Veteran Nollywood actor and filmmaker, Yemi Ayebo, widely known by his popular stage name Yemi My Lover, has expressed disappointment over how Nigerian music icon Olamide treated him after using his name in one of his songs.
In a recent interview, the seasoned actor shared that despite being referenced by popular musicians like Davido and Olamide, as well as several skit makers, he has never received any form of appreciation or recognition from them. According to him, his name has been turned into a trend, yet no one has made any effort to thank or reward him.
“My name is blessed by God, that’s why both Davido, Olamide and others including skit makers are using it,” Yemi said during the interview.
The former film star, whose romantic films in the early 2000s earned him wide popularity, recounted how he tried reaching out to Olamide after hearing his name in a song. He said that Fuji musician Pasuma was the one who first asked if he had been appreciated by Olamide for the mention.
Yemi explained, “Pasuma said Yemo did Olamide settle you for singing with your name? And I told him no, I have never even seen him before not to talk of him settling me. We don’t have each other’s contact. And immediately Pasuma picked up his phone and called him that I came to report him.”
He noted that the call was the first time he ever spoke to the popular rapper.
“Olamide told Pasuma to give me the phone so he could speak with me. That was the first time we spoke and he told me to collect his number from Pasuma and call him. Pasuma gave me his number and I called Olamide for more than six months, he didn’t pick my calls, I messaged him and he didn’t reply.”
Yemi expressed sadness over the experience, saying that being ignored by someone he looked up to left him disappointed. According to him, his legacy is being used for entertainment, but no one cares to involve him or check on his wellbeing. He noted that he doesn’t want anything huge, but a little acknowledgment would have gone a long way.
