‘Nigeria is populated with singers not musicians’

There are many gospel artists all over the place and they give gospel songs a new and interesting twist. What is uniqueness about yours? I can’t be judge in my own course. It is the public that will do that. Mind you, music breeds surprises sometimes. An album may be roundly good but cannot make […]

There are many gospel artists all over the place and they give gospel songs a new and interesting twist. What is uniqueness about yours?

I can’t be judge in my own course. It is the public that will do that. Mind you, music breeds surprises sometimes. An album may be roundly good but cannot make impact commercially. I think, God is the only authority that decides the success or otherwise of any musical album. Personally, I love creativity because music thrives so much on that.

Philosophy tells us that, “what is common between two persons cannot differentiate them”. If everybody is singing and playing the same pattern of music, how can you identify who is who in the industry?

You can inherit the gift of singing from your mother’s womb, but you cannot play musical instrument from the womb.

Those who played music several decades back did not cut corners; they went through the normal process and were able to give the world evergreen songs which many young musicians of nowadays reproduce in different styles in order to sell their songs. This is why Nigeria is populated with “singers” rather than “musicians”. There is a remarkable difference between a “singer” and a musician”.

What is the major theme of your songs?

My message revolves on God’s love for mankind and why we should show that kind of love to one another. With that kind of love, we can forgive and celebrate our differences; and our country will be free from violence, corruption, over ethnic consciousness, religious and political acrimony and other social vices.

What is the inspiration behind your songs?

As a little boy, I was inspired by musicians like ABBA, Bonny M, James Last, George Benson, Eric Gale, Don Williams, Kenny Rogers, Marvin Gaye and so on. On the home front, I enjoyed the likes of Fela, Ebenezer Obe, Oriental Brothers, and Oliver DeCoque. Although, these were secular musicians, but there are so many things musicians can learn from their music in terms arrangement.

How many songs have you done so far?

I had recorded two albums in the past but decided not to release them because I wasn’t one hundred per cent satisfied with their quality. The one I am about to release now is the third one. This one is somehow closer to what I really want. It is entitled “Sweet Jesus”.

In an industry like this with so many professionals and great upcoming artists, what are your challenges and how do you overcome them?

I had paid my “dues” many years ago in the music industry. I have been in the business for 20 two years now and have faced numerous challenges. So, I don’t think there will be new challenges that will outweigh the ones I have encountered in the past. Challenges and I are like two sides of a coin. They spice up my creativity and dynamics.

Through playing my instruments, I single-handedly sponsored my university education and established my company. By His Grace, I have made some achievements. My band, The Heavy Duty Band is one of the biggest in the FCT right now. My musicians are drawn from different ethnic groups across the country. I am also MD of a company. Therefore, I am ever ready to wrestle challenges to the ground.

Could you tell us about your new album and the songs in it?

The album contains 13 tracks. The public will find it interesting. If the response is encouraging, I will give God the glory; if it is in the contrary, I will encourage myself as I had always done, thank God and move on.

How do you intend to break through the market with the likes of Buchi, Midnight Crew and others?

These people did not make hit albums because they are the best. Somebody’s album can be a seasonal “hit” and, thereafter, fizzle out. Commercial success of an album is not the yardstick for measuring who is or not a good musician. There were songs that sold like wild fire three years ago, but nobody buys them again today. And there are those that were released about forty years ago that are still selling up to this moment. In other words, I want to record and release songs that will outlive me.

Musicians have grown under you. What do you say to others who see you as an inspiration?

Young musicians in Nigeria should see music as an art not a vocation for unserious people and jesters. Let them acquire the basic knowledge and trainings needed in order to face the challenges ahead. Creative musicians are not opportunistic or so much in a haste to come to the limelight without adequate preparations. They are embodiments of patience, hard-work and determination