I’m addicted to the stage – Weird MC

Wow the name Weird MC. Well I started out with a group called Da Weirdoes. We split up after a couple of years and I decided to go solo so I kept the name Weird MC. I wanted something unique. Rap is generally considered a male domain. How have you fared in it? My sound […]

Wow the name Weird MC. Well I started out with a group called Da Weirdoes. We split up after a couple of years and I decided to go solo so I kept the name Weird MC. I wanted something unique.

Rap is generally considered a male domain. How have you fared in it?

My sound is really different. Yes there is an element of rap/hip-hop in what I do. I will like to think that in my own way I have impacted the Nigerian sound scape with the uniqueness of my style. You have to work twice as hard being a woman; I have always felt that sucks but also feel I have done enough in my own way. I can only get bigger and better by His grace.

What has been your driving force in the Nigerian entertainment industry?

I am a very, very determined person. I strive for excellence and describe myself as a goal getter. I hate to fail. When I look at people like Queen Latifah, I am amazed by the way she has been able to go beyond music and still maintains her integrity. In Nigeria, here, Onyeka Onwenu was my driving force. She motivated me. I was like wow, this is a strong woman doing her thing. The fans too keep me motivated they have been so supportive.

What is different for you being here and being in England?

Over here you have to go for it “no dulling”. Nigerians are not patient you have to give it to them straight no chaser. The UK fans are a bit more patient. They soak in the songs; they like gradual build up on stage. In Nigeria you have to be flexible, you must be ready for anything. Nigeria is my home I’m a true Nigerian and I love it, having said that Nigerian female artistes need to be encouraged.

Many describe you as the initiator of hip-hop music in Nigeria and female rap. Do you consider yourself so?

I am deeply honoured to be perceived in that light. The journey has been long; sometimes crazy but fulfilling. I remember being at a hip-hop world magazine signing at the galleria in Lagos. As soon as Sasha signed one of the magazines and gave it to me when I read what she had written I was overwhelmed. She wrote “Thanks for being the foundation. You are the reason we are building”. I thank God I did not toil in vain but I will not take sole credit for pioneering Nigerian hip-hop. I remember Mode 9, Eldee, Extra Large, 6 foot plus, DR Fresh, Solo Dee, Sound on Sound. We pushed and pushed. I was the only female and it was war. I had to be strong but like I said we thank God we opened doors for the likes of Remedies, Plantation Boiz and so on.

How do you think your music has affected listeners?

Most of the people who listen to my songs get messages of hope and positivity. A lot of women walk up to me and tell me I give them strength. By just seeing what I do, they like the songs and find solace in some of the content. It is the same for the men.

Aspiring artistes also feel impacted. They tell me I give them hope.

How have you been able to hold your fans bound to you and your style?

It is by His Grace it is a true blessing 15 years and still doing my thing I am truly grateful.

What was your motivation to go into music and are you pleased you did or do you think you would have had more impact and personal success doing something else?

At some point I had to decide on professional basketball or music. I went for music and love the freedom of being on my own doing my thing. I loved the effect the music had on people when I stepped on stage. I studied true performers like Michael Jackson, Tina Turner and Janet Jackson. I was in awe by their performances. I was like wow this is what I want to do. I have no regrets I love what I do. I am addicted to the stage and I am thankful I have been able to come this far featuring in major concerts in Africa and other continents. Receiving major music awards, the mad love on the streets, the respect… it can only get better especially now that I want to give back I am grooming my own acts.

The 0907 Label imprint so far has only been about the Weird MC. Now we are taking on fresh talent. We have a female artiste we are working with already.

One of your icons is the late Mariam Makeba you say. Listening to your music, it may not be possible to readily identify any traces of her in your songs. How then did she affect you?

It was enough being a strong African woman. I connected with her on that level; her fearlessness. She had to leave her country, she stood her ground. I have immense respect for her. It is the same with Olufunmilayo Kuti and women who paved the way for greatness.

What did Fela mean to you, for one who is a great admirer of his?

Fela for me… fearless, principled, a teacher in life and in death. He was an original soothsayer, a true master of his craft. I remember going for his comprehensive shows. Those were true edutainment. Well spoken, handsome. I was lost for breath the first time I met him I was so excited and nervous at the same time.

My song Allen Avenue is a fusion of Afrobeat and Hip-Hop. I took a cue from one of his classics called Look and Laugh. I needed to clear the sample he listened to my song and gave me the thumbs up. I felt like dancing he said ‘’you see a Nigerian rapper sampled my music she appreciates African music”. I am so proud to have met him and I got close to the family too.

What has been the most exciting period of your years in entertainment?

The very first time I got really excited was when I was billed to be on a UK Tour called da Rhythm and Bass tour, at the time Newjack swing was the in thing. I was on stage in my element when at some point I noticed the late Aaliyah. She was standing by the side of the stage I almost fell off my knees and went ‘ha… see me see Aaliyah watching my performance’. I was such a huge fan of hers. She was really warm and friendly.

After that I dropped my promo singles in the U.K. We got amazing feedback from the underground and black press. It felt so good.

Coming back to Nigeria and getting my material licensed to a Nigerian, Label Disc Entertainment was a great step. We released my debut album Simply Weird. Just as it took off we began receiving an overwhelming amount of feedback. We followed it up with a massive promo-video which earned me my very first award for hip-hop music in Nigeria. The feeling it brought to me was indescribable.

When I released Ijoya on the After Da Storm album, I didn’t expect the level of acceptance it got. Every nook and cranny, the video was just  all over the places. I was so overcome by joy. As if this was not enough, I received the awards for the Best Animated Video from Channel O, Best Pop Album in Hip-hop World Awards and finally the womenfolk decided to embrace me by presenting me with a special award as the Most Influential female. The Nigerian Music Awards, the accolades just kept pouring in. I was featuring in all the major shows. Now I have new things coming, the feedback for my Jehovah video is alarming right now. It can only get better.

What was producing Ijoya like?

It was wonderful. Don Jazzy and JJC breathed life into it. I had a template and knew they would understand the direction of the song. Initially it was just Don Jazzy and I in the studio for the first session then JJC got in on the song too. It was such a blessing to have them on it. I dropped my vocals and we all knew we had something special. It was fun, great chemistry and positive energy.

Did you imagine it would make the kind of impression it did?

No and till today I am still in shock.

You have a new album on the way. Could you tell us about it?

Yes I am so, so excited. We dropped a few singles already Jehovah [Da Paper Song] featuring Swithc. Don’t stop [Sewere] featuring T. DR Pat and Happyday [Da Euro remix].

We also just shot two new videos. One is already getting mad rotation. The video for Jehovah directed by Clarence Peters has appearances by Gbenga Adeyinka, Yinka Davies, Kofi and Pasuma. HappyDay was directed By Sesan Ogunro.

The album is titled Broken Silence and has a clever balance of songs mad energy as well as some subtle elements to it. The bulk of the material was produced by Legendary Beatz and some by DJ Zeez. I did some collaboration with Switch, Yinka Davies and DR Pat.

Is there a central focus in the tracks?

No not really; just good music, sensible lyrical content, high energy, as well as an impressive balance of materials. This time I went outside the box some more but still brought it home.

Happyday has a feel good message while Jehovah is inspirational. Life is beautiful has a crazy mad energy. Yatogan Drum basically bass is eccentric. Jijitimoji reflective and so on this time we brought it from different sides of the fence.

Apart from singing what else do you do?

I am a Special Road Safety Marshall. I am also a goodwill ambassador, then, I love property.

How have you helped the bad road use culture we have?

I am a no non sense official o.  We go out on patrols, spread the word and give out leaflets. We are also concerned about child safety, over speeding, use of seatbelts, observing zebra crossings and traffic lights.

You have had stage and studio collaborations with local and international musicians such as Femi Kuti, Jimi Hendrix, among others. What has the experience been like for you with these different people against the different backgrounds you operate in?

It was wonderful working with Femi but the song we did called Palava was never released by the label I will at some point.

Working with Femi was a great experience. No ego, no airs. He just dropped by, listened to the song and played the sax. It was a damn awesome encounter at the time I had the Plantation Boiz on the chorus Tuface and Blackface.

Working with Tony Allen was fun. They had already laid down the track; I just went it and dropped my vocals. It was ecstatic with Wunmi Olaiya and the rhythmic altered state. It was the same with P Square; simply energetic performances.

How were you able to convince your parents into accepting your choice of music and how supportive   have they been of you?

My father was really angry he never accepted it. God rest his soul. My mum was afraid but she came round later. They are both late may their gentle souls rest in peace.