Timaya Talks About His First Record Deal | Afrobeats Intelligence

In this powerful episode of Afrobeats Intelligence, Joey Akan sits down with Nigerian music icon Timaya, aka “Egberi Papa 1 of Bayelsa,” for one of his most honest interviews to date. Known for hits like Dem Mama, Plantain Boy, and Balance, Timaya opens up about the real cost of fame, the spiritual lessons he’s learned, and why today’s version of him no longer lives for validation. With over two decades in the game, Timaya is a trailblazer of Nigerian dancehall and one of the few artists to evolve with every era. His discography shaped the sound of the South-South, and his hits have crossed borders and generations. From his early days with Dem Mama Soldiers, to redefining Afro-dancehall and surviving industry setbacks, Timaya breaks down how fatherhood, failure, and faith transformed his mindset. He dives deep into personal evolution—sharing raw insights about depression, materialism, and finding peace in an industry that rarely slows down. 0:00–7:00 - Timaya opens up about his hometown pride and the annual Timaya Day celebration in Bayelsa. 7:48–11:20 - He reflects on how much easier it is to make music now compared to the early struggle eras . 11:29–21:13 - The story gets real as he unpacks his Port Harcourt beginnings — where music wasn’t a dream, it was the only option 17:53–34:40 - He breaks down the bold leap from the streets to Lagos, detailing his grind as a backup singer, printing his own CDs, and securing his first N500K deal 31:25–34:13 - “Timaya Don Blow” — he remembers the exact moment it hit. 38:50–42:45 - Nothing’s off the table, including his headline-grabbing era and the infamous Empress Njamah car story. 43:30–51:50 - We go global with his Caribbean collaborations 52:00–56:38 - and thoughts on Afrobeats' international takeover. 57:24–58:25 - Finally, Timaya keeps it 100: why money is still the motive, and what it really costs to make a hit today — hint: it’s not cheap. #Timaya #AfrobeatsIntelligence #NigerianMusic #DemMama #JoeyAkan #AfroDancehall #AfrobeatsPodcast #TimayaInterview