Nigerian singer Oludipe David, popularly known as Spyro, has opened up about his difficult childhood, deep-rooted fear of failure, and how his father’s harsh words nearly crushed his confidence long before fame found him.
In a candid and emotional interview with veteran media personality Frank Edoho, the Who Is Your Guy crooner reflected on his early struggles, revealing that growing up under constant criticism left lasting psychological scars.
According to Spyro, his father’s strict approach to discipline often came with hurtful words that made him internalize a deep sense of inadequacy.
“I thought I was going to die broke,” Spyro confessed. “I always had this fear of failure. And my dad contributed to that. He took every opportunity he got to tell me that I was a failure.”
The singer explained that his father’s negative utterances affected his academic performance, leading to poor grades in secondary school. The trauma carried into his university years, where he constantly doubted his ability to complete his degree due to the fear of failure; a condition he described as atychiphobia.
Spyro revealed that the turning point came when he developed a personal relationship with God, which helped him rebuild his confidence and sense of purpose.
Before his big break in music, Spyro admitted he had nearly given up on his dreams. Struggling to make ends meet, he ventured into interior design as an alternative career path. But fate had other plans.
In 2022, his life changed dramatically after the release of Who Is Your Guy, a soulful anthem that resonated deeply with fans across Africa and beyond. The following year, the remix featuring Tiwa Savage became an even bigger hit, catapulting him to mainstream success.
The song went on to win Best Collaboration at the 16th Headies Awards (2023), cementing Spyro’s place among Nigeria’s top music stars.
Today, the singer says his journey is a testimony of grace, faith, and perseverance. From being told he would never amount to much to becoming one of Afrobeats’ most celebrated voices, Spyro’s story is a powerful reminder that failure doesn’t define destiny, faith and resilience do.
