The 29 year old 'bad girl' crooner dishes on everything from his daughter, to his girlfriend, his relationship with Audu Maikori, the books he is reading, to the legalization of marijuana.
Enjoy!!!
How did you get into the industry and how long have you been in the industry for?
Is there an industry? I wasn't aware(laughs). Well I have been doing music for a while but professionally since 2001. I have gone through different phases from Jos, to Abuja and then Lagos. MI and I started inner hub studios, loopy records and Rytchus Era Productions (REP). I got signed to chocolate city in 2007. However, by then I had probably made like 5 albums-hopefully no one gets to hear them- and had music on the radio round the country. My first mainstream album (Jag of All Trades) came out in 2010. So I would say I have been around for quite some time.
Has your progress rate accelerated since you parted ways with Chocolate City?
I think my progress rate has accelerated, period. It has nothing to do with chocolate city. I am just harder working now, it has nothing to do with what record label I am on. I just work harder and pay more attention to details.
Due to the fact that you do not shy away from experimenting with different genres, you have been described as Nigeria's Kanye West. Which genre do you enjoy working on/with the most?
Well every genre. Hip Hop is a collage of all genres. That's really all it is. So I experiment with everything, it might come out sounding like one genre at the end, but I infuse almost all genres to make one.
In the past, you have often talked about not signing other artistes. Do you still have no intentions of signing anyone to Jagz Nation?
No. I am still not signing any one. I am an artiste myself so I am not really into the "artistes signing artistes" thing. I am focused on me. I have production contracts with a few artistes but that's it. Let every man earn what they work for, I am not a businessman, I am a musician.
Do you know when a track is going to be bigger than the previous one?-If yes, how do you know?
Well you can literally feel it when you hear a song. Songs make people feel a certain way. Whether it's mushy, sad, or happy. It has to do with how much feeling a song has. You can't over-do it too, there has to be a balance so it's just right. It hits 'em in the right spot when they hear it.
Do you write all your songs by yourself? Which have you written? What songwriters have you worked with? Yeah I write everything myself. I let artistes who work with me write themselves so they sound original too. I spend hours and sometimes months just thinking about the right phrase or concept to match a beat I have done or vice versa. I have had people write for me a few times. For instance, "Sex and Scotch" was written by Aycee, he is Zimbabwean, she wrote the original draft and sent it to me then I tweaked it. Afterwhich, I still had to find a melody and beat. On every project I write at least 99.5% of it. Songs like "Pedal to the Floor" and "God on the Mic" I really didn't write them. I just sit and stack the lines in my head till I have like 64bars. Sometimes I just have a line left to complete, so I have a list of rappers to call when in need, (chuckles).
My favorite video from you is 'Sex and Scotch'. Which song would you say was the most difficult to translate into a video? Which video was the most energy zapping?
Energy zapping would definitely be redemption. Redemption was hard cause of the direction and we knew nothing like that had ever been done. It was emotionally and physically straining. I even got arrested on my way home that morning. Everything went wrong during "Murder Dem" shoot, the key to the handcuffs fell into a hole in the floor,we eventually got it out though. Redemption has definitely been the most problematic.
Why do you make music?
I make music because that's what I know how to do. It makes me happy, it is challenging and it is a beautiful feeling to create something from nothing.
What inspires you? If you were not in music, what will you be doing?
Everything inspires me. Whenever I am making an album I take out time to talk with everyday people, you sometimes hear the most amazing stories and you can use it as a song. People inspire me. If I wasn't into music I would probably be a scientist. Science is fascinating.
Late Fela Kuti was quoted saying "Music is a spiritual thing. You do not play with music, if you play with music you will die young. Because when the higher forces give you the gift of music, it must be well used" Any comment on that?
Well it is as true as it sounds. Note, it is not necessarily a physical death. It is more of a spiritual death. The musician loses touch with his spirit. That's how people like Fela knew they would live forever through their music. A musician is 'a mouthpiece for the gods' we are given the gift to touch, inspire, change, and alter peoples lives through music. It's the language of the angels. It must be respected. Music is something you must do everyday or it fades away. You love it and one day it will love you.
So you believe the 'higher forces' exist?
Yes I do, but I am not religious.
Do you smoke marijuana?
I have stopped answering that question
Do you think it should be legalized in Nigeria? I think a lot of other things need to be in place before we have a discussion about legalizing marijuana. That is a plant. The Nigerian people haven't seen steady light, security, clean water, good roads and justice for ages. I think bringing up marijuana is a bit insensitive on their (government) part. When we have those things and we as a people can sleep at night peacefully, then we can now discuss marijuana and other things. They should put their priorities in order. My whole people (Jukun) in Taraba state have been displaced recently. My relatives are in camps in Wukari LGC, all the villages have either been destroyed or evacuated and they want to talk about marijuana?
You have stated that your dreads are not real. Is there a certain reason you choose to wear them?
Where I come from it is customary for men to braid their hair. Many other tribes do that. It's a cultural thing.
We Love Seeing Your Comments!
Get Socialized SHEAR! For More Updates Add Up BBM:327B820D, FOLLOW ON TWITTER -----» @antwowfisher
Post a Comment
DROP YOUR COMMENT