Songwriter-cum-actress, Immaculate Patience Edache, has become a force to reckon with since her discovery at the famous MTN Project Fame West Africa, where she emerged the 1st runner-up at its 6th edition. In this interview by SEYI SOKOYA, the songstress speaks on her latest project and her greatest challenge. Excerpts:
You are the 1st runner-up of the 6th edition of the MTN Project Fame West Africa. How has life been so far?
Life has been filled with everything that comes with being alive — stress, happiness, disappointments, fear, success, failure, mistakes, lessons, education, determination, commitments, love (love my fans so much), ambition, drive to excel, emotions, entrepreneurship, making money, spending money, investing money, losing money, making it again (smiles), God’s guidance, perseverance, and endurance.
I’ve grown from just being a girl who loves to sing to understanding the music business and knowing what it entails to be relevant in the industry. It’s been a beautiful and educating life after the competition.
Do you think you have done enough in carving a niche for yourself in the main stream?
To get to where I am right now, I believe I have done the best I can do. Nobody really does enough in attaining greater heights; we all just keep thriving to be the best we can be because sky is the limit.
Truthfully speaking, I know I’m not there yet, but I believe I’m on the right track to achieve more. I’m still going to do more to be bigger and better than where I am presently and what I have achieved.
What have you been up to lately?
I have been planning, working hard, and venturing into new things. I have been developing my artistic abilities as an actor, working on my music projects, releasing good music and awesome videos. You might call it a low profile; I call it the entertainment project phases. My new work, entitled: “Oya Dance” is currently making airwaves in the industry and more are still in the pipeline.
As one of the beneficiaries of a reality show, what do you think must have stopped the game, which has provided a great platform and serve as talent discovery to many youths?
Reality shows help to bring the best talents out and reveal hidden gems. Most of these reality shows rely on sponsors, because without money you can’t really provide great platforms to many youths that allow to be discovered nationally and get to build a fan-base organically.
What is your assessment of reality shows in Nigeria?
My assessment of reality shows in Nigeria is still on a self profit basis. Little attention is given to the participants and winners after the show, which ought not to be. There should be a follow up phase to make winners more relevant and grow in their music or chosen careers. I still feel that it is wrong to create stars/talents, make them known through the competition and then leave them afterwards to sort themselves out knowing that life outside the reality shows is difficult. It’s like jumping off an airplane without a parachute and hoping to land on your feet.
There are insinuations that some of the reality shows are not real owing to the fact that it is one of the major reasons they cannot stand the test of time. How would you react to this?
I can only speak for mine. Project Fame was indeed a reality show, because I was taught almost, especially the rudiment of music and I am very grateful for the opportunity of passing through such platform.
Could you recall your experience in the game and what you have always remembered about the game?
Yes. I do and I remember all I was taught. I still practice using my recollection from my diction/interpretation classes with the principal, Joke Silver (aka Mummy J) to the vocal training sessions with Ms Ige. The rehearsal classes with the ever dramatic uncle Ben Ogbewi and dance sessions with Kaffi. The experience was totally educating for me; I learnt a lot from the academy coaches and my fellow contestants.
Why did you part ways with your former boss to form your own label? Is it true that you quit because the relationship was going beyond business?
My contract ended and I decided to go fully independent and start doing things differently to build my brand. Things ended on a friendly note and my former boss, Tee-Y-Mix and I are still in touch and still work together. We will always be a family and the family bond is forever.
How has it been since you formed your label?
It has been beautiful having experienced the same processes every new business passes through. Challenges are meant to come, but the ability to stand strong and persevere is what matters. Therefore, I am a work-in-progress and still building the label. Eyes on the prize!
How many songs do you have to your credit?
I have seven singles released and over 50 unreleased in my library and I will be recording more.
You have also displayed your expertise in acting and MC, aside music. How have you been able to combine all without any clash?
I would say that it is all the grace of God and a lot of practice. I have interest in acting since I was a child. My mum can tell how I stayed glued to the TV growing up as a little girl. Though, music comes first before any other talent. Being able to combine all together still baffles me, but I’m grateful to God for the ability to showcase these talents of mine.
One of the qualities that stand you out in the game then was your energy, especially on stage. Do you still possess such energy and how have you been able to carry yourself, even with your weight and figure on stage now?
It is simple. I pray to God for strength each day; I exercise, I eat healthy; I live well and I try not to cheat on sleep, though you will agree with me that it is very hard to achieve in this line of business.
What has been your greatest challenge in the industry?
My greatest challenge has always been lack of sufficient funds to promote my projects the way I would love them to be promoted to the public, but I am super grateful for the little I can do.
Who are your role models?
God is my role model.
Do you feel threatened among the female musicians as an emerging artiste?
Not at all, I feel very excited and proud of all the females doing it in this male-dominated industry of ours. I am not in any way threatened as we are all unique in our different ways and have different amazing strengths.
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How did you come about your stage name?
My stage name is my birth name “Immaculate” plus a loosely translated Idoma word “Dache” meaning people, which when put together is Immaculate Dache-Purest voice of the people.
How has life been treating you as a spinster?
Laughs! Life has been fine. I am patiently waiting on my charming prince.
What is your kind of man?
My kind of man is the God-loving kind of man that is willing and ready to grow in the way of God with me, as we all aren’t perfect. A man that is willing to understand my flaws and excesses. He must be honest, kind, respectful, among other beautiful features.
Any words to your fans?
To all my fans, I love you all for your love and inspiring messages. Thank you so much for believing in me! You all give me the strength to do more and please don’t stop believing in yourselves.
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