Oyindamola Johnson popularly known as Dammy Krane
talks about his career, why he doesn’t have a Tatoo and how he got signed on to
Tuface’s Hypertek Entertainment
Why did you choose to sing Fuji music?
My mother manages and organises events for Fuji
artistes and that influenced my going into that genre of music. I remember that
aside from playing games and joining my friends in playing soccer, I used to
follow her to some Fuji shows and that inspired me to become a Fuji artiste.
It was reported that you reunited with your
mother after 10 years. How come you were separated for such a long time?
My mother’s event company management had to move
to America and she had to relocate also. I did not have an opportunity to get a
visa until last year when I went for the Nigerian Entertainment Award. I flew
to New York to meet my mother. I was so happy to see her after a very long
while.
After re-uniting with your mother, it was
reported that she bought you a car, but we learnt you have a phobia for
driving…
I have a driver that takes me to wherever I want
to go. I developed a phobia for driving after I lost an aunt in a car accident
when I was young. I really liked that aunt. Then, I was staying with my mother.
I did not move to my grandmother’s house until I was ten years old. Although I
did not witness the accident, I heard about it and I was in shock. I am very
emotional. I cannot stand the sight of blood.
How about your father?
He is fine. My father is a businessman and he
travels all the time. There was a song I sang where I mentioned his name. I
hardly talk about him because people mostly want to know about my mother.
How were you able to manage without your
mother for so long while growing up?
I grew up with my grandmother and learnt a lot
from her. Growing up with her disciplined me; she gave me a thorough training.
From her, I learnt the principles of success, humility, hardwork and patience.
Now that you are a celebrity, do you still
have time to visit your grandmother?
Yes, I see her very often, I don’t joke with her;
she is my wife. My grandmother is my wife.
How come you don’t have tattoos as most
entertainers of your age embrace them?
When people ask me why I do not have a
tattoo, I tell them that you cannot scratch a Bentley. I believe my body is the
temple of God, a holy place and I have to treat it with respect. I have to keep
it clean. I am also a brand and I don’t think it would speak well of my brand
if I have inscriptions on my body. I believe I have to keep my brand clean and
that is why I would never get a tattoo or pierce my skin.
You are signed under Tuface’s Hypertek
records, how did you two meet?
I met him during one of his birthday celebrations
about three years ago. He invited some people like MI, Tiwa, and a Lebanese
friend of mine, Iyad. I went with Iyad. Tuface and my friend, Iyad, were at the
pool side talking when Iyad called my name. Tuface said that he had been hearing
my name and would like to meet me. He saw me and told me that I should tell my
management team to set up a meeting with him and the rest is history.
How did you feel when you learnt that
Tuface knew you?
Honestly, I felt very humbled. There is something
about me and Tuface; I believe we have this spiritual connection. Immediately I
met him, I knew he was my man. He said something to me that still humbles me
till date. He said that the reason he signed me was because he saw himself in
me.
It was widely rumoured that you claimed
Davido’s Skelewu dance step was your concept, how true is this?
It is a rumour. I didn’t say anything, they say
action speaks louder than words. I just released my Sabi dance video
directed by Clarence Peters. Sabi dance is for Dammy Krane.
You always say Dammy Krane is for the
ladies in most of your songs, does it mean that you have a lot of girlfriends?
There is Dammy Krane the ‘Enterkraner’ and there
is Oyindamola Johnson. Dammy Krane is the person you see on stage and he is the
one for the girls. Oyindamola Johnson is the regular guy trying to live a
normal life.
What is the craziest thing a lady fan has
done to you?
A lady once walked up to me at the backstage of
where I was performing and asked me to sign my autograph on her boobs.
Did you sign it?
I had to sign it; I did not want to embarrass my
fan.
How did your music career start?
I was born into a musical environment. I was a
part of the toddler’s choir in my church. As I grew older, people began to
invite me to sing at their events and I started backing- up for some singers
also. I was also into dancing before I later met with Tuface and was signed on
to his record label.
Were you ever a professional dancer?
Not really. I had to dance for two reasons.
First, dancing and singing go hand-in-hand. Secondly, there were some gigs I
went for as a back-up singer while building my brand and they would tell me
they needed a dancer instead. So, it was either I danced or I left with
nothing. I also used to watch Michael Jackson; he was a source of inspiration
to me. I also used to watch Usher and later Chris Brown. I remember that there
used to be a mirror close to our television in the sitting room. Whenever I
watched these artistes, I would perform in front of the mirror to see how good
I was doing. Growing up, I formed a music group with my friends in church. We
used to go and dance at parties.
How was it doing a song with Pasunma?
I was very happy. It is very hard to get a big
Fuji act to collaborate with because they are always moving around. After I
told Pasunma I wanted to do a song with him, he travelled to America for a
show. In America, he heard my song, My Dear. He started telling people
that I was his son. When he got back, I called him to find out if he was back
and he told me yes. He also told me that he heard my song and that we needed to
do our song on a Wednesday. I did not believe it because I thought he was just
giving me a compliment. On that Wednesday, he said I should send him my address
which I did; I was in the studio recording a song when he just walked inside.
He did not even call to inform me that he was outside. He heard the song I was
singing as he walked in and told me that he already knew his part in the song.
He took a pen and a paper and wrote his verse right there, he did not even sing
it. When he was done writing, he went into the booth and sang his part. I was
shocked, surprised and amazed.
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