Tony Ogaga

She tumbled into the world of entertainment by chance when she went to help paint a stage for a show in Surulere, Lagos, during the Easter of 1987 and ever since, vocal powerhouse, Yinka Davies has never looked back. Today, she is a successful singer, lyricist, actress, dancer and choreographer with over 32 years under her belt.

Recently, Entertainer caught up with the singer and she opened up on how it all began recalling her early days in music working with the likes of late late Dan Maraya Jos and Alex O among a host of others.

She said: “You know, I didn’t think I was going to be in entertainment. I always thought that farming or being a fine artist would be my main profession until I saw people moving on stage when I went to help them paint their stage in 1987 and today the rest is history.

“It was exhilarating, honestly,” she recalled, “Sir Shina Peters was so playful when we recorded his third album together. And I remember vividly how we used to harass Mike Okri in the studio. Alex O was my first Oga,” she says with a look of nostalgia in her eyes. “Esse Agesse was our girlfriend that just kept hiding and guess what, Blackky was too shy and Dan Maraya Jos was just awesome! He would always call me saying ‘Yinka Davies of Ninjeria.’ Oh! How did I missed my chance to record with him.”

For over three decades, Yinka Davies has survived the storms of the industry and most of her colleagues who started with her have either dropped out of the race or faded into oblivion. What is the secret that has sustained her to date? Her visage splits in a smile as she responds: “I can never take the glory for remaining relevant in this entertainment industry. God must be glorified all the way for keeping me steady in this business. He has been awesome and done great things in my life so all the glory should go to him. He holds the keys to my success.”

Yinka Davies was one of the few women in music during her early years as an entertainer. How did it feel being one of the few woman standing and how was she able to carve a niche for herself in an industry dominated by members of the opposite sex? “I wouldn’t call it dominance,” she responds dismissively. I believe we were all having a great time back then. As a matter of fact, I never thought it was a job. I just kept getting paid for coming to contribute my quota! It took a long time for me to realise how much time had gone and the need to stop calling it a hobby and face business squarely,” she adds breaking out in laughter.

Yinka Davies also opened up on motherhood. She says: “Motherhood is a gift, a treasure one can’t comprehend but can have empathy for those who are not. Every woman is a mother, only those who don’t wish to be would turn their backs on a crying child.”

Is any of her kids taking after her? “Oh year…sure.”

Her first love was painting and sculpting aside being a farmer. Is she doing anything in that direction? “I promise you, God keeping us all alive and well, you will see something from me mighty soon. I won’t say more than that.”

The singer who has been off the radar for a while says the reason she has been lying low is because she has been rebranding and rebuilding and she would be back with a bang pretty soon!

Meanwhile, she has just finished work on a Nollywood movie which hits cinemas soon entitled, Battle Ground.

If given another chance, what aspect of her life would she want to do differently? “To be focused and add business into the creative package The Lord has blessed me with so He will be proud of me the more,” she concludes.