What brought the idea of having a record label?
Bugatii Recording Group (BRG) started as an idea with three of us. Sossi was the singer, Ife was the video director and I was the business mastermind. We saw that with these three diversities, we could start a record label with the potential of becoming an empire.
But you are now the artiste and the focus is on you. That wasn’t the initial plan.
When I started BRG, I didn’t see myself becoming an artiste. Although, I had always loved music, I only saw myself as a business label owner who wished to help people. I signed Smoothkiss, Sossi, among others. As circumstances changed, I felt I could do this myself and since no one would do my work better than me, I decided to give myself a chance.
You have a new song, Banga which featured Zlatan. Tell us more about the song?
I just released ‘Banger.’ I appreciate everyone for the support they have given on the song; it’s been going great. I decided to feature Zlatan because he’s one of the hottest acts right now. Bringing him on was an attempt to introduce street swag to my own music feel which would hopefully produce what people would love. The feedback from the song has been so nice. When we made the song, I knew that we were in it for a hit. We were already fantasising in the studio and it’s no surprise that people jumped on it as soon as we released it.
You used to be in a group, D Confam, some years back, you released a couple of song but not much has been heard from the group. What went wrong?
I used to be in a group called the Confam. My partner, Ife is still my brother for life, but we decided to go the line of our skills. He’s been a video mastermind and I was into the music. It was a business decision by both of us. Nothing crazy happened and it has since turned out to be a good decision.
You are based in the United States, how have you been able to push your songs from that side?
People ask me this question all the time. They ask me how I promote my song if I am not based in Nigeria, but the fact is that staying in the United States and promoting my songs in Nigeria is not a problem for me because I can always come to Nigeria whenever I want to. I’m always in Nigeria to promote my music. Now that I’ve decided to go into music full-time, I’ve found myself travelling often to Nigeria. Even though my business in America would not allow me reside permanently in Nigeria, I have been able to handle both commitments very well. As a business mastermind that I am, it shouldn’t be a problem.
It is believed that people tend to relate well with you when they see you around. Don’t you think your career has not blossomed as much as you would like because you are not based here?
I don’t think the problem of my career is relocation. BRG has started a while back. It started about six years ago, but I wasn’t a full-time artiste then. I just became an active artiste six months ago. Looking at where I am now after just six months of my career, I can say the signs are good.
Why the change of focus?
My interest in the past six years had been to be a CEO. It changed six months ago as I decided to be an artiste. That means that someone else will run the label while I devote my attention to being an artiste. Expect a whole lot in 2020. There will be a real flow of music.
At a time on your label, there were Sossi and Sifter, who is also based in the United States. As of today, none of them is with the label. What went wrong?
It was nothing serious. BRG just went through rebranding. With the guy in the United States, he started his record label and I decided to support him. He’s been releasing music and I’m happy that he’s moving forward. For Sossi, his contract ended and he decided to be independent. I don’t have anything against that; I always support growth. The focus currently is on my growth as an artiste. My career is still young and deserves attention. While I’m not ruling out signing any artiste in the future, depending on the decision of the record label, right now, I’m an artiste.
Banger has been on for weeks now and it’s enjoying airplay. What are your plans to keep the momentum going?
After ‘Banger’, I already have a lot of songs waiting to be released. I’m working on more every day; striving for perfection. I promise that it won’t be like the other times. It will be really good this time. I know my fans will love it. The content and style of my music, as time goes on, will make my music evergreen.
What do you think has helped the BRG brand to grow bigger over the years?
The BRG brand has always been there since we started. It is a brand everyone knows. Now that I’m an artiste, I’ve put it in the hands of people I trust, people that will keep it going. I feel it’s time for people to know BRG not just as a brand, but as a music powerhouse.
D’banj and Don Jazzy left the United Kingdom to pursue their careers from home which turned out to be the best for them. Don’t you think you should also do this?
This is a different situation from D’banj and Don jazzy’s. I own a company in the United States that is very successful and it is hard for me to leave that. I don’t think D’banj and Don jazzy had that back in the day. I do have plans to come to Nigeria more frequently to push my music and when I get very occupied with music, my company in America can sustain itself. I have capable employees whom I can delegate to. Relocating to face my music is something I already thought of, but of course, time will tell.
You are a successful business man, what are you looking for in music?
If you had asked me this question six years ago, I would have said that music is a side thing. But now, music is the main thing, because I’m a full-time artiste.
How would you rate yourself among your contemporaries?
There is no need to rate myself or put myself in any category. I would rather let my music do the rating for me and the people should speak. I choose to be humble. I’m a top artiste, no doubt, and my hunger will show for it soon. My hunger and desire will definitely keep me relevant for years, and once I put my mind to a thing, I don’t rest. Hard work pays and I know that I will be successful in this.
It is this time of the year that artistes are going on tours and making the moment count. You don’t seem to be doing that this year?
I know it’s the time of the year for tours and concerts. I just released “Banger” and my attention is solely on promoting it. As from next year, however, you’ll hear a lot from me. There will be tours and concerts. We need time to implement a lot of things and I can promise my fans that they will not be disappointed.
Many people have said you are too soft to be a hip hop act, especially in a country like Nigeria.
As for the soft side of me, it is always going to be a part of me. I don’t care about people’s opinions that I’m probably too soft to be a musician. One should always have a soft spot. People are going through a lot in this world and if you’ve travelled as far and wide as I have, you would realise that many people are suffering. It is always good to have a soft spot for issues like that. That would not change, I would always care. I have a plan to have my own foundation which will see to helping the underprivileged. The how and when are not decided yet but will be revealed in the future. Again, I wouldn’t change my soft side for anything.
If you are not doing music for money, what is your goal?
People get into music because of money or passion. As for me, I’ve worked hard for years and I’ve accomplished things that I’m proud of. Music, on the other hand, is the dream. It’s what I love and have passion for. That’s why I’m here. Even though the money will come with it, that’s always welcome, the number one thing is the passion. I want people to get what my art is about, to put my art and my life out there.
You have worked with Olamide, Zlatan among others, what is your next plan come 2020?
I have a lot of projects already and I’m still making more every day. I’ve worked with Olamide, Zlatan, Zorro and many others. I just want people to know my music and get to have a feel of what I’m about. With the projects in the pipeline, I can’t wait to unveil them for people to enjoy.