Rapper talks about beef in Hip-hop, copyright infringement and industry opportunities

United Kingdom born Nigerian rapper, Cheyenne Labesa, with the stage name Chyn, began his music at an age when many where still on a quest to terms with puberty. The smooth rapper Chyn, who has a Degree in Chemical Engineering from the University Of Aberdeen, Scotland, began to attract a following after the release of his mixtape, “The Graduate.”

Drawing influences from the greats in the game, and exercising a great understanding of the music business, which has aided his music considerably, he is poised to make 2016 scream his name.

Last year he made a splash on the scene with the song ‘Chardonnay music’, a collaboration with Falz on the album “Stories That Touch.” He also had considerable joy and love from his second collaboration with Falz, ‘Big’.

Now with the New Year in full swing, the rapper is working on concluding old projects, and making the crossover from ‘underground rap’, to fully accepted and celebrated mainstream.

PM: How’s your journey in Nigerian music so far?

Chyn: Well I’ve been making music since I was 16, but I guess the first time I got considerable recognition was when I appeared on two songs in Falz’s “Shakara” Mixtape, namely “Picture Status” and “Something about her”. The rest as they say was history. Couple years later I dropped my debut mixtape “The Graduate” which garnered a cult following and I never looked back. Since then I’ve continued to have an online presence with tracks off “The Starsky&Hutch Project”(with Falz) and with other singles I dropped on my own. The reaction has been nothing short of overwhelming and truly humbling.

PM: What is Hip-hop to you?

Chyn: To me Hip-hop is a culture. A way of life. It isn’t just about the music, its way bigger than that, and It continues to grow and evolve.  It’s  crazy how far Hip-hop has come, its grown arms and legs and become something of a phenomenon transcending all races, colours and creeds. I’m definitely proud to be part of the movement.

PM: Does it feel like the industry is rigged against upcoming acts?

Chyn: No, I don’t. I believe If you really want something badly you need to work hard for it, like literally put your life on the line. I feel people who say that, are probably upcoming artists who are not getting the recognition  they want and are just looking for excuses. You can’t tell me if you put your all into your craft,you won’t get the recognition you deserve. Like the saying goes, “The cream always rises to the top”, true talent cannot go unnoticed for long.

PM: Has money taken the place of talent in the game?

Chyn: No I don’t think so. I think talent is still very important, but money is definitely essential.  With true talent an Artist will always reach the height he/she truly deserves, eventually(as long as he/she puts in the work) but with money the artist will reach that height a lot quicker *laughs*. At the end of the day, for me, talent always wins. You can have all the financial backing in the world but with no talent , you can’t go far.

PM: Why is Nigerian Hip-hop ailing?

Chyn: I personally don’t think Nigerian Hip-Hop is ailing. The success of rappers like MI, Phyno, Olamide, Vector, Ycee(just to name a few)  proves that. However, I think it can be better. In South Africa, Hip-hop has become massive and it’s safe to say it’generally more acceptable over there. We need to get to that point.  With the new breed of rappers coming through, I have no doubt in my mind that rap/Hip-hop will get to that point in Nigeria, it’s only a matter of time. The only thing that is constant is change, so I know we’ll definitely get there, and it’s sooner than you think.

PM: Is rivalry good for the art? Why?

Chyn: I think rivalty is good for the Art because it brings competition, which leads to better quality of music being made by the artists. With competition, artists are kept on their  toes so inevitably they are forced to be on top of their game. Rap beefs are entertaining, I mean look what happened with the whole  drake, meek mill beef, it literally broke the internet *laughs*. I think a little competition or rivalty can be healthy.

PM: If you were dissed, would you reply?

Chyn:  Haha….I doubt I would reply. I’m really not that kind of rapper, I’m more focused on the art and growing the brand. Don’t really have time to be making diss tracks *laughs*. Don’t get me wrong, it works for some artists, but it’s not for me. I just want to make dope art.

PM: With so much drama regarding copyright laws, what is your take on it?

Chyn: I don’t have much thoughts on copyright infringement. All I’m gonna say is there’s nothing wrong with taking elements from songs and putting your own twist to it. In the art world, we are constantly inspired by each other, so if you’re going to reproduce an idea or song from the past, there’s nothing wrong with it, just ask for permission. *smiles*

PM: So far, what’s the best thing that has happened in the music industry in the past 10 years?

Chyn:  I would say the best thing that has happened to the music industry in the past 10 years definitely has to be the rise of the internet. The internet has changed the game completely,it’s made music more accessible to everyone. Artists are now able to express themselves easily without limitations due to social media platforms like twitter or soundcloud etc. I mean with apps like “Shazam” you can find the name/artist  of a song you hear on the radio or a song playing in a shop while you’re shopping. I’m sure you can tell I’m big on “Shazam” *laughs*. I’m constantly looking out for dope music, so it comes in handy. I really think it’s amazing what the internet has done.

PM: How do you judge your success?

Chyn: I judge my success on how many lives I’ve been able to touch through my music and how many people I’m able to inspire. The other day I got a message from a fan thanking me for a song I released a couple years ago, and how it helped her through her exams, that really got to me, thing like that really goes a long way with me. It spurs me on to make even doper music.

PM: What’s the end goal for your career?

Chyn: My end goal for my career is simple, I want to make a big impact on the global stage, not just in Nigeria/Africa. I want to put Nigeria on the map, the way legends like Fela did. It’s a long journey ahead, but trust me, I’m about that life. *laughs*