown away when I saw the ekatte video and I anticipate the release of more tracks from you. Are you currently working on an album?

Yeah the album is ready and it's titled Mayéfestation, it features artistes like Sound Sultan, I.D Cabasa, Vector, Igho etc and it's due for release in a couple of months. We've already released the 2nd single titled Owo Faaji and it's airing on radio stations, clubs et al presently

Oh yeah, I actually heard Owo Faaji on Dj Mighty Mike's page, we've got to put that up for the viewers. Ehen, I heard you're an actor o, is it true?

Yeah, I'm also an actor too; my first major professional acting experience was in Jacobs Cross which is a soapy on Mnet. I played the role of a bodyguard. (smiles)

Interesting! Tell us more..

The soapy was a collaboration between South Africans & Nigerians but it was shot in South Africa. I auditioned for the role of the main character but got a lesser role. It was quite an experience working with professionals on that level and I feel blessed being a part of that production.

It seems like you do it all.

Well I am an all round entertainer.

Do you rap and dance as well? (chuckles)

Oh yeah, I do dance. You'd have to catch me at my shows and be the judge of that but I don't think I'm a good rapper. I have written rap verses for other artists in the past but you never know sha (laughs) never say never! There's so much more to Mayé Hunta so stay with me to find out.

I look forward to that. Lest I forget, a female fan asked if you were single.

[smiles] No, I am not single. That makes me double right? On a more serious note, I am in a relationship but I love to keep my private life private. Thanks!

Thanks for sharing that. We're now down to the question everyone's been dying to know the answer to. Na who give ekaette belle o?

(starts to sing) Na who give Ekaette belle was the question that my wifey was asking everybody...

Haba! that's not fair o, tell us now. At least ehn, whisper the name for my ear and I won't tell others.

Well, you gas watch this space. I won’t let the cat outta the bag just yet. Watch out for part 2. True Story Oh Oh!!!

That's right folks. Watch this space because we will not hesitate to show you part 2 once it's out. You can also check our FAN PAGE for updates. A fan said the gate man might be responsible for ekaette's pregnancy. Let it not be the gate man abeg.

Well on that, I guess nobody saw us coming with the part one of Ekaette so all I can say for now is that the saga continues and trust me, we wont disappoint you. There's always gonna be a twist but you'll have to wait and see what it is this time.

Anything else you want to share?

Thank you for appreciating my music and giving me this wonderful opportunity and to all the fans out there I love you, watch out for the full album. God Bless ya

How sweet! Thank you for your time, we really appreciate this opportunity. @ the viewers, please leave comments. If there's something you felt we did not touch, ask MAYE right here. We'll ask him and the answer underneath this post.

PICTURES FROM 'EKAETTE' VIDEO SHOOT - Click image(s) for larger view

Photo Credit: Alisha Ludick

Posted in: ekaette, exclusiveinterviews, maye hunta, mayehunta, nigerianartist