You recently released your first musical video, “The Triumphant Child”. How did you commence your journey into gospel music?
A year ago, I finally admitted that I was called to full time ministry in songs. That same year, I released an album entitled, “Intimate Friend” with seven tracks, that was in Cameroon and I was in the university at the time. A little after graduation, I decided to relocate to Nigeria because in Cameroon, we really look up to Nigerian musicians. I came to Nigeria on April 1, 2017 for the first time. First, I came to feel the atmosphere in Nigeria, because I hadn’t been to Nigeria before. I left and came again around May. That was when I settled down finally.
Do you have any relative in Nigeria?
No.
You came on your own?
Actually, I didn’t come alone.Also, I discovered that I have a Nigerian blood because my mum is from Nigeria. At the time I was coming to Lagos, I didn’t know her. It is not a topic I like to discuss.
Earlier, you said you looked up to Nigerian gospel singers. What was the impact of Nigerian songs in your life back in Cameroon?
While in Cameroon, I think popular gospel ministers like Sinach, Ada, Frank Edward, Eben, Steve Crown blessed us so much with their songs. A time came when Cameroonian artistes could not stand the power of Nigerian gospel music in Cameroon. It came to a point when churches sang only Nigerian music during service. Our own music was almost losing its stand in Cameroon. We now realised that there was something about Nigerian music that we had to learn. We began to desire to know what they know and why they have the impact they are having. That was what helped some of us to become outstanding in the Cameroonian market. Today, some of us who started studying the secret behind Nigerian gospel musicians are thirty times better than those who didn’t.
In your study of Nigerian gospel music, what did you find?
Cameroon is a country that is growing in a lot of things. On the other hand, Nigeria has a bigger and wider market. We discovered that when Nigerian musicians sing, they do not seek to entertain their audience, rather they sing to minister to life. I realised that Cameroonian artistes sing to entertain people. But what we saw in Nigerian gospel musicians is ministration. When you hear a Nigerian gospel musician, you can easily picture a pastor passing a message.
We then realised that gospel music has gone beyond entertainment, it has gone beyond fun-seeking. It is ministration, a realm you enter to make impacts. And when we began to study the lives of some of the Nigerian gospel ministers who are making impacts, we saw some vital things. We realised that it wasn’t just about singing, it is ministering to people and touching lives. We also realised that their message was inspired by the Holy Spirit. So, we decided to hear too from God and from the Holy Spirit for the direction to be able to sing like them. I think we eventually got it right.
Since you came to Nigeria, what have you done?
Since I came to Nigeria with the help of God, I have released two singles: ‘Triumphant Child’ and ‘Bigger than the Biggest’. It hasn’t been easy, but I was able to come out with a powerful song. And I said to myself that if I can do a video of one of these songs, then it will definitely go far. That was how I did a video of ‘Triumphant Child’, which I released on April 7, which fell on my birthday.
And how impactful have you been in Cameroon now?
Presently, I can boldly say that I have taken over the Cameroonian market. Before I started in Cameroon, I understood these things. Because while I was in Cameroon, I didn’t enjoy Cameroonian songs. The reason was because it was as if it was another form of entertainment. Maturity tells you the kind of songs you should listen to. Before I got the call for full time gospel music, I had to iron out the weaknesses in Cameroonian music. So, when I joined the industry, I came in with a lot of knowledge. That was why it was easy to take over the market. When I released my first album, “Intimate Friend” it sold hundreds of copies. It had hit songs such as“He Lives in Me”, “Too Much” and “Christ’s Grace”. I had studied these Nigerian artistes to understand what they understood and know what they know. It was so easy to breakthrough in Cameroon, because at first, they didn’t understand whether I was a Nigerian or Cameroonian artiste.
Now that you are in Nigeria, what are the challenges you face in Nigeria?
I came to Nigeria because it is a bigger market. In Cameroon, I believe God has given me a stand. But coming to Nigeria, the first challenge I had was the competition. I am not afraid of competition, but I saw the pressure and the intensity of the competition and I immediately knew that this was a different game. I had to really tighten my belt and work harder. I realised that Nigeria is not like Cameroon where you have so many avenues to make your songs go far. In Nigeria, if you don’t have money, forget music. Here, doing a good song is one thing, but making the song bless as many people as possible is another thing all together. That is where the money comes in.
When did you realise that you could sing?
Growing up, I loved singing. I sang a lot in my primary school. In Cameroon, we have the National Youth Day and I was always leading a team of singers to that event right from secondary school. But there is a difference between fun and singing as a ministry. I have been doing music for fun; I didn’t know it was a ministry. When I got to the university, the pressure was too much. I was studying Economics, but my mind was in music. I just had to give my attention to it.
Did you drop out?
No. I finished.I have a degree in Economics at the University of Bamenga.
You are schooling here in Nigeria as well. What are you studying?
I also realised that I have a gift of writing. I used to write poems and articles. Later on, when I got to high school, I started writing movie scripts. When I write, I also act. Someone told me that I could develop this gift and become a professional scriptwriter. I studied scriptwriting in Mount Zion and the Gideon’s Mission in Cameroon. But I wasn’t satisfied. I love the impact Nollywood is making. So, when I came to Nigeria, I wanted to perfect my knowledge in screenwriting. This is the reason I applied to the Royal Art Academy to study screenwriting.
So, you are here to embrace the totality of Nigerian entertainment industry?
You can say that again.
Do you also intend to act as well?
I have featured in some home movies in Cameroon. I was in ‘The Hunter’s Spree’, ‘Hell Fire in Concert’. But my focus is not in acting. I don’t think I am a good actress. I want to write and direct movies. But if I have any opportunity to act, why not? My plan is to have my own production company.
Who directed the visuals of your single, ‘The Triumphant Child’?
I worked with Pastor Ikechukwu on the set. I scripted the story concept, he directed it.
The background theme of the musical video was about rejection and sexual harassment. Are these reflections of your real life struggles?
Yes.
How do you handle sexual harassment even as a gospel singer?
It is inevitable. No matter how hard you try, you will encounter them. But one thing I know is that I have overcome the world. I know that I cannot escape it as a woman. You know, sometimes it is placed like a barrier before you, forcing you to compromise or lose the opportunity. The title of my song, ‘The Triumphant Child’, and the video was a kind of a replay of my life. I knew what I have been through and what I am going through. Personally, I overcome these challenges by focussing on Jesus, no one can give me what Jesus cannot give me.
Cameroon is a bilingual country. How do you make your songs accessible to the French speaking population?
In Cameroon, it is compulsory for a citizen to speak both English and French. I can speak both languages very well.
But how do you make one song reach both speakers?
Yes, this is a huge challenge to most gospel singers in Cameroon. But Nigeria helped us in this regard. When Nigerians sing, they put English, Igbo, Edo, Yoruba and other languages inside, we have also learnt to put English, pidgin, French and even the Igbo and the Yoruba because music is global.
How grateful is Cameroon to Nigeria?
Cameroon is ever grateful to Nigeria, even though some people may not want to admit. But I am grateful to Nigeria. Nigeria has impacted my life in so many ways. When I came to Nigeria, my lyrics changed for good. I think Cameroon might not admit Nigeria’s help, but there are some personalities in Cameroon that are grateful for the impact Nigeria has in their lives.
What are your plans for the entertainment industry?
My plan is to penetrate the nook and crannies of the Nigerian entertainment industry in the movies, music and other spheres. But I will do strictly Christian movies.
Earlier, you said you have a Nigerian blood. How true is that?
I don’t really like to discuss this part, but I grew up not knowing my mother. But very recently, I realised that my mother is a Nigerian from Imo State.
So, you are Igbo?
Yes.
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