My life as a moin- moin hawker —Humblesmith

Humblesmith’s journey has taken him from squalor to opulence. Life in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, where he grew up with a family of eight, whose only lucrative business was selling moin-moin, was not rosy. His fortune changed after he made the trip to Lagos to pursue a career in music that has now turned him into one of the most talked celebrities. With his ‘Osinachi’ groove spreading across the entertainment firmament and setting him on the path to prosperity, life for the former moin-moin hawker could not be more enjoyable at this time. With a fast-selling new album and fresh projects already lined up, Humblesmith, who took SEGUN ADEBAYO down the memory lane in this interview, says he has a lot up his sleeves.

Not many people in the industry are lucky to have achieved so much like you. In less than three years, you released hit songs back to back and you capped it with an album that has made you the talk of the town. You must really be feeling on top of the world right now. Can you explain the feeling?

The feeling is awesome and I feel very great to have turned out great songs that people keep talking about. In less than three years, a lot has happened that I can’t explain to you now. In fact some feelings are better left unexpressed; it is something you just have to keep to yourself and thank God for. From the moment I got into the music industry, I have always had this love for music. I listened to many songs and I realised that getting to peak of one’s career is determined by many factors:  determination is the most important one for me. Many people don’t care about what you went through;  what they care about is the success that comes after the struggle. I am grateful to God for the good life and every moment of joy I have experienced since I hit the limelight. The feeling is inexplicable.

 

What were you fears when you started out as an aspiring musician?

As I said, music has been part of me as a young boy back in Abakaliki in Ebonyi State. The only fear I had was how to break into the music industry, because, at that time, it was really hard to find your way into the heart of the game without money or support from those who would make it easier for you. Back then, my parents could not afford to sponsor my education beyond secondary school level. So, I decided to concentrate on music and make the best of it.

 

So music came because you could not further your education?

Music has always been part of me. I remember it started for me at a very young age. My passion for music started growing since I was a young boy. I was quite scared because I thought one needed money to be successful in music. I had no money to push my music and I was made to believe that my voice may never be heard. I kept on pushing my song and believing that, one day, the story would change. After sometime, Wizkid, as a fresh artiste released a song that changed his story for life. That feat encouraged me never to give up on myself. I felt like if Wizkid could do it, nothing stops me from achieving something greater. That was my biggest encouragement.

It is one thing to be encouraged by another person’s success; it is another thing to have what it takes to be a successful musician. Could you share your journey to success to with us?

I have been involved in music since I was six years old and I knew I could do music successfully, but the problem was how to go about it. I was not going to give up my dreams though; so I kept pushing on till I left secondary school. At that point, it became clear to me that my parents could not afford sponsoring my education beyond that level.

 

Why was it hard for them to further your education?

I am from a family of eight, and I had to be truthful to myself at that point. I knew it was going to be difficult for me to move beyond that level. So, music was the only escape route for me at that time and I am happy that it has paid off tremendously. Back then in Abakaliki, I formed a music group with six other guys. When we started, people said we were doing fine and we would go far if we stayed together but I wanted to learn more and understand music better, so I left Abakaliki for Delta State. But I actually went to Delta to pursue a career in movie because at that time, Delta was the bedrock of movie-making in the South-South. While I was in Asaba doing movies, I never abandoned music and I was also organising events and helping people with their events. I was also performing at shows and waiting for the big moment to come. So, in 2012, I left Delta for Lagos State where I have been till today.

ALSO READ: Wife killed husband over second wife in Zamfara

When you wanted to leave Abakaliki for Delta and later Lagos, what was your parents’ reaction?

There is always that time in a man’s life when you have to make the decision that either makes you or breaks you. I was the first person in my family to make that kind of decision when I realised there was no future for me in the town unless I move out. What happened was that there was a girl that convinced me to take my music to the next level by moving out of Abakaliki.

 

Was she your girlfriend?

No, she was just a friend. That day, she saw me with some of my friends during our rehearsals and told me to leave the town to pursue my dream in a better place.

 

How hard was life in Abakaliki?

Life was not rosy for me when I was growing up. I hawked moin-moin for my mum for many years. I started hawking from primary one till I left secondary school. You can imagine what that meant for me and the family. They called me the moin-moin seller. Life in that city was not easy. It was really tough. My only prayer then was that I want to grow up, make money and lift my family out of poverty.

 

How sweet was your moin-moin?

It was the best selling in Abakaliki that time. Everybody was always looking forward to buying from me. My family had been in the business even before I was born. It was a family business and I stayed longer in the family with my parents; so I sold it for a long time. I hawked it with passion. It was the only business that my family was known for.

 

How were you able to raise the money for your trip to Lagos?

That was another story entirely. I remember that I followed a DJ to perform at three different events in one day- a burial, wedding and a wake. The DJ was paid 30, 000 naira and he gave me half of the money. That night, when I got home, I spoke to my parents about my decision to leave Abakaliki for Lagos. My dad was shocked! He asked me if I was okay, and I said I was fine. He asked me more than 10 questions in one minute. He was very worried. I told him that I am done with secondary school and nothing seems to be forthcoming, so the best thing to do was to leave and follow my dream- music.

 

How did your story change when you to Lagos?

I met the founder of N-TYZE Entertainment. He was the one who helped me to push through. It was not an easy ride, as we faced enormous challenges but God saw us through and blessed us with Osinachi.

 

Where were you when you composed Osinachi?

I was actually in church. I was almost at the edge of giving up everything. In fact I had concluded plans to return to Abakaliki. But that evening, I went to church to pray because there was no hope anymore. So that Saturday night, I met a Reverend father, who told me I should never give up. He said I should convert my complaints to prayer. I told him I have been praying for years, but he said I should pray one more time. So, I knelt down and started praying. I was so confused that I didn’t know what to do next. I left my family for many years and I am about to return home with nothing. It was a crazy moment for me. While I was praying, the song came and I wrote it right there in the church.

 

The song, no doubt, changed everything for you. It must have also fetched you things we may not see. If there is one thing you could say the song did for you, what could it be?

The song gave me everything. It changed my story. The song took me to a new level and I am thankful to God for the grace. I got what I have always been looking for- recognition. I want people to recognise me for what I do. I want to be respected in the music industry. The song connected me to many people and gave my career a lift.

 

How have you been handling the post-Osinachi success and its attendant fame?

I am still the Humblesmith. Nothing has changed about me. Nothing will ever change. You can’t rule out the fact that I have evolved over the last three years but that does not take away my sanity. Fame or not, I will remain my humble self.

 

It was learnt that you never expected that the song would be a major success hence you got lost in the midst of the success that trailed the song. Is this true?

God will never give you what you don’t have the capacity to handle. As you grow, so does your capacity to handle certain issues expands. For me, I am happy that we have moved ahead from that level because we don’t pray to remain on the same spot for years.

 

Some people have argued that your ‘Osinachi’ album that was released about a week ago came too early. Do you think you still needed take your time?

I started working on that album in 2017, even before I went on tour. Some people felt I should keep dropping singles and getting popular before dropping the album, but I don’t think that’s right. As an artiste, dropping single should not be your main focus. If you call yourself an artiste and you are yet to release an album, trust me, you are not there yet. I believe this is the best time for me to release the album and I am certain that it will elevate me higher.

 

Dropping an album and making sure it brings its desired result is one task that seems to always consume many artistes as we have seen many of them struggle to come back to life after dropping an album. What are your plans to stay relevant?

I have never struggled for anything in life. I will keep working hard. As long as one is on the right path doing the right thing, everything will continue to fall in place. I am not under any pressure because I have released an album. As a matter of fact, my next focus now is my August concert at Eko Hotels. I am not resting on my oars; the journey has just begun.

 

You once said you wish to break Michael Jackson’s dance record. How far have you gone in achieving that dream?

We are working towards that every day. We grow everyday and we cross a new hurdle every new day. Let’s keep hope alive. I am almost there.

 

You have come to a level where you don’t seem to be struggling for anything again

Cuts in… My brother I am still struggling. Yes, I am famous. Yes, people know me. Yes, I am enjoying the fame, but I have never stopped struggling. The hunger still bites like I have not achieved anything in life.  I have not stopped struggling…

 

They call you the ladies’ man. How are you coping with the opposite sex as a famous artiste?

I appreciate all my female fans for their love and support. I have been coping well if that’s what you want to know.

 

Are you planning to settle down early?

This one na big question ooo. I don’t think I have that on my agenda at the moment. When the time comes, people will hear from me.

 

Do you have any plan to expand your mum’s moin-moin business?

We have many good things lined up for her, but I wouldn’t want to reveal them now. I know that God has used me to change the story of my family. I now feel more responsible picking bills and lifting others.