I never believed I could share a stage with Davido, Kiss Daniel —Musician, FJB

Nigerian musician, Utaji James Emmanuel, better known as FJB in this interview by ADERONKE ADESANYA speaks about his passion and journey into music. Excerpts:

What inspired you to start playing and making music?

I grew up in a music-oriented family and my parents have always been lovers of music. They always played music in the house when I was growing up. In the hallways and in the environment I grew up in, music is always playing here and there and I would always sing along. That was where the passion came from. Singing was something I loved doing.

At what age did you discover your passion for music?

I discovered my passion for music when I was 13 years old and that could be traced back to my Junior Secondary School. I was in JSS1; this was way back in 2009.

So far, how has the music industry been for you? And, what is the experience like?

The music industry has been a big progress for me in terms of growth because there are many ups and downs. Over the years, I have learnt to be self-dependent and self-sufficient. To God be the glory, it has been going well.

What is the story behind your stage name ‘FJB’?

Before I got the name, FJB, I used to be known as Flexijay and some called me Flexijhaybaba. A friend, Daniel, gave me the nickname back then in Agege. As time went on, I decided to make it brief and simple, which is now FJB. It is now my brand name.

What is unique about your music? And what does FJB bring to the table?

Basically, one unique thing about me is the way I render my melody when I do music. I believe my melody is everything, which is the unique thing about my music. I am a spectacular artiste. I have a unique voice, which is pleasing to the ears. I believe that very soon, the world will learn to appreciate my music and my voice because they are God-given. I bring melody and the beauty of music to the table

What would you have been doing if not music?

If I wasn’t doing music, I’d probably be military personnel because I’m a humanitarian. When it comes to making society a better placed, I’d choose the military. I’m currently doing my Masters in Criminology and Security Studies. I believe there is more I can do for the society asides music. So if I wasn’t doing music, I would be in the military.

Are you currently signed to any record label?

Yes, I’m signed to Citron Records. Citron Records is an American-Nigerian-based label.

Have you ever dealt with performance anxiety?

I think the one time I felt anxiety was when I performed at Oriental Hotel some years back with Davido and Kizz Daniel. They were the guest artistes for the show, and I never believed I could share a stage with them. Before I was called to perform, I got nervous. I was anxious due to the personalities that were there. I was worried if they would like my songs. However, it went well. After the show, I had a chat with Kizz Daniel. Now, I see it as a normal thing and can perform freely irrespective of the audience or the guest artist.

Do you have any hobbies or interests outside music?

I love research and playing video games.

What strengths do you have that you think make you a great musician?

My consistency, confidence and patience. I have been doing music for over a decade now and ever since I started, I’ve been consistent and patient. I’m very confident of my sound and music, and I can proudly sing whenever and wherever. I believe every great thing takes time.

What do you hope to achieve in the next five to ten years?

I will like to be the most listened-to artiste out of Africa, representing Nigeria globally, performing on the biggest stages all over the world. That has been my biggest prayer.

How do you feel the internet has impacted the music business?

The internet has actually impacted the music business positively because unlike before, you have to go around for studio sessions. Now, from the four corners of your room, you can be a star. The internet has been a great tool. The best thing about the internet is that it has helped to make music more accessible to all. There are also choices on what we want to listen to and we are able to connect with our favourite artistes via social media to see what they are doing.

There have been some pretty big changes since the internet was created. You can still say with certain confidence that those changes have ultimately been for the better. It has helped to improve and shape the industry that we have today, as well as make music more accessible to people all around the world. It is now super easy to download music, something that you certainly weren’t able to do before.

What makes you passionate about music?

Music is my life. I can say without music, I am nothing. It’s my passion and it keeps me going. Music has the power to move people and create emotional connection between artistes and their listeners. As a musician, it’s my responsibility to use this power to its fullest. I strive to create music that speaks to people on a personal level, conveying emotion through sound. In addition to my passion for music, I also think it’s important to have knowledge of music theories and technical instruments. Knowing how to read sheet music, understand chord progressions, and play various instruments are all essential skills for any musician. Having these abilities allows me to be creative with my music and to explore different genres and sounds.

What is your favourite part about being a musician?

My favourite part about being a musician is the joy and happiness I feel when rendering my melodies whenever, wherever and to whoever.

How do you stay focused while performing?

Being an artiste is a craft and you have to know how to enjoy your craft before people can accept it. So, I think whenever I mount a stage, I want to make sure I personally enjoy my performance. Most times, I like to dwell in my sound and feel myself from within and I believe it is what comes out that people accept.

Are you comfortable and confident performing in front of a large crowd?

Absolutely! I’ve been performing in front of large crowds for almost 10 years. I’m very comfortable and confident when it comes to playing music in front of a large audience. I understand how important it is to engage with the crowd, create an atmosphere that everyone can enjoy, and make sure that my performance is up to par. I also understand the importance of being able to adapt quickly to any changes or requests from the audience. My experience has taught me to be flexible and creative in order to keep the audience entertained and engaged.

Who’s your ideal musician to collaborate with and why?

There are many artistes I would like to have collaborations with, but the way I feel at the moment, I would love to collaborate with Omah Lay. I love his sound and he is a great artiste. I respect his craft.

What are your plans for the rest of the year, music-wise?

By God’s grace, I’ve a song coming up entitled, ‘Temptations’ with the video alongside. I’ve another single yet to be titled. My EP will be dropping soon, and I’ll be having a show to round up the year.

What would you do if you were performing and the audience reacted negatively?

As a musician, it’s common to experience a negative or distracting crowd during a performance. I think it’s important to remain calm in such a situation and continue the performance. I’ll tell myself not to take it personal because it is normal. If they feel I shouldn’t be on the stage, I’d probably leave. People have ways they feel about certain things, and probably they are not enjoying me at that particular time. Rejection is normal and it is part of being an entertainer.

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