Afro pop singer and founder of Bugatti Recording Group (BRG), Promise Ilebor, otherwise known as KINGP, has been building a name for himself as a musician who understands what it takes to rule the music industry. With back to back hit songs, the US-based entrepreneur and songwriter speaks with SEGUN ADEBAYO about his continuous rise and what his fans should expect from him this year.
You didn’t start your music journey as an artiste but as music executive. But right now, you are playing the role of an artiste and label owner. What brought about the idea of making music?
I have been in the music industry for a while but unlike anyone else, I didn’t start releasing music as an artiste. I started as an executive. But since I started as an artiste, it have been good. Though I had not been consistent, I became consistent last year and the experience has been good and I’m happy about it. The music industry is not easy, but we’re going to keep pushing to be the best that I can be.
Would you agree that staying in the US has not helped your music career in terms of building a solid fan base in Nigeria?
I wouldn’t say that my living in the United States is not affecting the progress of my career, it does have an effect. It would be nice to stay in Nigeria so that I can make the moves I’m trying to make easily; making friends in the industry and all that, but it is what it is. I have to deal with the cards that I’m given and I’m pretty sure I can make it in my own way. At some point in the future, I’m going to be in Nigeria more often and I can’t wait for that time, but for now whatever I’m doing is going to work and with a great team behind me I know I’m going to achieve all I want to achieve regardless of my location. I think that’s what really matters to me now.
What about your fan base, you don’t seem to have a strong one at the moment?
My fan base has been very fine and strong as against what some people have been saying. The old and new ones have been fantastic. They are happy that I am consistently giving them music. They have been by my side and I really do appreciate every single one of them.
Are you happy with how far you have come over the years?
It’s been a long way coming and I’m definitely not where I want to be or where I know I can be. Back then my problem was consistency, but with a new team, a better A & R as well as back to back releases of songs, I feel really proud of my journey. My music is moving really fast and very soon I’m going to get what I’m looking for which is to make my sound available to as many people as possible.
You have just released a new song that feature, BNXN; what was it like working in the studio with him?
Making a song with him is the best thing you could ask for because he pushes you to be the best. We both had a great time recording the song. I remember when the producer played a beat, both of us pointed to that beat and agreed that the beat was the vibe we were looking for. It was fun working with him; he’s a cool dude; a musical genius. He is my guy and we just met up and agreed that we should do a song together and we talked about it. He came to my spot and we just made the song, . It was such a delight working with him and I’m very appreciative of him.
As an entrepreneur, some people believe you are not making music for monetary gains; they feel you are only having fun with it. What exactly is in music for you?
I’d be a hypocrite if I say I don’t want to make money from music. We all want to make money from everything we do, but it doesn’t diminish the passion I have for music. I am an entrepreneur and I’m okay, but the passion for music grows everyday in me, it’s something you can’t ignore because it is something I love with my whole heart and I’m just going to keep doing it. If I make money off of it, that’s great and that’s my goal but I’m just here to release the music and put it out there. Let people hear the sound and anything that comes out of that, I’ll take it.
How easy is music for you as you are always busy with other business commitments?
I am an entrepreneur and it is really hard, but music comes easy for me. I don’t see it as a hard job. It is not out of the ordinary for me but then that is just me and I’m happy making the music because it doesn’t affect my business over here. I’m willing to put in all the work at this point to make it all work out.
How would you describe your year now that you seem to be the talk of the moment?
I can say for a fact that 2022 will be my year. I do have jams on jams to drop. This first one for the year featuring BNXN is doing well and I am very happy about it, but there is more to come and I am really excited. From now on, it is going to be classical songs. I have other songs in the works that and I’m still recording more songs. It is going to keep getting better.
When are you dropping Commoner video?
As for the video of Commoner, we haven’t shot that yet, but we are planning on it. I just need the audio to get as far as possible as it can; I want the song to become a national anthem.
Why have you not signed another artiste since the exit of Sossi?
These days it’s hard to find someone that will be loyal to you. A lot of these artistes are not that patient and they don’t know that the music industry is hard. I am not just ready to venture into artiste signing for now but sometime in the future I will try my best to make someone’s dream come true and do the best I can for them. Right now the focus is on me. I can’t bombard myself with so much that I won’t be able to handle; I’m not talking financially; I’m just talking about presence in trying to make someone’s career grow.
What are your plans to keep this momentum going beyond this moment?
The only way I see me or anyone being relevant in the music industry is consistency and good content. Those two things are what I am focused on right now and it is what’s going to keep me relevant: being consistent and dropping classic songs. There is a plan to relocate at some point when my music is at a certain level I know it will get there and I can’t wait. It is something that has been in view and we are looking forward to it.