When we reached out to Abbeytee if he would be willing to do this interview, we weren't sure. It was quite random, we know him and like his content but we were not sure how open he would be to talking about himself.
But he was kind enough to indulge us.
Here's how the conversation went.
Enjoy!
rayscorner: Hi, Abbeytee, kindly let us in on your full Name, I'm sure a lot of people would love to know.
Abbeytee: My name is tolulope Mahmoud Abiodun.
rayscorner: So, your Instagram Bio says you are "a retired dancer", your profile doesn't imply that at all, so how retired are you.
Abbeytee: (Laughs out loud) Okay so let me talk about the genesis of that tag, "retired dancer".. So I'm not a professional dancer. I started dancing from a time when I watched the movie step up, I used the word retired dancer to conote that I don't do It professionally. So I just claim that the moves I drop now, are called pension moves.
rayscorner: Let's talk about business consulting... how is that going,?
Abbeytee: Yea. Business consulting is going well, I used to work in the bank, that opened me up to the world of presentation, I had the privilege of presenting to the board of the bank a couple of times, and it went well. Currently I'm a sales and business developer.
rayscorner: You also call yourself the Dancing MC, so I'm guessing you are Master of ceremony as well.
Abbeytee; Yea, I'm a master of ceremony, I call myself the dancing MC, "cos e no get many MC wey dey dance". (Says this jokingly, with a laugh)
rayscorner: Did you take any professional dance lessons/class
Abbeytee; No, I didn't. Every dance that I know, I probably saw someone do it and I tried to learn it.
rayscorner: So...with a growing fan base, how do you handle the female fan base. I'm sure your babe doesn't find that fun.
Abbeytee; first of all, I don't have a babe, I'm single, so I guess there's no one to offend yet. It's bound to happen, but at the moment I'm not open to a relationship, so, I just keep things neutral.
rayscorner: For people who would love for you to be their MC, at their event. How available are you.?
Abbeytee: well like I said earlier, I also work in a corporate world, so I'm not 100% available, but I get to do at least one event every month, sometimes 2, it depends. I mean a lot of people are getting married this season, so I guess more than usual.
rayscorner: Does dancing have enough potential to pay the bills, here in Nigeria/ Africa. For young people who love to dance..
Abbeytee: Well, (chuckles ) interesting, I would advice that you get a job, I've been doing this since 2012/13 and I've only recently started to get some worthwhile attention. So, when you get to a position when you are getting more income than the everyday job, then you can focus on dancing. I mean some people make a living from dancing, teaching dance. But you need to be sure that it works for YOU.
rayscorner: Tell us something that you know now, that you wish you knew then (years ago)
Abbeytee: Hmmmm, well, let me see. (Laugh) I wish I had been converting half my salary to dollars when I started earning. Imagine if I did that, I would have a Buckload of dollars, and with the rates going crazy, I'd be smiling to the bank.
rayscorner: Are you married or single?, let's break some hearts or give them hope....
Abbeytee: I'm single, I think I answered that already, but not searching. So no heart is broken, there's probably still hope for some people, no (laugh out loud) for someone, point of correction
rayscorner: what's a typical day in your life, like?
Abbeytee: Well a typical day in my life, has me in front of my laptop. I end up dancing, usually at night. Or if I went out and decided to stop by the gym.
rayscorner: What's your philosophy of life
Abbeytee: Do unto others, what you want them to do to you.
rayscorner: What makes you happy or breaks your heart.
Abbeytee: Well, I'm a Christian, so the hope of eternal life, makes me happy, and I'm not very given to emotional circumstances, so I wouldn't say many things break my heart. But seeing less privileged kids, being aware of the privileges I have, can seem to break my heart, but it also makes me thankful for whatever I have. People tend to focus on what they haven't gotten, forgetting there are things they have now, that they prayed for.
rayscorner: Finally, whats the best advice you ever got.
Abbeytee: (Tries to think) I can't really say right now, but i would say that, a lot of the decisions I make, a lot of mindset I have are framed from scripture, so the best advice i ever got probably came from the Bible.
rayscorner: wow, thank you so much Abbeytee, this has been a beautiful pleasure
