Encomium
Warri born song writer and music artiste, Harrysong, signed into Fivestar Music, is currently basking in the success of his hit single, Beta Pikin. The multi talented artiste and MTN ambassador in a recent interview with ENCOMIUM Weekly, talked about his new single and video, Kolombo, opened up on his brand new car and preparations for his concert in his hometown, Warri…
What have you been up to lately?
We’ve been working. Right now, I’m excited about Kolombo. It’s shacking my brain because of the love and acceptance from fans and everybody. It is amazing, what’s happening in my life is Kolombo.
How are you basking in the success of your song Beta Pikin?
Beta Pikin is a blessing. Beta Pikin took like six months to blow, we did a lot of push and work, so I think that’s why it’s staying this long and it’s working for me. I’m enjoying it.
Did you ever imagine it will go this far?
No, we were working and hoping to get to the level of acceptance, love and success. Where we can smile and also pay off, and suddenly things started turning for good which I think it’s time for me.
How financially rewarding is the song for you?
Beta Pikin is a billion naira stuff. If I was to put together the estimate, I cannot even count, because it’s bought me different properties, it’s bought me house, cars and so many other things.
Learnt that you just acquired a brand new SUV, how did it happen?
Correct! I went to America. I went to Boston, I went for shopping for just sneakers and belts and I saw the car at the mall and they approached me and it’s a beautiful car and I paid for the car.
You have been on tour to New York, Boston, Atlanta and DC, how much was that for you?
It was awesome. The surprise wasn’t for Beta Pikin because I know Beta Pikin has blown. As for the acceptance, from the airport, oyinbo wey no dey understand our pidgin English starts singing and it’s amazing.
What exactly was the tour about?
The tour was about the exposure of the whole singles that we have used, which is for Telimi, Beta Pikin, Story and Kolombo. We just wanted to see, that’s why we went to do stuffs in the countries.
We gathered that you are preparing for a concert in Delta state, tell us about it?
We are working towards Harrysong Live, which is the temple. Harrysong in the temple, Live In Warri. Warri is where I’m from and I’ve never done any show there. No platform for Harrysong standing alone. We’ve been doing shows every other artiste inviting us for shows. This is the first time I’m going to be doing a concert. I want to start on my own.
Where will it hold and where precisely in Delta state?
It’s going to be in Warri main city but we are still trying to block down the name for it.
Preparing for a concert isn’t a joke, how much have you budgeted for that?
It’s a lot. We already have people coming in as sponsors. That’s why we are trying to get every confirmation but it’s going to cost a lot of money,
How challenging is it for you?
It’s very challenging because this one is my life, my team, my platform, so everything is built around Harrysong, Mr. Songz. I have to think all by myself, the vision of the temple is from me. So for people to really tap into this grace and follow it the way I see it, it’s going to take a lot. It’s really very challenging. Emotionally, I think up and down and calculating everything about performing live with my choir and a lot of things…
What are the necessary and basic things you are putting in place for it to be a success?
Handwork, prayers and focus and calm even in the midst of storm.
Your new single Kolombo has been hitting the air waves, how do you feel?
I feel excited, I feel challenged. I feel I have to do more.
What inspired the song and the concept of the video?
It was when we went for this tour. After Boston, we landed at Philadelphia Airport. I saw a lady wearing a shirt with Kolomobo written at back. She was kolomboiously dressed. I walked up to her to know what Kolombo was but she thought I was attracted by her bum bum. It was the Kolombo thing that caught my attention and she said Kolombo is a name of a place and people of Kolombo are very happy people, fun loving people and there is the Kolombo dance. She said a lot there and then we exchanged contacts and then I got back home and was holding my head that this is a song too.
What are the challenges you encountered in the production of the video?
It was new, because it took us to deserts, some deserts areas in South Africa. We shot in South Africa and it was very cold in the morning. They woke me up around 4 o’clock to go to that place, and we drove for like two hours. We got there, saw the sun rising, two hours later, it became very hot because it was very dry on a very dry land.
Do you think Kolombo will pull much crowd just as Beta Pikin did?
It’s doing fantastically well already, trust me.
So, why the choice of South Africa for the video?
They said they needed a dry land and we don’t have deserts like the one they needed, because it’s a open dry land. The concept of the video, we wanted to go to northern areas to do that but we couldn’t really get the particular one we needed. That was why we went to S.A.
How are you enjoying your deal with MTN?
MTN is fantastic. That’s the blessing. It’s one of the surest platforms for callertunes. So, I’m really enjoying my deal with MTN.
What has changed about you since you became an MTN ambassador?
Nothing really. Maybe the way I dress right now, the way I see things because I represent a brand. So, I’m a little bit more careful, so I represent my brand with respect and dignity.
What else should your fans expect from you?
This morning, I just started to bless my fans with recharge cards, Y’hello recharge card online. I was really excited with the way everything is going now. I want to start a project for collaboration. I’m entering the collaboration project which will start in the next one month. You will begin to hear Harrysong featuring this, Harrysong featuring that. We are going to settle on the people that will be on this collaboration project which is the preparation to album for next year. So that is what is going to happen.
So, having so much success all around you, do you have it at the back of your mind to have a pet project? Or something you know you are investing your money in?
Yes, I have that also. But right now, I’m really very busy with music as a singer and a writer. There’s really no space but for that I am going be unveiling that platform before December.
Recently, you worked with Daddy Showkey. Tell us your experience about it?
I feel so privileged working with him.
-DOLAPO AMODENI
