The Lawretta Richards Interview(RETTA)



Photo Credit: Jton Productions



          Lawretta Richards is what Hollywood/Nollywood would call a bankable star. Voice, looks, confidence, poise, aggressive sexiness and the ability to twitch a vixenish smile on command at the corners of her mouth - they all combine to captivate audiences in general and to turn grown men into foolish little boys. On paper, Retta’s ascent to stardom follows the traditional route of many cookie cutter, here today gone tomorrow stars. Similar to such stars, she appears on many variety shows and her appeal is not restricted to those with a taste for more serious music.

However, Retta is distinct among these other stars in the mainstream due to her signature pout and believable tough-girl voice. Her songs never come off as sugary bubble-gum pop, but the melodies are not anywhere near American R&B style. Her mature, almost monotone voice evokes a sense of depth and sex appeal achieved rarely by other artists and her beauty comes across as far more than average cuteness. The richness of her delivery nearly stops the heart because you know an angel is singing, and the beauty of this outpouring of love stirs your soul. Her gift of vocal music is wonderful to behold.

        Recently, I had the chance to interview Retta. The songstress popped on the music scene in 2010 with her release of the singles ‘Kolo for You’ and ‘Would You be Mine’, and has soared to higher heights ever since. Although her family has long been involved in the music industry, she only recently discovered her talent as a performer. She was brought to the public’s attention by Joy Tongo, President of Jton Productions while vacationing in Nigeria and has since not looked back.


The full text of the interview can be read below:


How are you doing? Before we get any further with this interview, can you tell us a little about yourself?

I am doing great, thanks a lot. My name is RETTA. I am 20yrs old...born and raised in Nigeria (Port Harcourt), where I had my primary and secondary education. Love listening to all genres of music and I got great passion for singing, dancing as well as acting and writing. Studied theatre arts in the University of Port Harcourt after which I moved to Lagos to start a life time career in entertainment and in the Arts.



Let’s go back into your days, how were things for you growing up? What kind of music were you exposed to?

I was exposed to all genres of music but mostly old school...the 80's and 90's...my family’s got a lot of interest in music especially my dad cause he happened to be a very famous DJ in his time (laughs). I am still very much into old school but then I create a balance with the new generational music. Growing up for me wasn't so easy, because I used to be on the very reserved and quite side. I would hardly speak to anyone so I spent most of my time behind closed doors writing about how I felt about myself. I got an amazing woman for a mother because she made me who I am today. My dad was always travelling for business but he managed to still create a balance in his family by still being there for us as much as he could. I had a lot of insecurities and low self esteem growing up but with God and time I was able to surpass all that......

Who are your biggest influences?..

I have been influenced by a lot of people in different ways. I would start with my musical influence...Dido and Tracy Chapman...etc then to stage craft...Rihanna and the Noisettes then to perfectionist....Beyonce Knowles and Michael Jackson...and many more I wouldn't want to put down else I'll begin to bore you(Laughs).

Have the personal experiences inspired you musically?

My personal life and experience is one of my biggest inspirations. When I decided to put my pen and paper together. In different ways my personal experiences have always played a major role in my music.


How are the people outside Nigeria appreciating your music?

They have been very receptive and that gives me great joy.

Photo Credit: Jton Productions

You are currently working on a forthcoming album. Do you mind sharing with us the progress thus far and what will the title be?

Yes. I am working on my album, which will consist of about 12-13 tracks but still not finally decided. We haven't really finalized on what the title would be but before it drops you definitely would hear of it...the album is a mixture of different kinds of genres but still retaining my sound.

What are some of the challenges that you face as an independent artist?

Oh well, the major one should be shortage of funds and support from the guru's in the industry...it is a challenge but I still see the positive side to it which makes me stronger To know I can fight for what I want and achieve it. There's a pride that comes with that you know.


What has been the public’s reception so far to the release of Kolo for You? Any message behind that track?

'Kolo for You' is doing amazingly well. At first I was scared as to how well it would be accepted because I hear people say it sounds too international. But I found out that the music scene is changing and people are getting to give ears to good music' international or not...good music is good music and would be appreciated. ‘Kolo’ means crazy and as we all know it is a well known slang in Nigeria's famous Pidgin English... Kolo can be used positively or negatively. In this record, it portrays the positive side. The message this song is trying to pass across is that of two loving hearts been separated by distance and how much they can still feel each other whether they are together or not... In other words we are saying that distance should never be a barrier to love.

Besides music, what else are you interested in?

I actually love everything entertainment...from singing to dancing to acting and even writing... I am passionate about arts so I have strange for hunger for arts and entertainment.

How would you describe your sound to people that haven’t heard your music before?

I am a soul musical artist with a fusion of pop...I can also be seen as ritual soul' because of that old school feel in my music. It may be hard for you to classify me on a particular genre. Different people hear different sounds as far as rock but that's just cause of my flammable mixture of the both genres.


What is the one thing you would like your fans to know about you?

 Hahaha! Ok that's a tough one. I'll just say one thing am popularly known for is that I smile a little bit too much. Easily tickled. (Covers face).Bringing it home, what's your take on contemporary African music in general? Hmm! Oh well I think it is still growing and many more talents are yet to be discovered. Our artists have done very well for the country. I mean' we have grown so fast and strong. I am proudly African.


Where can fans get your latest music, photos etc?

On the Internet, my Facebook Fanpage, MySpace, YouTube and Twitter.

What does it feel like to perform in front of a crowd who feel and really respond to your music?

Wow! That's all I can say... (Hahaha) and many more expressions like ehhh!jeez!... Its breath taking, exciting and extremely mind blowing... You can actually get carried away with excitement if not put together...the feeling is indescribable.


What’s been your biggest musical achievement?

 Well for now I will say been giving the opportunity to stand in front of a crowd and get people actually listen and appreciate my music. These are all huge achievements for me and as time goes on there are better to come.


Where do you see yourself in five years?

 In 5years I see myself on top of my game. I am going to be heard and recognized in the world and I coming back home with the Grammys and many more international and local awards. I am going to take over Africa with my music. I would have taking over by then and started building my music school in Nigeria.


So what’s set for 2011?

2011 is my year... I will bring the best music you would ever hear in Africa and an album to my credits, touring around the world. 2011 is just the beginning of something very BIG.


Thanks a lot for your support. It is a privilege to have this interview.


         Success requires the right qualities. Image is one of the most important qualities besides talent that can aid one’s possibility of success. Retta possesses that and more too. She is a lovely lady and the combination of this look, her sweet disposition and her huge talent, will make her very successful. Her singing voice is so pure. She just naturally knows when to modulate and when to crescendo. She has all the variations of a singer who has been trained by the best music teacher. In my humble opinion, Ms. Richards would certainly go places and I would urge readers to purchase her full length album when it is eventually released.


        So there you have it. A little insight into Retta’s world. For more details about upcoming tours, releases, and performances, visit www.reverbnation.com/rettamusic or following her on Twitter@Rettarich.

The Afrikan Child © Copyright 2011. All Rights reserved. No part of these pages, either text or image may be duplicated without the author's permission. Also, reproduction, modification, storage in a retrieval system or retransmission, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical or otherwise is strictly prohibited without prior written permission. General inquiries should be directed to our Web feedback box, accessible from this link or from the footer at the bottom of most pages on our site.

Nneka: The Neo-Soul Philosopher

Photo Credit: Nnekaworld

Few artistes garner the kind of attention and interest like Nneka Lucia Egbuna does. Nneka as she is called by her fans, is captivating to witness in concert. She may not be a household name in the States just yet, but she's carved out a nice following abroad and every time she releases a record, critics go crazy with praise. Nneka also follows in the footsteps of very notable female singers such as Laura Izibor and Sade from her native country of Nigeria.


This half -Nigerian/German was born and raised in Warri, in the Delta region of Nigeria. It’s worth pointing out that this region of Nigeria where Nneka grew up is home to vast oil reserves, but with a troubled history of violence. She has seen all this with her own eyes as a child and teenager and now expresses it through her art. Her voice is amazing--it's strong and beautiful. She is mesmerizing to listen to and she makes you really care what happens. An uncompromising perfectionist, she worked hard to develop a personal, pensive sound, somewhat reminiscent of Erykah Badu and Neneh Cherry.

Since her first album which made waves in the music arena in 2005, she’s been on a raging hit sequence. An archeologist by study and singer by heart! Her style of music and the way its’ fusion mixed is just amazing. This lady with a unique charismatic voice counts Life, Kahlil Gibran, Bob Marley and Fela Kuti as some of her influences. Her music and lyrics are totally different from usual music makers. She has her own inimitable style which has made a mark in the music world. I am an ardent fan of Nneka. Her first song which I heard was ‘Kange’ feat. Wesley Williams, which was my favorite then. ‘Africans’ is my favorite now! The lyrical content of some of Nneka’s songs have focused on the plight of her native Delta people such as the aptly titled 'No Longer at Ease' album released in 2008, which pays homage to a novel by the much-revered Nigerian author Chinua Achebe. The trajectory of Ms. Nneka’s musical career has been both steep and upward. In the last 5 years, she has opened up for some of the biggest acts such as Lenny Kravitz, The Roots and Gnarls Barkley, during which time she’s released 2 full length albums and 3 compilation CDs.She was awarded the Best African Act at the 2009 MOBO Awards. In 2010, Nneka recorded a song for the just-ended FIFA World Cup in South Africa called "Viva Africa”. Key in all this has been her tireless drive as a performer and graciousness to all, with no airs to speak of. She has a distinctive style and ability to engage her audiences.

All her songs present a great mix of R&B, reggae, jazz, soul  and hip-hop with the latest style which makes them soothing to the ears. Her videos are very different and make you watch them again and again. Her latest album “Concrete Jungle” is just awesome. And she looks amazing in the video. I recently bought her latest album “Concrete Jungle”. Get yours!

       We consider ourselves very privileged to have been given the opportunity to share with you a very insightful and candid interview with a lady who is as humble and down to earth as her sound which is out of this world! We hope you enjoy it as much as we had.


Could you explain the pronunciation of your name? My name means mother is supreme. Nneka sounds like (hm neck car).


Tell us a bit about your story and how you got into music. Who is your biggest inspiration?

I got into music at a very early age, I was felt devoted to music, the fact is that no one in my family had anything to do with music...well I would sing to myself while doing my domestic work at home and sometimes I sang in school or ended up singing at festivities in church, but it was never professional until I traveled out of Nigeria ,when I went to Germany, I ended up understanding I really had a passion for music and it helped me through many difficult times and situations..I began doing music as a hobby and something I just loved and eventually performed on small stages and with friends. It was at this stage I met people like the Chosen Few Records Group and eventually became a member. I also met DJ Farhot with whom I ended up working with and doing three albums.


How long have you been performing? Well I got my record deal in 2003, professionally I have been touring since then, but before that I performed in small places with my group and also with a band called funknastico at that time.


Where are you originally from? I am from Nigeria, born and raised. My father is from Anambra state in the south of Nigeria and my biological mother is a German.

Are you close to your family? How old were you when your parents split?
Well I am in good terms with my father. I never knew my mother until I was 17


How would you describe your sound to people that haven’t heard your music before?
It is authentic, real and simple, sometimes complicated but within the complexity there is sincerity and simplicity.


Do you write your own lyrics? How do you approach the songwriting process?
Yes I write my own lyrics that makes me to who I am as a musician, without expressing myself through my own lyrics I would not have an outlet. Well songwriting happens in different ways, sometimes I start with the words, other times with the melody and eventually I find the words and sometimes I hear a beat and become inspired...or sometimes I just don’t have anything to say.

When did you first know you wanted to be a professional musician? Never did(laughs).


What would you have done if you hadn't become a singer? I have a degree in anthropology and archaeology. I finished my studies, I could do something with my studies or go back and study biology.

Photo Credit: Nnekaworld

Your latest album “Concrete Jungle” was released in February 2010. What has been the public’s response thus far to the album and do you have anything new in the works?
Well it’s been good response I must, say we have toured almost three years with those songs, and we have gained great acknowledgement and publicity in Europe, and Africa...we approached the states with concrete jungle only last year, but we have been touring in the states as well over two years now..It has been a success and really hard work.

You released “I’m waiting” featuring fellow Nigerian Ade Bantu, the soundtrack for the movie ‘Relentless’ in which you made your acting debut. What’s the message behind that song and do you plan to pursue movie roles full-time?
Well the song is about suspense, the continuous and never ending story of change and redemption, we not knowing where we are heading to and what precisely we are doing here...it’s about pain and freedom.


Is there any cause that you’d like to promote? Yes, sure, I have a foundation called the ROPE foundation where we give children and young adults the opportunity to express themselves by tools of music, art. We are a fresh foundation and we raise awareness on issues that concern the community and their leaders...issues of ecology, oil, exploitation or injustice of any kind, even elections...


On a more serious note, you are unapologetically proud of your Nigerian/African roots. What's your take on the current state of African politics and its’ battered image in the western media?
Well, we have so many things to say...I moved back to Nigeria to be part of the system I myself was criticizing...fact is some things change and some things do not..All I can do is be part of positive change, that is why I focus on the youth because they are the future...education, knowledge, love is what they need.

What travel tips or suggestions do you have for people contemplating visiting Nigeria and other parts of Africa?
Be open, not all of Africa is just negative, corrupt and full of AIDS and HIV. It might be part of reality, but there is more than that...culture, tradition, good people and talent.


What kind of music do you listen to? Soul, afro beat, highlife, hip hop etc


What about you is most misunderstood? My intentions.


Last year, you toured with Nas and Damian Marley to help promote their 'Distant Relatives' album. What were your observations of that tour and working experiences with both gentlemen?
Well cool people, I learnt a lot from both, you need stamina and focus for this work. It is not just music it is a movement..exodus... You always have to remind yourself why you are doing what you are doing.

What do you want to be remembered for when it’s all said and done?
Ha ha....I pray I fulfill the expectations of my creator...


Thank you for providing us the opportunity to interview you. Any final thoughts and advice you wish to share with us?
Pursue all your great ideas!!


Thanks for your support and love!

Have a listen to Nneka’s music at http://www.nnekaworld.com/ and also follow her on Twitter @Nnekaworld.


The Afrikan Child © Copyright 2011. All Rights reserved. No part of these pages, either text or image may be duplicated without the author's permission. Also, reproduction, modification, storage in a retrieval system or retransmission, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical or otherwise is strictly prohibited without prior written permission. General inquiries should be directed to our Web feedback box, accessible from this link or from the footer at the bottom of most pages on our site.

Nuru Magram: The Most Fashion Forward African Artiste!

     

       Tanzania boasts of clear blue waters and white sands as well as more wildlife than any country in the world. But perhaps, one thing this East African nation is equally proud of is its’ cultural ambassador in the person of Nuru Magram.  This 25 year old singer and fashionista who currently calls Stockholm, Sweden her home is evoking invaluable inspiration and motivation to Tanzanian youth. From a young age, Ms. Nuru was always infatuated with all aspects of entertainment and the arts. Her love for fashion started as an interest that developed into a passion. This Bongo Soul singer whose two hits ‘Msela’ and ‘Walimwengu’ made her a household name in the last few years is working on a forthcoming album in her native Swahili language. She also has been involved in a number of charitable activities in aid of development projects in her birth country such as the Mama Lokii Trust of Arusha. Here is a recent interview conducted with Ms. Nuru during  which she spoke  about her musical influences, fashion style, music promotion in Africa and general outlook on life.

Tell us a little about yourself. What is your background? Education? Where you grew up?

 I rarely talk about my family. That notwithstanding, I will let your readers know that I come from a family with boys and I’m the only girl. I was raised by my mother who is my role model, and off course my aunt who also had a very big influence on me. I was born in Tanzania but left at a young age but I never forgot my roots and I still speak Swahili to this day. I have studied music and arts, hotel and tourism, teaching and psychology.

When did you first start singing?

I started singing at a very young age. I began professionally at the age of 16 and got signed to Stockholm Records and I am still doing it till today because I love my craft.

Who are your musical influences?

Ella Fitzgerald she is a jazz singer who taught me how to use and see my voice as an instrument. Michael Jackson for his love of music and respect for being an entertainer and musician who never wanted to disappoint his audience. I also admire Whitney Houston, Brandy, R. Kelly, Miriam Makeba, Lucky Dube, Bob Marley, Remmy Ongala, Professor Jay and myself offcoz.

Do you write songs yourself? And if so, how often and what inspires your lyrics?

My English songs and because I was so inexperienced and young I didn’t write so much mostly melody and stuff but for my Swahili album. I was ready to write so I wrote the material myself and is base on things that I experienced in my life so they are like a mini story of my life.

How would you describe your own music?

My own music is a mix of cocktails meaning that I’ve been inspired of all kinds of music so I really can’t label my music not just yet..

Are you signed to any record label?  Have you been approached by one?

No. I am not at the moment. I think it’s the best way for me because I’m a free agent and can do whatever I want. I used to be signed at a label so I know the pros and the cons of being in that situation.

In 2009, under the pseudonym Danuma, you released a number of singles including ‘Summertime’ and ‘Look At Your Man’ produced by Cool James and Janne Ericsson. What has been the public’s response thus far and do you plan on recording more dance tracks in the future?

Ooh, you took me way back! Well I’m not going to be doing anything under that name simply because all I did under that name Stockholm Records which is now EMI is something that I did back then. I now work under the name NURU and I will do more music known as NURU instead of DANUMA. The response was great both in Sweden and Abroad so am grateful. I got to tour with Cool James and Black Teacher and learnt a lot during this process.

Aside your first love music, many of us who have been following your career know you dabble in the fashion world too? Tell us a little bit about your style? Are modeling full-time?

Hahahaah!! Well the modeling thing is not something I’ve done too much of. The interesting thing is that people want me in it but I don’t want to because I’m too short. Besides being a model is hard work!  I love fashion because it’s art and I get that in a much deeper level and my style is very laid back where the word comfortable is the key. I always tell women know your body and dress after it and you will never go wrong and I think Halle Berry is a great example of that.



Photo Credit: Enrique Jaguar

Do you have a fashion icon? Who is your favorite designer?

It’s very hard to just to come up with one name because I have many in mind. I love fashion so I’m gonna have to skip this one. However, I have few people that I think were born to dress well and include Halle Berry, Victoria Beckham, Jackie Onassis, Coco Chanel, Mbilia Belle and my own mother.

What is your biggest fashion obsession?

BAGS, ACCESSORIES AND SHOES.., A girl can never have enough shoes hahahhahaahh.

Coming back to your music, what has been some of the challenges you have faced getting publicity or airplay for your music outside Tanzania?

To tell you the truth the music industry in the West and Africa is very different. Luckily I have experienced both. When it comes to my English material I really didn’t have any problem because the record company does all that and you as an artist do the promos and interviews whether it’s TV or radio so pretty much flow as it suppose to be. With my Swahili project, I have  the Internet as the best tool to promote my songs and music in general, and it has worked thank God!! I have released three singles in Tanzania and I’m grateful that they’ve done really well.
 

Would you contribute your success as an artist to luck, inspiration, or hard work?

HARD WORK PERIOD! People don’t understand how hard you have to work in this industry and if you use the easy way out it always come back to haunt you. A mix of good people, writers, musicians, producers, support from radio, TV and your own determination and you will make it.

What do you think it is about music that inspires hope and provides a sense of comfort during difficult times?

Music is a universal language that speaks to us all. Music gives comfort, brings happiness and even cured people. To me music is medicine to heartache, disease and even a lost spirit. Music has its own force which is hard to explain and I think that music is one of the greatest gifts that God ever gave to any human being.

Is there anything you would like to tell your listeners, that you want to really stick in their minds, about you and your music?

 I want people to know that I am music lover and that they should experience NURU live because that’s how you get the best of me and my music.

What is next? Are you working on any live performances, CD’s or writing new material …and how can readers hear more of your music?

I’m just finishing up my album my Swahili album which is going to be called WALIMWENGU, and I can’t wait for it to come out. I recently released a new track called ‘Wewe’ with a music video to follow shortly. Don’t forget to catch up with me on FACEBOOK and join me on my fan page and off course on my blog http://www.nuruthelight.blogspot.com/.


The Afrikan Child © Copyright 2011. All Rights reserved. No part of these pages, either text or image may be duplicated without the author's permission. Also, reproduction, modification, storage in a retrieval system or retransmission, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical or otherwise is strictly prohibited without prior written permission. General inquiries should be directed to our Web feedback box, accessible from this link or from the footer at the bottom of most pages on our site.

Jabali Afrika: A Musical Journey into Africa!

 A couple of years ago, I was rummaging through my local public library’s collection of World Music CD’s when I came across this peculiar group of musicians from Africa. Initially, I had a hard time placing Jabali Afrika in any particular genre of music I had previously encountered(be it that I have quite an eclectic taste in music), but I was soon bowled over when I started listening to tracks such as 'Jenny', 'Tubula' and 'Magunga' from their album Journey.

      Fast forward to 2010, and a casual conversation with a Kenyan friend of mine about the group (consequently borrowed his entire Jabali Afrika Collection), soon cemented my love for this unique group with a golden blend of voices and percussion. An interview request email via the band’s website brought me perhaps the quickest response I have from any individual or group I have ever considered highlighting on this blog. Joseck Asikoye, the band’s leader agreed to my request and graciously walked me through a timeline of the group’s rise to international stardom. Jabali Afrika is a dynamic musical quartet made up of individuals who hail from Kenya, Cameroon and Swaziland. Their award-winning, innovative mélange of traditional spirituals and rock-reggae arrangements have made them an attraction at many world music festivals and college concerts worldwide. Below is a distilled version of the many hours of interviewing I held with Joseck.

Thank you for granting me this interview. Can we begin by having you telling us a bit about who Jabali Afrika is?

Jabali afrika is a high energy afro-beat jam band from Kenya with their own unique mixture of african fusion that they call Rootsmusic. Jabali Afrika is an Award winning band that has been touring worldwide; a multi-faceted group with many dimensions in their music. Not only are they accomplished singers and instrumentalists, they are activists and use their music for such meaningful causes.

      When we make music we want you not only to dance but also to listen to what we are talking about in the music. We generally tend to make music for people to dance and feel good about, but most of the music is telling a story or highlighting a situation. It is basically edutainment. We gather a lot of our inspiration from musicians like Fela Kuti, Manu Dibango, Osibisa etc, and if you combine all these artistes together that’s what our sound is. To sum it up, it’s like the revolutionary aspect of Fela, the smoothness of Manu Dibango, and the high energy and percussive sound of Osibisa.

What, if anything, has influenced the band’s career the most?
Our tenacity. The music business is a hard road and on any given day, sometimes we simply wanted to give up but we never did because we know we’re good and God wouldn’t have given us these gifts if He didn’t want us to use them. You just have to be creative and continue to find new outlets for what you do.


Do you have any favorites from songs that you’ve written…from the current album Mayosi?

Some are more fun to sing than others but our favorites are the ones that the audiences keep requesting. The favorite songs that we have written on Mayosi are as follows:

Number #1 “Peoples Voice" a song that was banned on radio and T.V. Its’ message was very clear and yet the government got it wrong...It basically said respect the voice of the people through the ballot. It was educating the electorate about the choice they make basically telling them if you plant maize (corn) be ready to harvest maize.

Number #2 "Train To Burma" was about the forefathers who went to fight in the Second World War and never came back. A war they did not understand and when they were taken there they were told they will be bearers only to end up in the battlefield fighting for the colonial masters.

Number # 3 Njelele a song about my Dad’s story when he was going back into the village after retirement. The troubles he went encountered with my uncles trying to resettle in his own farm that the uncles thought was neglected. This is a familiar story to a lot of Africans who migrated from the village in search of opportunity and when they retire and try to get back to the village, they undergo similar challenges including land boundaries etc.

What will surprise your readers to know about Jabali Afrika?

That we are a Hip-Hop Generation that loves hip hop and reggae and are up to date with the cultures, but are strictly rooted on the African vibes.


What’s the biggest obstacle the band has had to overcome?

The biggest obstacle we have encountered is making the adjustment from the African music scene into the western one....When people see African artistes they have this notion that everything African is exotic. Just because we compose music using traditional African instruments doesn’t mean that the music is traditional, it’s simply original music. It is just like the same way they use guitars and pianos in creating music. That has been a big obstacle for us being looked upon like exotic musicians who represent a culture not necessarily telling stories like other mainstream musicians. African music has definitely evolved. Who would have thought an African will have a number one record in the genre of hip hop/ or an African song will be number one in over 16 countries world-wide? K’naan just did that!


What are some of the changes that the success of Jabali Afrika has brought ?

People especially in East Africa don’t look at Afro-centric oriented music the same anymore. We made afro vibes cool instead of putting musicians playing traditional instruments at the entrances of music venues; they are now headlining shows on the main stage. I remember they would put a musician playing traditional instruments at the entrance of a music venue and have a cover band play on the main stage, which changed as soon as Jabali Afrika came onto the Kenyan music scene.

Every band that is coming up now in East Africa especially Kenya where Jabali Afrika traces its roots is taking a rootsmusic-oriented approach and they are branding themselves like Jabali Afrika.To us, it is a big achievement coz our dream was to inspire generations and to let them know that the African culture or music is not inferior. Africa is the beginning and also will represent the future and to sum it all, music originated from Africa.


What do you like to do in your spare time…if you have any?
In our spare time we make music if not making music, some of us are in the gym working out or playing sports and spending time with the family coz we are parents too.


Switching gears, what is your opinion about contemporary African music? What is your opinion on the use of auto tune music by some African musicians?

I think we are taking it too far and instead of people learning how to play an instrument they are taking short cuts. Not all contemporary African music is bad but with what’s going on now the future of finding African youth playing instruments will be a rare thing. In the West even though Hip-hop is controlling the charts, they still have other forms of music that’s not computer based like rock etc. They have kids still learning how to play instruments while in Africa every kid wants to be a rap star with no musical background.
About Auto tune what I would say is the first instrument that you have in music is your voice and it’s the main thing that differentiates artistes from each other why would you like to sound the same. As long as we embrace technology in making music let’s not abuse it, too much of anything is dangerous. I don’t see why African musicians should use auto tune coz the African is a natural performer we are raw people that purity is the beauty of our music e.g. the soukous bass was invented to give the music a thumping kick like sound and that’s what makes African music beautiful and sophisticated.

How can the band help the African continent take advantage of its’ big reputation as an ambassador of the African culture by bringing clear messages to our corrupted leaders?

By illuminating the good things about the continent coz there’s too much disaster pornography in the western world about Africa...and as Fela said 99.9 percent of what they say about Africa in the west is not true and we all know that...and some of the people responsible for misrepresenting Africa are the Africans themselves e.g. people who’ve made disasters in Africa, their hassle and mode of survival. We know there are homeless people in the west but we’ve never seen the westerners in Africa asking for help in such a situation. The problem of Africa is leadership and that’s what has to change. How can the richest continent in natural resources in the world be the poorest? The moment we get good leadership Africa will be emancipated forever. We need visionary leaders like Kwame Nkrumah, Patrice Lumumba, Tom Mboya, Dedan Kimathi, and Nelson Mandela etc and if you go through our music catalog those are the issues we are talking about...Look at Ivory Coast now, the people voted and the loser is clinging to power. Similar situations are occurring in Zimbabwe and Kenya. It is as though the power sharing deal is the new dictatorship trend in Africa. The messages are clear to the corrupt African leaders. We are still illuminating what Fela and the musicians before us said, and we will not be the last. There are more of our kind who are born every day.


Do you find that different countries different cultures react differently to your music?

Yes, they do they react differently but mostly on the positive side. Some see similarities in what they now know as whatever name they call their music. All I can say it’s all about being positive.
What can we expect from Jabali Afrika in the future?

More music that will reflect well on where we come from, uplifting, revolutionary, inspiring and educative what would we like the impact of our career to be. We want our career to represent courage and pride of the African peoples’ way of life...We want it to inspire the future generations of African children to know that they are not inferior.
Lastly, what advice would you give to young artists and songwriters who are trying to break into the music business today?

One word: Originality, originality! Be yourself! Don’t try to be anybody else.

       Mr. Joseck Asikoye, thank you very much for granting me this interview. It is a pleasure and an honor to talk with you about your group! I wish your band continued success in all its' endeavors.

Jabali Afrika can be reached via their website http://jabaliafrika.com/ .



The Afrikan Child © Copyright 2011. All Rights reserved. No part of these pages, either text or image may be duplicated without the author's permission. Also, reproduction, modification, storage in a retrieval system or retransmission, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical or otherwise is strictly prohibited without prior written permission. General inquiries should be directed to our Web feedback box, accessible from this link or from the footer at the bottom of most pages on our site.

Interview Part 1-"Eva’D’Diva: A Hidden Vocal Gem in World Music”

  Rarely does an artist come along that embodies both a fresh new approach musically while offering lyrical ideas that are powerful and compelling. In an age of fleeting success and impermanent notions, Eva D’Diva is an artist of substance, armed with an eye for detail and an emotional intelligence that can switch from withering to compelling. This Nigerian singer/songwriter has astonishing distinct vocal abilities and stage craftsmanship which have garnered her nominations for a number of prestigious awards such as the Best Female vocal performance at the 2010 Hip-hop World Awards.

          Eva is grateful for having accomplished more than she could have ever dreamed of as a young girl. As a woman matured by all of life's experiences, she has gone back to her roots with her upcoming (yet-to-be named) project and reconnected with her core group of musical and spiritual friends. Once more she will employ her sultry powerful voice, her tremendous vocal and stylistic range, and take us on an ultimate journey of the soul. On the track “Echoes”, one can feel Eva’s rage as she asks the listeners to feel with her this uncontrollable outburst of emotion. And we do. Rich in tone and pungent with emotion, Eva uses her voice as a true instrument to convey her raw, unvarnished and heart-retching feelings about the ongoing religious conflict that have plagued the Niger Delta, JOS and parts of Southeast Nigeria, her country of birth. With the track “Happy Days”, she contributes sultry duet and backing vocals which are occasionally interspersed by Ruddy Tee’s Yoruba rap. It is worth noting that this is the first official song on which EVA is a featured artiste.

          In anticipation of the release of the singles, ECHOES (I hear the Cries) and HAPPY DAYS (Ruddy Tee ft. Eva’D’Diva), Eva sat down with me for a rare and unusually candid conversation. As she noted in our interview, “there’s no point in writing music without honesty. Failure to do so makes the music sound hollow and staged….I certainly want people to emotionally connect to my music”. We are bringing you the first installment of this interview, with the remaining portion to follow in the next few weeks.


Q: Ms. Eva D’Diva, thank you very much for granting me this interview. I’m sure our readers would be interested in learning about you. Let’s start at the beginning: Eva, tell us a little about yourself?

Eva: Well, My real name is Evaezihohifue Ogoro. A light interpretation of that name is A PURE HEART IS THE ANTIDOTE FOR EVIL. I am the 4th out of 5 kids from my parents Engr. and Mrs. C.E Ogoro. I have 3 brothers and a sister. I hail from Delta State... I am Isoko. I was born on the 13th of July. I studied English in the University of Lagos and got my B.A in 2005. My favorite foods are pasta (OMG!!!! I could eat pasta for weeks non-stop and still not get tired. My friends say dem don use am swear for me lol) and Plantain. I have a terrible sweet tooth (shaking  her head) reeeeeaaaally terrible. I guess that's why I don’t drink... because if it isn’t sweet... I won’t have it lol. I love kids. If I wasn’t into entertainment, I'd be teaching in a secondary school somewhere. I am a hopeless romantic. I looooove watching movies. That's my favorite pass time activity. I also loooooove video games. I suffered from a major inferiority complex all through my childhood to my teen years. Girls in secondary school told me I was hideously ugly and that I looked like a man because my breasts didn’t develop when theirs did. So, I had more male friends than females in secondary school. I am pretty simple. I go through life not wanting the extra emotional baggage of trying so hard to please people. I love to write.... that's how I can truly and properly express myself without fists flying in the air. LOL!


Q: When and how did you start making music? How did your family shape your singing career?

Eva: Well, music became an obsession ever since I was little and I have Whitney Houston to thank for that. I watched one of her live performances one day on TV and I was so captivated by it.... so where the audience. And so... something just got triggered on the inside of me. It was rather profound...thinking back on it now. For like a split second, I saw myself on that stage, in that same position... having that same effect on people... you know. I really can’t describe it. LOL I guess it might have been how Moses felt when He saw the burning bush. You see it but you can’t believe it. It was just like a higher calling. So... after that... I paid more attention to music.... to songs by Whitney Houston, Toni Braxton, Escape, SWV, Celine Dion, Anita Baker and the likes. I would sing their songs around the house. I would try to sound exactly like them and that's how I learnt how to sing. I never went to Music school or anything. It was a conscious effort on my part to sound like one of the greats. My elder sister and younger brother also caught the music bug and we subconsciously formed like an informal 3 man group. Men!!!! I enjoyed those times. We would sit on the stairs and sing till mum came back from work in the night. Our harmony was always on point and my sister was always telling us when we went off key because she was always in one choir or the other and so she knew the technical side to music but i felt the passion... and we would sing and laugh about it.

                 When I was in secondary school, my uncle - Kingsley Ogoro brought home Esse Agesse. He was introducing her to my dad...who is the eldest in the family and while they were upstairs talking about wedding plans and all that. I was downstairs... reveling in the presence of Esse Agesse. I would sing her songs back to her to try and impress her. I am talking about her hits such as  Fine Peppersoup, Bendel girl in Lagos, Back to the Basics and so on. LMAO!!!! She must have seen me as a major pest. I soon graduated from secondary school and started chasing my uncle around the place to help me out with my music career. I had to quietly look for him because my dad didn’t want to hear such lofty ideas about music. As far as he was concerned, it wasn't a real job and serious minded people did not think of such... which was kinda funny because he had roped us all into a family band called the Emonena Gospellers...OMG!!!! I can still remember how high our shoulder pads were LWKM!!!! I was the alto singer, my sister was the Treble, My younger brother shuttled between drums and the Agogo. My dad was the lead guitarist. He wrote all his songs, majorly in Isoko and we would sing (shaking her head) However, in 1997, I had an accident and had to be removed from the group because the injuries I incurred were - a crushed Voice box, a narrowed Trachea, a fractured Spinal Cord. So I was both dumb and paralyzed for a while. I remember my biggest fear after the fear of death was the fear of not being able to sing again. That was a nightmare. My sister will flutter around the house singing and I would be in my room... with a huge caste from head to waist... crying. So... what I did was that I forced myself to sing. I could not wait for the voice box to heal. I needed to start singing then and there....The impatience is what now constitutes as my vocal signature. There is a wheezy, airy nature to my voice. It wasn’t always so... at least..not before the car accident. Even after I recovered, I went looking for my uncle again to further my dreams of being a musician which he silently refused. I mean, he kept dodging me and giving me excuses. So... erm.... in University of Lagos, I did some singing for campus fellowships until I graduated. And just when I was about throwing in the towel.... this God-send... a dear friend of mine called Bolaji Onisiwo who was working as a sound engineer at a recording studio called me and opted to use his salary to pay for a studio session for me. He got producers together and even called a couple of Radio DJs to help promote the song on air. Men!!!! the boy try. It was one of the tracks we did that my uncle later heard and was like... 'Meeeeeeeeeeeeen!!!!! im get goldmine for im backyard all this while wen im dey suffer imself to chase coins'. So... for about a year plus... we worked together and he helped me jump start career with my first hit single ' NO CRY'. We eventually had a fall out in 2007 and I have been on my own since with great support from Gray Tiger Entertainment :) The rest they say… is history.


Q: Who are your biggest influences?

Eva: My biggest influences should be my mum…She is a fighter and yet has the heart of a child. The babe doesn’t take challenges lying down LOL. She is a praying and a giving woman. A mother, in every sense of the word at heart. Other influences should be Mary J. Blige, you can feel the truth and magic of music in her voice and songs... she gets me every time. Whitney Houston definitely... there is something just rich and deep about her vocals and delivery. My pastor recently joined this list, Pastor Poju Oyemade of Covenant Christian Center. You don’t get as real and as deep as Pastor Poju... R.Kelly brings out the spiritualism, the Professionalism and the Commercialism of music in every song very nicely. That dude is a legend! Michael Jackson.... I still haven’t seen a musician who is as dedicated and who works at this profession with every ounce of his or her being like the late Michael Jackson. Dude was..... CWAAAAZY GREAT!!!


Q: Any new songs on the upcoming album that you are particularly proud of? (or any of your albums for that matter) and why? Any plans for coming to North America?

Eva: I am proud of all my songs. They all came to me at different points in my life. So listening to them, takes me back each time and reminds me of the resolve that has made me out to be a better person. 'Shades of Gray' as the first album was called was like a rough sketch. We were approached by some interested individuals who wish to take the album to the next level. So I am currently working on a revised version of that album...adding a little bit more flavor and a little bit more Eva :) it should be out before the end of the first quarter in 2011. There are no immediate plans to come to North America but if the opportunity does present itself... I will definitely be on the first flight out. I would love to come see and enjoy the sights and sounds of North America. :)


Q.I have heard and read a number of comments by individuals who have stated that your sound is a hybrid between old school-like Lagbaja with the beats. Some music reviewers have gone as far as comparing your soaring vocals and music videos to next door neighbor Angelique Kidjo. You bear an uncanny resemblance to Eve, the hip-hop star. What do you make of this comparison and all the attention?

Eva: LOL... yea... the comparisons. Eve is the one that I have had to listen to for sooooooooooooooo long. I honestly don’t think I look like her but hey... sight is relative. A hybrid huh??? well... Change is good I believe and I believe that it is very necessary for one to constantly re-invent themselves. But I have a huge love for old school jams. There is something 'selfless' about the music they did in those days. It was bigger than just selling records. People entered music for the love of the art. Music changed lives in those days. It’s not like now that music is a last resort and thanks to digital vocal enhancers, everybody believes they can sing. Artistes have started getting lazy... you know. So... I guess a part of me choose to remain with the spirit of the old... and so when I sit with my producers... I nid to get that magic... that 'substance' that we seem to have lost in today's music. I guess the Angelique Kidjo comparism is also due to the hair and the Africanism in my brand LOL.... what can I say??? I LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE AFRICA!!!! I rep her till I die.


Q: Do you write your own songs?

Eva: Yes... I write all my songs.... I do all the vocal work. I am very much involved in the whole process. From inception to finish. I am there when they mix and master. This is because I used to dabble in sound engineering while working with my uncle... so... I guess I am sort of a Jack of all trades.

Q: Where can your fans and music lovers check out your music?

Eva: For now... my fans and music lovers can check out my stuff at WWW.REVERBNATION.COM/EVADDIVA that's where they can get my work... fresh from me.

Q: Are there any musicians you would love to collaborate with?

Eva: You know... it’s all about who compliments your style and energy. So I will definitely love to do a collabo with Mary J. Blige, R.Kelly, Erykah Badu, Usher, T.Pain... that’s all for now!

Q: How did you arrive at the name Eva D’Diva and what image do you think your music conveys?

Eva: My friends added DIVA to my name because they believe a DIVA is a woman who is on top of her hustle.... not necessarily a 'pretty in pink' sorta gal.. But someone who has been through the fire and who is now coming out as pure gold. I think the message behind my music is one of survival and self-preservation. You will notice that most of the song has a strong 'god dependency' and that is because my family and I at some point were 'hit hard by life and left for dead'. No one was interested in helping out... so survival and self preservation wasn’t an option for us. We just had to prove them all wrong. We are stronger and the better for it now :) so when people see me.... they see a passionate fighter, someone who will not easily give up and someone who still believes in the beauty and Justice of the Universe and the existence of God... You will also see someone who is proud of her roots and tries to promote it anywhere and in any way she can.

Check back soon for the second part to our interview with Eva’D’Diva. She also is a must-follow on Twitter @EVANAIJA .



The Afrikan Child © Copyright 2010. All Rights reserved. No part of these pages, either text or image may be duplicated without the author's permission. Also, reproduction, modification, storage in a retrieval system or retransmission, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical or otherwise is strictly prohibited without prior written permission. General inquiries should be directed to our Web feedback box, accessible from this link or from the footer at the bottom of most pages on our site.

CD Review: Lokua Kanza

This sixth album by Congolese Lokua Kanza titled “Nkolo” (translates as God) is a pure, sweet, laid-back effort, introspective and serene as can be. The album is unabashedly spiritual and reflects this musician’s Christian faith. The luscious acoustic guitar work makes the disc irresistible. Recorded in Rio, Paris and Kinshasa, Nkolo might at first seem too gentle and reticent an exploration of Kanza’s Central African roots. However, after a few listens, one becomes enveloped in the melodies, subtlety, charm and a range of low-key nuances, leaving the individual with a feeling of enchantment or even meditation. Each of the twelve titles is like a pastel artwork, both soft and dense.
          The songs are sung in French, Lingala and Portuguese which symbolizes a fusion of musical continents. Nkolo positively glows with elegance and refinement, yet remains a model of soberness too. The recommended tracks on this album are Nakozonga, Nkolo and Soki. This album will haunt you, and it would be surprising to find anyone who did not like it. Humans respond well to harmonized voices, and this CD showcases some ethereal harmonies. Enjoy..!

The Afrikan Child © Copyright 2010. All Rights reserved. No part of these pages, either text or image may be duplicated without the author's permission. Also, reproduction, modification, storage in a retrieval system or retransmission, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical or otherwise is strictly prohibited without prior written permission. General inquiries should be directed to our Web feedback box, accessible from this link or from the footer at the bottom of most pages on our site.

KOBY MAXWELL : AN EMERGING INTERNATIONAL ARTIST

To categorize Koby Maxwell as a Ghanaian musician would be doing this energetic stage performer and budding actor a disservice. Based in the Washington DC area, this gifted bass player and lyricist flirts with many musical styles that defy any attempt to box him into one genre. Koby Maxwell has a unique and very cosmopolitan perspective on life that shines through his music and makes a simple categorization of it impossible. Like his former band leader and mentor Kojo Antwi, Koby is forging ahead with a sound and style that extends beyond the boundaries of Ghana and appeals to a much broader audience. His style of music departs from your run-of-the-mill hip life alternative and incorporates other well-known African genres such as Coupé Décalé and Mapouka with a sprinkling of American Pop to create a distinct but refreshing sound to the general music buying public.

Maxwell K. Okwensy, who takes on the stage name Koby Maxwell, first came to my attention one early morning in 2004 while listening to Morning Devotion on Joy FM, one of the very popular radio stations in Ghana. A few years later I would catch sight of him while perusing YouTube videos of Ghanaian musicians, with his hit video “I’m Aware”. Fast forward to July 24th 2010, and at a Kojo Antwi Concert, I will again see him, this time live on stage before a packed hall of teeming fans who were dancing and hollering at his mesmerizing performance. At this concert event, this headliner performed popular tunes such Abiba and I’m Aware. After his set, I could not help but go backstage to make his acquaintance and find out who the real Koby Maxwell is.

          Koby Maxwell hails from Saltpond in the Central Region of Ghana and the oldest of 6 kids. He arrived in the States 14 years ago with the goal of creating transformational music that maintains the authenticity of African music, but still incorporates the sounds of others. Having cut his teeth with the likes of Amakye Dede (Ghana’s Highlife Music exponent), Ali Baba Foster and Hugh Masekela (Father of African Jazz), Koby Maxwell imbibed all those experiences and channeled them into his music. This distinct style has ushered him to revered music venues and festivals such as the Kennedy Center, Radio City Music Hall and Detroit’s 21st African World Festival just to mention a few. He has also shared the stage with the likes of Salif Keita, Nancy Wilson, Chaka Khan, Dionne Warwick, Sean Paul, Barrington Levy, Sanchez, Ziggy & Stephen Marley and Bunny Wailer.

        His repertoire includes Praise the Lord (2002), Flying with the Lord (2004) and Step to the Top (2008). He is currently promoting the singles Face Book Girl, Do It and I Miss You from an album scheduled to be released in November 2010. He is the first Ghanaian musician to release a four DVD and CD compilation which included the hit song I’m Aware. Koby Maxwell is currently preparing to shoot a music video for the song “Do It” with Chris Deshield, which will also serve as the soundtrack for the movie “PAPARAZZI" EYE IN THE DARK”

            I recently chatted with Koby Maxwell about his forthcoming album and his debut in the movie “PAPARAZZI" EYE IN THE DARK” and his future in the world of music. Below are excerpts of that interview.

How and when did you start singing?
I started singing at the early age of 12 for the Saltpond Victory Gospel band. The band soon realized my God-given talent as a multi-instrumentalist and allowed me the opportunity to play bass guitar too. With time I was contracted to tour with other bands on the weekends. Soon after that, I started singing backup vocals with the Sakra Band of Megastar Records Label in Accra, Ghana in 1992. It is at that juncture my singing career took off.

You have a couple of songs such as Facebook Girl, Do It and Password Recovery on your soon -to-be released album. Will you share with us how you came by these titles and when do you plan on launching the CD?
(Laughing). There are people out there that are going to read too much into these titles. However, there is very little to go by here. I am a singer/ songwriter and I sing my songs to people to help them laugh and feel their folly to help people to escape from the drudgery and discomforts of their daily lives. I like to think of myself as an antenna of society. I notice people, I observe them and I put it into music. This includes the technological changes we are all witnessing and what the downsides of these technologies can be. I do this so that so that we can all cry or laugh at ourselves and feel better for it. With regards to the cd, I am currently finishing work on the mix down and hopefully have it for launch either in November or December of this year.

As any serious musician will tell you, it's tough to make a decent living playing music full-time. Aside music what other thing would you be doing?
Well, music will always be my first love. However, I am into acting too, with my first role in the movie “Paparazzi” Eye in the Dark”. Besides, I am a businessman too.

Could you please tell us a little about the movie” PAPARAZZI" EYE IN THE DARK” and who your co-actors are?
I am not going to give away too much detail here. However, what I can say is that it is a romantic comedy directed by Bayo Akinfemi (Gemini Award Nominee for Human Cargo & The Border). It was shot on locations in the Atlanta area. It features actors such as Van Vicker (Ghana), Syr Law (Tyler Perry, Diary of a Mad Black Woman), J.J Bonney (Nollywood USA), Chet Anekwe (Monique’s Phat Girls) and Tchidi Chikere (Top Nollywood Producer/ Director). It is scheduled to be released on October 16th 2010. I will ask your readers to be looking out for a movie trailer that will be released soon or visit the movie’s website http://www.eyeinthedark.com/

What inspires you and why?
There is so much that inspires me. Love, family, acting and my faith quickly come to mind. Reading the bible and praying inspires me to wake up in the morning. It gives me hope for a good day, if not a good day but a day to improve, a day to learn and love. Love inspires me to face fear, take chances, and live life to the fullest. Family inspires me to want a family of my own when I am ready to start a family. Acting inspires me to be outgoing, different, adventurous, and fulfilling. My faith inspires me to continue to study, experiment with music and live. I challenge myself everyday by waking up and living, living for the better, wanting the best and expecting the best.


Where do you intend to take your music career to in the nearest future?
I believe my career is going all the way to the top. I can tell you what or where I will want to be in the next 4-5 years. However, it is all in God’s hands.

You have talked openly about your faith today and what an important part it played in your life. What part does it play in your work?
I don’t see any conflicts between my faith and my work. I’m a Christian, and proud of it. Just like I am an African and proud of that. As I see it, my job as a musician is to seek truth, put truth to power, afflict the comfortable and comfort the afflicted. That’s my responsibility as a musician. As a person of faith, I was raised to respect people of all faiths. And my faith tradition says it is a search to better understand the truth that God has for me. So I don’t see any conflict between my job and my faith walk, because, you know, we are a people of many different faiths. And so I can still function, do my job, be respectful of all people in all situations and still worship the way that I choose. So yeah, I don’t see any conflict in either one of those things.

When you reflect about your musical career, what are the high and low points that come to mind?
The high points will be my travels: my music afforded me the opportunity to travel around the world and meet different people, with different cultures, and that has been very educational for me to share in people’s cultures, their sorrows and joys. With regards to the low points, I tend not to dwell on them. There are some things that I regret that I would like to change if I can live again. But you know, we don’t go back, we move forward and continue to do our very best each day.

How can fans gain access to your music? Do you have a website with sample songs or a demo CD?
My music can be found online at Amazon.com, ITunes, Reverbnation.com, and at my website www.kobymaxwell.com.

           In my humble opinion, this guy has a bright future ahead of him. His skills as a songwriter and multi-instrumentalist will sustain him with future gigs and produced works. His wholesome image should put him in line for public appearances as well as future acting parts. The one constant in his music is a restless desire to move forward and to experiment with sound in all of its various manifestations. Be on the lookout for more movies projects and music from this guy!!


The Afrikan Child © Copyright 2010. All Rights reserved. No part of these pages, either text or image may be duplicated without the author's permission. Also, reproduction, modification, storage in a retrieval system or retransmission, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical or otherwise is strictly prohibited without prior written permission. General inquiries should be directed to our Web feedback box, accessible from this link or from the footer at the bottom of most pages on our site.