Xerona Duke is very much her father’s daughter. A lawyer and musician like a former governor of Cross River State, Donald Duke, she shares more about her musical roots and aspirations, in this interview. Excerpts:
WHAT attracted you to music?
When I was very small, I remembered my father used to sing and it’s no surprise that my sisters and I play musical instruments. I have been playing piano since I was five and the guitar when I was 14, so music was my first love. I studied law b,ut now I have decided to take music more seriously and pursue it.
Where did you study law?
I studied Law in the UK and USA. I got my first degree from the University of Nottingham and my Master’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania.
Is it only the piano and guitar that you play?
I play the saxophone and I also sing. I write my songs myself, and for other people.
Who have you written songs for?
I was work with Niyola actually, I also worked with Ice Prince and some international artistes that I can’t disclose now.
Are you working on an album now?
Yes, I am working towards releasing my EP in the next few months. We are finishing up the recording and trying to tighten up everything.
Have you now studied music formally?
Yes.I learned piano at MUSON in Lagos :when I was five, and when I went to a boarding school, I also learned how to play guitar, i carried on studying the piano and then I started studying vocals. I joined Board of Royal School of Music; I did vocal lessons and exams and also musical theatre. Apart from law, I would say music is the other thing I studied the most.
Do you have the same preferences as your father?
Definitely, but at the same time I think I move in a completely different direction. Musically, we have different tastes, very different tastes, but at the core of it, because the kind of music that he loves: the old stuff; the Funk, The Temptation, High life, all of that. That’s the music I grew up with and it formed the foundation of my music, but I like to expand and grow. Even now if you ask what genre my music at present is, I couldn’t tell you. All I know is I just make music. I just make music and I think it’s because of the impact of my dad. His music style goes back and forth, He enjoys some of the new things but he is mostly very much old school and I am very much new school.
What is his take on your music?
I think he likes it. He’s not really going to tell me if he hates it, but he’s been very supportive of my career in music and I’d take that to mean that, at least, I have some talents.
What does it take to be the daughter of Donald Duke?
Be smart, listen well. You learn to watch what other people do. You know, you are exposed to a lot of influential people; a lot of people who make moves in the country, so you have to take advantage of that and learn from them, your parents and always making sure you’re putting in your best, because you are not only representing yourself, your family but also Nigeria. I think that goes for all Nigerians, especially now that we are so much in the public eye globally. We all need to step up and represent Nigeria well.
Aside music, what else do you do?
I am an entertainment attorney.
Is your mum also into music?
Mum sat me on the piano when I was five years old. She isn’t a musician. We like to call her the Choir Conductor of the family, but she was definitely a massive influence. Once my siblings and I turned five, we started learning the piano. When you reach a certain age, you can learn another instrument. While learning one, you could pick another one alongside. I play saxophone because my dad plays saxophone. My immediate younger sister plays the clarinet while the youngest plays the flute.
Do you have a Cross Rivers name?
My name, Xerona, came to my dad in a dream. When I asked him what it means, he said Ecstasy, but my mum said no; it means God’s Delight. Then years later, I googled my name to see if something turns up and I saw in the game Dungeons and Dragons’, Xerona was a star, like a guardian. I told my dad and he said pretty cool. My dad is from Cross River State; my mum is from Rivers State. My Efik name is Arit and my Kalabari name is Lolia but, I go by the name Xerona. I was actually named after my grandmother, Genevieve, so I bear Xerona and Genevieve. But most people know me as Xerona.