J. Martins- ‘How my church pushed me into music’

J Martins: Well, I will say it all started from my mum and church. My mum was a choir mistress while I was growing up. She used to take me with her whenever she goes for choir practice. I guess that’s where I started picking up the flair for music from. Then I started developing […]

J Martins: Well, I will say it all started from my mum and church. My mum was a choir mistress while I was growing up. She used to take me with her whenever she goes for choir practice. I guess that’s where I started picking up the flair for music from. Then I started developing interest as I grew up. I joined the choir and started playing instruments, too, and the rest is now history.

WM: What did you study in school?

Martins: Mass communications

WM: How has the road to fame being so far?

Martins: I will have to thank God for where I am at this point in my life and career, but honestly, it has not been easy. Well, like they say, nothing good comes easy. All that matters is that I always knew where I was heading and I stuck to my belief in the gift God has deposited in me. The challenges are enormous, but God is bigger than any challenge that may come my way as long as nothing takes God’s place in your life. Its not easy you know, but it is well.

WM: Have you received any award locally or internationally?

Martins: Talking about awards, I have received quite a few, both locally and internationally. Some I can remember some I can’t.

WM: Your debut album did you expect it to be a hit regarding the response it got from people.

Martins: In life, there are surely expectations and sometimes we meet our expectations and sometimes we don’t. I am satisfied with the response I got for my album and I will like to say a special thank you to all who have contributed in their own way to make my works successful.

WM: Last year seemed to be a very successful one for you, what hopes do you have for the future?

Martins: Only God knows exactly what the future holds. Man proposes and God disposes. However it’s always good to have plans for tomorrow. I hope I can make more impactful music that will transcend races and nations. Music that will break barriers and inspire people to greater things in life, am talking about meaningful music

WM; Most people term you as being godly, so will it be wrong to say that you might be towing the spiritual lane in your music career.

Martins: Life starts and ends with God. That’s my personal belief and am sure am entitled to it. I don’t think I will be where I am today without God so I have to acknowledge him in my own way.

WM: what inspires you as most of your songs seems to be from personal experiences?

Martins: life is always full of different stories to tell. Everyone in life is faced with similar circumstances that you or I might have faced in one point in our lives, I only try to make people see that live is full of up and downs but with faith and courage you will definitely overcome it. I can term my songs to be inspirational.

WM: Some are also of the belief that your rhythms are always the same is that sort of your music signature?

Martins: Different people see my songs in different ways and that’s a good thing for me. I try to do better than myself most times.

WM: What are the greatest challenges you have faced so far in your music career?

Martins: My greatest challenge has been to better my own record and myself generally. I am my own biggest fan and critic. I always try to go one step better than my last effort. I hope am not stretching myself too far. However, I believe life is all about progression and challenges, it is left for us to weather our way through whatever circumstances we find ourselves.

WM:  Are you married and if not how do you cope with the various gestures from ladies knowing fully well that you are a star to reckon with?

Martins: I am not married yet, but I am with someone special whom I love. Life is in stages, when the time is right the right thing will be done. About the fans, I am a professional and I know where to draw the lines in my rapport with my female fans.

WM: What has been your greatest regret in your music career so far?

Martins: So far, there hasn’t been anything to regret, because the Almighty has always been there for me and if I say I have any regrets it means I am not grateful for all the good things he has done in my life.

WM: Tell us about your relationship with the P Square family.

Martins: Those are my brothers’ right there. I call them brothers from another mother. I guess that says it all. We are cool like that and nothing or no one can strain that already established relationship.

WM: Tell us about your childhood pranks?

 Martins: Childhood was very interesting and really fun but for now can’t really remember any naughty prank we played in those days.

WM:  How did your parents take your music career from the beginning?

Martins: As expected, they didn’t take likely to it. But thank God I didn’t abandon the dream, they are happy for me today and glad I di not give up my ambition.

WM: There was once a report that you were disowned thrice by your parents how were you able to cope during that crisis?

Martins: I thank God I can look back at those periods of my life and give glory to God for where He has taken me today.

WM: How many collaborations have you done with other artistes and who are they?

Martins: I have done quite a few collaborations. However I have featured on other people’s songs most recently p square, bracket, ignite, Naeto C and Waje amongst others.

WM: What is your take on the Nigerian entertainment industry?

Martins: Nigerian entertainment industry is growing and can still grow bigger and better than it is if the proper structures and encouragement are put in place. Though it’s amazing how people are now appreciating Nigerian artistes, with the right motivation and encouragement we would defiantly get there.

WM: Tell us about your next album and what your fans should expect?

Martins: The title is ‘Elevated’. I can only say my fans should expect me to deliver quality as usual. However, I will let them be the judge of that. It drops On November 2nd, 2009.

WM: What other thing do you do asides music?

Martins: I do other things aside singing but they are all related to music, but I wouldn’t want to go into details for now.

WM: But definitely not militancy.

Martins: defiantly not (laughing)

WM: One last word for your fans.

Martins: I can only tell u to find the gift in you, develop it, believe in yourself and find how to make your gift profit you. As you do that, apply humility in all you do and don’t ever let any man tell you, you can’t be all you want to be. You can be all you want to be in life…. yes you can. Cool temper because if you believe you will defeat.