‘My Songs Were Very Bad And I Knew It’ – Jim Iyke On His Failed Music Career

Some actors have always thought because they have been successful with their acting career, they can replicate the same thing in the music arena.

But as the script always goes, actors-turned-musicians have always had a bitter narrative.  Nigerian actor, Jim Iyke is one of those actors who transitioned to the music industry but failed miserably.

Jim Iyke released Who Am I in 2009 featuring 2Baba, and in 2010 followed up with Born to Do This featuring Puffy T.

In an interview with Punch, Iyke described his music career as “non-existent.”

He knew he had no talent in music, he said, but wanted to know how the industry worked. He said:

My music career is non-existent. My mentor in business once told me that the biggest investment you can ever have is yourself; don’t ever go into a venture that you don’t understand.

I was interested in music and like everything else that I have foresight for, I saw where the career was going. I knew I did not know how to sing but I wanted to invest in the business, so I decided to try my luck. I did it so that no one would ever tell me that I did not try or I do not know anything about music.

Jim Iyke went on to admit that he knew his songs were bad.

He went on to question the number of talents present in the industry at the moment. Most of the less talented ones are far ahead of the more talented ones, he said.

Of course, I knew the songs were bad; I am my greatest critic. I had to put some ‘swag’ into the songs that featured Tuface to sing one or two lines.

To be honest, how many true talents are in the industry at the moment? Most of the less talented ones are getting far ahead of the talented ones.

It is not about having talent but understanding the business and project what works for you. It is all about the way you ‘package’ it and sell it to the world; that is all. I can name a few terrible artistes but they are getting way ahead of the gifted ones. It is because they understand show business; I understand show business.