You are welcome to Stars Connect Network, a Subsidiary of Jetheights Services. Stars Connect network is a programme that brings together entrepreneurs, business owners, inspirational speakers, pastors, and leaders in the society, upcoming artistes, NGOs, people giving back to the society and the world at large. We conduct interview sessions to find out everything we can about their journey to stardom, we hope to bring together stars who can be of benefit to one another and who can synergize with Jetheights in other to impact the community. Once again you are welcome to Stars Connect.
Could you please introduce yourself to the Starsconnect community, Who’s Michael Fakoya?
My name is Michael Fakoya, am from Ogun State, precisely Remo-North, the first born of 3 children. Basically, Music is what I do, and that is what has given my life purpose.
Mr Michael Fakoya at Jetheights Services reception
How was your childhood like?
I just my first choir when I was 10 years old, I was in Secondary School and my cousins were in the School, though they were older than me and also in the School Choir, It was a boarding house, Government Secondary School, Buhari in Abuja. The Choir Director came to me one day and said two of your cousins are in the Choir, why don’t you join too, Can you sing? Though I have never tried it, I told him I was going to try. That was how Music started for me.
Tell us about your Educational Background
My Primary School was in Abeokuta, Montessori Nursery and Primary School, I also went to Ideal Secondary School also In Abeokuta, then Government Secondary School in Buhari, Abuja. I also went to Bashorun Ogunmola High School in Ibadan, I went to Osun State College of Technology, Esa-Oke, I studied Computer Science.
Ms. Oluwadamilola welcoming Mr Michael Fakoya
Who influenced you, and how did they influence you?
Truly, my cousins and the then Choir Director influenced me then because I wasn’t really a Music person and I was really small then, I just follow my cousins’ footsteps. When I left them I started listening to Ron Kenoly, Tye Tribbett, Deitrick Haddon, then in Nigeria, the like of Tim Godfrey.
Are you married?
No, am not
Tell us about “Your Favourite Songs”
From what I have seen In Music and about God, God’s favourite songs are not songs of petitions or prayers, God’s favourite songs are songs of worship, the scriptures says He’s looking for those that will worship him in Spirit and In truth, He’s not looking for people that will fight for him, He’s looking for worshippers, His favourite songs are songs of praise, come let’s worship Him together, let sing to Him the songs He Likes, He’s been doing good things for us, let’s come together, it’s a kind of repayment for all He has been doing for us, He’s been giving our favorite things to us, so let’s also give him what He wants. Everyone also has his or her favorite songs, there are some songs when you hear it, even if you are sleeping, you wake up, It also boils down to that also, so It’s to God and also for people, come sing your own favorite songs, song he songs you sing in your bedroom when you worshipping God, come to the open and sing those kind of songs, that’s what the concert is about. It’s good to start the year with something good to appreciate God for what He has done and for who He is, I believe the year will be great when you start the year you have a mind set of doing more. The Concert is taking place at the Empowerment house, right behind Lister building, beside GTBank, Ring road, and it’s starting by 4pm, Yetunde Are is a guest artist, Adetoun of project fame.
Mr Michael Fakoya in our Stars Connect Studio during the interview
Mr Michael Fakoya in our Stars Connect Studio during the interview
What’s your say about the Gospel World? Any Improvement?
Well, there has been a lot of improvement. The days of looking up to foreign Gospel Musicians are gone, we now have Nigerian Gospel Artistes we look up to like Mike Aremu, for Saxophonist, as a pianist, we have people like Dapo Diran and as singers we have people like Frank Edwards, Tim Godfrey.
Mr Michael Fakoya during the interview
What are the things that can be embarked upon to restructure our Gospel System?
I believe one of the things that can help the structure is when people come out with their own style, don’t do it because someone is doing it this way, let me also do mine this way, if you do it you might end up making a mess out of yourself, you know what you good at. Presently in Nigeria, songs that are in vogue are worship songs, Acapella, hip hop, suddenly we have these boys, Boiz Olorun, they just came up with Apala, and then everyone is flowing with Apala, so whatever you good at, stay there, it might not pay off immediately, but create your own niche and stay there, I believe that will help the Gospel Music in Nigeria.
Have you produced an Album?
Not an album yet, but I have 2 singles out, one titled ‘Oba Owon Oba’ and the other one ‘E go Better’. At the moment am also working on a new single hopefully I pray it comes out before the concert titled ‘Celebrate’.
Mr Ayo Alex Alao, CEO, Jetheights Services Limited with Mr Michael Fakoya
Among your works, which one is your favourite? Why?
At the moment, it’s ‘Celebrate’, there’s a lot of ‘Ijangbon’ in the song, I featured Jimi Adeboye, there are a lot of vocal gymnastic in the song, and it’s been the tasking so far, that’s to my best for now.
What are the biggest challenges facing music industry?
People trying to be what they are not and trying to copy others, my personal challenge is getting people of like minds to work together, but because of this concert I’ve been seeing people, I believe if you don’t take certain steps you meant not get the right relationships, but now things are beginning to shape up.
Mr Ayo Alex Alao, CEO, Jetheights Services Limited and Mr Michael Fakoya with Jetheights staff members
What skills are important for a successful career in Music?
As a Music person, your primary assignment should be getting to flow with the people you sing to, getting their attention, doing something that will catch their attention, you don’t necessarily have to be a very good singer but if you have the ability to carry your people along and people are able to flow with your Music, that will really help. Sometimes, it require you doing something you don’t like doing, for instance if you are not a person that likes Yoruba songs, and you find yourself in an area where the dominant songs they sing there are Yoruba songs, if you go there and start singing Kirk Franklin, you will just be on your own, am sure the people will be like when you are done, you will go and let someone that knows the kind of our Music, that is very important, that’s one skill every Music person must possess, ability to understand your audience and give them what they want to flow with them. Vocal skills are also very important because you must have something that will draw the people, so if you are not vocally sound, people will be like ‘what is he singing’ but if you are vocally sound, you have an edge.
What is the worst decision you have ever made in this business and what did it teach you?
Singing English songs when am supposed to sing Yoruba songs.
What is your greatest achievement so far?
I have a few people to the glory of God look up to me Musically, some of them call me Baba and am like, really, am I that old, God has really helped me.
L-R: Mr Mattew, Mr. Michael Fakoya and Ms. Oluwadamilola
How do you handle your fans, especially the female ones?
When it comes to female folks, my watchword has been what my pastor thought me, he always says don’t set yourself up, so if you don’t set yourself up, there’s no how anybody else will set you up, when you notice someone is liking you, try not to like the person.
What is your advice for young and aspiring people reading this interview?
Whatever you know how to do well, do it with the whole of your heart, the scriptures says, Seeth thou a man diligent in his work, he will stand before kings and not mere men, so whatever it is you are good at, if it’s drawing, stay there, it meant not yield fruit immediately, definitely it can’t yield fruits immediately, it takes times, it takes practice, it takes diligence, it takes patience, so if you do all these, I believe at the end of the day, the sky will be your starting point, so whatever you know you are good at, be diligent at it and learn to sow seeds and pay sacrifices, it will help.
How can people reach out to you in case of invite?
My mobile number is 07054482866
Instagram: Mykelfakoya
Twitter: Mykelfakoya
Facebook: Michael Fakoya
