My poetry lives in my music – BaRuQ

How did you come by the name, ‘BaRuQ’? ‘BaRuQ’ is actually a Hebrew name spelt Baruch, it means ‘Blessed’. Is it because you feel blessed you took on the name or does it have something to do with your career? Basically, it goes both ways. For me to have a name that depicts blessings, that […]

How did you come by the name, ‘BaRuQ’?

‘BaRuQ’ is actually a Hebrew name spelt Baruch, it means ‘Blessed’.

Is it because you feel blessed you took on the name or does it have something to do with your career?

Basically, it goes both ways. For me to have a name that depicts blessings, that means it is a very good name and a portrait of life. For the career part, BaRuQ says or means he has been blessed with a talent and it has been channelled into a career that can be used to speak to the world positively.

Your musical influences go from Pink to Erykah Badu and a mix of such. What is it about them and/or their style that impacts on you?

Basically, I listen to all genres of  music, because they all seem to be related by instruments, chords and sounds. I also listen to a lot of soul music. That is why I am attracted to the likes of Maxwell, Erykah Badu, D’Angelo and Jill Scott among others.

Their soul jazz is deep and real. I relate to every bit of their story lines which are a great influence on me. For the likes of Pink, Lenny Kravitz, John Mayer, Daughtry, Linkin Park, U2, Coldplay and some others like them. This whole ‘family’ of rock stars take you to the thoughts of the reality of life. Their songs make me think aloud.

Could you tell us about your project, ‘Misconception’?

‘Misconception’ as the word implies, is an erroneous conception. It is my erroneous conception of life in words through songs and their mistaken notion of life. Basically, the world has gone gaga, things have changed, no more true love stories. People hardly ‘love’ a person for who he or she is but for what that person can bring to them. So I lay it out in my first debut single ‘Misconception’.

How did music start for you?

I grew up having music all around my ears, every other day as a kid. My dad sang in a band. Even before I could say the words ‘da da’, I heard his music. My mum is also a brilliant singer. I started singing at a very tender age by singing kiddies praise in my uncle’s cassette albums. I later joined a gospel group in secondary school, and was in a mass choir after secondary school. Sometime around 2003-2004 I went on to form a music group called ‘Connekt’. Today, here I am now singing alone as BaRuQ.

When and what was your first public performance like?

I have been up and down the stage most of my life but after the whole new branding, it has been just me up there.

My first public performance was in Jos two years ago. It was pretty challenging and exciting at the same time. The little stage frights first, then, as soon as I start my songs the wobbles in my knees freak out and disappear.

Thereafter I came in from Abuja for a show where I performed alongside rapper Pherowshuz.

Who do you look forward to having collaborations with?

Wow! I have a long list of people I hope to do collaborations with. To mention a few, they include Naeto- C, 2face, Nneka, Muna, Bez, Jeremiah Gyang, Dareng. I can’t wait to have Pink and also Lenny Kravitz on a track.

How would you describe your music genre?

I will describe my genre of music as Afro pop rock/alternative. I say ‘Afro’ because of the Nigerian dialect in it which gives me an identity.

What inspires your music?

I get inspired by everything that happens around me. What I see, feel, taste, hear and smell… It is simply how my environment affects me and vice versa.

Who do you look forward to working with?

I also have got a whole list of producers I look forward to working with. Right now, Dr. Tim is the one who has been making it happen for me. I am hoping to work with Jesse Jagz, Dareng, Sam Klef, Don Jazzy, Sammie Gezzle and many more good producers.

What is your target for the next five to ten years?

My target for that time is to give the world more good music. It is a smooth medium to talk to the world. There are a lot of things the world needs to know, hear and talk about. I plan to be an instrument for that.

Are you on any project at the moment?

Yes! I have been working on my first album, hoping to dish out my second single in a couple of months to come.

Could you tell us about it?

Well the album is going to be a very exciting one; it’s going to cover the whole aspect of living. It is going to be a whole different style, not the usual. But it is pretty positive, motivating and inspiring. I am optimistic a lot of people are going to love it; my fans are all ears anticipating it to be served hot from the kitchen.

How did growing up in Jos influence your choice of path?

Well, Jos has always been known as a musical city in Nigeria. It is an ‘if you can talk you can sing’ town. So it is a mine of musical talents. Jos is a very peaceful place, most people here are peaceful, in a sort of in-built way.

The serenity has helped to influence me right from when I was a kid till date. I mean even with the troubles it faces now I still find my musical solace here. I have grown seeing and hearing lots of musicians come out of Jos.

Many who pass through have been influenced by the sounds in the air. The likes of Tuface, Asa, P-Square, M.I., IcePrince, Jeremiah Gyang, Dareng, Jesse Jagz amongst many more are a product of this atmosphere.

What’s happened to the poetry side of you?

The poetry side of me still lives. I actually decided to put them into my music, so they are fused together.

Are you more fulfilled being a musician than you were a poet?

I will rather say my music travels faster than my poetry. I’m fulfilled both ways because I’ve got my poetry in my music and my music in my poetry.

Could you tell us a little about your first album?

My first album will be filled with the general themes of life. The themes I have focused on are love, heartbreak, politics, war, environmental issues and all that. There are twelve or thirteen tracks.

What should your fans expect in your second single?

They should expect another intriguing single coming their way. Maybe something a little upbeat for them to bump to.