Self-discovery: Don’t aim for the money, go for success – songstress

Cynthia Chinweize Dieyi is from Delta state and a Communication and Media graduate. She is currently doing her master’s in the University of Southern California, United States. The 25 year old songstress spoke with WEEKEND on her musical path and the motivation behind it while urging fellow youths to create long-term visions and work towards realising them. Words by Eseohe Ebhota @sleek_diva88 When did you start developing your musical talent? I have been singing for as long as I can remember, but I recalled becoming actively curious about music when I was about eight-years old. That was when I began to harass cassette tapes, constantly rewinding to memorise lyrics. Aside gospel songs, I picked up other songs; and the first song I learned to sing uninterrupted was TLC’s ‘No Scrub’. So I didn’t particularly say “okay today I’m going to start singing.” It just evolved. ‎What motivated you into picking on music? I was born into a family of singers. My mom sings, dad can hold a tune, all my siblings sing and even play musical instruments. Singing for me came naturally. We played ‘Music wars’ as kids and it was a game we invented where everyone would sing a different song and the first person to ditch a song and sing someone else’s looses. It was chaotic, and I wonder how my mom managed. How supportive have your parents been to you while developing your talent? My folks are the most supportive parents. They’re just wonderful. They have been extremely supportive. I run my songs by my mom before and after production and she gives me pointers. Dad is like my number one publicist. He’s a busy man otherwise he would have been my official manager *laughs* What projects have you worked‎ on so far? I am a one-woman army. I already have two singles that topped radio charts; while the first is titled ‘One Day’, the second is ‘Puzzle Pieces’. What is your line of messages like in your songs? I generally talk about life...well I guess most musicians do. I draw inspiration from my experiences and from others. It usually starts with a concept: an epiphany, something clicks and then I build words around it. I constructed ‘One Day’ around the concept of Karma and ‘Puzzle Pieces’ was inspired by curiosity, which i believe is the journey to discovery. And on genres, I do mainly Soul and R&B. My musicality is eclectic though, so I find myself going across genres in my composition. What challenges have you faced in your advancement? My biggest challenge is combining my interests but the good thing is that they are mostly within what I call the “creative.” So at some point, it will all come together, and that is what I am working to achieve. What other career would you have chosen‎? I love the academia and I am pursuing a master’s degree in Strategic Public Relations at the University of Southern California.

What are your expectations in the next five years? I am currently working on a television series called ‘Talent Box 360’. It is on my YouTube channel, and I will also be working on songs with Chicago-born saxophonist and producer, Kenny Humble. Currently, I am also making arrangements for a music video. So there are a lot of projects in the works that will be unfurling soon.

What is your view on the teeming unemployed youths in the country? It is terrible, that’s a fact that no one can deny. But the hope of a country lies in the quality of its people’s minds and I have met some remarkable people, incredible minds. So I have hope. There is also the fact that the youth are seizing the “bull by the horns.” Some whom I know are not sitting around waiting for government to provide jobs for them any longer. They are creating opportunities for themselves.

My advice to youths is that they must shun transient dreams and embrace long-term vision. For self discovery, it is good not to aim for the money, but to go for success! So youths should stop pursuing fame and chase greatness because it pays better. DAILY TRUST WEEKEND (Last Week Edition)