Nigerian dancehall, ragga and reggae singer and songwriter, Augustine Ahmedu, aka Blackface Naija, has been in the music industry for about two decades. He tells Mobola Sadiq about his career, and other issues.
According to the Blackface, he doesn’t feel threatened by the new crop of artistes in the Nigerian music scene but he has a message for them.
Reacting to several questions, Blackface who believes his experience in the industry has more role to play than anything these new acts will ever have.
“I am experienced, and I have vast knowledge about the music industry that the new guys don’t know about.”
“‘I am involved in a lot of businesses. I sell houses as a real estate agent, and I’m also a record label executive.”
“I also spend most of my time creating music and doing other businesses. So long it is buying and selling, I am up for it, “Blackface revealed.
About his new version of his song ‘African Queen’, Blackface had this to say: “The song is dedicated to women all over the world. I decided to do another version of the track to let people know that there are different ways that a song can be rendered. As it is well known, I gave 2face the rights to sing the song but he didn’t give me the appropriate credit. I have got proof to show that I wrote that song. Recall that I also sang the song in one of my albums titled, Jungle Fever.”
“I don’t see it as a big deal because this is not the first time that two singers would sing a particular song. For example, the song, I’ll Always Love You, was written by Dolly Parton. It was later sung by Whitney Houston.”
‘It doesn’t matter who sings the song– you just have to give credit to the writer, and that’s what many Nigerians fail to understand. Anyway, we are preparing to shoot the video anytime soon because my fans have been asking for it,” he said in an interview with Mobola.
Meanwhile, Blackface hinted the he will release several other versions of “African Queen” so fans can embrace themselves for a better treat.
“There are still going to be different versions of African Queen– including rap and dancehall. So, they should get ready for that,” he responded to how people felt he should have made a new song instead of revisiting “Africa Queen” of many years.
Blackface amid all the nay-sayings and attention seeking comments does not regret beginning his career two decades ago.
“I do not wish that my career started now because I have gained a lot of experience over the years. I have vast knowledge about music that the new guys don’t know about. It is a different thing when you have made a hit. A lot of artistes out there do not have any hit song or album to their names, but I have made about six albums as a solo artiste. While with the Plantashun Boiz, we recorded about three albums.”
“There is no gainsaying the fact that I have done a lot of work in the music industry. The Blackface of the past is different from the new Blackface Naija.”
“I have improved, so people should not think that I am stagnant. I have evolved over the years, and nobody should try to stereotype me, or think I’ll be a certain way they want me to be. I set a standard for myself and make sure that I achieve it.”
The shocker from his interview is how Blackface believes he made more music than both 2face and Faze combined. He strongly disagrees to people’s opinion that he’s still trailing in 2face’s shadow.
“I cannot stay under 2face’s shadow. Even he knows that I was the one making the music we sang as . I made more music than 2face and Faze together.”
But he’s quick to add that he’s not entirely interested in making peace with 2face since he didn’t sue himself.
“I did not sue myself to court, so why should I be talking about embracing peace? They are the ones that sued me. It is not everyone that likes good things. Some people thrive on evil, but no matter what we do, we should always remember that there is God.”
“My fans should get ready for me. I’m preparing a new single, and I’m also working on my next album which is titled, Rising Sun. Also, I am going to make videos for all the songs that fans have always requested for. I want to give the fans what they want. Trials and tribulations come but there is always a reason for everything. I would also be coming out with some new guys as well,” he wraps.
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