How to make best use of your skills as an up and coming Artist in Nigeria – Dmex Rayne

Let’s get to meet you. Tell us about yourself and your background

My name is Dominic Isioma Olije A.K.A Dmex Rayne, I’m a musical artist (According to Google).
I am a Nigerian from Delta State.I am the first of 4 children of my parents and I started showing interest in music at a very young age say about 10-11.
The first time I sang to a crowd was in secondary school at age 14, I did a cover of Micheal Jackson’s “We are the world”, I reworked on the Lyrics
Cos I was singing it in church.

What inspired you into Music? How has the journey been so far?
I was inspired by how music made people feel, my Dad always played music through the stereo at home, my Mum always sang, and I could see and feel the expression on their faces when they listened or sang those songs… I wanted to give people that too.
It’s not been an easy journey so far, nothing good usually is.

Can you tell us about the hurdles you faced in the beginning, how were you able to overcome them and how has it shaped your career path.
I started recording songs around 2015, I worked on a song called “Chante”, I was in the University at this time, this song took me out of Abraka to perform at concerts in Warri with people like Paperboy Erigga, but I later took a break, the music wasn’t paying even though I enjoyed doing it.
I remember vividly, I had a serious exam, and a week before the exam I was performing at a fashion show in Warri, Thank God I didn’t fail.
Music has always been a thing of Joy for me.

What would you aspire to achieve at the apex of your career as a musician?
I know I work hard and I take my time to write my songs, I won’t put myself in a box saying I want to achieve this or that, but I will get everything I deserve,
I will put smile on the face of people through my songs, I will never be forgotten as my the name Dmex Rayne will be inked in the sand of time, I will be someone many great artist would want to work with, and they will enjoy working with me.

Nigeria is blessed with a lot of talented artist and producers with international recognitions, What kind of role do you think they should play in mentoring up and coming artist and growing the industry.

I think they should be more giving, many of us up and coming artist just know how to sing, most of us don’t know the business involved and how to go about ensuring our music pay us. I have seen good artiste who have songs and don’t even know what a DSP is in terms of song distribution.
Everything is expensive but no one will complain if their good music is paying them. May God help all of us

Who are the artist local and international that influenced your style of music? If you could do a performance with someone, who would it be?

International: Micheal Jackson, one can hear a bit of it in my song “Bad Influence” off my EP “I am Dmex Rayne”..
Every Nigerian Artiste is an inspiration to me, because all are very talented. I can’t even begin to mention names, it’s plenty.

For performance, it’s Mr Eazi and Don Jazzy.

Asides Music, do you have other interest in the value chain of entertainment that you might want to explore in future.
I don’t know for now.

What should your fans, Nigerians and the rest of the world expect from you in the nearest future?
Greatness and Great work, I will never disappoint.

Can you share your highest and lowest career experience so far?
Lowest: The year is 2015, I was asked to perform “Chante” at a school (University) function, I was made to perform last, so I can wrap up the event.
At this time, I was called “Dmex”… so, I started to sing and a few seconds into the song, it started to rain heavily, it’s like they sent the rain.

It was so heavy it destroyed the amplifier and people fled the event, leaving me in the middle with a mic in hand, yes it was an outdoor event.

This was why I added “Rayne” to my name, for some reasons, I don’t want to forget this experience.

Highest so far: Fast Forward to 2022, I had just released my EP, and my management team told me to come to a nightclub to sing, I had just attended and event and I just wanted to drive home cos I was tired, but I decided to go to this night club, 
Someone was celebrating their birthday and so I decided to perform 2 songs off my EP, “I Pray” and “Suga”, this was this first time these people would be hearing my songs, and it rained Nairas that day, they sprayed so much money on me for doing what I love to do.

The songs had an effect.
The next day, the money came to me, and I shared everything with my crew, I took nothing… And I was happy doing this.