“I Thought I Would Die Poor” — Spyro Opens Up on His Fear of Failure and Painful Childhood
Nigerian singer Oludipe David, popularly known as Spyro, has shared an emotional and deeply personal story about his journey from fear and self-doubt to success.
In a heartfelt conversation with veteran broadcaster Frank Edoho, the “Who Is Your Guy” crooner revealed that he once believed he would die poor — a belief rooted in his painful childhood experiences and the harsh words of his father.
According to Spyro, growing up wasn’t easy. His father was strict and often resorted to hurtful words while trying to discipline him. Those negative utterances, he said, deeply affected his self-esteem and made him believe he was destined to fail.
“I thought I was going to die broke. I always had this fear of failure. And my dad contributed to that. He took every opportunity he got to always tell me that I am a failure,” Spyro recalled.
The singer explained that the weight of those words followed him through his school years. He struggled with poor grades in secondary school and doubted his ability to finish university. The fear of failure — known as atychiphobia — nearly crippled his confidence.
Spyro also revealed that before his big break, he had given up on music entirely and switched to interior design in an attempt to survive. But things turned around when he strengthened his faith and rebuilt his confidence through a personal relationship with God.
His breakthrough came in 2022 with the hit single “Who Is Your Guy”, a song that quickly became a viral sensation. The remix featuring Tiwa Savage in 2023 not only solidified his place in the Nigerian music scene but also won Best Collaboration at the 16th Headies Awards.
💭 Opinion: Spyro’s Story Is a Powerful Reminder of the Weight Words Carry
Spyro’s story isn’t just another celebrity confession — it’s a mirror of what many young people go through silently. His honesty about fear, failure, and the scars of negative parenting opens up an important conversation about how words shape destinies.
Parents often believe they are “correcting” their children by being harsh, but in reality, many end up breaking the very spirit they’re trying to build. Spyro’s pain shows how damaging constant criticism can be — but also how healing faith, resilience, and self-belief can become.
It’s inspiring to see a man who once believed he was destined for poverty now standing as one of Nigeria’s celebrated stars. His journey from fear to faith and from self-doubt to stardom is proof that one’s past doesn’t define their future — mindset and perseverance do.
In a world where social media highlights only the success, Spyro’s honesty about his struggles makes him more relatable — and more powerful. He reminds us that every person battling inner fears can still rise above the voices that once told them they weren’t enough.
✨ Moral of the story: Your beginning doesn’t determine your becoming. Sometimes, the same fear that once held you back becomes the fuel that drives you to greatness.
