Nigerian singer Oludipe David, widely known as Spyro, has shared a deeply personal story about battling the fear of failure and how it shaped his journey before fame.
In a recent interview with media veteran Frank Edoho, the “Who Is Your Guy” hitmaker reflected on his difficult childhood, revealing that his father’s constant criticism left lasting emotional scars. According to Spyro, his father’s harsh words during his formative years made him internalize the belief that he would never amount to much.
“I thought I was going to die broke,” Spyro admitted. “I always had this fear of failure. And my dad contributed to that. He took every opportunity to tell me that I was a failure.”
The singer said his struggles began in secondary school, where he consistently performed poorly academically. The pattern continued into university, as he battled atychiphobia, the fear of failure, which made him question his ability to complete his degree.
Before finding success, Spyro nearly gave up on music altogether. He had begun exploring interior design as an alternative career path, uncertain whether his dream of making it in music would ever come true.
Everything changed in 2022 when his single “Who Is Your Guy” went viral, propelling him into the limelight. The remix featuring Tiwa Savage in 2023 cemented his status as one of Nigeria’s breakout stars.
The song’s success earned him the Best Collaboration Award at the 16th Headies Awards, marking a powerful turnaround for the artist who once thought he was destined to fail.
Spyro credited his transformation to developing a personal relationship with God, which helped him overcome his fears and rebuild his confidence.
Today, his story stands as a testament to resilience, faith, and the power of self-belief, even in the face of deep-seated doubt.
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