It’s sad I did not get any recognition for hit song,African Queen—Blackface

Ahmedu Augustine Obiabo, known by his stage name Blackface or just Blackface, is a Nigerian dancehall, ragga and reggae singer and songwriter. He is a founding member of the defunct Nigerian band, Plantashun Boiz, which he formed in 2000 with 2Face (Innocent Idibia,) who he met at the Institute of Management Technology (IMT) Enugu State in 1996, and Faze (Chibuzor Orji). After Plantashun Boiz split in 2004, Blackface led a solo musical career. In this chat with Newton-Ray Ukwuoma, Blackface gives insight into some of the formative days of Plantashun Boiz and many more. Excerpts:

What is your most memorable experience at IMT Enugu?

I can’t really name one specifically, but I had a lot of very memorable experience schooling in Enugu. I was privileged to have met a lot of good people in Igbo land, many of them shaped my decision to finally become a singer and writer that I am today.

 You founded Plantashun Boiz in 2000. Did you have a set goal?

I am from Benue State. They say we are minorities and our city wasn’t and isn’t still developed. But growing up, I saw a lot of developed cities on TV. And so I wanted to create something that could call attention to my city, something to give back to society. I wanted to make some changes so the younger ones will have a better environment to operate and chase their dreams. Music was all I had to use, so I formed the group back then.

Looking back now, would you say you have achieved what you set out to do?

Yes, I did. Today, my state and statesmen are on the map. One of the biggest songs to come out of Africa today is African Queen and that was created with a lot of my influence and writing skills. So, many artistes have sprung up from my city after I showed them that it was possible as a ghetto child to be big and famous and influential in our country today. Yes, I think I am successful. Besides, I am still alive and success is a continuous process. For me, I’d say it’s a win-win situation for the people

You had partners in the group.  To what extend did they contribute to these successes? Or was it a sole effort?

We all contributed in the group. I don’t want to take the credit of being the most contributing partner, but the records and songs I wrote for Plantashun Boiz speak volumes of my contributions.

We have learnt that you wrote a number of songs for the group which were released without your consent?

(Cuts in) Look at a song like African Queen, it was a huge song and I always thought it would be that big when we (Platashun Boiz) used to sing it for fans under the trees in 201 road in my late uncle’s, Captain Moses’ retired, place in Festac Town. Nobody had that sort of melody or style at that time, so it was bound to be a hit. But I didn’t get any recognition for that song.

If you had the chance, what would you have done differently in terms of forming a group?

I would have preferred to go solo from day one and worked on developing myself more than directing others. But no regret as everyone is blessed differently. I am just grateful.

 It has been over a decade since Plantashun Boiz broke up, yet the name still resounds to date. Recently, Gordons appealed for an end to the feud. How would you like to respond to this?

I say no other group has tried to make the kind of records PB made at those early times, with much respect to Styleplus and that is why people still miss the group.  There is no feud really.  It’s just that people change to something else once they have become famous. I still have my drive and hunger to make more music for the people. The group not being together only paves the way for some people who want to take the glory for what I struggled to achieve all my life but that only made me realise that it’s best to work to improve myself first as that is only whom you can trust.

What were your parents’ expectations during the time you were in school?

Their expectation was for me to come out with good grades. I was there to study and I had some their hobbies like making music and acting which I combined with my studies. I am grateful for their support.

Did they know you wanted to do music?

Yes, they knew.  At home, I was always playing music. I was always dancing and singing a lot apart from being active in sports like football and basketball. I was in a dance group going from one gig to another and coming home late at times which didn’t go down with my parents as I was too young to be out late nights. I always got disciplined most times but my passion for music and dance kept me going.

Which of your parents eventually supported you the most?

Both my parents did support me. My mum sang always at home and that motivated me daily to want to write songs she would love to sing. My dad always had the latest songs, so I was in tune with music in my family home since I was a youngster.

You have repeatedly accused Mr Innocent Idibia (2Baba) of violating some intellectual property laws regarding some songs you wrote, what is the true state of things?

(Cuts in) Yes. And my legal team is working on that, as that’s the best way to go. When I accused him, he said it’s ‘unfortunate’.

The court is our only option as they keep avoiding meetings thinking that with time it will all fade off. But, they know not what tomorrow holds and neither do I.

Few months ago,  2Face also asked  you to apologise or face legal action about this allegation. Do you believe he is in the right to say that?

I told you all that was a joke and they proved it that I was right because they are the ones that used my song, Let Somebody Love You, without my permission and published it. My lawyers are on that issue and very soon you will be informed on development.

Your songs are mainly about freedom fighting and public enlightenment. Don’t you think that era has passed?

No. It hasn’t passed at all. In fact, we need more freedom songs and stop the hate and violence songs to sanitize the societies at large. I am still making songs about such and will keep doing such for as long as I have my breath and can still write and sing or rap. It’s a forever career I chose, and conscious music are being played daily in homes even though the radio don’t play them much for the people.

Do you think the industry needs a comeback of songs of the people and about political struggle looking at the initiative of Charly Boy?

The artiste needs to remain an artiste and do what they do best: make music, protest with music, or their form of being creative but going in another route isn’t my way to pass my message across. I am a ghetto child. I know my limitations, my dos and don’ts; artistes should keep an open mind to be positively creative.

Do you appreciate the word veteran when attached to your name?

I don’t get such recognition in this industry because they don’t like a frank person like me who says it as it is. I am BlackFaceNaija and that’s enough for me. Let my music and mission help the people decide how they want to address me but me. For me, I will always remain a Ghetto Child.

What is Blackface currently doing?

Making my next album which is, #DEFENDER VOL2. I have the vol 1 out already on itunes and we are planning a tour to reach out to the fans of BlackFaceNaija all over Nigeria and other parts of the world. My new single, Love You Na Crime will be out on itunes this August and it’s getting some attention as the fans are happy I am back, so we are working basically for the fans and soon, events will unfold.

How did you coin the name Plantashun Boiz? Who did?

I did. I listened to Bonny M song, Plantation boy and the lyrics were speaking to me directly as I felt I had so much to do but held down by chains. I couldn’t even see, so I decided we use the name Plantashun Boiz and used the song to introduce ourselves to the older generation and put some smooth harmonies to entice the youth and speak positivity to them as role models, that’s why we used the name after all.

We learnt you also gave the name 2 Face. What inspired it?

2face? It is simple now. The name says it all, and yes I did.

Incidentally, the three of you have Face attached to your names. What do you have to say about the use of Face?

Everybody has a face. I was called Blackface during my school days in IMT Enugu. I added the rest two names to make up the group Plantashun Boiz. It was the best names for the boys and now you can say I gave the industry its face.