The annual 71-day popular reality show BBNaija for the year 2020 tagged ‘Lockdown Edition’ finally came to an end as Olamilekan Moshood Agbeleshie Laycon was crowned the winner.
Laycon whose win was an extraordinary success feat won the show a vote lead of 60%, which was followed up by the first runner up Dorathy who had 21.85%, Nengi 15.03%, Neo 1.94%, and Vee 1.18%.
The quick rise to fame and grab of victory wasn’t actually an easy move for the 26-year-old singer.
Olamilekan Laycon, a native of Bajuwon, Odeda in Ogun State was born and raised in Lagos on 8th November, 1994.
Having his early childhood on the streets of Lagos, it took him a lot of challenges before getting enrolled in the university of Lagos to study philosophy.
Aiming to set life’s scale balanced, he juggled through different side hustles all to make a living.
He started off his career as an intern for Latjum Global Nigeria, tried out being a sales and business development personnel, the personal assistant to the assistant director of welfare in administration, and human resources in Lagos State Ministry of Information and Strategy and also as a freelance writer.
Upon graduation from the University of Lagos in 2016, as a second-class upper degree graduate in Lagos, he decided to build a career in the music industry. Starting off with participation in the 2014 coke studio University of Lagos event, to coming out as one of the top ten finalists in the MTV base LSB challenge, Laycon is the real definition of HARDWORK and COMMITMENT.
His music career took a blossoming turn in 2019 as he got signed into Fierce Nation record label. He took a giant step with releasing his first track ‘Fierce’ which featured Chinko Ekun and Reminisce.
Ranging from falling off a rooftop while shooting his music video “I Lie” which was directed by Bj_Kinging, being snubbed in a music concert where he sang his first track ‘Fierce’, music hasn’t actually shown him its smiling face.
A Twitter User Danielle @miz_Daniella in her words perfectly captured a glimpse of the young champion’s life.
“Laycon exists for the talented but underachieving Lagos boy who wears cheap things and gets ignored by bourgie girls with expensive phones. He changes phone 4 times a year and has one really nice shoe. He’s always in betting shops during the weekend”.
Having to live without a father figure, his life story shouldn’t be expected to be as gratifying as any “Prince of Camelot” story.
Laycon’s father who was a policeman died a painful death, although the young chap tried as much as possible to keep his sad tales from public hearing as he wasn’t used to human pity and sympathy.
Dr. Olufunmilayo, popularly known on Twitter as @OurFavOnlineDoc shared a narration in this regard.
In his words; “Laycon’s dad is a policeman who died in a painful way but Laycon never exploited this fact
When asked about his mom, he chose to say nothing, just to protect her.
If Laycon ever cried on TV,
Or Tried to use sympathy like they say,
His fan base will be 30x bigger.
This is a fact”.
His journey through BBNaija began on the 19th of July 2020. His appearance on stage caused a lot of uproar on the internet, based on his size, looks to be compared to other housemates, and more significantly his light dress which some spectators regard as Christmas light.
The trolls from the public kept increasing as each day swept by. Taunts that he misses smoking SK, body shaming him, the fracas that ensued between him and a disqualified housemate, Erica Nlewedim, where she was seen pouring demeaning words on him, the young man had more rejections than appraisals coming at the beginning of the show.
Just as TVC connect analyzed in their show, “Rejection and Adversity when well channel can become a boost”.
Laycon as he said initially came to the show to promote his music, although he saw his dreams achieved he never knew he could become the man of the people, as to go home with the 85 million grand prize.
During his stay in the house, his music hit one million streams, and as of September 28, 2020, the toll increased to a massive 7 million streams.
His recent release ‘I am Laycon Ep ranks No.5 on Apple music Nigeria top albums chart and the biggest Afrobeats playlist on Apple Music, sitting at No. 17 on the Ghanaian Apple music chart album.
The moment the final announcement of the Reality show was made by its host, Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, seeing Laycon as the winner of BBNaija Season 5 lockdown edition, many Nigerians and as well Icons (Laycon’s fans as they are popularly called) took to their social media handles to celebrate him, as some were also seen sharing gifts, drinks, and food on the streets of Nigeria.
Celebrities also joined the train of celebration. Celebrities like; Ex BBNaija winner Mercy Eke, Popular Comedian Ay, Nigerian Singer Davido who made it all comical as he was heard telling Laycon to give him money, down to the Vice president of Nigeria, Yemi Osibanjo, who made a recap of him vibing to Laycon’s track “Fierce” over the week.
Truly, Ayo Makun AY, described it perfectly as Laycon’s journey was that of grace.
“In a fallen world, populated by selfish, lost, fearful, and rebellious people, GRACE reaches you where you are and takes you where God wants you to be. It has the power to do something that nothing else can do. It can find and transfer you just like Laycon. Pray For Grace.
The Entire Breakdown winnings of Laycon so far are as follows;
- Dubai Trip For 2
- 2 Bedroom Apartment
- 30 million naira cash prize
- 10 million cash winning from games
- Champion league finals trip (Turkey)
- 1 year supply of Pepsi
- Branded Chiller
- Oppo Phone
- Innoson SUV
- Trip to Dublin
- An invitation from Piggy Vest
- A scholarship from Tekadia institute, USA to study mini MBA in their school as academic activities resume Feb 2021.
Laycon also serves as one of the most behaved housemate in the record of BBNaija, with no record of fights or banter with any fellow in the house.
Chisom Nnachi