I want to be a goddess of songs – Patchufire

Weekend Magazine: You entered the music scene in 2013 and have so far released about five singles. How has the journey been so far? Patience Chukwu: Truthfully, the journey has not been easy, given the competition in the music industry, but finally its God win. From my single ‘Alhaji,’ I faced a lot of criticisms […]

Weekend Magazine: You entered the music scene in 2013 and have so far released about five singles. How has the journey been so far?
Patience Chukwu: Truthfully, the journey has not been easy, given the competition in the music industry, but finally its God win. From my single ‘Alhaji,’ I faced a lot of criticisms from fans, from where I switched to pop music and then rap, which spiced it all up as my fan- base grew.

WM: How did you start singing?
Chukwu: Well, since my late dad was a music instructor, it was like we ate and drank music in the family. My late father, Sydney Chukwu, used to write gospel songs, with us trying to back-up the songs. We were also huge fans of the movies, ‘Sound of Music,’ and ‘Sister Act,’ and learned everything. I equally joined the choir. Prior to this, I used to sing for Ajip Performers at the Muson Centre, so it wasn’t hard for me to figure out that I was a music personality. As the last of four, I was always made to sing soprano and my sister, alto.

WM: Why the name Patchufire?
Chukwu: Patchufire is actually a combination of my names, except for the fire. It has been my nickname coined as far back as my childhood days by my sister who had the habit of forming a nick name for everyone. So from Patience Chukwu Ifebuche came Patchufire – Pat from Patience, Chu from Chukwu while fire is just a star symbol of birth, which I used to spice it up.

WM: What is that ‘first song’ you wrote in your lifetime and what was it about?
Chukwu: It was a gospel song which I wrote and recorded in 2005, titled ‘Saved Me.’ It was about my family’s ups and downs in life and how we were saved by God even when I lost my dad in 2001.

WM: You rap, sing, and write your songs. How easy or difficult is it doing all these?
Chukwu: It’s not easy, but it sure is fun. It’s a multi-tasking job, because one has to wear multiple garments of different origins and ‘swag.’ Finally, when you love what you do, you won’t find it difficult. It becomes a lifestyle for you – you and music become one.

WM: Have you had to contend with any sort of challenge, particularly with men, when it comes to rap?
Chukwu: Yes, I have had to contend with male artistes, and this happens to be because they are under the impression that they are better rappers. There was a time when we were on air and were asked to freestyle and an argument later ensued about who was better amongst us and later some callers called in to say the men were better.

WM: How did you feel when ‘Alhaji,’ your very first track was released?
Chukwu: I was very excited and happy about getting my first song out for all to hear. I took people unawares with my sudden turn to music. ‘Alhaji’ was played on Rhythm 97.5 FM Awka and Unizik FM Awka. I got lots of well done and criticisms too. Lots of folks started calling me ‘Alhaja Patchu’ and some new fans were all confused about my religion. Also, my online radio airplay made my song kind of international.

WM: You recently released another single, ‘Money Dey Come.’ What inspired such a song?
Chukwu: My single, ‘Money Dey Come,’ was basically borne from my thoughts about people in the ghetto who accept life the way they see it, living with their hopes for tomorrow, saying tomorrow will be better, in other words, ‘Money Dey Come.’

WM: You delve from pop to R&B and rap. What influences your style?
Chukwu: I am basically a lover and appreciator of all genres of music. I love every language as well as their songs and so I listen and enjoy all kinds of music. My style is influenced by my love for the art. For every sound and rhythm I like, I try out, even if it’s in Chinese or Korean.

WM: Which artistes have influenced you overtime?
Chukwu: There are many who have influenced my musical spirit right from my childhood, ranging from Barbra Streisand, Bob Marley, Diana Ross, Micheal Jackson, Yanni, Phynofino, Olamide, Nikki Minaj, Eminem, DMX, Chris Brown, Fela, Onyeka Onwenu, Kirk Franklin, Sasha, Eva, Tiwa Savage, Chidinma Kedike, Seyi Shay, Cynthia Morgan, Asa, and Victoria Kimani and on and on.  All these people have greatly influenced my music and its different styles. My next single, ‘Take Me,’ which will be out soon, will explain more on my love and passion for varieties in music.

WM: What will you classify as being the zenith in your career?
Chukwu: I will say that the zenith of my career will be that point where I will be seen as the goddess of songs, a music box and when my music touches lives. I often imagine I am MJ whose presence and stage performance carries the spirit of music until people lose their ability to stand. Also, when I build a music empire that will model, manage and raise battalions of musical talents. I think that’s it.

WM: What do you set out to achieve when you write your songs or perform them?
Chukwu: When I write a song, I’m bent on telling a story about something, a feeling, a philosophy or ideology about something. Music is a communication medium, hence a podium to speak your mind to all. The performance of my songs comes according to the type of genre of music I am about doing. For instance, when I’m performing an R&B song, I am a different person telling a different story of love. If it is rock, country or rap, I tell the story skillfully to drop my lyrics home.

WM: When are you dropping an album and what will it be about?
Chukwu: I intend dropping my first album before 2015 comes to an end and I have titled it ‘Risen Star.’ It will be all about me having a total remake of my being, mentality and the total recall of myself in the society and world at large.