-Fya-Kin-

What or who were some of the people who influenced you to become an entertainer?

Well, it wasn’t any one person. My eldest brother was the only person who influenced me in becoming
an entertainer. He is a DJ, and he has a sound name, ‘Levity Disco’. He played the keyboard, and he was
also a rapper, and he tuned me into that music vibe. Being around him and seeing how he does his work
was very inspiring for me. He taught me how to write music. It started there, and always around him, I
was exposed to that musical environment that made me want to become a successful entertainer.

Being that your brother was your influence in becoming an entertainer, you stated that he is a DJ. How did
You find your niche, knowing that singing would be your calling?

Well, I am multifaceted. I do a little of everything. SO yes, singing is mainly what I do, but I also do some
rapping. If you listen to certain songs like “Mek dem Talk” and “Man a Warrior,” you can get an idea of what I
do some rapping on those songs. So, I do a mix of djing and singing.

Who were some of your musical influences?

Wow, I’ve had some many, but to name a couple. I like Black Uhuru, Mighty Diamonds, Bob Marley,
Junior Gong, Buju, Sizzla. There are so many.
Was there a particular artist who you felt was an inspiration as far as the message that they were sending
through their music? Well, if I had to choose an artist for inspiration. I would have to
say Sizzla. He opened my eyes to music. I listened to a lot of his music for enlightenment and upliftment.
His music was very positive, and he sang about the realities of the world. So his music and his message
through his music were an inspiration to me.

How would you describe the difference between Fya on and off stage?

When I am off stage, I am Nicholas Levy, and I am a very jovial and easy-going person. When I am on
stage, FyaKin is a no-nonsense kind of person. I am focused on what I am doing, which is getting the
work done and sending my message to the people.

You have done a lot of songs through the years, such as “Free the Rasta”, “Mek Dem Talk”, and a few
others. Who were some of the producers that you worked with?

Yeah, well, I worked with Penthouse, Donavon Germane, Aleader Records, and Wyatt Music. I worked
with a variety of producers, internationally and locally.

I am sure your fans are eager to see an album from FyaKin. Is there an album coming soon?

I have a couple of mixed tapes out right now, “FyaKin Sample” and “Eva Blazin” mixtape, so the fans can go
out and get those, but I have a new single out, “Journey,” which will be on the upcoming album. I am
currently working on my debut album, but around March/ April, I will release an EP with a sneak preview.

That’s good news for a lot of your fans, I’m sure. Will your album be self-titled?

No, the title as of right now will be “Words of Wisdom.”

Who are some of the producers that you are working with on the upcoming album, and will there be
Any collaborations?

I am working with Dialectic Production, LMR Pro, and a few more producers. I did a collaboration with an
upcoming artist Ineekz, on a song titled “It’s over.” I will also have Ky-mani Marley on the album. We did
a couple of songs together, “Life of a Gangsta” and “Bad Mind and Envy.”

Who are some artists that you would like to work with for the new album?

Right now, Tarrus Riley and Sizzla are the ones I’d love to work with.

‘Nyle Banks Music’ is the name of your record label that you started a little over a year ago. What
was the idea behind that, and why did you decide that you wanted to have a label of your own?

One of the reasons that I decided to create a label of my own is because I love the idea of producing my
work and getting it out in a timely manner, as well as I wanted the opportunity to bring availability for
other artists. It’s a great feeling to have your own and to have the freedom to do as I like with what I
have created. One of the biggest issues is working with some labels /producers, and you have to work
off of their time, which can take up to a year and sometimes more. It would be a very inconvenient thing
to do all this work to just have your tracks shelved. I don’t want producers sitting on my record that
could be playing on the radio, so I did what was best for me. Also producing is a thing that I like, so I
took the opportunity to create my own, and that’s how Nyle Banks Music was created.

How would you describe the current state of the reggae industry?

There are so many things I could say, but as for where it is right now, it could be way better. The main
thing is holding Reggae in a secluded corner, and right now, this powerful music that can talk to you
about everything in life is not where it could be. “From flossing down to the bucket.” Reggae music
right now needs to have some type of stability, but it doesn’t. Most artists have been robbed by the
business. We definitely need more infrastructure. We need an organized team of people to bring more
representation for the artists. Most artists are not educated about the industry as they should be.
The basics, such as writing a song and getting it copyrighted, are not happening. Then you have some of
these producers who are criminals because they take such a huge percentage from a song that they
contributed nothing to. But again, because some artists have no idea of the industry basics, they get nothing. Then everyone is Crab in a Barrel fighting against each other because the producers
took all the money, and everyone needs a piece a food. I truly believe that there are too many Rappers
in Reggae. Reggae Music needs a firm and solid foundation. We need to have reps all over the world,
like any other genre of music. Truthfully, Reggae music is the only music where people “Teef piece of it
and gone and have awards and with no contribution.” Then the authentic Reggae Musicians are
suffering. No one in Reggae Music is making even half of what some people who are not even authentic
Reggae Musicians make.

What inspires you when you write your music, and how do you keep it so authentic, though the music
constantly changes?

My inspirations come from day-to-day activities in my life. Life experiences, sitting down talking to
others, and their experiences as well. I stay in my zone and try expressing myself in a way that is not
too different from what my fans are familiar with. I taught myself how to play the guitar, am learning to
play the piano now, and I play the congas. So I always stay authentic in trying to master my craft.
Everything is a learning process. So, even if it’s Rap or R&B, I’m still going to remain authentic to who
Fyakin is.

Any last messages for your fans?

I have a few singles to be released like “Right Those Wrongs”, “Inna Di Streets,” “Dangerous (dancehall
hardcore oleskool vibe), and “Something For You” released by Nyle Banks Music for the ladies.

@realfyakin twitter/youtube
@fyakinmusic IG
@fyakin blazing FB
http://www.fyakin.com