‘I am grateful, perplexed at the success of ODG’

Born into the entertainment family of Jide and Henrietta Kosoko, Eltee Skhillz, real names Olowu Taiwo (not many know he is a twin), does not surprise many by his rise in the industry.  He is one of the trending music artistes whose song, ‘ODG’, is currently ruling the airwaves around the world. The actor turned dancer/musician, in the interview by ROTIMI IGE reveals details about his rise in the industry and plans for the future.

What was the inspiration behind your hit song ODG?

It was nothing too serious, I just wanted to sing about luxury lifestyles.

How would you describe the reaction you’ve gotten since the release of the song, Was it expected?

I usually put out good work and leave the rest to God. I didn’t expect people to respond the way they did and the love has been overwhelming. All I can say is that I’m grateful and still perplexed.

Does the success of the song put you under any pressure?

Yes, it does put me under pressure, but I don’t let it overwhelm me. I have always done things at my own pace and that’s the same pace I’m sticking to.

What would you say is responsible for the rise of Afrobeats worldwide?

I would say the general surge in the use of social media. It has made the world a global village and we are benefitting from it.

What are the challenges you are facing in the industry?

Presently, it’s the pressure of putting out another hit. The fans want more and I’m working at my pace like I always have.

What solutions do you have the industry problems?

I feel like we should give credits to song writers in the music industry, they work hard to write hit songs and deserve accolades. They also deserve their percentages in royalties.

What’s your typical day like?

On my typical day, I go to the gym, have dance rehearsals because I am also a performer. I then return  home to either write and record songs or frustrate my twin brother.

Now that the world is listening to Afrobeats, what are your next moves?

My next move is to make and release more projects.

What must Nigerian artistes realise to compete on world stage?

I will say that we are already competing on a world stage and I’m proud of that. The world is already dancing to our music.

What is your most valued asset?

I think that will be my phone, I like to research and stay informed.

What’s next for Eltee?

I have a lot of things planned, but like I mentioned earlier, I’m grateful to all those who have supported me thus far. I’m currently working on another EP and I just released the video of ODG. I really had fun making that video coupled with all the star appearances as well. I’m also doing more features and I will keep growing musically.

What memories of your mother do you hold dear?

I think the most memorable ones would be how she never stopped believing how best she could push me, regardless of whether we were lacking the funds.

When I first started my career, she always looked for the right connect to see how she could be of impact to my music. I mean, she actually took me to top directors and executives in most of the television stations just to introduce me. I remember her always stressing, “this is my son, please hold him dear. He is talented”. She also would try to get me on show trying to get promoters to give me a chance to perform on stage. That is something that you don’t see every day you and I pray that God bless her soul.

Secondly, her food. My mother never joked with her food. She taught me how to cook and most times when I am cooking, I always remember her all the time. In fact, I remember how she would always tell me how best to source for food. I literally knew all the market women because she always sent me to go and buy food back then. It is one beautiful thing that I would always cherish about her.

The third one would be making sure I have the habit of praying and believing in myself. She made me understand the fact that God will not come and do for man what man should do for himself.

You also dance. How does this help your music and which is your first love?

The fact that I dance actually helps me a lot. Aside from it helping me keep fit, it helps me professionally by helping me to control myself on stage.

I started my career as a dancer but I fell in love with dance and music combined. I didn’t fall in love with one over the other. I saw Michael Jackson do dance and music combined and I fell in love with that craft as a whole. It was amazing to see one person move and sing beautifully and I wanted to do that too.

Though I am not Michael Jackson, I wanted to do it in my own way and the fact that I dance helps my stage performances a lot. It gives me charisma, helps with better reflexes and quick thinking on stage. As a professional dancer, it is very useful.

Would you say that coming from a background of entertainers has helped your career?

Coming from my kind of background, it helps me realise what I want for myself. I don’t have a perfect answer, to be very honest, but the best way I understand it has  helped me to determine what I want in my life.

When I was dancing back then, I was struggling with a couple of things. The entertainment industry wasn’t as big as this but I just loved dancing to a fault. I was once sanctioned and coming from a house of entertainers, of actresses and actors, I felt a little left out in a way and felt like I didn’t fit in properly. Regardless of that, everybody still supported me during suspension and kept on telling me that I could do better to grow. All these helped me determine what I wanted for myself strongly and that was it.

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