AFRICA GOSSIP

It is Jazzy because i love Jazz music which seeks to express what words can't say. It has an Afrocentric vibe because as an African my style is greatly influenced by the type of music I grew up with. It is contemporary so that in this twenty first century the message can be meaningful and more effective

WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT RAP/ HIPHOP IN AFRICA:

We have come a long way, and a good long way I must say. Some African top rap/hiphop acts are now known and recognized internationally and that's a great accomplishment for Africa. We now have to improve on some of our sound production quality and also put some variation on some of our songs because sometimes they all seem to sound alike

YOUR BIGGEST CHALLENGE:

hmmm, I don't know if I have one yet because there's nothing I set my mind to do that I haven't done but on a lighter note I have a challenge in practicing my piano without my
3year old son bothering me that he also wants to play.

YOUR BIGGEST FEAR:

No fear in my dictionary. Don't get me wrong, I do get afraid but I have not been given a spirit of fear but rather of power, love and a sound mind.

YOUR BIGGEST COMPETITION:

I don't compete and I don't think anybody should. Competition is a result of comparison and people who compare themselves are not wise. However if you meant music competition, my biggest is with Ourstage (an MTV affliate).

WHO WOULD YOU LIKE TO WORK WITH:

Firstly, I must say I have been privilege to work with acts like RealEyez, AKYN, Ope Adediji, D'Amadeus, Grace Faturoti, Jumbo Ane, Najite, Greg Kilpatrick and a host of others. I would love to work with a lot of artist like Lagbaja, Hugh Masekela,  Nosa Omoregie, M.I , Jeremiah Gyang, David James, Darey, Dapo Torimiro, Bona, Ohdici, J Martins and any other good musician.

WHICH GROUP/LABEL WOULD YOU HAVE LOVED TO BE SIGNED ON TO:

I don't really know which label is prominent but from what I've heard so far Kennis Music, Chocalate City, Storm360, Mohits records are doing well so you never know.

HOW DID YOU THINK OF A CONCEPT LIKE RAP ON JAZZ BEAT (NAIJA MAN):

I always like to use the phrase "It came to me". I love my country and living in the States you hear in the news a lot of bad and negative stuff about Nigeria. As a jazz artist I had to come up with an idea of how to tell my story about Nigeria so it can appeal to this generation. While attempting to keep the Afrocentric jazzy groove I asked my very good friends RealEyez and Grace Faturoti to help paint the true picture with words. The video for Naija Man is set to be released soon.

ARE YOU PLANNING ON PROMOTING SUCH GENRE OF MUSIC/OR IT IS JUST A STYLE YOU THOUGHT OF DOING ON A PARTICULAR SONG:

Yes I plan to promote it and like I said earlier, my style is Afro jazz on a contemporary platform. So while some of the tracks (like Mon Jadé) still has rap what is consistent is the afro vibe in my jazzy renditions. In terms of promotion, I intend to have an official press release, interviews (like this one) and also organize concerts/release party.

WHICH OTHER COUNTRY IS GROWING IN THEIR MUSIC BUSINESS:

I am definitely not an authority on this but Ghana, South Africa are top on
the list.

OTHER EXPERIENCES (BATTLES, MIXTAPES, LIVE PERFORMANCES)

I performed at the Benefit Concert for Haiti, Cecil's Jazz Club - All Souled Out, Praise Till You're Raised (along side Deitrick Haddon & Voice of Praise), Live 2 Praise (with Bona and Paul Irabor), TIME Concert (New Jersey and Maryland), Praise Summer Jam, Live performance/interview at CBN (Christian Broadcasting Network) and some more I can't remember.

FAVOURITE PLACE IN YOUR COUNTRY:

I love Lagos (what we call Lasgidi). I can't really tell what I like about it but I guess it's just the
flow of life.

CURRENT CITY: Upper Marlboro


BEST THING ABOUT YOUR COUNTRY:

The hospitality and resilient attitude. We have gone through a lot. Civil war, military regimes, corrupt government, poverty, no constant electricity, bad roads, negative international press and a host of others but we are still standing.

OTHER THAN YOUR COUNTRY WHAT OTHER AFRICAN COUNTRY WOULD YOU LIKE TO VISIT AND WHY?

Would definitely love to visit Ghana because of it's slave trade history, Liberia and Sierra Leone to see how a people pull through years of blood shed to unite and rebuild, South Africa because I hear it's very beautiful, Egypt to see the pyramids, Kenya to see
the safari.

HOW DO YOU THINK AFRO - MUSIC COULD GAIN POPULARITY/SELL:

Afro music is popular already. Fela Anikulapo Kuti introduced Afrobeat, the likes
of Majek Fashek and Lagbaja took it to another level by infusing it with Western rhythm. If you listen critically to most of the songs coming from West Africa they all have an underlying Afro groove. Good music (afro music inclusive) will sell if the right marketing tools are applied.
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WHO IS YOUR ROLE MODEL AND WHY?

Jesus Christ because he accepts our imperfections, tells us there is no hieght we can't achieve and while trying to get there, perfect those imperfections. Musically, they are Ramsey Lewis, Hugh Masekela, Wayman Tisdale, Lagbaja and Joe Sample, Herbie Hancock (I was privilege to play his grand piano). I like these artist because of their ability to create a niche (in terms of their sound) for themselves.

WHAT ACHIEVEMENT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF AND WHY?

My biggest achievement is my family, my wife and kids. They keep me young at heart, motivate me, inspire me and they are my greatest fans.

WHAT AWARDS HAVE YOU WON?

I haven't won any yet but surely very soon.

WHAT'S THE BEST THING ABOUT WORKING IN THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY IN AFRICA?

You get to meet people of like minds, people who are passionate about what they do.

HOW DO YOU RELAX.

When not playing the piano then playing with my kids and watching tv ("The Office" is one of my favorites), watching soccer (football) I am a Chelsea and Barcelona fan.

THANK YOU Mr. O AND GOOD LUCK IN YOUR CAREER

Interview by : African TRACKmaster

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