Entertainment
Chasing the African Dream
Hakeem Bakare is a Nigerian-born artist chasing the African dream in the City of Johannesburg. Popularly known by his stage name HayKay, he is an energetic recording artist, performer and songwriter who has worked with big names in the music industry. His tracks Euphoria and Flex, released in 2016 and 2018 respectively, have been doing pretty well on Channel O, Trace Africa and Sound City with thousands on views on YouTube.
Haykay the Artist
I am a 26 year old rapper, singer and recording artist. I’ve been in the music game since 2010, but only started professionally in 2015. My first official music video was released in 2016 when I relocated to Johannesburg. I recorded lots of music in the studio with two brothers back home, who were producers. We would go to several gigs back in Nigeria, we performed in universities, colleges and clubs.
Music Industry So Far
Nobody promised its going to be an easy road – being an independent artist is quite tough, but i keep pushing relentlessly. I still need to give all my best to get to where I want to be.
New Singles
I will be releasing my fourth single early 2020 and will also drop a music video for the track.
Response to Your Music
I’ve been getting lots of good responses so far even though I’m still upcoming. Euphoria and Flex have been getting lots of air play with the videos on MTV and Channel O and they are available on all major music platforms. Euphoria is more of a theme song for the event with the same name. Its a regular event hosted by Omashola; I loved the vibe when I attended it for the first time and as soon as I got back home and I worked on something. I sent the track Sholzy West(Omashola) and he loved it and invited me over and I met Ace there. Ace is someone I had been seeing on TV and I never knew I would get to work with him. He asked to feature on the track and got into the studio together.created magic.
The Euphoria Brand
The Euphoria brand will have my support forever. Omashola, who started the Euphoria brand, was very helpful to me when i first got to Johannesburg. He grew from being a stranger to being more than a brother to me and I’ll always be grateful to him.I do look for more opportunities to help him promote the brand.
Future Collabs
I have four favorite artists on my list that I will love to work. Number 1 on my list is Wizkid; followed by Davido(obviously). I love the energy that both of them have and they do make great music. Teckno is doing great also and I will also love to work with him. Locally, I will love to work with Nasty C! He is pushing really good music and I’m eager to work with.
African Music
With the recent beef between two of Africa’s biggest artists – AKA and Burna Boy; I dont undertand whats wrong with we Africans. When AKA, Burna Boy and Da Les worked together, we all saw the vibe how they made waves. I feel they need to stop being petty and childish. African artists need to work more together and grow together. I still don’t understand why Wizkid and Davido haven’t done a track together.
The Country South Africa
Being a Nigerian in South Africa, I have never experienced xenophobia or violence personally. I feel there are certain areas where things like this happen. I have never been afraid to move around or go anywhere for shows and gigs or to mingle. South Africans are great and amazing people. No matter where you are from, they are ready to accept you. The energy you give them is what they will give back to you. if you are a great person, they will be nice you. If you give them BS, you should expect that also. They are welcoming people and they have accepted my music.
Album Drop
I am currently still working on my album so for now I will be releasing singles. I think dropping an album when you are still up and coming is a waste of good music. I want to keep my fans hungry for more and more as I build up the hype to my album.
