Nathaniel Bivan

Earlier this year, the artiste called Capital Femi left the Kennis Music label, to a new one, under which he released a single titled ‘Tumbo’. The singer spoke with Weekend Magazine on his musical journey from the United States to Nigeria, why he left Kennis Music, his passion for R&B and more. Excerpts: Weekend Magazine: […]

Earlier this year, the artiste called Capital Femi left the Kennis Music label, to a new one, under which he released a single titled ‘Tumbo’. The singer spoke with Weekend Magazine on his musical journey from the United States to Nigeria, why he left Kennis Music, his passion for R&B and more. Excerpts:

Weekend Magazine: Some singers talk about how they loved singing from childhood or discovered the talent later in life. What is your story?
Capital Femi: Mine isn’t so much different from theirs because music chose me from an early stage. I was born in Lagos where my dad was a pilot with Nigerian Airways for about 30 years. At a very young age I started going to America and when I was about 12 years old, he kept us there, my sister and I. So we were pretty much there, until I came to Nigeria in 2009 and finally relocated in 2010.
WM: What was your first encounter with music?
Capital Femi: That encounter was around my dad as a child, even while we were in Nigeria, my dad was playing the songs of Fela Anikulapo Kuti, and King Sunny Ade. I also grew up around my grandmother because my dad flew a lot. I remember we used to spend time at her house in Surulere where all the grandchildren used to come and we spent holidays together. My grandmother’s favourite musician at that time was Ebenezer Obey. I remember even when she passed away, if I am correct, we had him play at her funeral.
Ebenezer Obey was one of the first musicians I encountered; my dad also was playing Michael Jackson. But when I moved to the United States was when I really got exposed to music. There were the likes of Bobby Brown, New Edition, Guy, New Kids on the Block, Jodeci, NCYNC, the list is endless. So music started to shape me. But I didn’t know that I was going to be a singer then.
I started off as a dancer. I remember how I used to win dancing competitions at birthday parties before I found my voice as a musician in high school where I did a few talent shows, singing with other guys. When I graduated from high school, in my first year at the university, I joined a male group. We did some campus shows and that’s where I felt I really could do music.
WM: Why didn’t you delve into a genre like Afro Beat?
Capital Femi: I’m not going to say I’m not into Afro Beat because I really believe even those who are into it, it’s because that’s who they are and what they grew up listening to. There’s this thing they say, that you can be part of your environment. So, at that time Afro Beat was not part of my environment, that was not the sound I listened to growing up. What you hear is what you gravitate towards, so that’s why. I wouldn’t say I am not into Afro Beat because my newest beat, ‘Tumbo’, which I dropped a few months back, is a fusion of High Life and R&B music. I have been in Nigeria now for over five years and I am starting to get a feel of the different kinds of sounds we have here and blend it with my sound, thereby creating more of a universal sound. 
WM: Have you been performing internationally?
Capital Femi: I have performed a few times in the UK, but currently I am more based in Nigeria. Now that I am on my own, I and my partners are geared towards being on stage in Europe and Asia. That’s how 3Six Music came about, it is my label. I decided to go the independent route, but it takes a lot of work.   
WM: What is the story behind your name?
Capital Femi: I came into the industry as Femi and as time went on I realized that Femi on its own didn’t have a distinction. We have a few Femi’s in the industry like Femi Kuti and his name has a distinction because ‘Kuti’, the surname, has a lot of weight and history attached to it. Capital Femi just happened as I was walking down the stairs with my big brother and I recall just saying, I’m yours truly the one and only, the Capital F-E-M-I and the rest is history. And I also came up with a song titled ‘Capital F.E.M.I’ from my debut album ‘The Year of RNB’ in 2012.
WM: When you sing, what will you say is your goal?
Capital Femi: To give my best and most importantly, to connect. There’s an awesome energy I feel when I know the audience leaves with a piece of me and also, without a doubt, to be successful.
WM: What was your first experience on stage like?
Capital Femi: I have had a lot of first experiences on stage because for me each one is a first. The one I fondly remember is when I performed for one of the telecoms companies in a show in Ilorin and the audience was just eating out of my hands. It left me feeling like I was on cloud nine.
WM: How do you view the Nigerian music industry, in terms of hitting the limelight?
Capital Femi: It’s not easy. It takes a lot of hard work where you just have to make up your mind to stay focused. Truthfully, being in the limelight is just one phase, keeping yourself in the limelight is a different ball game in itself.
WM: You have plans to delve into acting. Can you share some of your plans?
Capital Femi: If the right script comes along I’ll be open to it. We have a lot of fine actors and actresses. I have my favourites, like Rita Dominic, Benjamin Joseph and many more. When the opportunity arises, I will give it a go. I am open to any role that comes as long as I can sink myself into the character, bring it to life and make it believable.
WM: Earlier this year, you parted ways with Kennis Music, where you had been for about six years. What prompted that?
Capital Femi: The most constant thing in life is change. Kennis Music was great to me while I was there. I cannot and won’t write my history without them. I just felt it was time for a change for me, not just with music, but in life itself.
And with my own label, 3six Music, it’s been great, although not easy. Anything you start from scratch takes time and a lot more effort. Yet we are built able and ready for challenge.
WM: Which artistes are you looking forward to collaborating with?
Capital Femi: They would be Tiwa Savage, Flavour, Darey Art-Alade, Wande Coal and Omawunmi, as each would bring a different sound that I enjoy.