Cookie Mba
Tell us a bit about yourself
My name is Pop Boy Dela, as you already know I’m an artist from Imo State, Nigeria
How did you venture into entertainment?
I’ve been an entertainer all my life, right from when I was kid, I don’t even know when I started it, just found myself doing it and I’m happy.
Your role models?
I have so many role models but I’ll just tell you few Late Adolphus Ogoke (My Dad), Michael Jackson, Spider Man, Christiano Ronaldo, Fela Kuti, Lucky Dube, Chris Brown, Wizkid, Olamide and so many asides My Dad, Micheal Jackson stands as one.
What are your aspiration?
I aspire for more life, more money, music, health and growth.
What makes you tick?
My mom! The eagerness or should I say the urge to end her suffering, to put a smile on her face. Like I’ll say Mom, finally people are listening to my music, people are talking about my sound. Her prayers has been answered.
Describe yourself in 5 words
Irregular, weird, team player, work in progress and cool.
Your most memorable moment?
I have so many memorable moments so many, but I’ll just say the time I released my debut EP (De Four Eyes) my first ever release as a growing artist it felt good to actually share my songs out and people listening and the time I performed at a local bar my first ever professional performance.
Most embarrassing day?
Trekking home from a show in the midnight, very lonely road , no cars just me and my manager that day was so embarrassing.
What is that fashion item you can’t do without?
My glasses, my socks obviously my shoes I like being on shoes , my crazy jeans.
Your best quote?
So many quotes I’ve laid my eyes on. I’m looking for one that says “Let it hurt, until it can’t hurt anymore”, “Never stop trying until you succeed.”
How do you intend to add value to the society through what you do?
I’m already adding value with my music cos I know the kind of music I put out. So I wanna keep up, telling people that they can do it no matter the comma? No matter the defect.
Do you think the Nigerian entertainment industry is making progress and what do you think it needs to work on?
Yes, the Nigerian music is doing well that’s why you have the likes of Me. And in terms of making progress, Nigerian music is making huge progress cos you can hear so many good music come out of Nigeria so many great music are coming out of Nigeria everyday. Formerly it’s use to be on Fridays, now its everyday, you listen to something new if you want to, coming out of Nigeria! But I just want to add something I feel personally is needed. Like we the artistes, producers and stakeholders, we should all embrace good talent, let the right voices be heard. When we see good talent, people that are very talented let’s look into them. I know it takes a lot of hard work, discipline, character and patience. But let the talent that are supposed to be heard be heard not let them to die No! But in the whole thing, we’re doing well. Nigerian Music is doing well.
What are your likes and dislikes?
I like eating well, watching movie. I like hanging around people like me. People that do what I do. I like my space too. I like conversing with girls. I like life, I like my family, my team I like everybody. I dislike myself when I don’t have money to take care of me, to send for my mom. I dislike not having my double 7.5kg dumbbell to keep fit.
A word for upcoming artistes out there
The same thing I tell upcoming artist, I tell myself too, build yourself, build something from what you have and expand, it is a process at the end of the day it’s worth it. Don’t forget to grow with people, work with people, listen to people and at same time listen to yourself.
