‘Why I’m called Dan Hausawa’

I am an honest and emotional guy. I love what I do as a musician and am very dedicated to it. How did you go from Law to music? My initial plan was to study English, but I did not get admission into University of Jos. Music has always been my first love though. I […]

I am an honest and emotional guy. I love what I do as a musician and am very dedicated to it.

How did you go from Law to music?

My initial plan was to study English, but I did not get admission into University of Jos. Music has always been my first love though. I went to school just to be a good boy. (Laughs)

Many say you are from Kogi State and wonder why your surname is Hausawa. Could you tell us about that?

One of my godfathers named me so as a correctional measure to make me seat up and study. When I had low grades in school he would scold me asking why I was behaving like Dan Hausawa (Hausa boy). Amazingly the has followed me all these years.

For all you have done with your music, why have you not moved to Lagos which most artistes describe as the happening place for music?

I agree it is the hub of Nigerian music; for now I do not have the appetite for Lagos, I also think that moving to Lagos alone is not a license to making it big. Most artistes in Lagos can’t even feed themselves after leaving there for ten years. There are lots of my colleagues who migrated to Lagos and yet we do better than them. Sometimes it’s luck, and the blessing of God.

What themes do your songs address?

Mostly talk about love, women-the beauty, taste, elegance and grace of the woman. I also talk about social vices and a little of the normal Nigerian dance thing too.

How would you classify your genre?

Mine is funk, but in Nigeria, sometimes you are forced to touch on different areas so as to appeal to a larger audience. I incorporate other genres, but my focus is Hausa funk. Recently, I did a remix of Ice Prince’s `Oleku’ in Hausa and I actually scored it as rap which caused many people to ask how I came about rapping. Versatility you might say.

Could you tell us about your new album?

It is a sixteen-track album that covers every area of music. I have hooks in Yoruba, Ibibio, Hausa, French and Idoma. I also did some international collaboration with artistes from France, Gabon, Niger Republic and some Nigerian artistes.

Do you address tolerance amongst youth in the light of the recent happenings in Kaduna?

Very well, as a member of PMAN, I and a few others have been at the forefront of preaching peace, tolerance and tranquility among youths here. I also have a foundation which visits prisons to talk to youths on the need to be productive.

Kaduna, like Jos, has produced a decent number of artistes. But so far, the youths who form the majority of your fan base have hardly heard anything from you individually or as a group in the entire crisis. Why is that?

Jos has more artistes than Kaduna but I have a song in my album which I just recorded a few days ago that talks directly to the youths. I’m also trying to reach out to Terry Da Rapman, Zakki Adze and El Dee to do something.

When should your fans expect the album?

I’m still working on the marketing strategy, but in less than three months.

You worked with Hasanna Baba Ahmed. How did losing him affect you and the work you both did?

Hasanna was my benefactor, when he died my music died. I give God the glory for the life Hasanna lived and what he did in my life and in the life of more than twenty-five artiste that passed through our Record Label, Bakyad Records. His spirit lives on and that is why my music has been resurrected and I am ready to make him proud.

Do you have any tributes to him in your new album?

I have two tributes and an all-stars tribute by some of the artiste that worked with us.

The collaborations you had with him; are they dead or are you resurrecting them?

Yes, the family has been so kind to even support my career and the things I did with Hasanna.

There have been speculations that you are billed to appear in some Nollywood movies? Which ones are they and when is this happening?

I have been approached by a few Nollywood and Kannywood people, but so far I have only produced soundtracks for them. There is a film crew from London with whom Hasanna worked that might be shooting one of his movies that I will love to be a part of, even if I have to beg. (Laughs)

What else do you do apart from music?

I was a Radio presenter with KSMC 90.9 FM, KD. I also do some jobs with DITV, I am a music video director, a TV producer, a music producer and I edit videos. These days, I’m into online promotions with Naijatainment Company. I own a record company called Keystone Record.

Have you abandoned law?

I will still go back to law later in the future, but for now i want to see how far this journey takes me.