I always get attention from females —Yung6ix

He became an instant web hit when he dropped the Warri version of Iceprince’s viral song, ‘Oleku’. Since then, Onome Onokohwomo, popularly known as Yung6ix, has steadily built a strong profile for himself. In this interview with AHMED BOULOR, the fast-rising music act revealed a lot about himself and his sojourn into the world of rap music.

YOU became an instant web hit with the ‘Oleku Warri Version’ about 2 years ago. Why did you choose to use the beat of the song by Ice Prince?

I have always been a loyal fan of Iceprince. He became one of my favorite Nigerian rappers after I heard his verse on M.I’s first album. I was online the day he dropped the song ‘Oleku’, and I think I was one of the first 100 people to hear the song. It took only a few days before I got addicted to it. At that time, I was putting my mixtape together, so it was easy making a decision by jumping the beat of Iceprince’s song.

Is there any specific reason for christening your debut ‘Green Light Green’?

Well, I have always been a very creative individual, and I feel everything should have a meaning. The title ‘Green Light Green’ was coined from the Nigerian flag. But in this case, each word means a different thing and I put ‘LIGHT’ in the middle instead of ‘WHITE’. The first ‘GREEN’ represents money; the ‘LIGHT’ represents positivity and victory, while the last ‘GREEN’ represents the motherland.

It has been revealed that you don’t write down your songs. How were you able to develop that kind of talent?

At a very early age, I studied the model of delivery of two of my favorite rappers who also double as my role models. So I tried recording a freestyle some years back after winning several freestyle battles, and it turned out to be a crazy challenge. I had everyone in the studio watching me through the glass demarcating the studio from the boot. I went in for 5 minutes and came out wowing everybody. So I kept on challenging myself to live up to their expectations till I realized I was making music without a pen. Till date, every line you hear from me is from my head; I find it difficult and stressful to write lyrics down when it comes to making music.

Do you not think that you will be depriving your fans the benefit of edifying lyrics by rapping offhand?

The fact that I don’t write down my songs doesn’t mean I just put out everything that comes out of my mouth during freestyle. Some of the lyrics I drop have been edited mentally before they come out. It’s like you’re advising a kid, you don’t need to write or to put your points across because you are being educated in such a way that you know the right words to use while putting your points across. That is because, psychologically everything comes out naturally and you are fluent because you are an experienced individual. Music to me is like having a normal conversation, you know the points to hit when there’s a specific topic you’re discussing without writing it down. It’s already part of me.

At what stage did you embrace music?

To be sincere, I can’t be specific about that. Music was part of me since I was a kid, I started with dancing, and then I joined the choir. I later joined the Boys Brigade band in my primary school. And later I started miming the songs of other artistes. I recorded my first song when I was in SS2. I just kept going from that point.

Tell us a bit about yourself?

My real names are Onome Onokohwomo; I am from Delta State, Ughelli North to be precise. I grew up in Warri and other neighbouring cities. I am a post graduate student of a private university at Ife, Osun State. I am the eldest in a family of five, including my mum and dad.

Did you grow up with music around you?

Yes. But it was tough because my parents never encouraged it.

What do you think sets you apart from other rappers on the music scene?

The fact that I am Yung6ix , the flair I bring to my songs and the fact that I am the first rapper from the Niger Delta to come this far with hip-hop in the history of Africa.

Who inspired you into doing music?

No one. I just loved it, and it felt like a better way to express myself.

What do you do to improve you rap skills?

A lot, and I can’t reveal all my tricks here. You know what they say: it’s best to keep the recipe to yourself.

Tell us about ‘Green Light Green’.

Fabulous! I was surprised and I never knew a mixtape could take any artiste that far in Nigeria. We have accumulated over half a million downloads and views from it, which is astronomical for an up and coming act.

Most rappers, especially the established ones, evolved into music production at some point in their careers. Do you see yourself following in the same direction?

I have been a producer for about five years and counting. I have produced a couple of songs on my mixtape as well. One of them has a video, entitled ‘No Where’. Sometimes, creativity makes you to explore yourself. I never limit myself to anything because I have a passion for making music.

With more than 150,000 views on YouTube, you are regarded as one of the biggest prospects out of Africa. How does that make you feel?

In one word, I feel ‘blessed’, and it motivates me to do better.

How do you handle your female admirers and fans?

I get my fair share of the good, bad and the ugly, but I am a very focused individual and I never let anyone or anything distract me when I am working.

What was it like when you started rapping in Warri at a very tender age?

It wasn’t easy at first, because people didn’t believe in me. But I believed in myself, and it took a few years these same people who initially didn’t believe in me were the ones spreading my music and telling more people about me. I made them believe and now they have great confidence in me.

It has also been revealed that you started doing music immediately after you left secondary school. What was the response of your parents at the time?

I was in my second year in the university when I got my record deal. I was recording songs even in high school. I forced my folks to support me, but they insisted that I stay in school. It was difficult because my parents thought music would take me away from school completely.

You had a group in secondary school. What was the experience like?

It was as the coming together of great minds. One of the members of G-squad is currently a partner of my company. He is in the process of acquiring shares in another member’s company. He also owns a clothing line and he is doing very well. There’s another one that will become a doctor in December. Everyone is doing great, and we are all happy for ourselves. The Experience with G-squad was rewarding.

How did you come about the nickname ’9ja Carter’?

People started calling me that because of the way I delivered my songs. The nickname stuck on me like glue because I don’t pen down my lyrics, just like both Jay-z and Lil Wayne. Both rappers don’t pen their lyrics and they are Carters. That’s how that name came about.

Have you ever been stalked by a female fan before?

Yes, even till date.

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