Djinee : ‘How music made me a better person’

Djinee: Djinee is gotten from the mystical “genie” that makes people’s wishes come true and I feel life is all about making people comfortable with us and that is where I got the name from.     WM: The video Ego your major hit was highly emotional, does that signify that you are highly emotional in […]

Djinee: Djinee is gotten from the mystical “genie” that makes people’s wishes come true and I feel life is all about making people comfortable with us and that is where I got the name from.    
WM: The video Ego your major hit was highly emotional, does that signify that you are highly emotional in real life?
Djinee: Well I’m reasonably emotional but not overly. I am firm and I’ve got a conscience
WM: Is there a real ego in your life and who is she?
Djinee: Ego is figment of my imagination. I’m a storyteller. I create characters and breathe life into them via my songs.
WM: What is the nature of your love and passion for music start?
Djinee: It started when I was a tiny tot. I always heard my dad play music from gramophones, reel to reel and turn tables. I started by “listening”. Then the passion grew as I wanted to try out what I’ve heard. Started singing in my primary school and then went on to sing in choirs and orchestras in between hopping in and out of studios. And gradually I gathered momentum and made music a part of me.
WM: How long have you been in music?
Djinee: Professionally since 1998, so let’s say 11 years. But I didn’t get to make my breakthrough until 2005
WM: What is the greatest lesson being in entertainment industry has taught you, likewise what is the greatest asset it has given you?
Djinee: Patience and orderliness. Greatest asset is relationships. The long term relationships I’ve forged with some industry moguls and not forgetting my loyal fans who have loved me through thick and thin.
WM: How did your parents take to your joining the entertainment industry?
Djinee: In the beginning my dad especially wasn’t cool with it because I joggled with my education. But right now he is one of my biggest fans. My mom has always supported me.
WM: How would you describe your journey to fame in the entertainment industry in terms of challenges and accomplishments?
Djinee: Well I’d say it has been very challenging. A lot of people describe how difficult it is for them to break now and when I compare it to my time, its piece of cake. Then there was no mobile phone or anything like that. Which means the only way of seeing anyone is by travelling to meet the person. The internet craze wasn’t in vogue then. Now with all the music blogs and sites available you can promote your work by sitting in your home. My biggest challenge wasn’t finance like everyone’ll say. It was trying to convince the execs about my kind of sound, which wasn’t exactly the up-tempo music then.
My accomplishments, well, I’ll say that is keeping my name on the radar and maintaining a loyal fan base home and abroad. Having said that, I have a lot more to accomplish and so I don’t look back. I work like I haven’t started at all. I don’t “count my blessings” like people will say. I want to win Oscars and Grammys. I want to have the man in China say Djinee or any other country asides Nigeria. I want to make exportable music not just music for Nigeria alone.
WM: Asides music, is there any other thing you are into?
Djinee: I anchor TV shows and do co-production. I also have got my outfit that provides content for TV and radio. I have got my recording studio I run, in life one needs to diversify, you know! 
WM: Have you ever thought of acting?
Djinee: Well I’ve had a couple of scripts tossed my way, but I haven’t really settled into that frame of mind yet. I think I’d like to concentrate on my music/TV career and make the best of it before venturing into acting. One step at a time as they say wins the race.
WM: Your song ‘i no dey shame’ was it directed at any body in particular?
Djinee: Not exactly. Just telling everyone the best way to love unconditionally and without reason.
WM: Have your music gained you any award since you started and how many?
Djinee: Yes. I’ve won a couple of awards. I think four and several other nominations.
WM: When you started did you have any fears about your music being rejected or accepted by the audience?
 Djinee: No. I am a musician through and through. I sing and my voice is my major asset. I do not add effects and I believe so much in my ability. I do not need a microphone or instrumental to sound good. I guess that’s the classical/opera training in me. So it gives me faith that as long as you hear my voice, you’ll listen.
WM: Really, you are so confident of yourself.
Djinee: If you do not encourage yourself, who will! (Laughing)
WM: Tell us about any embarrassing moment you have had on stage or anywhere?
Djinee: I really can’t think of many, and I don’t think I’ll count as embarrassing females jumping on you. (laughing)
WM: Comparing life when you were nobody and now a star, how have you been coping? 
Djinee: I was never a nobody and I don’t bask in the stardom, sincerely. I see this as me living my dream and destiny and doing what I love. Life hasn’t changed dramatically. Yes I’m making a living like anyone else. And of course there are some things I can’t do anymore and places I can’t just go. But what makes my life pretty normal is the fact that I still keep a small unit of my old friends and that my values haven’t changed. I think I’m even a better man now. I’m more patient and I’ve learnt to control my temper because I’ll do anything to guide my career.
WM: What inspires the lyrics of your songs?
Djinee: Well my zeal to become a better song writer like most of the foreign songs I hear and of course trying to elicit different kinds of emotions from listeners.
WM: What were your childhood dreams and aspirations?
Djinee: What I’m doing now and where I’m going to. Although, I had occasional wishes like flying to space. I think my uncle made me believe we could fly to the moon and I told all my friends in school!
WM: When should your fans expect your next album?
Djinee: Next year for sure.
WM: You seem to have relented in your music career as you are more into TV presentation, would it be right to say that the Nigerian entertainment industry has not gotten the right terrain yet?
Djinee: I haven’t relented. I’m just doing everything I know how to do. There’s Ashton Kutcher the actor who anchors MTV Punk’d. There’s Xzibit the rapper who hosts MTV Pimp my ride. So that is exactly what I am also doing trying to combine my talents to make a better impact in the society.
WM: Who are your role models in the entertainment industry?
Djinee: Well I have a great deal of respect for Edi Lawani, Seyi Siwoku and Tajudeen Adepetu amongst others.
WM: Have you ever thought of singing in a different language like Hausa or Yoruba, at least that is what diversity in entertainment is all about.
Djinee: Well I could when I get the inspiration to do that.
WM: One last word for your fans.
Djinee: Thanks and thanks again for loving my work. I am indebted to you.
  things I can’t do anymore and places I can’t just go. But what makes my life pretty normal is the fact that I still keep a small unit of my old friends and that my values haven’t changed. I think I’m even a better man now. I’m more patient and I’ve learnt to control my temper because I’ll do anything to guide my career.

WM: What inspires the lyrics of your songs?

Djinee: Well my zeal to become a better song writer like most of the foreign songs I hear and of course trying to elicit different kinds of emotions from listeners.

WM: What were your childhood dreams and aspirations?

Djinee: What I’m doing now and where I’m going to. Although, I had occasional wishes like flying to space. I think my uncle made me believe we could fly to the moon and I told all my friends in school!

WM: When should your fans expect your next album?

Djinee: Next year for sure.

WM: You seem to have relented in your music career as you are more into TV presentation, would it be right to say that the Nigerian entertainment industry has not gotten the right terrain yet?

Djinee: I haven’t relented. I’m just doing everything I know how to do. There’s Ashton Kutcher the actor who anchors MTV Punk’d. There’s Xzibit the rapper who hosts MTV Pimp my ride. So that is exactly what I am also doing trying to combine my talents to make a better impact in the society.

WM: Who are your role models in the entertainment industry?

Djinee: Well I have a great deal of respect for Edi Lawani, Seyi Siwoku and Tajudeen Adepetu amongst others.

WM: Have you ever thought of singing in a different language like Hausa or Yoruba, at least that is what diversity in entertainment is all about.

Djinee: Well I could when I get the inspiration to do that.

WM: One last word for your fans.

Djinee: Thanks and thanks again for loving my work. I am indebted to you.