Foreigners copy our songs – Waje

How did you launch yourself into music? Church was the origin for me and then I took it fulltime in 2005. I did free shows and sang at every opportunity that presented itself. How many songs have you done? I have three singles. The first one, Somewhere, is neo soul, like jazz with a theme […]

How did you launch yourself into music?

Church was the origin for me and then I took it fulltime in 2005. I did free shows and sang at every opportunity that presented itself.

How many songs have you done?

I have three singles. The first one, Somewhere, is neo soul, like jazz with a theme saying ‘I want to go somewhere’, where the grass is green and everything is perfect. Kolo followed and it’s a song I did as a finalist in a reality television show, Advanced Warning, sponsored by MTV Base and Zain. Ada was my third song, but it came out the same time with Kolo.

Kolo’s hype overshadowed it, so most people don’t bother with or hardly know Ada. Ada is in Igbo and talks about the possibility of girls understanding that they don’t need to do certain things that are detrimental to their character just to make money.

What is Waje up to now?

Waje is working seriously on WAJE, which means ‘words aren’t just enough’. It is a long overdue album. At some point, it was difficult for me to fit into the music scene. After Do Me with P-Square, I kind of saw myself in a box where people thought my style of singing was just the Do Me style.

I was trying to look for an identity and find a place to put myself in the industry. That’s why the album has not been out. There will be about ten songs on the album – eight songs and two skits.

Tell us about Advanced Warning?

It was a reality show by MTV Base and Zain which started in Nigeria with 27 artistes. The last three, Durella, Kaha and I, who escaped elimination, went to South Africa. The goal was to give us a platform to showcase ourselves showing what we could do and if the audience would be impressed. In the boot camp there, we were given lectures and tasks which included song writing and recording, among others. Durella took the money and I was the first runner-up.

How did you become a part of ‘Do Me’?

I met P-Square in Enugu where I went for a show. After my performance, they appreciated my voice and came to meet me to tell me I could sing. Then I heard their song, Omoge Mi, which I did a remake of called Bobo Mi and sent it to them. They put it on their Bizzy Bodi remix album, and when it was time to do Do Me, they just called me up to say they had a song which they thought I would be good on. Overall, it was a great experience.

What’s your fashion statement?

I decided to carry my hair short as my rebranding style. Nigerian ladies generally look the same to me. Once I hear that someone is a singer, the next thing I see is a Beyoncé flowing hair look. I decided I had to look for something subtle but edgy, thus my short hair. For clothing, I’m a jeans person on a normal day, but I prefer gowns for the red carpet. I like Ankara, but not strictly. For me, the key is to always be comfortable in whatever I wear, showing that I am a full woman.

You said you were trying to fit into the music scene. What was that like for you?

With these things, you have to first identify what your consumers want and put yourself secondary. They are the reasons you do what you do and why you are in business. It is a problem if you don’t satisfy them. So it is one thing to give them and another to know what to give.

I just realised that two classes of people dwell in the industry: the entertainment people and the consumers. The former believe they have the right idea of what the consumers want only to discover later that the consumers want something different.

The reality is that most of the people who give advice do not necessarily consume your product. It is the people who do not know you but love what they hear and buy your CDs. One cannot afford to fail, especially as a female singer. I take extra care to come up with the best because these things help us to become what we are and intend to be in future. Yes, there are challenges but I consider them small fries. We always find a way around them.

What makes you want to be a part of the Nigerian music industry despite the initial challenges and difficulties with you fitting in?

Nigerians are superbly talented in whatever we do and I rate the industry a 100 per cent. In spite of the difficulties, we have been able to do excellent music which people are truly able to sit down and enjoy.

Not too long ago, I was watching MTV Base and heard a song by a non-Nigerian sounding very much like ours here. I can’t readily remember what song or who sang it. People from all over hear and enjoy our songs and copy them. The unfortunate thing is we judge ourselves by their standards and do not see the genius in us or realise that what they give us was originally ours.

Also, they put professionalism into all they do, which we do not, because we tend to play with everything we do. Many of us consider music as a hobby rather than as a profession and means of livelihood.

In as much as we do great songs, there are some empty ones too. What do you think about them and of the rhythm and message, which are more important?

One can’t be more superior than the other. You can’t have good rhythm and lack message and vice versa.

What then happens where there is more of one than the other?

Well, everyone has his style and purpose. Just as one has fingers to pick things up and a nose to perceive, artistes also have different focuses and functions in the industry.

People listen to music for different reasons. Some do not want sober songs and will be fine with a rhythm that suits them without paying attention to the lyrics. Some others are moved by the depth of the message in the lyrics. So either way, there is an audience. Just do it the right way.

When I hear songs talk about drugs, sex and all, my only concern is what will happen ten years from now when you have kids and they say my dad used to play a ganja song? I think people should beware of these things. In spite of this, my belief is that everybody has a mission to fulfil in the industry and we all do what brought us here.

Is the Nigerian music industry in the right place in the global music scene?

Not yet, but we are getting there surely and fast, because we have grown so much more than even five years ago. Look  at TuFace or Nneka who was on the David Letterman show recently and won the MOBO awards. Femi Kuti has always been representing us, taking over from his father and was even an Oscar nominee. There is also Lagbaja and so many more all over the world.

Although we have not stamped our music identity on every country, we will get there. It’s a gradual process.

You had several nominations last year. How did you feel not winning any?

I was nominated for the Hip Hop World Awards in the category of Best Female Vocal. The second was the Nigeria Music Video Awards for best new video and the third was Dynamics for best new act. The one that made me to shed two white diamonds was the Hip Hop World Awards, because it was the first time that I was nominated for an award. It was for my first single and you know this passion you have about first things. But I consider it a blessing to be nominated for my first song.

However, the NMVA one ‘upset’ me. I wasn’t unhappy that I didn’t win; I was indifferent to it because everybody in my category is a blessed and very talented person. But just as they finished announcing the winner for my category, I went on stage and performed (laughs). And when they told me I was up for the next performance, I imagined they should have made me perform before the award. But I did it. It’s my job and I have to be prepared at all times regardless of how heartbreaking the news is.

Are you in a relationship?

No! (laughing) and I am not searching.

What are you doing then?

I am waiting to be found. I do not think I am in the office to search, because the Bible does not say so and you find that each time you go searching, you end up with the wrong thing. Right now, I am focusing on my career and my family, but eventually, it will come; so no searching.

What was your performance in South Africa like with Wyclef?

I felt like a star performing with an icon like him. I learnt a lot about the art of being an artist from him.

I was reading a report about you forgetting your lines. Could you tell us about it?

(Laughs) Okay. I went for a fashion show. I don’t know what happened to me that day, I was kind of jittery. It wasn’t really being jittery; I think I was nervous, but not so nervous. It’s this kind of situation where you are so confident of what you are going to do and the next thing is that you totally forget what you are supposed to sing. You understand?

That is exactly what happened. I forgot about two lines of the song I was supposed to sing. I won’t say which song, but just know that that day was not a good day at all, and two days later, my friend called and told me I was in one of the papers and they had reported the incident.

But in the long run, such things make you, because this is what you do for a living and you do not have an excuse to forget that kind of a thing and you should always be prepared to represent because you are not representing just yourself but your country and society, so you don’t make that kind of mistake.

What is your genre of music and why that?

Judging from my singles, Somewhere which is neo-jazz, Kolo is hip hop and Ada is a mix of R&B and afro. I love real music, which expresses my feelings. A lot of times, these are slow, ballads or R&B kind of songs; because that is the only way you can really express emotions. Basically, I am an R&B fan. I love, love songs.

What’s your inspiration?

Everything and anything in life inspires me. I have noticed you smile a lot. That just might be an inspiration to write on smiles. But basically, because I want people to connect to me, I like to be inspired by things that people experience.