Solomon Onyebuchi Nwosu, alternatively known as D Large, has been a Europe-based Nigerian musician who started out his career during his polytechnic days. In a recent chat with Rotimi Ige, he reveals his musical journey and vision about becoming the toast of the Nigerian music industry in few months to come. Excerpts:
Can you tell us a bit about your journey as a musician?
It’s been a tough journey with lots of hard work being put in place so far. I have dropped a couple of songs and videos in the past such as Obuchukwu, Meet Up, Dance For Me and Turn Me On. My latest one is Badda and it’s been blowing up the airwaves like a cyclone.
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What is the inspiration behind the name D Large?
As you know, the world is large and my country Nigeria is big. What I have in my thinking faculty is also massive. So I just had to settle with the name D Large because I believe I have enough substance to make the world a better place.
When did D Large start doing music professionally?
I can’t say precisely when it actually started; music has been part of my life. It’s just like a lifestyle to me. I have been rolling with musicians right from childhood. I have worked with the likes of 2much (who manages Duncan Mighty at the moment) and Roughhouse Crew, to mention a few. I started out back in Rivers State Polytechnic campus mimicking WyclefJean.
You studied Auto-Mechanical Engineering. Why music over what you are trained for in the polytechnic?
Music like I said earlier is a lifestyle thing to me so my love for it supersedes any other field of human endeavor, to be honest, I took music more serious when I got to Europe and I was really doing fine flying the Afrobeat flag high in the beautiful city of Belgium but it was necessary I come back home for me to break into the bigger market and to reach out to my roots. Like they say, charity begins at home.
How long have you been away from Nigeria?
It’s been off and on for some time now. I have been coming into the country and leaving at will over the years because I already have a very deep affiliation with the white people’s society and that’s where I make the funds to pay my bills but I’m fully back home now and ready to take my place in the African music industry.
How big is Afrobeat there in Europe?
Afrobeat right now is topping the charts. There used to be major focus on American sounds but there is a paradigm shift at the moment, people like me have been spreading the gospel of Afrobeat and they love us for it. For now, I can say Afrobeat is the new music culture in Europe.
How far have you gone doing music in Nigeria and overseas?
I have been performing all over Europe and have won several awards that I can’t even remember all. I have been the opening acts for many African Artist that came to perform in Amsterdam such as Patoranking, Duncan Mighty and so many other ones.
What challenges have you faced within the industry since you returned into the country?
My movement has been going smooth, no doubt. The major challenge I just have is most people’s infidelity when doing business with them. Nigerians at home have this notion that any returnee from overseas has wads of cash to throw around for no reason. Hence, they take your money and don’t get the job done thinking you have a tree planted somewhere where you pluck money anytime you like. They seem to forget that people out there work very hard to gather resources to push their dreams back home. People like that are the ones giving Nigerians bad images overseas. Most people in the entertainment industry are very dishonest and I have my own fair share of that experience with them. I have met a few good people, though, who keep to their words and these are the people I have in my team as the Badda movement grows in leaps day after day. It’s been a bitter sweet experience so far and I believe it will all end in praise.
What inspired your new song ‘Badda’ and the accompanying video?
Badda is a movement, am just trying to tell the story of a man who loves a very beautiful shy girl. The introvert lady loves to enjoy life but she doesn’t possess the charisma to show it to the world. She is a ravishing beauty but she doesn’t know it so I was only trying to encourage her to come out of her shell in the song.
The video shot in Belgium showcased luxury lifestyles. Should we call D Large the Nigerian moneybag in Europe?
It’s all about showbiz anyway, I was just trying to show that I can take care of my woman, so every man out there should treat his woman like a queen. A king deserves a queen so I was just showcasing my roots as an African prince in the video from my regalia to the motorcade. The pictures really came out beautiful. Big shout-out to Don Kuluku for directing that crisp video for me.
Who are your role models in the music industry?
I listen to Wyclef Jean a lot. Then Pharell Williams, Will-I-Am, Ace Hood, Osadebe, Oliver De Coque (my mum plays his music a lot) Fela Anikulapo Kuti and so many others. When it comes to mastering Afrobeat as an art, one has to be very open-minded so I tap a lot from all these music legends while I still retain my own style. I can’t pick a role model per se.
How would you describe your sound brand?
I used to be a fulltime hip hop head but right now, I do more of Afropop with a fusion of hi-life and western sound.
Do you still rap?
I still do but I rap more in an unconventional style or let me say commercial rap with a blend of Afropop.
Tell us about your fashion style?
I grew up in a house full of fashionistas especially my elder brother whom I tapped a lot from. To be honest, I grew up watching lots of foreign TV programs as a kid. They kind of influenced my style of dressing. I love dressing flashy with a style that is peculiar to me. Fashion is like a lifestyle to me same as music is.
Since you are fully back into the country to settle, what difference are you bringing into the Nigerian music industry?
I just reinvented my style and sound, so D Large is coming through with a sound wholly different from what the industry is used to.
What advice do you have for those aspiring to become a part of the Nigerian music industry?
First of all, you need to focus on your studies, get that basic education because it is very important when it comes to navigating the turbulent waters of this music industry. The entertainment industry is not like a tea party, many young ones out there only see the glamorous side of the industry. You need to be very humble, master your craft, learn from those before you and respect them. Above all, you need to develop a very large heart and a thick skin because many people are going to use you, betray you, take advantage of you but you just have to learn how to take things in your stride.
Put up a proper team (Yqou can start with friends and family who are passionate about your craft and the music industry). Then try to get yourself where things are happening and showcase your talent. You never know who is watching. If you are lucky, a well-connected music manager might develop interest in you and help you get signed to a record label. Study the industry deeply otherwise, you will just keep running in circles.
It’s obvious you are talking from experience.
Yes o! (laughs). It’s not easy being an independent artiste. That is one of the reasons I have been off and on in the music industry. I have been duped many times but it’s a lifestyle. I just can’t let go.
Any upcoming work(s) from D Large?
I have got so many songs recorded so far and I’m still recording but I am yet to put a timeline to dropping an album yet. Let the industry feel more of my vibe than my team and I will decide when to drop an album. If we are talking about songs, I have got a whole lot of them that are yet to be released.
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