A household name in the music industry, Ezeh Chisom Faith, professionally known as Rexxie, is a Nigerian record producer, DJ and songwriter. He became popular for creating the Zanku sound and producing Naira Marley’s ‘Soapy’, ‘Tesumole’ and the song ‘KPK’ with MohBad. He has worked with some of the best of Nigeria’s musical exports and was featured recently on MTV Base’s ‘Inside Life’ Naija edition which offers an unparalleled glimpse into popular Nigerian celebrities’ personal and professional lives, giving viewers an insider’s perspective into what makes their worlds – from the glitz and glamour of their music careers to everyday issues that highlight their shared humanity. The series paints a vivid and authentic portrayal of the highs and lows of life in the music industry. Rexxie shares his experiences with ROTIMI IGE.
How excited are you to be one of the cast on this new season of inside life and what are you most excited for your fans and viewers to see?
Alright, for one, I feel happy, I feel blessed and can’t wait for my fans to experience Rexxie and see why I am who I am. To see what he does to be Rexxie. I am just happy they can watch and grow with me.
So we know that there are efforts that go into being one of the top producers in Nigeria, how excited are you for your fans to get a firsthand look at the efforts that it took you to get to where you are today?
Yes, it has been a wonderful journey from way back. It has been a long time coming so I feel like this is going to be an inspiration for fans and producers looking up to me to see the lifestyle and aspire. It’s just an eye opener and an inspiration to everybody to keep doing what they’re doing. They can be stars and shine too. So, it’s going to be an inspiration.
We all know that reality tv shows give viewers and fans access to your private moments, how do you intend to handle this situation?
True. One side of me is feeling nervous. There’s this enthusiastic feeling like I don’t know what to expect online because I showed different sides of my life, even my relationship. So, it’s a bit different for me, but I’m on for everything. I can’t wait for the experience.
So, there’s no part of your life that you feel like you don’t want people to know?
I don’t think there’s anything I don’t want them to see. So, I was just doing Rexxie these past few weeks and I had MTV come around. It was amazing. I feel like there’s nothing I need to hide.
What should viewers expect during the reality tv show ‘Inside life; The new wave’?
Viewers will experience Rexxie and see why I am who I am; why he drops music, why he is one of the top producers, why he puts so much effort to creating and pushing his music. That, all together, is a new package I want them to enjoy.
I know how exciting it is to be at the top of one’s game especially in the creative industry in Nigeria at the moment.
How do you feel about your album being ranked third for the most streamed album of the week?
It feels good. I wanted it to be number one, I wanted it to be the best but still it feels good. I feel the need to push harder and do more.
How do you decide who fits the beat or the sounds that you produce?
So, apart from being a producer, I’m a bad guy. I call myself ‘big vibes’ because I love to vibe. Experience plays a big part but where I am right now, when I hear a sound, I know what should go and I know what it needs to my best understanding.
I want you to talk briefly about the collaboration you had with Wizkid and Naira Marley in the ‘Abracadabra’ song. How was that for you?
It is one for the books because Wizkid is one of the people that inspired me to get into this. I was inspired by a young boy doing so well in 2010 and I wanted to be involved in the entertainment industry. I knew that I couldn’t sing but knew if I could work with him, I have achieved something big. So, being able to get Wizkid on a song was so amazing. The song went from regular to amazing. I feel so blessed.
What lessons are inherent in this reality TV show that is MTV Base’s ‘Inside Life’?
The show is not just about me, it’s for everyone involved in art and creativity. We all are just putting our efforts to make something good for ourselves. Also to make others see that hardwork and consistency pay.
As one of the top producers in the industry, what is your advice for those who aspire to become like you?
I’ll tell them not to settle for less. Just keep working. Believe in your sound and surround yourself with the right energy. Create energy when you’re alone and keep going harder everyday.
What was growing up like for you? How did you come to the realisation that you wanted to become a producer?
I was an intelligent boy in school. I had good results and my parents were always thinking that I was going to be the doctor of the house. Then when I got into senior secondary class, I told them I wanted to do music. They told me I could still do music and be in a science class. Though they didn’t put down the idea, they tried to pamper me into studying medicine. At the time, I always played the keyboard in church. It was like a routine for me. So, you can understand that I am enjoying all of this. I feel it is just God’s blessing. I really put a lot of effort into serving God.
I went to the computer market and bought required software. I was in Abuja but I had to come back to Lagos to study at YabaTech. I think that was where the whole seriousness started. I could only socialise with music. So, I finally made beats with one of the artistes in my department and it was amazing.
I levelled up and kept pushing and here we are today. It’s the motivation and pressure, the need to be better, to reaffirm oneself, the need to prove myself is what brought me here.
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