Why I went to the US – El-dee

eekend Magazine: How has entertainment life been as a married man for you?El-Dee: It’s pretty much the same as it was before I got married. I’m married to my best friend, not just some random girl I met in a club. We’ve been together way before the music started so she totally understands the sacrifices […]

eekend Magazine: How has entertainment life been as a married man for you?
El-Dee: It’s pretty much the same as it was before I got married. I’m married to my best friend, not just some random girl I met in a club. We’ve been together way before the music started so she totally understands the sacrifices that need to be made for us to balance both sides.
Your passion for music, can you briefly tell how it began?
It started in secondary school in Kaduna. We used to perform at talent shows and I won a few times. I decided to explore my creativity further and got some recording equipment. That’s how I began producing music. I would play for my friends during lunch break and began to build a small following. By the time I graduated, everyone knew me as eLDee the entertainer. Then I moved to Lagos and needed to pre-occupy myself with some creativity other than architecture, that’s how Trybesmen was born.
How long have you been in the entertainment industry?
SInce 1997. For some time you were off shooting videos but of recent you resumed.
What was responsible for the break and what prompted your resumption in shooting?
I was never really off shooting videos; I just took a break off and spent more time on making music. The reason I moved to the USA was to sharpen my production and creative skills, I believe I am ready to deliver now. That’s the reason I re-located back home. I will be shooting many more videos over the next few months.
Many would have thought that you would follow the course of architecture which you have a degree in but you choose music? Why, did it not occur to you that architecture might be more lucrative than the entertainment industry in Nigeria as at the time you started?
I’ve always been a passion driven person. Architecture was my back-up plan and I’m glad I haven’t had to use it yet. It will definitely come in handy when the time comes. I’ve not abandoned I have a secret passion for it.
What was instrumental to the debut of your record label ‘trybe record’?
I started the record label because no existing label at the time was interested in the style of Nigerian music that we introduced. My vision was very clear and I’m glad that it has come to fruition.
Your record label ‘Trybe record’ how well is it faring in the United States?
I don’t have any artists signed to Trybe Records in the US, so I wouldn’t consider Trybe Records an American establishment. We do have a production arm there but that is only to facilitate what we are doing back here in Nigeria.
Do you think going solo was the best thing that could have ever happened to you in the entertainment industry?
I believe in collective efforts because it has more strength but over time, I learned the hard way that when everyone has a different vision, it’s difficult to achieve desired goals. Going solo was a good thing for me because for the first time in my career, I didn’t have to babysit anyone. It’s just me, myself and I.
With so many artistes entering into collaborations, would you be caught going into any collaboration with just any artiste for the money?
I don’t get paid to collaborate. I get paid to produce and write songs. I can work with any artist as long as I see even the least bit of potential. I think that is one of my strengths, the ability to make a big deal out of something ordinary. I don’t believe in discriminating against artists. If I see potential, I’ll work with you. It’s not about money, it’s about creative expression.
You are a producer, songwriter, performing artiste, an architect, a rapper and a husband. How do you juggle all these and still remain focused?
I am lucky to have a very understanding wife and I have a good team of people working with me. Most of the pressure is taken off me by my team. It’s not easy to juggle but I’m getting by.
With all these do we see you taking up a role in Nollywood?
Weird you ask that because I’m currently on the set of “Return of Jenifa” making my Nollywood debut. I’ve done stage plays but I haven’t been on the big screen before now. I’m excited about it. Who gave you the scoop if I may ask?
Female fans could cross the line on most occasions, how do you manage some of them especially now that you are married?
I just treat my fans as fans and not allow them cross the line. Smile, take pictures, hang out and say bye bye.
How does your wife react to some of these stage craze by fans especially the female ones?
She’s used to it. Like I said earlier, she’s been there from the beginning so she understands what it takes to manage a celebrity husband. I have also built trust over the years by not messing around. She’s never disturbed by female fans. She knows I can handle them and the stubborn ones she can handle, I believe.
Could you shed more light on your works with CNN, Cartoon Network, Warner Bros, Kimberly Clark and some others?
I run an interactive media business in Atlanta with a few partners. We develop everything from websites, to TV shows, to radio shows, TV adverts, music videos, motion graphics and broadcast media related content. Some of the companies you mentioned are a few of our clients.
Coming back to awards, how many international and local awards have you bagged since you came into the music industry?
I don’t remember the exact number but quite a few. 
You album ‘Big Boy’ received 17 nominations, what was it like for you at that moment?
Interesting to know that I am recognized by the award organizations but I’m never really excited about awards. I’m more excited about the reception of my music by my fans. 
Can you remember any disappointing moment in your career that almost made you want to quit?
I’m not a quitter. I have only considered quitting when I realized how much we are getting ripped off as Nigerian artists. What keeps me going is the fact that someone has to lead the change in the entertainment industry so the average artist can benefit from their intellectual property.
How would you compare the entertainment industry in Nigeria with that of the USA & UK?
We’ve done a lot in the past decade but so much more has to be done for our industry to come close to that of the western world. Our government needs to step up to the plate and help us create necessary infrastructure.
You grew up all your life in Kaduna. Do we see any song in purely in Hausa coming from you very soon?
I have always included hausa in my music. Listen to “Champion”, “You blow my mind”, “run dem mouth” and many more. I can never forget where I came from and what made me eLDee.
The Hip Hop genre of music is believed to be strongly surrounded in Competition. What do you have say to that?
People always compete but I personally believe there is room for everyone in our industry. We are not yet at the point where one artist can be in the way of another’s success.
How did you come about the name ‘Eldee d Don’?
eL & Dee are my initials, people around me began calling me “The don” because I was a one-stop-shop for music. I write songs, produce, rap, shoot videos, I’m modern technology-savvy and I own my own record label.