‘I’d like to be Arewa’s break-through in US music industry’

What have you been up to in the last one year? My manager, Lisa Norman and I have been doing artiste development. I have been involved in developing myself as an artiste and my promotional team as well as shooting two videos which will be out at the end of the year. The videos are […]

What have you been up to in the last one year?

My manager, Lisa Norman and I have been doing artiste development. I have been involved in developing myself as an artiste and my promotional team as well as shooting two videos which will be out at the end of the year. The videos are for my singles ‘Private show’ and ‘How Can We Be Friends’, currently available on iTunes.

In Nigeria, you performed at a benefit concert for a charity that helps kids with autism. Why autism?

Autism is something I think Nigerians aren’t very well-informed about, and should be. We do have autistic children, but we don’t really know about it.

You also indicated that you would like to impact on African women in the Diaspora…

Music is something I would like to use as a therapeutic instrument because I think we have very, very talented people. It is an area I would like our women to get into. I’d like to center on young women in the Diaspora, educating them on the power of music. Not just education in the formal sense, but also because I see music as a major part of life.

Going by what you just said, do you think music, for many Nigerians, goes beyond entertainment?

Yes. Even people who have not had a chance to listen to commercial music do their own local music and enjoy it. On if they see it as another form of education, I think some people do but the majority does not. They look at it purely as entertainment and wayward, which is absolutely untrue.

People make the choices they do with music and I am glad that Nigeria is beginning to be open to music, for entertainment and other reasons, as well.

Your academic background is in Psychology and Biochemistry. Do you practice?

I have laid the foundation for myself in those fields. But right now it is about my music, which needs one hundred and fifty per cent of my time and attention. That is not to say that part of my life is over, but that for now I am trying to build my music career.

How has the move from Canada to the US been and how has it impacted on your music?

It’s not that I didn’t create while in Canada but in the US I have done a lot more. The people that I have met have helped form me creatively. Since moving there, it is like I am trying to become one with my music. I have an amazing manager and work with people who are on the same page with me. It definitely has been great.

Did winning the Beat Awards open new doors or just motivated you to work more?

It did. The first thing it did for me was to give me a clear focus on what I wanted for myself musically because I have always enjoyed singing and writing. Winning proved to me that I could do it. It did more for me personally than with all the people it has allowed me meet.

It opened doors for me in that it created more respect for me with people as opposed to being regarded as one who just sings. It showed diversity and also allowed me meet with industry officials who have helped my music grow.

How is it, being a Nigerian/Sierra Leonean artiste in the US?

The competition is amazing. What I would really love is to be the Northern Nigerian breakthrough between Africa and the West. Like another top artiste breaking out from Africa in the West. That will be an amazing achievement, like Akon has done. It will be great for a young female artiste from Arewa to do the same.

There is word out that Nollywood is eyeing you. What is it they want you to do?

(Laughter) I’m not sure about that rumour right now. But for now, music is my focus. I don’t have any intention of acting at the moment. I want to focus on one thing.

What if they are asking you to do soundtracks?

Oh, I would do that. I would be ready to a soundtrack for any Nollywood movie that has a great cast, director, script, et cetera. In that context, I’d love to work with Nollywood.

You have been away for about a year. In that time a lot has gone on in the Nigeria’s music industry. What are your views on the development?

I’m very, very proud. I have been singing Nigeria’s praise in this regard because we do have talents and they need to shine. What is the point of hiding behind shadows when we have all that we do? Even the female artistes, like Tiwa Savage who came back, is doing well. She is someone to look up to. Then with the different awards, everyone is getting a chance to be seen and heard. This makes me really happy.

Even while I was away, and during the Beat Awards, with MI and everyone else, it makes me feel good, crossing over and I am here to bridge that cross-over.

You performed alongside M.I, Brymo and Lindsey at a charity dinner/concert last week. How did that make you feel?

It felt great. I felt like I was a part of something. They are already famous and established and I’m coming here trying to get my name out. Performing on the same stage with them felt really good. I’m a huge fan of Lindsey’s, M.I’s and Brymo’s. They rock!

Who is the one person you look forward to collaborating with?

It’s hard to pinpoint one, person because there are so many. But at the moment, I would love to collaborate with MI, Tiwa Savage, Brymo and Lindsey. I think they are unique artistes. Funny enough, I can’t wait for the day when I will say I collaborated with Femi Kuti.

Looks-wise, one minute you are like a super-stylish diva and the next, gritty urban. What informs your sense of style?

I am a big fan of fashion. I always look at the crowd that I am about to perform for and sometimes it depends on when I wake up in the morning and what I feel like wearing. Sometimes I feel like wearing jeans and a pair of stilettos and match it up with an Ankara top. I guess I get my style genes from my mum and a bunch of really fashionable aunts.

How do you manage the tussle of Nigeria and Sierra Leone both claiming you as one of theirs?

After all is said and done, I am human. Whether Nigerian or Sierra Leonean, I am African. But I’ll always be a Kaduna girl at heart, as that’s where I was born and raised. I definitely pull from all different cultures of mine. I speak Hausa, English and Creole. I only moved abroad after secondary school. When I went to Sierra Leone I saw how much they absolutely love Nigerian music, home videos and culture. When I did the radio station interview, the moderator asked me what I am and when I said a Nigerian-Sierra Leonean, she said aren’t you a Sierra Leonean-Nigerian? It just makes me feel very accepted at the end of the day. Isn’t that what we all want, really?