Ayanfe has been steadily building his career, capturing attention with his sound since his university days. From releasing singles, covers, and freestyles to perfecting his craft, his journey took a turn in 2019 when his cover of Davido’s RISKY gained recognition. This milestone eventually led to a record deal with Davido Music Worldwide (DMW) in 2020 under the management of Obama DMW.
After the tragic passing of Obama, Ayanfe took a hiatus to reinvent himself as an artist. Now, he’s back, bringing a fresh spin to his hit Laba Laba with a remix featuring Fireboy DML.
In this interview, Ayanfe opens up about the collaboration, the creative process, and what fans can look forward to next.
His words which follow below have been lightly edited for clarity.
How did the collaboration with Fireboy DML come about?
The collaboration with Fireboy came through Olamide Baddo. Yeah. He heard “Laba Laba” and believed Fireboy was the right person to have on the song. I was actually pushing for Olamide Baddo. At the end of the day, I texted Fireboy and he told me to link up with him and he recorded it.
Fireboy’s melodic style and storytelling abilities complimented my own, making it a natural collaboration.
What was the energy like when working with Fireboy? Did he bring something unexpected to the remix?
Fireboy is such a chilled and humble person. Honestly, I didn’t expect the vibe I got from him—it was amazing. He brought his originality to the remix, and I really loved his verse. It’s one of the best I’ve heard all year.
Were there any specific moments during the collaboration that stood out or felt magical?
Absolutely. The most magical moment was when Fireboy started laying down his melodies. At that point, he hadn’t even added lyrics, but the melodies alone were so perfect. I immediately knew he was the right person for the song. It was a surreal moment—finally having Fireboy on a track with me.
The remix is dropping a year after the original release. Why did you decide this was the right time to revisit “Laba Laba”?
The original dropped about a year ago, and we took our time to revisit it. Myself and my team wanted to find the perfect person for the remix. We didn’t want to rush into it.
With God’s guidance and help from people who believed in us, we landed on Fireboy. Timing is everything, and we truly believe this is the right moment.
How has your perspective on the song evolved over the past year?
Honestly, when I first recorded Laba Laba, it was just a vibe. The session was only about an hour long, and I didn’t think much of it at the time. After the song dropped and I saw people’s reactions, I realized it resonated with a lot of people.
Over the past year, I’ve seen how much love the song has gotten organically. It’s been a life-changing experience for me, and the song has grown into something much bigger than I expected.
How does the remix reflect your growth as an artist over the past year?
This remix shows that I have been grinding. You can tell I’ve been working on myself and my sound trying to make the best out of myself. While being patient, persistent and trusting in God.
What do you hope fans will take away from this remix compared to the original?
I believe my fans will love it even more than the original. The remix brings a fresh energy while staying true to the song’s originality. With their support, I hope this song can make it to the top ten NG chart—by God’s grace, lol.
Finally, what’s next for Ayanfe after this remix? Any new projects or surprises fans should look out for?
I’m working on a lot with my team. We’ve got big plans for next year, and with God’s grace and the support of my fans, it’s going to be a beautiful year.
To everyone who supports and believes in my music, expect more great songs and unforgettable moments. 2024 will be a year of awards, breaking records, and setting new standards. I love you all—thank you for being on this journey with me.
It’s only right to say Ayanfe is positioned as one of the artists to be on the lookout for in the coming year .
