Hey Cuppy, thanks for your time today! Let’s set the scene… where are you now and what can you see?
The scene is the Pink Penthouse in Central London. I see the beautiful river Thames with the sunsetting creating a pink illusion. I also see a tangled set of wires with my DJ decks on top from last night’s jam session. Most importantly there are two cute Pomeranians scratching at my feet.
You were born in Nigeria and moved to London at age 13. Do you have fond memories from your childhood in Nigeria?
I was born in Lagos, Nigeria at 4pm on a dusty Thursday afternoon. My mother said her hospital room was covered in flowers; I was truly an African princess. Growing up in Lagos was such a wonderful experience; Lagos was and is still one of the most exciting cities in the world full of colour, vibrancy, energy, and an intangible movement! I grew up listening to Fela Kuti and I still do, my favourite song is ‘Yellow Fever’ and I have memories of being in Lagos traffic listening to music with my Dad. Going back to Lagos – change has happened but I’m proud of the new generation integrating themselves into the world and putting my city on the map.
Since you moved to London, it seems you’ve been on a non-stop adventure! Before we talk about music and stardom, can you talk to us about your education…
Since moving to London, I’ve been able to build an exciting career but weaved in between an exciting academic experience. From 18 ‘till now I have been able to attain 3 higher education degrees from Kings College, New York University and most recently Oxford University. Kings College will always hold a special place in my heart because it was my first and longest degree a BSc.
After graduating from King’s College, you were selected as a DJ at the MTV Africa Music Awards. You also performed at many events around the globe. When was it that your reputation started to take off, and what was the pivotal moment?
After graduating from King’s people think, but it was actually during my final year at King’s that I was selected to host and DJ at the MTV Music Africa Awards. I have to say it was a pivotal moment because as a 21-year-old being on a world stage and having the opportunity to grow my confidence and display my talent was important, it’s almost like my teenage years of practising and imagining lived up to the moment. The MTV Africa Awards were so important for me. When I look back, I realise how I let my nerves get the better of me but more interestingly I wasn’t as present as I should have been. I have now learnt since then as I’ve matured, to use nerves to create incentive but also to stay present in the moment, when people ask me how that night was, I can barely remember because of how overwhelmed I was.
After this, and more recently you completed a Master’s in African Studies at Oxford University! By this stage, you must have already been a huge success in your music and creative projects. What was it like studying at university as a celeb?
My Oxford University experience is very different; I think first of all going back to university at the age of 30 comes with its challenges, and also considering the fact that I had a full-time BBC Radio breakfast show on
weekends also came with its demands, but luckily at university because it was a Master’s, the class was small and I was able to make some lifelong friends, but it was very funny hearing the lecturers call me Cuppy. My highlight of integrating my career with my academia was doing a presentation in class through music rather than paper or literature.
Describe your style as a creative person, and where you draw inspiration from…
My style is literally Cuppy. Nigerian culture is embedded in the Cuppy brand – my fearlessness, ambition, and stubbornness are all characteristics I’ve picked up in my environment. We Nigerians can’t take no for an answer, and we certainly would never shrink our dreams!
Describe a world where there is no colour pink…
A world without pink is a world without innocence, empathy and fun.
How about the world without social media?
A world without social media is a world without connectiveness and information, but also a world with more contentment.
How does Cuppy throw a party?
A Cuppy party comprises of the absolute minimum… requirements of the following balloons, cupcakes, good music, good food and a theme. Come to think of it I haven’t thrown a party in a while, thanks for reminding me Student Pocket Guide.
Musically, you have collaborated with some of the biggest names in the reggae and dancehall genre, and beyond! From Julian Marley (Bob Marley’s son), Wyclef Jean and Rema to name just a few! Are there any standout collabs you have particularly enjoyed, and why?
I am so proud of the collaborations I’ve been able to achieve through personal relationships and just through shooting my shot, I have to say Wyclef, Grammy Winner, Fugees Founder is an amazing collaboration I always hold close to my heart because it just happened through an Instagram DM, in life if you don’t ask you don’t get.
Who would you like to work with that you haven’t yet?
For music collaborations, there are quite a number of people who are doing amazing work with music, transcending borders and pushing Afrobeats, I’d love to work with a number of them. I want to do a joint album with Tekno (Billie Elish’s fave artist), tell him for me… I’m really looking out for a collaboration with Nicki Minaj! I’m sure within the 5 year span, there would be a Cuppy x Nicki track.
Cuppy Interview
What is your proudest achievement so far?
A lot of people ask me what my greatest achievement is and what show I’m most proud of, I was able to DJ for my Presidential Inauguration in Nigeria and it was a very proud moment for me because there’s doing
what you love to do but then there’s doing what you love to do for your country. Especially as a female DJ I think it symbolised the openness and social transition of our country.
Can you talk to us about the Cuppy Oxford fund? What made you decide to launch this, and what do you aim to achieve through it?
The Cuppy Oxford Fund is a very important part of my life, I tell people that the fund I’ve set up with Oxford University over the next 10 years is more important than the degree I obtained from the university itself. I aim to help people not necessarily only enter Oxford University but stay there. A lot of my experience in the university and a lot of my hard days were comforted by my friends, my community, and the recourses I had, and so the fund is not focusing on academia but padding and cushioning, helping people pay for rent or fly back home or buy a winter coat, these things also matter. I’m hoping that the fund will allow particularly Africans and others from my continent to feel more at home in the hallowed Oxford halls.
Having worked with some of the biggest names on the planet, having access to so much money, and living in a London penthouse life must be, let’s say, different for you. How do you manage to keep grounded with so much success?
I’ve gone through a journey through my life that has led me to realise the importance of contentment. Look there will always be someone with more than what we have but the one thing we can control is our own happiness and inner peace, and now at 31 that is my main priority. I have also been able to commit to my faith as a Christian which has also helped me a lot recently… and yes before you ask, I do have a pink Bible.
What advice would you offer to someone who has a gift but no straightforward avenue for success?
I would offer someone who has a gift to nurture the gift first. It’s so important to have talent that can be nurtured, I think everyone has talent but it’s what we develop those talents into… You also have to be smart. It’s not just about working hard it’s about working smart. Look at the environment and the marketplace – are you bringing something different to the table? Is there a demand for your services? These things will help shape a sustainable brand, business, or service. I also constantly have to make changes and we have to be adaptive to our environment.
To give this interview a timestamp, what would you like to achieve in the next 12 months?
In the next 12 months, I owe my fans new music, it’s coming up to four years since my debut album Original Cuppy and I feel obliged to serve a new creative experience and show new parts of me so wait for it
#ToCuppyThisTune
