I AM A DESIGNER FREAK

She stormed the Nigerian music scene with glamour and panache a few years ago and ever since, Goldie is fast turning into a style icon in the industry. In this interview with SPECTRUM, she speaks on the secrets of her fashion and style sense as well as her foray into music.
What’s been happening to Goldie?
Goldie has been very busy working on her forthcoming Duchess album and a new clothing line.
You once resided in the UK. Why did you decide to return home?
UK was a place for me to study and experience life outside the shores of this country. It was a good experience and I felt I could come back to Nigeria to bring a bit of that knowledge and experience and put it to good use here, making money while impacting people’s lives positively of course.
Why music?
Music is a passion for me. The fact that you can express yourself while still creating sounds that can evoke all sorts of emotion in people is still a marvel to me. Music, like football can end all wars and create world peace. I would like to be around when that happens.
How did you get into music?
I started by forming a mini-band with a couple of my girls in the UK whilst in school and I developed a passion for it. I am into song writing and music production, and when I got back to Lagos, I hooked up with a local producer for a laugh, ended up doing a couple of demo tracks which eventually wound up on OJB’s plate and the rest as they say, is history.
What kind of music do you do?
I am a pop artiste. My sound is very Euro-Pop’
Any album yet?
I had a limited edition album release in 2007 November, which was just a compilation of disposable pop works that I had worked on up till that point. Nothing really major; but my full album will be out by third quarter of the year, God willing.
Who are your musical influences?
I listen to all kind of music. I don’t limit myself to just one genre. Reggae, hip-hop, country, rock, juju, fuji, R ‘n’ B, soul, etc. If music is good, it is good. That being said though, I will say Michael Jackson, Kylie and the one and only material girl, Madonna, influences me more than the rest; though these days I have kind of taken to Jay Z a lot too.
You are thought to be very rich. Aside music, do you do any other business?
Ehhhmmm!!! Right now, it’s all about the music for me. It is a 24 hour job that leaves little room for much. Even personal relationships suffer when you are trying to build a musical career. I used to be into mini events though and gift packaging. I laugh out loud at the notion that I am very rich. Oprah is rich, Bill Gates is rich. I am just trying to make a buck. Hopefully one day, we will get there with hard work and perseverance.
What was growing up like?
I had a fairly strict upbringing. I wasn’t allowed to wear jeans, shorts or make my hair till I finished secondary school. I wasn’t allowed to make friends or attend parties, and also being the first child of my parents, they ensured that all the discipline was thrust upon me, so I could be a good example to my younger ones. So I will have to say, from a childhood kind of perspective, it wasn’t much fun till I got into the university but I have started having my fun now.
Your educational background?
Greensprings Montessori School, Anthony Village, St. Johns College, Palmgrove, and University of Sunderland UK. I have a BA in Business Management.
Your memorable campus experiences.
Everyday was a marvel you know. Meeting with different students from diverse cultures kind of taught me how to relate with people better, plus you learnt something new everyday. There is this particular night that will always stick in my memory. It was a student get-together party, for the “newbies”. It was snowing that night and we ended up going out in the snow in groups and trying to see what ‘team’ could build the bigger snow man in the shortest possible time. Looking back now, I realize it didn’t make any sense, but it was a lot of fun and I will gladly go back in time just to re-live that moment; that night.
What is style to you?
Style should be effortless. It doesn’t have to come from the pages of a magazine. It should be unique to self. Understated yet glamorous, classic yet modern, sexy yet comfortable.
Your beauty routine.
Facial scrubs everyday; facial mask once a week; exfoliating body gels every other day; a light foundation for my face; bronzer if necessary; a light eye shadow and lip gloss when not working or during the day. Cleansing wipes and toner at night before I go to bed.
Your favourite beauty products.
Channel Body Mist, Dior Liquid Foundation, Garnier Cleansing Wipes, L’oreal Duo Mascara, Helena Rubenstein, Bronzing Powder, La Senza Eye Glitter Gel and any Lancome Lip Gloss will do.
Your favourite fashion items and accessories.
I love ruffles, pearls, satin and anything with lace. I am very victorian at heart, but my favourite accessories are shoes. God, I don’t joke with shoes. I could absolutely perish in a shoe shop - shoes and rings. Rings with coloured precious stones.
What are the beauty products you can’t do without?
My Femfresh Intimate Spray, my Channel Body Mist, my Dior Foundation and my Exfoliating Gels... I smell good, my skin is smooth, my skin tone is evened out. I am good to go.
What about your signature perfumes?
My Channel No5 and Hermes scents. The undertones work well with my natural skin smell to give off a nice pleasant smell that lasts and lasts on my skin. Many other scents I have tried don’t seem to last as long; I think. I also recently started taking to Victor and Rolf too.
Fashion item you can never be caught dead in?
Ehhhmmm!!! Not sure really. I like to be comfortable, so maybe a too tight pair of skinny jeans won’t work. You would never catch me dead in a gown or dress that doesn’t accentuate one curve or the other, and YES!!! Horrible looking boots that only go halfway up your legs. YUCK!!!
Are you into labels and who are your favourite designers?
I like Prada shoes, Dolce and Gabbana Jeans, Gucci and Fendi belts and as for bags, anything that can hold all my junk. There are these shoes by this designer; he’s late now, Alexander Mcqueen Armadillo, I think they are called? I would like to get myself a pair of them oh! And yes, I love Karen Millen dresses, most of my dresses are by Karen.
How do you unwind, and what are your hobbies?
I love cooking, cooking and cooking. Walking round the estate with my poodles; sitting down and having a chat with friends over a cocktail or a glass of wine; chilling to watch a movie either at home or at the cinema and just generally catching up with the latest gist. You know, what’s up with family and so on. Oh! And I enjoy walking in the rain, very exhilarating.
Favourite colours.
I love warm colours. Green, red, gold, some shades of blue, purple and black on days I feel particularly fat.
So how did you come about the name, Goldie?
It is a nickname given to me by friends when I was in the UK because of my skin. I am actually an albino with red hair, but I like to think it’s because I have a heart of gold.
What inspires you?
I am inspired by our relationships with each other as human beings. How our culture and upbringing define us and who we eventually become. Love, life, passion, emotion and feelings.

EXPECT MY HAIR MAGAZINE SOON

Not too long ago, Azeezat was the top female music artiste in Nigeria. Suddenly, she disappeared from the mainstream without a trace. As she explains to SPECTRUM, she took the break to refresh herself and music. She is back now and intends to reclaim her ‘throne’ .
You took a long break from the music industry. Why?
Well, I had a lot of work to do, because the music industry itself has changed over time, and there’s a lot of work to be done in order to continue to be the pacesetter that I am known to be. I have a lot of other things I’m doing apart from music. And of course, when you are doing things not related to music, people feel that you took a break. But I am back now and I am almost ready with my third album and some other projects.
You said you want to remain musically relevant, yet you’re doing other things with music. Because of these other things, you won’t have enough time for music, right?
No. It is known the world over that artistes take breaks in order to refresh. What I said was that I had to take some time to do some work. As I was doing them, I was doing my homework, musically. Some artistes in US even announce their resignation, only for them to come back with an album. Resignation or whatever, you take breaks to refresh.
How long was your break?
Well, it is people that will tell me that one because sometimes, what I call a break, is not what they call a break. Once our people continue to see your face on TV, that is not a break. Even during my break, I was still attending interviews and all that. Sometimes, some people will give it a time-frame. But why people will call mine a break was because there was a time that I was really in your face, and during that time, it was like I was almost the only female act. There were very, very few strong female acts, and some people even say that I was like the only female act. So, I was attending interviews back-to-back. In short, there were some programmes that kept on calling me, and at a point, I had to tell them ‘nooooo’ because I didn’t want to turn to pure water and all that. From that time, people would say I took a break. One thing people don’t understand is that the music industry itself is very multifaceted. To some people, being in the industry is being on TV, on radio, in the papers or on the internet. But there are some other business parts, and I know a lot about them because I have been in the industry for so long. I know so much about all the industry’s different sides so I know if you allow a part to suffer, you will pay for it. So sometimes, if I am not in your face on TV or the papers, I am taking care of some of the other sides of the business. I think to a large extent that’s why some people still tell me that I am one of the strongest till date. Even with all the breaks and all the mega cheddar being made by the new breed, some people still feel I am one of the strongest because I take care of all the sides of the business.
Tell us some of those other things you do in music apart from singing, songwriting and performing which we know you for and also what you do outside music.
Singing, songwriting ... okay, I do live band performances.
That’s still performing. Do you produce or manage artistes? What are those other things you do in the music industry?
That’s what I’m saying. I do live band, which is performance but it is not performance. It is that kind of thing you do back-to-back. You can have three shows a week, and you can be booked for like six months, and people will tell you you are on break because you are not on TV or radio. You are performing at weddings, house warmings, at a joint. So I do that and I love it because it’s totally different from miming to your soundtrack.
Are you trying to say that you are packaging Azeezat for live band performances only?
No. No. There are a lot of things in live band performances that make you a stronger artiste. However, depending on the promoters, I will continue to perform live or miming.
What are the things you do outside music?
Also in music, I do presentation, MC, stuff like that. Outside music, I’m into tourism. I had a programme called Weekend With Azeezat on Takwa Bay. It promoted Takwa Bay as a tourist destination, and generally lending my voice to the beauty of Nigeria as a tourist destination, you know, I had that for a while. And there are some other things under my belt that I am not ready to disclose yet. But I am about to publish my magazine. It is called Sunflower Hairvolution. It is the first bonafide hair magazine in Nigeria. I have been working on it for about two years now and we are now ready. By mid-June at most, it should be in the market.
Is it going to be a monthly, a glossy, how many pages will it be?
There’s a monthly that’s a free insert in Acada youth magazine, then a glossy quarterly. And of course, we have other things that key into it because Sunflower Hairvolution is not just a magazine. It is TV and events too. One of our events will be Hairvolution Night Of A Thousand Girls.
A thousand girls as spectators or performers at the event?
Next question. As long as you know that when you get there, what you going to see is a thousand girls with different great hairstyles.
When is it coming up?
Soon. But what I am really concentrating on now is the magazine’s release.
How prepared are you for the stress and every other factor associated with being a publisher in Nigeria?
Azeezat is a trained journalist. I studied Mass Communication at Moshood Abiola Polytechnic. I have also, before I came into music, worked in different parts of the media, so I know what it takes, and that’s why it is taking me so long to fulfill it because I had to do my research. In short, before then, I was waiting endlessly for someone to fill up the vacuum because hair is so big yet there is no single full magazine for hair in Nigeria; unlike in other parts of the world. I was waiting. I thought someone would do it, and when nobody did, I decided to. And of course, you know that I am known for my hair, so I always say ‘who better should write and talk about hair than Azeezat’.
You are going to be a big-time publisher, events’ person and still a singer. Will all these irons in the fire allow you create good music?
Well, creating music is not something you can force. I grew up in an era of great music that nurtured me, so I know all it takes is a great song to do wonders for your music career. And it doesn’t have to be written by me. We have fantastic songwriters in Nigeria. Even in this my current album, Lovers Club, most of the songs...in fact, I didn’t want to have anything written by me on the album. The one song on it that is written by me was by accident. We have fantastic songwriters who are ‘jonesing.’ I am someone who is passionate about encouraging people, lending my voice and lending my energy to people’s growth. So why should they continue to jones and I will also be jonesing; because once you cannot have a great song, that’s the end of you. So, let’s rub our backs, you know. It won’t disturb my creation, and then when a great song comes to me too, why not?
You just said yourself that you collaborated with a lot of songwriters. Nigeria is a country where we have a lot of copyright issues, accusations flying around, Baba Nee to 9ice, ‘you stole my song’, the same thing of Komoblastic to Tuface. So what sort of agreement do you have with these songwriters so that in future, we won’t have, ‘Azeezat, you stole my song’?
Well, things like that, you cannot avoid. Let’s be honest...
Did you sign agreements with them?
Yes, I did.
Did you pay them for their songs?
We have arrangements. Honestly, earlier in my career, it was something I was really avoiding because I am somebody who likes to avoid scandals and all that. But after a while, I discovered that it is not something you can totally do without. I am being honest with you. The truth is this, most of the greatest songs in this life do not get published. The greatest songs die in the studio. It is a great loss to the music industry, a great loss to the souls of the people that those songs would heal. So, I kept on saying no, no, your song, leave it, don’t worry, you know, that sort of thing, and it is unfair, to even the songs themselves. Songs have a spirit. They have a soul, and you do not allow them to live because somebody somewhere is being selfish. Somebody, somewhere is being myopic. If you are out there and you are reading this, oh boy, I see a great song, I do not care ... it’s not like, yeah, I’m still a honourable person, to the glory of God. I am still someone who tries as much as possible to avoid scandal, but there is a particular person, a song style that I am already known for, and a particular person is telling me bull about it, and I am saying once I am ready for that song, I don’t care what is going to happen. The worst that will happen is that I will do the song, the world will be happy that that song I gave it to them and then we can go to the court and settle it. It is the truth.
When will Lovers Club hit the market?
I have some collabos I have to still do before I can release it. The album is ready, but sometimes, if you don’t do these collabos ... anything, anything, anything. I have a great song I am taking from someone. It’s his song o, and he said abeg, at least feature me inside. And he is not based in Lagos so I am waiting for him to come back. And also some heavyweight collaborations. Keep your fingers crossed. You know me, my fans, that Azeezat is always particular about the sort of songs she dishes out to you. They are always songs you love, songs that inspire you, that add value to you, that is why I am taking my time.
You have had a lot of performances. Which is your greatest so far?
Like I told you, I love live band performances. And I know that I have had a lot of great ones.
But some will tell you it is when they performed for the president, or to 140,000 people at Maracana Stadium in Rio De Janeiro. You don’t have a unique one like that?
OK. I have had a lot of great performances, but I think I remember when I opened for Femi Kuti at the first-ever MTN Y’ellofest. But to me, the performance that is really embedded in my heart is the one that I had Goethe Institute and I had Ambassador Olusola bless me. I have it on tape and every time I look at it, I feel like ‘yeah’.
Coming into the industry many years ago, what did you actually want to achieve?
Greatness. Greatnesses has forms, classes and levels, but greatness.
So which level of greatness? All the way or to a certain extent?
Even the people that want to go halfway will not tell you that they want to go halfway. Some people will tell you that I want to go all the way, and of course, by the time your belly starts singing from hunger, you will settle for less. But I think I have paid enough dues to go all the way.
How soon do you then think you will achieve that greatness which you have in your mind that only you can envisage?
I don’t know.
What is your take on why female artistes are finding it difficult to be successful here, unlike in America and Europe?
Well, honestly, even in America and Europe, if you still calculate the percentage of female artistes compared to their male counterparts, you will still know that the males are higher. I am a die-hard fan of Naija, and I don’t like it when people bring Naija down, comparing it to US and UK and saying one thing, one thing, nahhh. As it happens here, it happens there. It is just that the scale could be higher. Number one, I wouldn’t say females don’t have a voice, compared to then. We have a voice now, strong voices that are heard. Omawunmi, Waje, and this babe that I’m feeling in recent times, Ibiyemi. She makes me want to write a new song. So, we have a platform. We are being heard. It could be better, because some girls allow us to be labeled as wack. I am not being judgmental, but they don’t do their homework well before coming out.
Do you agree that you are making a comeback?
Comeback? OK, I agree, I agree.
How easy do you think it will be? Will all these new girls now just buckle over and say Azeezat is back, make way?
Lai-lai, nobody dey do that kain thing now. They will hold the thing in their hand, and they will tell you, ‘yes ma, yes ma’, but the thing, dem no go let am go. Honestly, everything in life is not easy. And I, particularly, did not expect that somebody is just going to hand it over to me. I think the reason that I have gone as far as I have gone is because I didn’t wait for anyone to hand it over to me. It is been a long time coming. I mean, this my project didn’t start today. That is also how you will know it is not been easy. It is not something I just stood up one day and said I am going to come back and then I just entered and then I am back. No. Comebacks are not easy. Dynamics have changed and stuff, so you also have to like, school yourself to be able to fit into the new system. The first thing I asked myself about this project when I decided on it was ‘do I have what it takes?’ And I thought it out that I have what it takes. So I said to myself, ‘Azeezat, forget that you ever had a name, so that it won’t be that it’s your name you want to ride on’. I cleaned up my slate and started and God has been merciful to me. He has helped my return tremendously. I thank Him for that.
You know the industry very well, the way the wind blows in it. And you have a new video on air. Since you released the video, has it brought more opportunity your way?
One thing I know is that at least it has convinced some people that I have not left. What I did with this video is to say ‘I am still here’. You will be amazed that some people out there do not remember, do not know who you are.
How did you discover your music talent?
I didn’t discover music. I started by writing songs. A s a matter of fact, by the time I was 13, I was already a published writer. I wrote poems and songs and got published by Lagos Horizon. After then, I had cousins coming around and we were trying to entertain ourselves and we started by singing popular songs, then I think it was a Pepsi, 7-Up or Coca-Cola advert, and every time I sang it, my cousins were like ‘she’s the winner.’ That was how, gradually, the knowledge of my talent came to me.
How did you then encourage yourself to go into music? How was the journey to music success?
The journey between when I discovered my talent and Nigeria discovered me was a very long one. Then, I was in secondary school and I started doing small, small literary and debating performances. In higher institution, I joined a group, West Coast Family, and we did a lot of campus and club shows until we broke up after which there was a kind of long break. During that long break, I did a lot of research and grooming for myself by rescoring international songs and trying to fit my voice into what I was hearing. A lot of other people were also giving advice that I was followed. That was in Abeokuta. Everybody was there and I even got a presentation stint with OGBC 2. Eventually, I told myself, if you have to do this thing, you have to do it with God. So I went into fasting and praying, and God did not answer my prayers until like two or three years after I came to Lagos. By chance, they told me Ayo Animashaun was organizing something. My neighbour was his client and Ayo came to his house and he told Ayo ‘this is the girl I’ve been telling you about’, so that’s how I got involved with Girls Nite Out which I did not win. I cried like a baby. I  met my manager and the professional journey started in earnest.

THE CURRENT BOY ALINCO IS NOT ORIGINAL

Humour merchant, Bayo Bankole, popularly known as Boy Alinco, needs no introduction in the Nigerian movie industry. For lovers of Papa Ajasco and Company, one of the leading Nigerian soap
opera, Alinco’s face is one that keeps them glued to the programme, all of the time. Since 1990 when he started acting, the Obafemi Awolowo University graduateof Dramatic Arts, had brought laughter into different homes of movie buffs. However,

his fame has since suffered a setback when he was dismissed from the Papa Ajasco crew some two years ago. He tells SPECTRUM all about the effect of this on his career, family and various issues bordering on the movie industry. Excerpts:
Can you tell us about yourself and your educational background?
I was born some years ago at Ebute-Meta, Lagos State, but I am from Ogun State. I grew up at Ebute-Meta. I had my primary school at African Church Bethlehem Ebute-Meta, Lagos. I later moved to St. Timothy College,Onike Iwaya, Yaba. Because my result was not good, I had to travel to Akure, Ondo State. I registered again at Oyemekun Grammar School and came out with a better result. I didn’t get admission into the university immediately. I enrolled at the Nigerian Railway Technical School, Loko, Ebute–Meta, studied Aviation Airconditioning for three years and worked briefly with Radio Nigeria before I eventually gained admission into Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife, where I studied Dramatic Arts.
Can you give us a picture of your childhood and its effect on your adulthood?
My childhood, to a large extent, has a great effect on my life as an adult. I grew up being very timid and under a very tough father. So, that made it very difficult for me to mix up. He also made it difficult for me to be what I loved to be. I love to be free. As old as I am now, I am still timid, I always find it difficult to express myself. I only react when I am pushed to the wall, but I thank God for my profession, it has helped so well at bringing me out from my shell and in expressing myself very well. For instance, I get emotional and passionate whenever there is a discussion on the situation in the country. I think my growing up has been a part of what contributed to my being emotional. I grew up with my grandparents who had so much feeling for anybody around them.
How have you been coping with the acting career all these years?
I have been coping well. You know life itself is all about struggle and the struggle of man begins at birth. So, since it is like that, man will continue to struggle for a living but God in his infinite mercies, will always make a way where there is no way. Even with the Papa Ajasco’s incident, God has been faithful. It might not be as expected, but I know that with time, things will take care of itself.
So what are you doing now?
I am still acting and I have been trying to do some projects on my own. It has not been easy because all boils down to money and this has not been flowing in as expected. Money to really get the project out is just what I’m working towards. I have two projects that I have done but in partnership with some people. I do talk shows and I still have a movie that I produced, which I am still discussing with the marketer. The title of the movie is Oloja Ere. It is a Yoruba movie, very soon, and by the grace of God, it will be out. There are still some other ones that I and some friends are working on.
What were you doing before you joined the Wale Adenuga’s crew?
I was acting. I started my career as a professional actor in 1990, and that was even before I went to school. The National Theatre, being at Ebute- Meta, is not far from my house, so, often times, if I don’t have anything doing at home, I would trek from my house at Ebute-Meta, down to the National Theatre. We were always there rehearsing, doing plays under the tree, group production, teach productions and from there we would go to Radio Nigeria to do some radio drama. We were not being paid, but we did it just for the passion we have for the job. We were always happy at the end of each production and that was how I got trapped in the business. Along the line, when Chalk Mike started the performance studio workshop, I was fortunate to be part of it from the beginning. So, I went for the auditioning. Chalk Mike,a Nigerian based in American, came around for the theatre workshop that started with seasons of plays. We started it together; that was in 1991 to 1992. I was part of the movie titled Eda which was a huge success. It was the success of Eda that led to the role I played in Owo Blow, a movie directed by Tade Ogidan which I will say was my first movie and the biggest. As fate would have it, the success of Owo Blow got me the role of Boy Alinco in Papa Ajasco. Then, Wale Adenuga was frantically searching for someone to play the role of Boy Alinco. I was then at Ile-Ife, but I used to come to Lagos every weekend for a soap opera production titled Magnet produced by Tayo Ogundipe. Tayo Ogundipe was with Niyi Oworola who produced Owo Blow.While together, Wale Adenuga discussed the issue and he was directed to look for me. Tayo Ogundipe told him I would be coming home during the weekend for recording. Wale Adenuga dropped his card for me, I went to see him and that was how I became Boy Alinco.
How would you compare yourself with the current Boy Alinco?
No, I have tried several times not to compare myself with anybody. I will say he is trying his best because he wouldn’t do beyond his ability. I have played the role for nine good years, so, I have been able to play the character then, in my own style. I guess he has been trying to study me for a very long time. But, I would have advised that he be allowed to create his own style and his own character. It would have helped him out. Even if he is doing the work perfectly well, he cannot be me and I can’t be him. I will say he has really tried compared to other characters that came in after the original characters left. It’s either they see him over reacting or they see him down playing. But I had a good impression of him the first time I saw him.
Do you have any regret having to leave the crew of Wale Adenuga?
Everything that comes a man’s way is predetermined. So, one does not really have to regret it. It is basically destined to happen and maybe that is the way God wants it. If I say I regret it and something good happens tomorrow and I’m back, how would it have sounded? Basically, I don’t want to say anything more than what I have said now because God knows best.
Did he not call you when he was calling others back?
He called only Papa Ajasco back. He did not call me.
What is your relationship with Wale Adenuga?
Before the incident, the relationship was that of an uncle or let me say Master and a servant,it was that of a mentor, because while I was there, I leanrt so much more even of the profession. Wale Adenuga is a man you will be with and you will gain a lot of knowledge. Whenever you are with him, he tells you what life is all about, things one needs to know about life. He opens up especially when there is a relationship between the two of you. He is very creative and he will always create out humour in every work to make the audience happy. Since the incident, we never had any encounter. It was just recently that we talked on phone.
And what was the discussion about?
It is personal.
Are you married?
Yes, I am married with two lovely children.
What got you attracted to your wife?
I can’t explain because she is precious, very precious to me. I can’t really fathom what got me attracted to her; words cannot explain it.
How would you compare Nollywood to Hollywood?
We cannot compare the two industries. The reason is simple. Hollywood has been there for many years. They have moved on gradually to where they are now. We all know they have gone far. Nollywood as our own industry is concerned, is building up gradually too. I know the time for our own revolution is now. The revolution will come and things will change for the better. The problem we are having now in the industry is greed, selfishness and not being passionate about the industry. The Americans are passionate about their industry; Hollywood is very passionate about their business which is one of the things that an actor must possess. Even in creating your character, you must have the passion. If an actor does not have passion for what he does, he would end up being stupid. Acting in itself, is stupid, it is crazy, it portends no meaning and when you go to the technical area, that is just what they want to see. They are not thinking of going beyond this thing. I was reading the interview of the Director of Genesis Cinema, where he said he would not allow local movies. I tell you these are people that are still owing their people. You see this guy is making a name for himself, Afolayan. He puts a lot of passion into his work, he’s not just doing it for doing sake, he’s not just doing it so that he will make N200, 000 as a profit, he is doing it so that he will have a name that will ring bell beyond the shores of Nigeria. This is exactly the way the Americans operate. Over there, the name is important to them. If the Americans are doing their films and their names are getting down here, who says we cannot get to that level. If the Indians are doing it and people cannot forget the names of their old actors, why can’t we also do the same, create a good standard and go beyond mere thought of money. The money comes after the production. In Nigeria, the Actors Guild’s issue is another thing, it is being run by buffoons, that do not know their right from their left.The directors are not creative and not passionate about their work, there are some good ones among them, some great directors that do perfect jobs, not those who don’t know their right from their left. They make do with what they have, they will neither create effects with their senses nor set particular colours for their artistes. Some of them are not trained, they just do whatever they like to make money. These are some of the problems we have in the industry. We really need a re-orientation. We need people that want to do business and people that have passion for the business. It is not as if in Hollywood they don’t do low budget movie. They do, it’s just that they are well organised. Nigerian population is enough for the industry. If the banks can come out and say they want to support the industry through corporate social responsibility, it will be good. At least, the producer will be happy and even the marketer will also be excited about the business.The problem we also have in the industry is that of no support from the government and well-meaning companies. The Actors Guild came up with several issues ranging from tribal to academic. This is one unique industry that accomodates more people everyday and allow their talents to work for them. There are the Igbos on one hand saying they have taken over the English movie on one side and the Yorubas fighting for ANTP on another side. There is again the problem of proliferation of association and others like that. Where is the voice? Who wants to talk to the government? Who wants to present the bill to the National Assembly? The Yoruba are on their own, so who is representing the industry. The Igbo will say they want to invest on their people and the same goes for the Yoruba too. The problem continues like that, no progress. The video clubs are also there recking their havoc. They will not buy the film because the video club is cheap and affordable. The producers are producing the film without thinking of what the audience will benefit from the film. Movies are everywhere in the market like Agege bread because everybody wants to be a producer. Nigerians prefer to sponsor football than investing on actors. The actor is taking okada; sometimes the actor will be seen in Mushin market. Tell me what value the actor have? But when the actors are placed well by the investors, that is when the actor can be valued. They cannot value your work when the actor is not valued. The actor does not need to go and package himself. It is what you package for the actor that determines what the actor gets. I want to live in Aja, Ikoyi and Lekki; somewhere that is secluded where I will come out and I will be appreciated. As an actor one will want to step into Shoprite and everybody will want to take your picture and try to find your secret. These are what really built Hollywood and that’s what we don’t have here in our country. It’s not all about sitting down at Winnies or at the National Theater where you see actors and actresses sitting without job. I pray and hope that someday we will get there.
How fulfilled are you with this job?
I am highly fulfilled.
What other plans do you have for your career?
I want to see myself on the top of a big movie dynasty. I want to sit on top of a conglomerate that deals with everything movie. I want to have the biggest studio. Going to people’s house to inconvenient them all in the name that we want to produce a movie is not always the best. Some producers will record on the street and everybody passing will be recorded. You go to Ikoyi to record and the man comes and says no, I don’t want and after recording he sees himself on the screen. The next thing is to go and sue the producer. We use the people’s house depriving them of their security. No citizen has ever thought of having a studio where everything can be done. If we want to record sometimes the generator will be making noise because there is no light. On Sunday morning, you can’t record because the churches are on service. But we can’t blame these people because that is the society for you. The actors too can create their own conducive society by looking at the Hollywood system while creating their films. 20th Century Fox studio is one of the biggest studios in the world. You go to India, they have their film village. Nobody is thinking of that in Nigeria. I must tell you the dream I have, and that is to be finacially strong enough to create a studio or cinema in all the states where recording and everything concerning production, can take place. Actors can go there, record their movies whether local or international ones.
What are the challenges you are facing in the industry?
Life has not been easy I must tell you the truth. I pray to get over it because so much is expected of me at this moment. It’s not really a regret, I left the Papa Ajasco’s crew when I was about to put one or two things together. But I know it is well. I know all these things do not really come easy and my prayer is that God will send me a supporter. Life itself has not been easy, the challenge now is getting that self realisation.
How do you handle your female admirers?
They come in their numbers but one must be very careful. If you want to act the way they come, it might be disastrous. One may lose his priority and living. The female admirers can make you and they can also destroy you. So, once they come, you give it to them at that moment. The street hug, lovely handshake, lovely smile and the winking eyes.
What’s your advice for the upcoming youths?
Education is the only key. Go to school before you join the movie industry, because it will help you a lot. Study a course, so that when they are talking you can raise your head high.

AS A TEENAGER I WAS DESCRIBED AS A PEACOCK

Fair complexioned Rachael Oniga is a household name in the Nigerian movie industry. She is one of the cross breed artistes in the industry having featured in many English and Yoruba movies. Beyond

this, this mother of three is a model and has featured in different television commercials. She spoke with SPECTRUM on her career and her eighteen years of single-parenthood among other things. Excerpts:
You seem to be a very private person. Why is that so?
I am a very private and homely person. That is not to say that I do not enjoy parties, but I select the type of parties and events I go to.
What then determines your choice of events?
It depends on the organisers, the type of people that will be there and may be if I happen to be chanced and it is a day I just want to make merry and enjoy.
What are the things you look out for in any movie that will make you take part in it?
The story is one of the things I look out for. Even if the script is poor, if the story is a good one that can be worked upon, I will accept it. I also look at the director of the film. If that director is one that I know and respect because he is good at the job, I will accept it because I know that once the director is good, he will do a proper casting without being sentimental about it. I do not like to find myself in a situation where either the director, the producer or the crew is sentimental and they tend to want to put somebody in the play or in a particular role because they have a relationship with him or her.
What motivated you into acting? Was it a childhood dream?
As a child, I thought I would end up a singer or dancer because I love to dance and sing a lot. I have always had a flair for showbiz and entertainment generally.
So, why did you not go into music or did you consider it as not being a lucrative one?
Not really. It is just that the opportunity did not just present itself. When acting came in, I opted for it. As a person, even as a child, I had a mind of my own even though my parents were very strict. But you know a door has to open for you to go into something. Even if you are destined to be into something, the door has to open first. The door for acting came and I entered it.
So, when did the door open for the acting career?
The door opened in 1993 and that was it.
Which was your very first job?
My first job was on television. I featured in a programme called Memorial Hospital. I was an inmate there. After TV, I went into movies and my first movie was Onome and my debut Yoruba movie was Owo Blow although a lot of people think it is Boorepo. I actually did Owo Blow and one or two Yoruba jobs before Boorepo but it just happened that Boorepo came out and everybody just fell in love with the character that I played in the movie. And again, seeing an English speaking actress feature in Yoruba movie, they just fell in love with it.
Having had a taste of both the Yoruba and the English-speaking Nigeria movies, how would you rate their performances?
There is nothing like the Yoruba and English movies. You have the indigenous movies which include the Yoruba, Hausa, Ibo and other indigenous languages. It so happened that the executive producers of the Nigerian Ibo movies which is what I will call it started doing English movies. In those days you could call it the Nigerian English movies because it cut across. You can have a story based on Yoruba, Hausa, Delta and what have you but now, it is just one tribe. Although, they re doing good, they are doing fine because both the so called Nigerian English movies and the Yoruba movies are doing fine today. I think they are all doing fine. Technically we are doing quite fine but there is room for improvement. For instance, in the Nigerian English movie, let me remove the Ibo now, you still find some very nice stories and good technical handling. I was opportuned to work with one of the good directors. The man is from Benin but the story he did featured around another tribe where he is not from and for me, I think that is a Nigerian English movie. I don’t want to mention the name of the director so that it would not look like I am blowing his trumpet. You know in those days, you don’t think of whether you are Ibo or Yoruba, we all worked together as one and we were getting good stories and we had a lot of good script writers. I don’t know what has happened to those good old script writers. When I see a job from one of those old script writers I will know and when I see the present day writers, I will also know. It is not as if I am criticising but the point is that I just think we need to go back ti the basics because scripting is very important; our stories are equally very important. Our stories do not portray our African culture any more. In those days, you will see the African culture, you will see the cultural aspect in our movies. You will see the village life and you will see the flamboyant city life. You will see the Igwe, Obi if the story revolves around the Ibo kindred. By merely watching the movie, you will know so much about Nigeria. Back then, the emphasis was not all about carrying guns like it is today. Fine, that is the trend but we are not Americans; they are selling their own culture which I think that is what we should be doing too. When we used to sell our culture through movies, a lot of people outside Nigeria appreciate us a lot. You travel outside Nigerian shore and you find lots of people coming to you to appreciate you even in France but now, the story is not the same again.
But why is it so?
I don’t know but definitely something is wrong. And that is not to say that we don’t still have good films. Once in a while we see the old hands coming up with one good story lines and very beautiful technical hands. Technically, we are okay but we need to improve on our story lines and our scripting. If somebody comes up with a love story and it sells, that does not mean that every producer must do love story. In those days, it was not done like that. You come up with your own story and another person comes up with his own story. Stories were very important then and when it is time for awards, you see the excitement and all that; everything is so beautiful and so real.
How do you combine your job as an actress with managing the home front?
Well, one would just give glory to God because it is a calling. One would just have to find a way of adjusting. After all, the bankers work, they have families, they have children. Medical doctors, accountants, they all work and still have their families. Why should our own profession be different? So, we just find a way around it like others find ways around their jobs and homes too.
Is there anyone of your children taking interest in your profession?
Unfortunately none of them is taking after me in terms of profession.
But why?
I don’t know, may be they are not destined to be.
Being a widow, how have you been coping with loneliness and the pain of single parenthood over the years?
I am recently widowed but for so many years I have been separated from the man. So I do not see myself as a widow but as a single parent of almost eighteen years. And the fact that one is a single parent is no excuse for not being hardworking. Agreed there are lonely periods when the kids are grown and have gone their separate ways but as a married couple such times come in their lives when the children are grown and are away from home. After graduating, they start working, get married and leave the house. And the home will be left for you and your husband if you are together. But for me I have been like this for close to eighteen years.
Do you have any intention of remarrying?
No one is God but I’ve been like this for eighteen years? What I just have to say is that no one is God, God is mighty and there is nothing impossible for him to do. You might say in your heart that I am not going to do this and if God says that is what is going to happen, it will happen. That is because you have no power over your life.
You are a beautiful woman and one would expect some men to be hovering around you. How do you handle advances?
I just appreciate them and thank them.
And the stubborn ones?
You will have your own way of putting them off. May be probably as a child while growing up I never saw myself as beautiful because I was a tom boy. I saw myself more like a boy than a girl. May be when it was time for me to get married was when I started thinking about it. To me everybody is beautiful because everything God created is beautiful. But now when people say when you were younger, you must be stunning, fine, yes, because I remember that when I was a teenager, they used to call me okin (peacock) and then I wondered why they called me that. They would ask me if I knew the meaning of that and I would just wonder.
What kind of a child were you, were you the stubborn type or the quiet mummy’s pet?
Oh dear, I pity my mother! I was very stubborn! I told you that I was a tom boy, I was something else. I climbed trees and I fought a lot. I was a fighter and I didn’t fight with girls because I saw them as lower specie; I fought with boys a lot. When I look back I just wonder what kind of a child I was.
What was usually the cause of your constant fights?
Many things, both relevant and irrelevant. It could be anything, it could be that you jumped the gutter before me, it could be anything.
What advice do you have for younger women out there who are anticipating to be like you in life?
I would say always listen to the voice of your parents because they have seen what is ahead that you would not see because you are young. Through experience they have seen a lot, so you should always listen to them. Secondly, be hardworking, believe in yourself. As a lady don’t believe you will use yourself to get to the top because the end is always too bad.

I JUMPED OVER A SEWER BUT FELL OVER IT

From a tender age, Tracy had been into main stream modelling. Now 19, she has worked for top brands. In this chat with Hazeez Balogun, she speaks about her journey into the field, the succeesses recorded and the challenges of the profession.
You have been modelling for a while and have been used to advertise many products; yet many do not know who owns the face?
I know. Many people look at me and tell me that they know me from somewhere. I only laugh because I know they have seen my face in one advert or the other, but cannot place it. My name is Tracy Isioma Achigbue, I am 19 years old and hail from Emu-unor Ndokwa West Local Government Area of Delta State. I am from a humble home of eight and I am the last of my family
I attended Women Affair Nursery and Primary School Asaba, then, A.G.G.S Secondary School Asaba, Delta State, then University of Abuja. I am still there.
I started modelling when I was very young in life. That is why even at a young age, I have achieved a lot as a model.
How was growing up for you?
Growing up was fun. I have sisters who were always there to lead me and play with me, and four brothers who always look for my best interest. I grew up with my parents, Deacon and Deaconess Emmanuel David Achigbue. They were very supportive when I started modelling at a young age. It is like they knew, I had it in me. From primary school days, I used to go for fashion competitions, as at then we called it fashion parade.
How do you keep fit?
I have always had a passion for being on various brands. To do this, one has to be in proper shape. Being in shape is the key. I watch what I eat, I work out almost everyday. But the key is that you watch what you eat.
Many top models say that modelling is not as easy as many think, is this true?
I will yes and no. It is not easy in the sense that you have to abstain from a lot of things. There are some kinds of food you cannot eat. There are some places you cannot enter. You know that as a model, you will be representing brands and brands do not want their representative seen everywhere. So, those are the hard parts of modelling.
To me, I will say that it is not difficult at all. It only depends on the perspective. I have been doing it for a long time now, and it has become easy for me. I know how to strike poses, and also know how to make the camera happy. It comes to me naturally. I think nothing is too easy or too difficult but if you have the passion for it, it would be easy.
How often do you get jobs as a model and will you say it is lucrative?
Lucrative, in Nigeria? I will say no. What we earn here is peanuts compared to what our colleagues earn in America or Europe. But if you get a lot of jobs here, you can get by on the little you get.
I won’t say I get jobs too often. I get jobs as they come. Some of them I turn down if they clash with conflicting brands.
What do you do aside modelling?
Well like I told you modelling is not really as lucrative as the outside world. So when I finish school, I may get a good job, that is if I am not a super model yet. Asides that, I am also into baking, make-up, singing and dancing. I do not like to be idle, so I am always learning how to do things.
Tell us about embarrassing moments you have had.
I have had a lot of that in the course of my jobs. My most embarrassing moment was a day I decided to abandon the lady-like etiquette and tried to jump over a sewer. Guess what? I fell right into it. I smelled like crazy. I will never forget that day.
Which models inspire you?
There are a lot of them. The one I admire most is Oluchi. I like her grace and style. Also I like how she grew to fame. From such poor background and how she started and her rise to fame. I also like Agbani Darego.
Tell us about your love life
I can proudly say I have a relationship. A lot of people come with advances, and I am never ashamed to tell them that I have a man. It’s not easy telling men off, but I am used to that now. I know I am not the finest woman in the world, so I do not let it get to my head.
Does your man get jealous
No, he understands my work, and he too is used to it. I guess, he is even happy to know that despite the fact that I get many advances from men, he is the one I want. He totally supports me and he is behind me the whole nine yards. I thank God for him

MY LOVE LIFE IS MANAGED BY A COMPANY

Oritsefemi Majemite Ekele is arguably one of the best rising stars in the entertainment industry today. He spoke to SPECTRUM about his controversial tracks in his previous albums, his new  record deal with Shiney Entertainments and about the remix of the Mercies Of The Lord track in which he features the late Dagrin. Excerpts:
Can you tell us your background?

My name is Oritsefemi Majemite Ekele from Itsekiri, Delta State. I was born and bred in Ajegunle, Lagos. I started my music career in 2002 when I was with a group called Junglist. We were two in number. We have two albums titled Money Na Time and Boys Dey Binu. We always went for shows together before I went solo to have my single album titled Flog Politicians and I won various awards with the album. I went on tour in Europe after my first solo album and later came back to Nigeria to do my second solo album titled Wicked World which includes the supernatural track called Mercies Of The Lord which is everybody’s ringtone now. I’ve a manager in order to make things work for me than before.
 Are you still under your own record label?
No. I have signed under a record label, Shiney Entertainments; it is being run by the CEO, Yahaya Aneru (a.k.a. Shiney). I have my new album ready but it is not yet out. It’s titled Unfadeable. It’s a 14-tracker featuring lots of artistes like Terry G, Tuface Idibia, late Dagrin, Pasuma Wonder, Nico Gravity.
What are you planning with Shiney Entertainments at present?
My record label is presently organising a tour for me in the United States of America (USA) and it is going to be a fantastic tour projecting super star in Nigeria to America because for now we have our music industry worldwide and everybody abroad wants to hear Nigerian music. This will be an opportunity to project an artiste and Shiney Entertainments wants to project me in all the nooks and crannies of America. I also have two of my videos in my album now. Something About You and Mercies Of The Lord remix where I featured the late Dagrin, Rymzo and Shiney.

How did you cope financially when you started your musical career?

(Smile) It has not been easy. It’s been very tough and challenging because music really takes a lot of money and time despite the fact that you have zeal and enthusiasm for it. As an artiste, you have to package yourself very well and it takes a lot of money to do this when you don’t have a management or record label.
 Why are you coming up with an anti-government track?
Good. My anti-government song is an inspirational track that expressed the minds of the masses to government. The leaders in our country are not helping the situation and they are not sincere over delivering the dividends of democracy. Not that the masses can’t express themselves but they don’t have the mouth to do so and that is why we musicians are the right people to express those things to our leaders that the masses are not feeling their impact at all. Then, when I was in Ajegunle, there was a lot of suffering in that area, no good roads, electricity and pipe borne water. Also in Nigeria generally, we are not living the way we are supposed to live. Since the time our government brought mobile phones to the country, we have not seen any new thing in the country and they are supposed to bring new things that will be unique and useful to the masses and these will make people think that Nigeria is great. So if we don’t express our feelings through music, government officials will be thinking that they are right and that is why I decided to add that track, Flog Politicians, because they keep doing the same thing all over. You know we need changes and we need to change, that is why I said we don’t need bad leaders and that was what inspired me to sing that song.
Black Face is popular with his anti-government stand and he does that through his music. Are you toeing the same line?
For me, I’m a versatile musician. My music goes in different ways and I don’t want people to know me as an anti-government musician only. That is why I have different styles and people know that I don’t base my music strictly on anti-government songs. When you talk of anti-government musicians, Black Face is not the originator because we had late Fela Anikulapo Kuti. I don’t want people to see me as an anti-government artiste. At times I sing anti-government songs and you know my music cuts across different areas of life. Oritsefemi’s music preaches to the ladies in the society giving them advice and I also preach to pastors. You know we have some dubious pastors in this part of the world now, even in this country. I preach to our youths through my music because sometimes they misbehave and we need to show them how to do the right things.
Two years ago, one of your tracks, Elewon, generated controversy over EFCC. What is your reaction to this?
I don’t want people to give that track another meaning because what I’m trying to say then is that the EFCC officials should get some things straight. The EFCC was established to prosecute criminals in the society but not to focus on cyber crime alone. The officials ought to arrest fraudulent politicians in the society instead of arresting our innocent citizens who went to cyber cafe to browse. It is not only about cyber crime. That was what prompted me to say something about EFCC officials, not that I’m an advocate of cyber crime. I strongly believe the track has made the EFCC officials to arrest criminals in the society and bring them to justice.

What prompted you to come up with the inspirational track known as Mercies Of The Lord in your album?
 The track actually came like an intro after I had already finished my album. I actually got the inspiration for it from the streets, from the less-privileged people. I never would have gone into some kind of Lungu (any ghetto area where less privileged people reside). I overhead them saying they are tired of this country and the only thing we need now is God’s mercy. And also, when you hang out with some other big men, even they have their own problems and they will also say they need the mercies of God. So, when I see people talking about God’s mercies, they are talking from the perspectives of their problems; about what is happening to them. That was when I picked that title, Mercies Of The Lord, and it worked. Every Nigerian understands that truly, we need God’s mercies and we can’t do without God. If you like, you may have billions but you still need God’s mercies to remain prosperous and successful.
What made you think it would be suitable to feature a rapper like Dagrin in the remix of Mercies Of The Lord?

Well, I actually did that song in my previous album and the track really caught the attention of everybody. I don’t want the track to just go like that, so I decided to come up with its remix. I decided to remix it with the artistes that people really cherish their style of music. It was then I realised that Dagrin would be the best artiste to flow with the rhythm of the track because he knows how to flow very well; Dagrin normally speaks a little bit of reality. I also know that in that song, I will flow in Yoruba language like Anu Oluwa sokale, and you know Dagrin normally speaks Yoruba in his rap music and that was what made me decide that Dagrin would fit excellently because of his accent, not just his popularity. I called him and he accepted to feature in the remix. It was later that I even thought of another artiste that will also fit in because the song is very spiritual and that is why I called Rymzo. Rymzo sings spiritual music in reggae style. Rymzo sang in it and also produced it. Dagrin and the CEO of my record label were the ones that rapped in it and that is why we make it funky crunk.

How did you now shoot the video without Dagrin due to his death?
Everybody knows that death is inevitable and Dagrin’s death is an irreplaceable loss to the music industry worldwide. Dagrin actually did that audio three days before he had the accident and the most painful aspect is that we were preparing to shoot the video when we received the sad news of his death. He had told me to get him two bouncers and some caps. Dagrin really tried in the remix and how to shoot the video part of Dagrin gave my management a headache but we give thanks to the Almighty God that the video was a success.

Do you also take marijuana and alcohol before you go on stage or to the studio?

Being high is like a normal activity in life. It is just like you go to the club and drink to your satisfaction. But artistes don’t need to drink in excess, or abuse drinking. When you abuse it, it really shows on you because you will be publicly known as a notorious drunkard or smoker. We have some artistes that drink 36 bottles of beer but you wouldn’t know because they behave well. But the moment you present yourself to the public that you’re a drunkard, they will forever look at you like that. If you drink or take weed and you compose yourself well through your character or music, people will not know that you have taken something. There are many artistes out there that take weed and alcohol but they will never present themselves as ganja man or drunkard. Sometimes, it depends on what works for your body. The truth of the matter about weeds and alcohol is that most of those things are ungodly and they are not good.

Tell us about Amnesty Peace Concert by Shiney Entertainments?
The project will be unveiled soon. It is going to be focused on the Niger Delta because of the crises there. I’m from the Niger Delta, my CEO and the manager of my label are also from the Niger Delta. We just want to see how we can affect the area positively through music and good examples. The project is presently run by Shiney Entertainments because our state governments are a write-off when it comes to something like this. We look forward to partnering with non-governmental organisations. Although we hope that government should come up with their financial support in sustaining peace in Niger Delta region and I’m so confident that many non-governmental organisations are still going to buy the ideas and support us with anything they have. But for now we are starting the project with the financial capacity of my record label.
How was the Dagrin vacuum filled in the video?
Shiney Entertainments really worked assiduously to make the video have a feel of Dagrin in it. Dagrin’s part is a mirage, camera effects and editing, because without those, he wouldn’t even be in the video at all as we shot it after his death. The Shiney productions team tried their best to shoot one of the best videos for one of the top-ranked songs and it’s hitting the market now. Dagrin’s absence doesn’t affect the video but I really miss him so much and I miss him with all my heart.
Who is the lucky girl in your life?
My lucky girl ... Although I’m in a relationship, but I can’t disclose her identity to the public now except we get married. If we make it public and issues later come up, people will be accusing me wrongly or even say look at this music preacher that normally preaches to us. I want to make myself like a role model so that people can emulate my character or career. I can only disclose her identity when we are ready for marriage, thank you.
Which part of the country is your partner from?
She is Yoruba and very pretty, but, you know, my management is very careful about my affairs with ladies. They manage my affair with ladies and social life because they don’t want me to have anything like a scandal.

What should Nigerians expect in your album?
They should expect changes, uniqueness, rebranding. Oritsefemi of those days is not Oritsefemi of now. You know Oristsefemi of those days from the group known as Junglist that sing reality songs, but for now, he has re-packaged his music because most of my songs are mastered and mixed by some international producers and most of my videos are shot by Nigeria and foreign producers. What I’m doing now is international because entertainment industry requires a lot of seriousness and it is now for serious minded people.
What do you want to tell Nigerians about your forthcoming trip to USA?

I want to tell them that I will not disappoint them. I want to fly Nigeria’s green-white-green flag high. Although the Americans might not understand my language because of the barrier, but my performance is very important. It will gear up their spirit to dance along with my songs. I have the zeal and enthusiasm to perform excellently on stage, both in Nigeria and abroad, and my fans already know that Oritsefemi is now a force to reckon with in the entertainment industry.
Why did you sign with Shiney Entertainments?
Shiney Entertainments is a multinational company and it’s been in the music industry for a while. They’ve been looking forward to signing me on with their suitable offer because of the style of my music – I speak for the voiceless.
Is the label fulfilling its obligations to you?
Of course, yes. If it wouldn’t, I wouldn’t have gone into business with them. My music career with them has been productive, inspiring and great. Apart from the welfare package, there is what we call a business relationship, and I’m satisfied with the relationship we have.
Who shot the video of Something About You?

We have two singles on air, Something About You and Angel. The video of Something About You was shot and directed by Jordan Johnson from United Kingdom and he was formerly with Ben TV. That is my first video with Shiney. We are almost through with the video of Mercies Of The Lord Remix; that is one of the hottest tracks in town, bursting airplay and moving like hurricane.

NOLLYWOOD MOVIES ARE BAD?NO WAY

Chika Ike is very passionate about Nollywood. This she shows by defending it at all costs. While some stakeholders in the industry readily admit that Nollywood movies are terrible, Chika believes

otherwise, thereby proving the popular saying ‘different strokes for different folks.’ Always busy moving from one location to another, SPECTRUM caught up with her and they had this brief chat.
Several people, including some of your colleagues, feel that Nollywood movies are bad and awful. Do you share that view?
No. I totally disagree with that. I mean, that’s my industry, and if you say my industry produces bad movies, I will take offence, seriously. I mean, we work really hard, very hard. And basically, when you say bad movies, what do you mean by bad movies? I don’t really understand.
Movies that don’t make sense. Movies that start well and end on a flat note, leaving a bad taste in your mouth. Such movies ...
Can I ask you a question? You watch Nollywood movies, right?
Yeah.
And you have watched my movies? They make sense, right?
To a certain degree, they do, but the endings are always bad, senseless. You guys are always focused on the supernatural and the diabolical as a cheap way out of logical situations. Do you even think that rituals should be in movies?
Most of the stories are people’s stories, though some are fiction. If someone gives you a true life story and tells you to write it, you cannot fine-tune the story. If it was fictional work; it could be an imagination, you understand? But whatever movie we do in Nollywood, I believe it is a work of art, and a work of art should be appreciated. Every movie must not be good, but at least most of them are good. And for the industry still to be relevant today, it means that we do good movies and our movies are selling and people appreciate our efforts.
Since you are very passionate about Nollywood and you are ready to defend it at all costs, can you mention the movie which in your opinion is the best so far to have come out of Nollywood?
Nollywood has done so many beautiful movies; it is difficult to choose one. In recent times especially, we have done some wonderful works which I am actually proud of. I am talking of beautiful, beautiful, great movies.
Mercy Johnson was inspired to act by Genevieve. Is there a certain actress that inspired you too?
Like I have always said in all my interviews, I have always loved the arts from childhood. I have always loved acting and all that. I have always done funny faces in front of the mirror. Some of my older colleagues also inspired me because I saw their works, and I had respect for their efforts and I wanted to be like them.
Can you mention a particular name?
If I started, I wouldn’t end, so let’s just leave it at that. There are so many, quite many that made me decide to become an actress.
We hear different tales of how actresses got their first role. Sleeping with someone for it, begging for it and so on. How did you get yours?
Oh, really. My first ever role was just one scene in a movie. It was Sweet Love. I actually auditioned with my elder sister who is in the US right now.
Did your sister get a role too?
She did, but she wasn’t able to do it, due to some reasons.
So you are claiming you didn’t do anything to get that first role?
Believe me. And I got it after four months.
You mean four months of auditions and hustling in Nollywood circles?
Yeah. After four months of waiting for them to call me back for a role and going for other auditions.
So, in those four months, you didn’t record any other success?
The truth about it is that I had just gotten admission then, so I took the auditions and went back to school and continued hoping to receive a call that I had got the role.
How were you able to get wind of auditions while you were in school?
GSM, of course. You can always call people and they will tell you things.
Where was your school?
UNILAG
So it was very easy for you to pop into town for roles?
Very easy.
How easy then was it to combine school and acting?
I just thank God because it wasn’t easy when I really think about it now. Bearing in mind the kind of environment and society we are in right now, it’s very difficult to combine one or two things. I must say that it was hard. It was really tough, but right now, I am a graduate, and I give thanks to God that I was able to come through it all.
The in-thing now is that actresses always produce your their own movies. Have you done so too?
Nope. Not yet.
When should we be looking forward to for that?
I will let you know when it is time.
You are always on location working all over the country. Is the money you are earning commensurate with the stress you go through?
Of course. I mean, I do this to put food on my table and to earn a living. The two must go together. I have good passion for what I do, but money is also one of the motivational factors.
Why have you been missing out on endorsements? Globacom didn’t consider you for its lucrative ambassadorship, even Gulder too for its Celebrity Showdown. Is there a reason you haven’t been part of such juicy packages?
The truth is that everyone cannot get endorsements at the same time. As they say, it is one by one, Everyone cannot be on the billboards at the same time. Obviously, hopefully, some day, I am sure I will be on one of those billboards.
But getting those endorsements, is it about being a good actress or having a good management team in place that will seek them out for you?
I don’t really know what it is, but I could just have an idea that maybe it is what the company which is endorsing wants at that particular time. They could want some other people next year, or next two years. That’s how endorsements go. That is how I understand endorsements; that what they want at a particular time could be different from what they want tomorrow.
Tell us about your most challenging role.
I cannot really point. All my movies come with their own challenges basically. I won’t say I have one particular challenge that was toughest. Playing another character that is not your usual self is challenging enough.
Last year, you and some of your colleagues fought over money given to you by a South-East Governor when he hosted you...
I heard that rumuor. I read about it in the papers and I was so devastated. It is so unfortunate that my name was mentioned, but the truth is that I wouldn’t even have an idea of such going on. So when I read it, I was surprised. But it made me know that these things really do happen. You might not be there and they will say you are there. It is crazy. I didn’t even hear of the event, talk less of going for it. But as they say, when you are in the public eye, you get picked on all the time.
Why didn’t you refute it then?
Some things are just...I mean, when I heard about it, I just overlooked it as one of those things. I don’t want to get myself worried about it. I don’t like worrying my head.
Do you also aspire to break into Hollywood, as is the dream of most Nigerian actresses?
Basically, everybody wants to have a growth in their career and be recognized internationally. But the thing there is that I will do my best. I will keep working hard as an actress in Nollywood, and hopefully if I am called to do a Hollywood movie; oh! bravo. I will jump at the offer. But if not, I will still be doing my work here in Nigeria as a Nollywood actress and praying to God that I will be adequately recognized among my peers.
Some of people complain that Nollywood is not an appropriate name for our movie industry.
Who said so?
So many of your colleagues have. They say ‘what does Nollywood really mean’, and that it wasn’t even coined by Nigerian movie stakeholders; but an American journalist.
I have nothing to say about that. I have known the movie industry as Nollywood since I came into it and I have come to accept it that way.
How long have you been in the game now?
Close to five years.
What are your achievements?
I will say that ... Yeah, I have done a lot of movies, but I have not even started yet, you know. So, I know that above the sky is always the limit.
Who is your best friend in the industry? Or is it a clique that you roll with?
No, I don’t really have a clique. But I respect everybody I work with.
You are always travelling everywhere to do your job. And travelling comes with its attendant stress. Between acting and a regular job that allows you return home every night and live a more settled life, which do you think is better?
Oh, I love my job with a passion. You see, part of the perks of the job is travelling, meeting people, discovering new places, learning new things from new people you meet. Those are the things that come with the job. That is why the life of an actress is always on the road, doing one or two things.
People feel actresses and actors are wayward people. Do you agree with them?
Because we kiss in movies and portray such characters? I beg to disagree. We are just doing our job and doing it very well. And when they say we are loose, it’s crazy. Even when it comes to real life, we are like other people in what we go through and experience.

I AM VERY ROMANTIC-EMEM ISONG

The number of movies being released by Nollywood producers is rapidly reducing, as many producers are taking their time to churn out strong brands. This movement from quantity to quality

is championed by the likes of Tunde Kelani, Tade Ogidan, Vivian Ejike and Kunle Afolayan. A name which has also found itself in that league of ace director-producers is Emem Isong. Those who are conversant with her works will testify to the quality of her pictures and the suspense in her plots. She rarely speaks about her personal life, though she reveals her romantic side to SPECTRUM in this interview
How long have you been writing scripts and directing?
I don’t usually direct. I write and produce. I started in 1994.
Do you have any formal training in script writing?
In a way, I could say that I do. I studied Theatre Arts in the university. Even though I didn’t major in script writing, I have a flair for it. I majored in choreography.
How did you delve into script writing?
It is the flair and passion that I have for it that encouraged me into script writing. I have always loved to write. Even before I went into the university, I liked to scribble things down and write my thoughts. When I was in secondary school, I usually wrote down anything that happened to me. I find writing very interesting
How many movies have you written?
I have written over 40 and I have produced over 25.
Can you mention some of these movies?
I will start from my first one, Breaking Point, A Minute to Midnight, Rumours, Sweet Revenge, Private Sin, Promise Me Forever, Critical Decision, Games Men Play, Games Women Play, Reloaded, A Time to Love. I did Emotional Crack which is what established me in the industry, and many others.
Games Men Play and Games Women Play are good movies. What brought about the writing of these films?
I was actually writing the two stories at the same time. I first wrote Games Women Play and I found out that the other story I was writing was not strong enough to stand on its own, so I decided to conceive another one which also had to do with games. Because of the success of Games Women Play, I decided to do Games Men Play.
Do you do research for these movies?
I ask questions and I observe a lot. One day, Uche Jumbo and I sat down and were just gisting about some of the stories we hear and what people go through in relationships. Uche was telling one story of something that happened to somebody and I had a good laugh; not because it was funny but because it’s amazing what we women go through all in the name of love. We now decided to put some of our own experiences here and there and develop them into the story Games Men Play.
As a female script writer in a society dominated by men, don’t you feel threatened and intimidated by your male counterparts?
I don’t feel intimidated at all. As far as I am concerned, we are all there to compliment each other. Besides, I have confidence in myself and I am doing my thing the best way I know how to. I don’t look down on myself, so I don’t feel less as a woman.
How do you get your story lines?
It is a gift from God. Most times, I don’t know where the inspiration and story comes from. I just find out that I can do it.
Do you agree with the recent African Women in Film Forum’s stand that women are represented in bad light in Nollywood?
To an extent, I would say yes. But then, it is not just in Nollywood. All over in all industries, even in the music industry, it is the same. If we look at it critically, women are been objectified/ The female body which we all know, is an object of art. Where I quarrel with our industry is when women are portrayed as weaklings, as objects that can be abused and thrown about. The painful thing is that nobody says anything about it. I think a woman should be loved and respected. The industry is supposed to show that all the time.
What do you think is the way forward?
If I say women should write more stories for themselves, they will say I’m being feminist. The truth is that we are the ones that can tell our stories. It is only women that understand their plights and what they go through.
In your own little way as a script writer, what do you intend to do to change the situation?
Prior to now, I have often made my scripts with very strong characters. I believe an African woman is a strong woman. I believe the African woman is a virtuous and intelligent woman, who right from time, has been a help-mate to her husband or her man. I have never seen a woman as a weakling, so I have very strong characters to portray women and I’m not going to stop now. My intentions now is to send out stronger messages because I believe that women discrimination in our society is getting too much. We as film makers, have the responsibility to help in our own way to correct that, and towards going back to the values we had in the past.
What can you ascribe your success to?
I ascribe all glory to God for whoever I am and whatever I am today, it is just by His grace. God has given me the ability to be focused and hardworking. I give him all the glory.
You are said to have discovered many great actors of today. Can you mention a few of them?
I won’t say I discovered them. I would just say they came into limelight through some of my works. Some of these people like Dakore Egbuson hadn’t done anything before I met her. Through a couple of films she did for me, she came into limelight. I have Stephanie Okereke who had done some works before I met her. I think it was my film, ‘Emotional Crack’ that really launched her. I have Stella Damasus, Mike and many others.
Which of your work was most challenging for you?
All my works are challenging. I always look forward to the next movie I am doing, and they all come with different challenges.
Apart from script writing and producing, what else do you do?
Apart from writing and producing, I just opened an academy. Royal Arts Academy is a place where we train people in all rudiments of acting and directing.
What is the motive behind the establishment of Royal Arts Academy?
It is about capacity building. We need to develop skills. Even some of us that are already in the business, we attend courses, seminars and workshops every now and then. There are some courses that I am working on soon for my school and I am going to be a student myself. We all need to keep moving with time. We need to move to the level of our colleagues at the international level. I think training is very important, and also to set up a place where people can have easier access to Nollywood. Many times, I have had phones calls from everywhere asking how they can get into Nollywood. This is it.
How much do you spend on a movie?
It all depends on the movie. I can spend as low as three million naira and as much as 12 million naira, but I have not spent more that before. But I look forward to spending more.
How do you get funds?
When I first started, it was my personal effort. Then, I raised funds from friends, family and myself. I mean the money I was able to save from where I worked before I started. But now, I am an independent producer. Sometimes, I am employed to produce by other people. Sometimes, I use my own money too. The truth is we don’t have corporate bodies that fund movies for you, and bank charges are not friendly too.
You mentioned where you worked before you started. Where was that?
I used to be a banker. When I finished school, I was into banking for about three years before I left because of my passion for writing. I worked in Lion Bank then, which I think is now Diamond Bank.
Do you have any role model in the industry?
I have people’s work that I respect. The work of the likes of Amaka Igwe, works of Lola Fani-Kayode. I like Kunle Afolayan because he takes time to do his job; then Tunde Kelani and others here and there.
What is your relationship with these people?
I want to believe it is cordial, though we don’t work together. I just respect them.
With so much time dedicated to your, do you have time for your love life?
I don’t talk about my private life, but of course I do.
With that, it is obvious you are in a relationship. Tell us about him?
I won’t tell you.
Okay, who is your ideal man?
My ideal man is a God-fearing man, hardworking and romantic man.
Are you romantic?
Very romantic.
What is your definition of love?
Love is what you want it to be. Love is a decision; when you decide to love someone despite his or her inadequacies. Love, to me, is a decision you make.
What is your view about Nigerian men in respect of love?
I don’t know, but I know my father and brother are good people. I can not generalize. Nigerian men are my brothers. They are hardworking and good people. I don’t want to be biased because everybody has their own story to tell.
So when will the wedding bells ring?
Don’t worry, very soon. You would be the first to know.
You have a son, how old is he?
He is three years old. He is gorgeous.
You both are close then?
We are extremely close. In fact, he is the apple of my eyes.
How do you cope with impossible or difficult actors?
I try to be diplomatic. I just look at what I’m going to lose or gain from whoever I’m working with, and I know how to deal with them. In every situation we find ourselves, we always look for a way out. Even as a journalist, you met some impossible people, but you know how to deal with them.
How do you handle criticism?
It will always happen. But then, you should know how to manage the situation so that it doesn’t escalate. Once the job is over, you guys are bound to be cordial again. For me, I don’t play with my work. But if you must criticize me, it should be constructive. In fact, constructive criticisms help me to correct my mistakes.
What about your relationship with the media?
So far, I have not had any problem with them, probably because I don’t do anything. Though once in a while, some people try to be funny, but we can not avoid those things because we are in the public eye. Some would write what they want to write, especially if you refuse to give them audience. They could cook up their own stories. But generally, it has been a cordial relationship with the media for me.
How do you give back to the society in your own way?
That’s one of the reason why we have the academy. I do lots of films that treats certain issues in our society. We contribute to the society both directly and indirectly.
Are you fashionable?
Yes, but I am not a slave to fashion. I wear what I am comfortable in and what suits me. I don’t have a particular label but I go for anything that looks good on me.
Do you have any particular product for your make-up?
I am not really crazy about make-up, though if I am going out for a function, I take my time. But I do a lot without make up. For years, I have been using products from Mac but a friend of mine just introduced me to Black-Up, and I like it.
As an Ibibio woman, I believe you cook very well?
I cook very well because I like food. I love and cook Afang very well.
Have you had any of your films you did that you wished you have done better?
Yes, most times when I have finished my film, I don’t like the way it comes out. If I watch it, I see many things I don’t like and I wished I have done better. For instance, a film I did A Time to Love, I really regretted the ending. If it is now, I will end it in another way.
When you see those things, don’t you take action in doing it in a better way?
Since it is in the market already, you may not be able to do anything again. But then, there is one of my films I would like to do again. That film Emotional Crack was done 10 years ago. I would redo that film but I liked that film. Emotional Crack is a film that actually took me to a lot of festivals outside the country, and up till now, I still have a lot of people coming to interview me on that movie. So, I feel I should do that movie again so more people will see it. Maybe I would change the cast. Perhaps I would change the ending. Maybe make it more elaborate. I would like to make that film in a better quality.
Have you had any regret in life?
No, I don’t regret anything. I believe everything I do was meant to be and it’s for a purpose.
When is your most memorable day?
It was the day I had my baby. For he is the only one that I have, so I cherish him a lot.
What’s his name?
Kenechukwu meaning ‘Thank God’.
Why don’t you act?
Because I don’t think I can act. I am better at organizing and creating things.
Sometimes, doesn’t Kenechi misses a fatherly figure in his life?
I don’t want to go there. I said I won’t talk about my personal life.
It is not about your life. It is Kenechi’s.
Then ask him when you see him. He doesn’t miss his dad because he sees him all the time.
Then the father is around?
Yes, that is all I want to say.
What makes you happy?
I am happy when I achieve what I set out to do
Do you have a hobby?
Yes, I love reading. I read anything I can lay my hands on. I read inspirational books a lot because I don’t like being sad. I read things that inspire me. I love good romantic books anytime, anyday.
It kis a good thing that you still maintain your dark complexion inspite of how far you’ve gone.
I am black and proud. The kind of home I come from, you dare not try to change from black to white. I don’t understand why I would want to change my colour, I have never thought about it.
Tell us about your family background?
I am from a family of three: two girls and a boy. My mother is a retired principal and very strict. I guess that is where we got our reading culture from. My dad is a business man. My two siblings are into writing too but in different ways.
What was your growing up like?
I grew up in a small town, Ikot Ekpene in Akwa Ibom. I come from a very disciplined and strict background, that I wasn’t allowed to play much outside school. Perhaps, that has made me to be who I am today. I am more like a loner.
Look at what happened in the House of Representatives recently. What do you have to say as regards that?
You know, if I have written that in a script, they would have said I’m exaggerating. They would say Nollywood has come again to portray them in bad light, but look at what our leaders are doing. It is a shame. As far as I’m concerned, it is just to show the state of our country and I think something should be done about it.
What do you have to say about the performance of the Super Eagles at the World Cup?
It is to show how our country is. We are not serious and never prepared. Success comes when preparation meets with opportunity. We didn’t prepare so we got what we deserved.

NO REGRET DIFFERING EDUCATION FOR MUSIC-WANDE COAL

Oluwatobi Wande Ojosipe otherwise called Wande Coal has become a force to reckon with in the music industry today. The Ogun State-born musician who made his entry into the music industry as
 a dancer with Mo’Hits Records has become very popular with his Bumper to bumper album. He spoke with SPECTRUM on his childhood, the future of his music career and life in general. Excerpts:
How did you get into music. Was it a childhood dream or something else?
Basically, music has been there from childhood. I started music from the church, that is, the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG). Then our house used to be near the church and they kept the musical instruments in our house. I started from teenage choir, adult choir through to mass choir. From mass choir I moved to a group called Salvation Boys. We picked ourselves from different parishes of the church. We were about eight boys singing on acapela. From there I got into UNILAG, where I could not go for church programmes and handle school at the same time. But meanwhile, I had been listening to Michael Jackson and had been dancing by the side. I also love to dance as well and you can see that from the video. I continued dancing for different shows at UNILAG.
What exactly inspired you into music?
I have watched a lot of international stars and I felt that I needed to create my own impact and make my own change in the musical circle.
Do you play any musical instrument at all?
Yes I play the drums and I also play keyboard. As a matter if fact, I have enrolled in a music school to perfect my skills in the area of key board playing.
Do you have a band? If not are you thinking of putting one together?
We have been using live bands to play at performances and shows. The show we had with Ken Latinwo, we used the band. I do not have a band of my own but we used the Mo Hits band, the same band that D’banj uses.
Which was your first professional job?
My first paid job was for Mainframe Production, Segun Adeshila, where I danced as a soundtrack artiste. My second show was for Extra Smooth. I have been in the industry for a while dancing for different artistes. I have danced for Angelica, Boulevard, and Asa, when he used to handle Rock the Mic programme for Channel One, on Toyin Street. I moved from Ijanikin to Mushin, where I stayed with my grandmother. It was Mushin that groomed me. I was going to dance and music lessons. It was from Mushin that I moved on to school and D’banj and Don Jazzy had come into the Nigeria entertainment industry. I saw them and had been dreaming to meet them.
How did you meet Don Jazzy and D’Banj?
I met them at a show where I performed with Konga at UNILAG. Konga later took me to D’Banj and Don Jazzy and asked me to perform for them and I did without thinking whether they would sign me on or not, I did very well. This was in early 2006. I was beating my chest and performing for them, while they sat in a circle and listened. They got my number and called me the next day. Since that day till this moment, I have been with Mo’Hits Record.
How did you come about the name Wande Coal?
My name is Ojosipe Oluwatobi Wande. As said earlier, Wande is my last name. I picked Wande and added my colour, ‘Charcoal.’ I removed the ‘char’ and adopted the ‘coal.’
What inspires your lyrics?
I get my inspiration from the environment I am; things that I hear and anything that I see or that comes my way. Immediately I just hear it, anything that comes to my mind, I just form a song with it.
You said you grew up in Mushin and it is obvious that you are proud of the area, especially the way you mention it in your songs.
I grew up partly in Mushin. I spent all my schooling days in Ijanikin but all the while my mother, my grandmother and everyone are in Mushin. So I I always go back to Mushin. Yes, I am proud of Mushin for the fact that a lot of people feel those that live in Mushin are not educated or that they are very bad people. I just felt that I needed to sing about it. If you listen to my song very well, you would see that I did not portray myself as Butty. but I prefer to let people know where I am from which is Mushin and at the same time, I am not the bush type. The music reflected a combination of both classes. I love being myself and I love to be real at all times.
What kind of a child were you?
I was stubborn but not so much. I always like to play out and catch fun and you know it is not all the time that one would have such freedom as a child. So, in that area, I would say I was stubborn. You know I love to dance a lot, so I always find ways of going out to attend dancing competitions and all that.
How many dancing competitions did you win?
I have won at different dancing competitions but they were all local competitions. Besides my mother was very strict and she never gave me a breathing space. She wanted to ensure that I behave well. She was a teacher and she was very strict.
What about your dad?
My dad was a businessman.
Are there some things that you have learnt from your parents that guide your decisions now as an adult?
Yes, I have learnt a lot. One of the things I have learnt is never to look down on people. No matter what, try and listen to them; pick the one that is useful to you and leave the ones you do not need. But if you do not listen to them in the first place, you may never have gotten anything. So, no matter what the situation is, I will still listen to what you have to say first. I learnt humility from them and it has helped me far in life.
What happened to your admission in UNILAG?
I had to defer my programme when I got the opportunity to go on tour of the US for my musical career because that could be the only opportunity for me.
Do you have any regret deferring school for music?
I have no regrets at all because I know what opportunities music has given me. But now, I am in a school of music where I am learning to play the keyboard professionally.
What lessons have you as an artiste learnt from the death of Da Grin?
The death of Da Grin is very sad. He is going to be irreplaceable in a very long time. That guy was one of the most talented rap artistes Nigeria ever produced. If he was alive today, in ten years to come, he would be the rave of rap in Nigeria. It is most unfortunate he had to leave so unexpectedly. The lesson to learn from his death is that as an artiste that has become popular, you should not be walking around alone; at least if you have to go out, do so in company of your friends or your colleagues. Once you have become popular and known, you don’t own your life any more because others are watching. So, it is always very important to to always remember that. For me, I don’t walk around alone anymore. I need my colleagues and I don’t go anywhere without them.
What price would you say you have had to pay for stardom?
I have paid a lot. Before getting to where I am today, I have been through a lot. You know that there is no gain without pain. You have to put your head down for people to step on just to get to where you are going and I have been through all of these. For you to have a lasting stardom, you have to start small so that you can last. If you rise up just like that, definitely you may not last. So, it is always good to rise gradually so that the fame can last. You know that slow and steady they say wins the race.
What are some of those things you used to do that you cannot do any more?
Those days when I get to ghetto, all my guys would start hailing me and all that but now, I seldom go there. I know where to see my friends and when to see them whenever I want to. I cannot even go to Mushin now because if I do, I can’t tell you the number of people that will gather at my grand father’s house wanting to see me; some because they feel that I have all the money in the world and that is not the situation. I just get down with my friends at other places whenever I want to.
Who is the lucky girl girl in your life now?
For now, I do not have any lucky girl in my life.
Why or are you a virgin?
(Laughs) Ah! Okay, yes, I am a virgin if that is what you want to hear.
What kind of girl attracts you?
I love a nice, quiet girl that is easy going and very endowed.
How do you mean endowed?
Everything now. She must have the gbogbo and the gbagba. You know, she must have front and she must have back... you know what I mean now. You know I am an African man and it is what I want that I want.
When are we expecting the wedding bells to ring?
Wedding ke. My daddy is not married yet so why should I marry now. I am still too young for marriage. When my daddy, D’Banj, gets married then I will marry. I am still enjoying myself now. Marriage is not for me now, music is for me.
When are we expecting your next album?
My next album will come in 2011. It is likely to come in the middle of 2011.
So, how many tracks are we expecting in it?
Let us wait till then and see what God does.
How many collaborations have you done now
I have done quite a few. I have done Ikechuckwu and some others and we are still working on some new ones.
What is your assessment of the music industry in Nigeria?
We are making more sense. We have not been listening to foreign music like it used to be. At least, now we have more that we can call our own.
You seem to be the rave of the moment. What is your bill like to have you on a show?
It may sound funny but it is the truth, I don’t discuss money, my manager does. Mine is to come on stage and play. They do all the bargaining and call me to come and work and my own is to just get to the venue and perform. I don’t even know how much the charge for any event or show is.
What is your vision for your career in three years time?
I intend to have a talent hunt for the less-privileged ones in the music industry. I want a situation where they will be able to showcase their talents in music and in the use of instrument. It will be for less-privileged teenagers. It will be my own way of giving back to the society that has made me what I am today.
Who is your role model?
I have quite a number of role models. D’Banj is one of my role models. Then I also love Fashola. I want to be like him. I like the way he does his things and the way he goes about cleaning up Lagos. As a matter of fact, I was recently made an Environmental Ambassador for Lagos State.
What is it about and what are you expected to do as an Environmental Ambassador?
I will encourage all Lagosians to keep the environment clean and create awareness for them. A sound track is on the way to that effect.