Nigerian singer Oludipe David, popularly known as Spyro, has shared a deeply personal story about his long battle with the fear of failure and how his father’s harsh words affected his self-esteem growing up.
Speaking in an interview with veteran media personality Frank Edoho, Spyro revealed that his father’s frequent negative remarks made him believe he was “a failure,” leaving lasting emotional scars.
“He took every opportunity he got to always tell me that I am a failure,” Spyro recalled.
“I thought I was going to die broke. I always had this fear of failure, and my dad contributed to that.”
The singer said the emotional impact of his childhood led to poor academic performance in secondary school and self-doubt when he gained admission into university, describing how atychiphobia (fear of failure) shaped his mindset.
Spyro added that his healing and transformation began when he developed a personal relationship with God, which helped him overcome his fears and regain confidence in his purpose.
Before his breakthrough, the “Who Is Your Guy” crooner said he was on the verge of giving up on music and had already ventured into interior design as an alternative career path.
His life changed dramatically after the release of “Who Is Your Guy” in 2022, a song that went viral across Nigeria and beyond. The remix featuring Tiwa Savage in 2023 further solidified his status as one of Afrobeats’ rising stars.
Later that year, the hit song earned Best Collaboration at the 16th Headies Awards, marking a powerful turnaround in Spyro’s once uncertain journey.
