On the Shoulders of Giants Working with the Okoye brothers Peter and Paul was a hard chance to pass down for Akinmayokun Awodumila or May D as he is fondly called. Like all prospects with dreams of lyrical stardom, his were answered two-fold when his friend Alaye introduced him to the sonorous pair with the P Square alias. The episode surpassed his wildest dreams and since then, the only place to look for the suave-looking fellow has been up. “It’s really been a privilege that I’m very thankful for,” he said regarding his meeting with the duo. “Hard work does pay so my belief is that sustaining the tempo should not be a problem.” Being called a protégé of the twins has in no way overshadowed May D’s agenda for his music. After featuring on their “Chop My Money Remix” that also featured American-based singer Akon, he has followed up with five singles that are keeping the audience on their feet ahead of his upcoming album. There is no title for his maiden contribution but the quintet of tracks that include “Ile Ijo”, “Soundtrack” and “Pum Pum” continue earning rave reviews that attract more music lovers to his sonorous output. With “Soundtrack” showing his R&B potentials, other songs in his quiver reflect an artist bent on being an all rounder with Pop and dancehall inclinations. It was not a one-off decision. He puts it down to a love for music. “I’ve always been involved in music right from my younger days. So as far as my memory serves me well I have liked music.” May D also tells me he packs more dance skills than a masquerade. Beyond his boogie in the “Ile Ijo” video that featured dancer Kaffy, he remarked that he could do more than the occasional body movements. But since music is his primary focus, it was logical that dance would occupy the sidelines. “Even though I held my own as a dancer in my secondary school days, music was always a driving force,” he said with confidence. Like most of his colleagues, he tells me his inspiration could spurt from anywhere. So, various trips to concerts around the globe with the P Square pair should leave him with a lot to sing about in the years ahead. A long term deal with Square Records is also in the bag for the singer bursting with an admirable hunger for success. “It’s pretty hectic, you know; travelling the world for concerts but we get by. It’s all part of the job. My long term plan is to be recognised the world over for the type of music I create.” His music is loud but strangely deep when you look beyond some of the slang he seasons his tracks with. He adds that he is just trying to retain the indigenous flavour and build on the strengths Nigerian languages avails him with. “Pum Pum” is a freestyle I did a while and I don’t even think it gets any airplay. “Ile Ijo” and my other singles is a part of the type of music I create which is a fusion of Pop, R&B and Dancehall.” With two videos for “Soundtrack” and “Ile Ijo,” May D is just getting warmed up for the long haul in an industry he speaks of with tons of reverence. His dream is to carve a niche and this will come in a number of projects aimed at placing him in a suitable position while he stands on the shoulders of the giants embodying Square Records. “Being around P Square will only serve to inspire me because of what they have achieved in the industry and the recognition it has brought them. My dream is to have the same level of success as they have if not even better. So there is no fear, just inspiration.”