Mobolaji Fasasi, who is popularly referred to as Da Emperor is currently changing the narrative in the Naija rap industry. His blend of rhymes and punchlines, speaks of a game changer, who will give other rap artists a run for their money. He recently spoke to Citypeople Photo Journalist, Lekan Onaolapo on the journey so far, and what to expect from the stable of his record label
Can we meet you?
Yes please, my names are Mobolaji Fasasi. G popularly known as Da Emperor with the in-sigma “Etiemelo?! 👂🏾” , I’m an indigenous rapper , actor and architect. I am also the c.e.o of Etiemelo Empire Entertainment, Born on 5th October to Engineer and Mrs Fasasi in alagbado, lagos state.
I’m a native of ijebu imushin, the only ijebu that has a branch In lagos (lol).
I’m the author of hits such as “para mode” , “I’m a sinner”, “Aganran” which features small doctor , “Firewood” which features Oritsefemi , amongst many others also a brand new hit titled “So shall it be” which features isolate Arafada, it’s the first track off my debut album R.I.V which is scheduled to drop officially on January 1st, 2020.
For how long have you been in music industry and what really inspired you??
I’ve been around since I was a little boy , Memories of me wearing short pants popularly called bonfo and grooving and imitating Michael Jackson still lingers in my head till date. I later joined the church choir in All saints Anglican Church, Eriwu Apunren, Ogun state at a very tender age. Where I lived with my lived with my guardians those years. I was later tagged the choir master in no time . However, during these times I was busy writing my own lyrics to start my recordings , in 2009/10 I recorded my first singles titled “am ah rapper “ and “Facebook prediction” featuring Don D King.
In 2014, I decided to rebrand, in 2018 I floated my own record label “Etiemelo Empire Entertainment”.
My inspirations are culled from daily life happenings, I’m inspired all the time basically because it comes naturally.
How can you define your Genre?
My genre of music is indigenous rap, which is a fusion of my Mother’s dialect (Yoruba) and English , mixed with pidgin and a lil bit of other languages sometimes.
Sometimes hardcore , sometimes I go with the flow but all in all , it’s indigenous rap.
In the next five years to this time
where do you expect to see yourself?
Only God Almighty can determine that but nonetheless Global hits , Global domination, Grammies, multi million dollars endorsements and so on and so forth with the brand Da Emperor being a blessing to the world at large.
If you have the opportunity to feature foreign artist who do you prefer to work it?
Foreign artistes, hmmmmm Justin Bieber is perfect for me.
Who is your favorite foreign artist?
I really do not have any favorite at the moment. I’m a fan of good music all day any day . So once you do good music , you are automatically my favorite.
However, it used to be Michael Jackson (M.J), Lilwayne , RickRoss, Chris Brown , T.I and a host of others.
Are you under label presently?
I own my label, Etiemelo Empire Entertainment. That is where I belong. I’m open to partnership deals with other labels but the music industry and business and has changed drastically so now it’s go hard or go home.
So let’s just say I’m signed to my own label Etiemelo Empire Entertainment which I double as an act under my label and my label ceo.
Can you tell us a bit about your educational background?
I’m a graduate of urban and regional planning from Abraham Adesanya polytechnic, a Cisco graduate , and also a graduate of architecture from Olabisi Onabanjo university.
I’ll stop at those details for now.
What are your bitter experience so far in industry ?
Bitter experiences can also be likened to challenges right ?
So for me, I do not see challenges as challenges. I have always seen challenges as a stepping stone to Greater heights, that is it for me all day any day.
The more the challenge, the more the movement.
Did you get a full support from your parents when you started music?
From my mom, YES. Even tho there were times she was either indifferent or not so sure about what’s going to happen next but for my dad, it was a NO. Until he saw I was way too deep into it and his difference won’t change my opinion or passion for music.
This took a while but we all are on the same page now and I’m very Grateful , I give God Almighty all the Glory.
how was your growing up like ?
Growing up for me was intriguing , I grew up with my guardians and they were disciplinarians but it was what made me strong .
I remember i used to wash pig pens and fish ponds , fed them , worked on the farm and so on everyday amidst schooling .
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