F-L-A-S-H B-A-C-K Amada music started like child’s play – Barmani Choge

How did your career take-off?It happened just by chance. Whenever there are any events, like weddings or naming ceremonies in our locality, I would, with others, entertain our fellow women with ‘Amada’ music. It grew from that to what it is today.I’ve been making ‘Amada’ music for forty years now. Thanks be to Allah, as […]

How did your career take-off?
It happened just by chance. Whenever there are any events, like weddings or naming ceremonies in our locality, I would, with others, entertain our fellow women with ‘Amada’ music. It grew from that to what it is today.
I’ve been making ‘Amada’ music for forty years now. Thanks be to Allah, as you can see, I’m now a household name. I have even taken it to West African countries like Niger, Ghana, Cameroun, Chad and lots of others. There was a time I even went to England and played ‘Amada’ music before a large audience.
I’ve also met very important dignitaries. For instance, I have played at events attended by former presidents General Yakubu Gowon, Olusegun Obasanjo, Alhaji Shehu Shagari and others. I even sang a mega-popular hit for General Muhammadu Buhari’s then War Against Indiscipline (WAI).
‘Choge’ in Hausa can mean ‘trickery’. How did you come about the stage-name?
‘Choge’ as I use it, is a particular dance-step attached to ‘Amada’ music. It was in vogue a long time ago. The name was appended to my real name by my fans.
Let us delve a little into your family life…
I am the ideal Hausa woman, I have twelve children.
How commercially successful have you been in your career so far?
God has blessed me. I have been to Mecca on pilgrimage, have a house, fancy cars and cater for my family adequately. But one particular issue, worthy to mention here is that none among my children or grandchildren will take after me as regards to music. I won’t allow it.
You come from Funtua, the native home of famous Hausa musician, late Alhaji Mamman Shata…
I am not related with late Mamman Shata (May Allah forgive him) cordially. He gave me high regard.