Talent is sometimes not enough – Vtek

Weekend Magazine: You are a music producer as well as a singer. What is it like juggling the two? Victor Kpoudosu: It’s a lot of work, really. They are both intertwined, yet require full attention to grow. But I have the will to win, and that’s what drives it. And of course, it can be […]

Weekend Magazine: You are a music producer as well as a singer. What is it like juggling the two?
Victor Kpoudosu: It’s a lot of work, really. They are both intertwined, yet require full attention to grow. But I have the will to win, and that’s what drives it. And of course, it can be really exhausting, but God gives gifts for us to cash in.
WM: What did it take to build VTEK Music?
Kpoudosu: Vtek Music, as a distinctive sound, has been in the works all my life. As an artist and an artiste, our works are shaped by our experiences in life. As a brand, it’s taken a lot of time and resources to come this far, and this is just the beginning of greater things to come.
WM: You have produced a good number of artistes, including P-Square, Zaina, Fenando, Sheyman, and Dumebi, to mention a few. Do you have criteria for signing in?
Kpoudosu: Well, I’ll like to see artistes as clay. Of course, a few are mud. But I can work with anyone who has the drive, skill, even a little, and a vision or the mind to create a vision. Of course, working with P-Square on ‘Shekini,’ ‘Ejeajo,’ ‘Enemy solo’ featuring Awilo Longomba and on the other songs in that album is an exception because these are ‘made men’ with a defined sound.
WM: How do you spot talent?
Kpoudosu: I look out for passion, talent, intelligence and some kind of visual appeal. Most have some of these qualities, but only a handful have all of them. These qualities are what can make and keep an artiste in this new age of independent music.
WM: Some artistes appear not to have a good singing voice and yet make it to stardom. How does a producer know when to sign in and when not to?
Kpoudosu: Really, talent, sometimes, is not enough. Like I said, some people have the star power, whether they sing well or not. It’s the job of the label to find what sells in the person and project it to the world. For example, D’Banj was no Brian McKnight but they sold that charisma and it made way for the music. 
WM: Is there a sort of rule for when an upcoming artiste can release a full album?
Kpoudosu: Upcoming artistes must understand that it is not about releasing songs but building a brand. My rule is simple – build image and sound to the point where you are not under pressure to release an album just to cash in on what has been but because you are now recognised as a next-rated brand and artiste.
WM: The Nigerian music industry is rising by the day. As a producer, what do you think needs to be done to meet up with the number of talents coming out?
Kpoudosu: That’s a tricky one. We need more investors who will invest in good music, not just big names and flash-in-the-pan trends. Also, there needs to be a system that lets artistes benefit fully from their hard work. Piracy is not helping. Also, artistes need to stop relying on a machinery to make them blow and start developing proper business sense.
WM: How did you start singing?
Kpoudosu: I have been singing as far back as childhood, but really keyed in on it around 2001 when my mother passed away. I loved the feeling I got from songs and I wanted to recreate them my own way.
WM: You recently released a single, titled ‘Wassup?’ What drives you?
Kpoudosu: It’s the passion to be the awesome one, to express myself to people in my own unique way. Also, a lot of people’s success depends on me doing my homework now.
WM: Are you working on any new songs of your own at the moment?
Kpoudosu: Yes I am. Right now, I’m working on a song with Chidinma and Ill Bliss which I intend to release at the end of next month. There are a whole lot of other people I will be working with, one of them being my big brothers, Peter and Paul Okoye.
WM: What was it like being the official producer for some of P-Square’s hit songs?
Kpoudosu: Working with P-Square was an enriching experience. It blessed me with the opportunity to grow my confidence, my skills, and also, I got to learn from masters in the business. Back then I was a 22-year-old who made music for the love of it.
WM: What tracks or albums should Nigerians expect from VTEK Music?
Kpoudosu: An album is in the works, yes, but more singles will be coming soon. I am working with all my people in the industry to create the best hits and the sickest producer/artiste album ever. And yes, there will be a few international collaborations.