Encomium
Fair Prince whose real name is Jacob Kingsley Ekpe is a gospel artiste whose singles are making waves on air. He just shot the video of the wave making song, Thank You in Uganda. In an exclusive chat with ENCOMIUM Weekly, he shared his success and pains with us…
Aim of your new album?
My aim for the album, I Am Jacob is that everyone who listens to the messages will be inspired to the next level. The messages appeal to everyone. Everyone can take in messages they need to lift their souls. Also individuals that are down would be lifted if they absorb the wordings with faith.
They are all original because they were written by me and inspired by the Spirit. The video, Thank You was shot in Uganda and has become the talk of the town because we used drone camera.
But, have you gotten to where you plan to be in the music industry?
Not at all, I have not even climb one step to where I want to be because I wish to get to a stage whereby I will be doing a duet with International gospel artistes. And I want a situations where gospel songs can also be played in the club and restaurant instead of churches and private places , I mean, gospel songs need to be played everywhere like other circular songs .
Any ongoing project?
Presently, I and my manager are planning to setup an empire and very soon we are going to be organizing a gospel music artist talent hunt, whereby we will pick good upcoming artist and sign them into our record label called Oho Entertainment and build them.
As a graduate of Mechanical Engineering, what were your parents’ reactions towards your choice of profession?
Definitely, one shouldn’t expect his or her parent to open their arms and embrace you, because my parents showed me that you are on your own and I was actually being pampered by my folks. They were telling me that you have to put a stop to this nonsense but still the spirit in me and the calling on me was too hard that I couldn’t control nor stop myself from doing music. And there were times that all my family rejected me nobody want to have anything to do with me. My parents and siblings even went to an extent of calling me a bird. They said it’s only birds that sing. And when things weren’t working well for me , I came down to Lagos and started squatting with a friend. Later, the friend travelled out of the country I now had to sleep under Maryland bridge for more than two years .But today my family has realized what is in me and we are now one.
But don’t you think you have indirectly disobeyed your parents by going into music?
I wouldn’t call that a disobedient because I had the call to do what I’m doing. And it will be disobedience if I hadn’t any calling to do what I’m doing.
What do you think about gospel artistes not being recognized in the music industry, in terms of endorsement?
First, I don’t like using the word I am a gospel artiste or a secular artiste, travelling for tours. But I know that there is time for everything.
Inspiration?
It comes from God’s word. This is because the word of God is life. I have seen situations change and hopeless people have a reason to live and enjoy life through God’s word. My life is a testimony that one can be anything and achieve anything. So, inspiration, for me is not through smoking or drinking alcohol. Sometimes, my inspirations comes from the environment and things that happen around me years back. For instance I just released a video single, Thank You from my album entitled, I Am Jacob and the song is just about praising God after everything that I have gone through and what God has done.
You are married but you still look very young and handsome, So as a married gospel artiste, how do you handle your female fans?
What I do despite the fact that am married is to chat with them. And sometimes I stop by to sign autographs for them. So, I don’t snub my female fans just because I’m married. But there was a time I was harassed by a female fan. Someone called me and was like what happened that I have broken somebody’s hearth and I was totally embarrassed. So, on daily basis I have been harassed by some of my female fans.
Does your stage name, Fair Prince have anything to do with your complexion?
I have heard several people saying that is it because of my complexion that I’m use the stage name Fair Prince but it’s just a household name. the prince is as a result of my family background because I happen to come from a royal family. We have many princes so, anytime they a ceremony in my family and they ask the guards to call one of the prince the guard will be like is it the Fair Prince, so that was how I started bearing the name Fair Prince. So it’s not only in the music industry but in my home town people also refer me as Fair Prince.
So, what should people expect from you?
People should expect a lot of good music.
Your advice to upcoming artistes?
They need a lot of patience. They have to cook first, endure and do music overtime before reaping the fruits. They must have passion and courage, acquire experience and build their fan base. They must also be faithful in building relationships.
-OYINKANSOLA EKERIN
