With a new year comes new opportunities to introduce you to some fresh artists that are sure to make a massive breakthrough in the next months. Someone that we think you should know is Dyo. Formerly known as Ms D, the Nigerian-British singer-songwriter has actually been in the game for a while – she is the uncredited female vocalist on Chips’ 2009 UK Chart #1 ‘Oopsy Daisy.’ Over the course of more than a decade in the industry, she has also written songs for artists such as Maroon 5 and Fifth Harmony.
But now, it’s her time to take centre stage alone, as she has recently released her first EP, Dyologue, consisting of six tracks that’ll have your head bopping. We caught up with her to discuss all the of behind the scenes work for her recent creation, as well as her cool fashion choices and the power of being consistent.
So, Dyo: lookswise, what was your inspiration for the cover of your debut EP?
Dyo: I just wanted something that looked good, and I was going for a theme that spoke for Africa; that was enticing. I wanted something big to say ‘Hello, here I am,’ which is why I have the braids to show I’m unapologetically Black.
In terms of the process of your EP, how long did it take? How did you find the inspiration for the meanings behind the songs?
Dyo: To be honest, I’ve been writing that EP since 2017. It was at the end of 2017; after I did ‘Sexual’, I told myself I was gonna focus on an EP as it was my time. From the music I was creating, I found it was a similar vein of ‘Sexual,’ and that didn’t feel like me and what I wanted to do for a body of a project. I wouldn’t find the time to do it consistently; I would do a track here and there and wouldn’t be able to come up with a third song. I had to do something that was coming naturally to me and something that is embedded in me and something I could do over and over again. Then I started Dyologue, which felt right, and then everything started coming together piece by piece. Now, I feel like I’ve found myself, I know who I am.
Why was 2017 the right time to start writing for yourself?
Dyo: It’s been such a long time, I felt like I was procrastinating. I was like, ‘Is it the right time? Should I put music out? Should I not?’ From starting the industry in 2009, I was writing songs for other people and I felt like I had a massive moment. ‘Sexual’ was probably the biggest thing in my career, so it was go-time. “If not now, then when?” This is the most time I’ve spent purely on myself in a really long time. It felt like it was the time. When you know, you know.
Do you think you’ve gotten over any obstacles that you thought would keep you back as a Black, African woman?
Dyo: Yes, I wanted to cover up my face so at least people didn’t see the colour of my skin or try to put me in a box. But that’s not really the way to go about things, last year I thought more than anything that Black females really came out their shells and I’m proud to be Black so I shouldn’t shy away from that.
Taking it back a few years: when did you realise you had a passion for music and wanted to sing?
Dyo: Always. When I was young I was in love with Destiny’s Child, it was unbelievable. I wanted to be them. I kept learning the words, and as I got older it seemed like something I wanted to do. I was taking part in talent shows, I joined the choir in my church, I met a lot of my true friends at church and then everything just started coming together. As soon as 2009, I did ‘Oopsy Daisy’ with Chip, known as Chipmunk at the time, and everything just came together. I went to college; I didn’t want to go to university because I wanted to do music full time.
Do you have any advice for any black artists who want to get in the music industry?
Dyo: I would say be consistent. I think that people bring out songs here and there and they forget about the project because they take too long to get the song out. It’s more important than you think; it’s not just about making the music. If you put out one song today, then you disappear for 12 months, people won’t take you seriously. I’d say be consistent and eventually, it will happen. Don’t give up. It can get exhausting but you have to keep going.
And finally, what’s something you didn’t know at the start of your journey that you wish you did now?
Dyo: Not everything is so serious. I’ll procrastinate on something because I’m overthinking everything, but really when you put the music out you realise it’s not that deep. Put the music out because that’s what the people want to hear. It’s just like the overthinking before you make a post: you take 60 pictures before you choose the one. Just put it out. Nothing is as deep as you think it is.
Dyo’s debut EP, Dyologue, is out now
