Sheun Natural is a fast rising music artiste signed to Kobi Mighty Records (KMR). In this interview with ROTIMI IGE, he reveals his journey so far, and why he is a next rated artiste in the Nigerian music scene.
Tell us a bit about yourself.
I was born Ojeyinka Oluwaseun Samuel in Ibadan in the early 90s to a family of five children of which I am the first child. I started my education at Adeniji International Nursery and Primary school, proceeded to Loyola College Ibadan for my secondary education and later to Lead City University where I obtained B.Sc in Politics and International Relations. I am a singer, songwriter, dancer, actor and most importantly a recording and performing artiste. My genre of Music is Afro-pop, R&B and ‘Funky Fuji’ which is the unique style I carved for myself. I’m currently signed to Kobi Mighty Records.
You were one the most visible artistes in Ibadan. What motivated you to sing back then?
Ibadan is the grassroots of my career and I am thankful for growth. Firstly, God is my motivation, then my passion and love for music follows, but I also believe I can use my gift to change the world. So, I decided to face this path thoroughly. “Your gift shall make room for you and make you sit with kings and not mere men” This has been my watchword since I was a child till now and forever. Music is my gift, my motivation and inspiration.
You were signed to Kobi Mighty Records about a year ago? How did that happen?
I performed at a show early last year (2016) in Ibadan tagged ‘Fabulous Pizzy and the bosses’. it was a live band experience and after my performance, I got many accolades amongst which Kobi Mighty (CEO, KMR) said to me, “Guy I like your ginger, great performance” . I thought it would end as a compliment until I got ‘the call’ and the new journey began. I became the first act under the label and it has been a glorious movement ever since.
Since then, you have been on a steady rise having dropped many songs/videos. Would you say that your label has delivered its promises?
So far, so good I thank God. The journey has been really smooth for me than it used to be without a label. Within the space of a year, I have had lots of achievements alongside my label. We have dropped a couple of great songs like ‘Leave Story’, ‘Like to party’, ‘Body Perfect’ (with video), ‘Love me better’ (with video), ‘Plenty plenty’, ‘Grace’, and all are enjoying massive airplay across several airwaves . I would say my label is really putting my city, Ibadan on the map in Nigeria and Africa at large.
Having moved to Lagos how has been the reception /environment and how do you intend to make your mark on the industry?
I am thankful to God and lovers of good music, the reception/environment have really been awesome. I believe God directs my paths, relocating to Lagos is a step further and closer to the dream. Lagos is the centre of entertainment in Nigeria and I have been putting in a lot of work, day and night to meet up to the industry standard, after which I would set standards of my own and I believe in no time Sheun Natural Will be the name on the lips of everybody, by God’s grace.
You have a new song ‘Pemperepe’…Tell us about it.
‘Pemperepe’ is a happy song, a really exciting song at that. It’s the kind of song you would always want to vibe to over and over again. It was produced by Linobeats and Breexy and mixed/ mastered by Indomix. It’s the kind of song that arouses your musical nerves. ‘Pemperepe’ talks about dance, happiness, prayer and life generally and I believe it has the potential to be the song that sets that standard I talked about earlier. Anticipate, watch this space, you would not be disappointed I can assure you.
You also have other songs ‘plenty plenty’ and two others doing well at the moment. Why did you feel the need to drop a new song?
‘Plenty Plenty’ is still a major banger and the video will drop soon. But my major aim is to record and bring out good music always. I can’t specifically say there’s a time when I won’t drop a new song, so far it’s always good music and my management gives the go-ahead. I believe Good music never dies, I believe I have what it takes to drop at least one song every month for the next ten years and it would be good music every time, that is how ready I am for this industry, I am ready for this, I was born to make music.
What is your relationship with other label mates and your CEO?
KMR is my family, everybody is pursuing one goal which is ‘success’. Now, our understanding of success is quite different but I have the best team in the world who understands the type of success that has no limitations or boundaries. My CEO, ‘Kobi Mighty’, is my big brother, adviser and my mentor. I have a personal relationship with everybody in my label, my manager is exceptionally intelligent, my producer is a music guru, my label is one big family I do not joke with.
Your typical day…
It varies, but most times I am in the studio working.
Tell us your most prized possession…
My talents are my most prized possession.
Most embarrassing moment yet?
Let me see. Yes, my most embarrassing moment was at the early stage of my career. I was invited to a studio in Lagos by Jafextra to record a song with him (then I wasn’t really conversant with recording) so when I entered the cubicle, I was sounding really awkward as a result of wrong placement of some fuses. I felt really embarrassed because everybody in the studio was making strange expressions; I mean you could literally read their expressions, until the studio engineer came to make the necessary corrections. But before then, it wasn’t funny. That was really embarrassing for me; I still look back and thank God for how far I have gone since then.
How do you relax?
I watch movies, act, hang out with friends. I also play video games
What would you have been if not a musician?
If not a musician, I would most definitely still be in the music/ entertainment scene in one capacity or another.
and then