Encomium
Popular reggae artiste, King Wadada, who was shot into limelight by his hit single, Holy Holy, has come out of his self-imposed hibernation with a fresh single, Messiah, which he expects to revitalize his career.
The outspoken singer in this interview with ENCOMIUM Weekly, hit out at young artistes who do not learn to play any musical instrument before starting their career, arguing that they are mere singers like every other person is.
He also opened up on the real reasons behind his being off the radar for some time, his plans going forward and much more…
What is the latest about King Wadada?
I have a new single out now, it’s entitled Messiah from the album, Omnipotent God.
What’s the song about?
It’s all about Jah. I’m trying to tell people to turn from their ways to Jah, because He created I and I. And when he created I and I, He gave us commandments which we should follow. Just like when you buy a new phone, you get a manual. If you follow the manual properly, you’ll be able to operate the phone perfectly.
Tell us more about the album?
Like I said before, the album is titled Omnipotent God. It will be released around October or November this year. What I am trying to tell people through the album is to repent and come to Jah, because that is the great commission.
It seems you project a gospel brand, can we call you a gospel artiste?
I’m not a gospel artiste, I’m a spiritual reggae musician. I have my kind of music which I call Ntabala road truck reggae, which means African spiritual reggae music.
What’s the difference between a gospel artiste and a spiritual musician?
There’s not much difference. But one difference is that the gospel artistes are very corporate. As a gospel artiste, people want to see you in tie and suit before they respect you, but as a spiritual musician, I can go anywhere. Also, for gospel artistes, people expect you to act ‘holy holy’, like one perfect person, while as a spiritual man, you just live your life the way that pleases you. I’m not the kind of person that sing all these ‘hallelujah hallelujah’ songs, I sing for everybody, whether you are a Buddhist, a Rastafarian, a Muslim, a Christian or whoever – it’s all about God. God is the Father of all, and He doesn’t discriminate.
When will the album be ready?
We are through with the album. We are just waiting for the perfect time to release it to the market.
Do you have any collaboration on the album?
Yes, I do. In one of the tracks I featured Majek Fashek, the song is entitled, Omnipotent God.
What’s your opinion of the Nigerian music industry?
The industry is doing well right now. But I see artistes that are there now like they are just entertaining themselves, they are not really entertaining the people. They are just pleasing themselves. It is like this because of the way the industry is, yes the industry is growing, but there are a lot of lapses. For instance, we lack good record labels, that’s why every artiste just wakes and starts his own record label. Abroad, artistes like Lil’ Wayne, Rihanna are on big record labels. Normally, when a record label signs you, they can give you everything – cars, houses – your life will change. Another thing that’s affecting us is that we don’t have musicians, we have only singers in the industry. Everybody can sing, your mother can sing, my father can sing that doesn’t make them musicians. People just wake, make money, go to studio and record a song, then go to radio stations and pump money into radio presenters so that they can promote the nonsense they are singing. That nonsense is what the people call hit. If you now come with good music that can change the president’s mindset, they will not play it. They keep playing wrong vibes, bad lyrics. When a country is going bad, it’s music we’ll use to change it.
What’s the difference between a musician and singer as you mentioned?
Like I said, everybody can sing. You interviewing me right now, you can sing, but does that make you a musician?
For you to be a musician, you must be able to play instruments. You must be a multi-instrumentalist. I am a multi-instrumentalist, Majek Fashek is also, Ras Kimono too, Bob Marley was too, and Lucky Dube as well. For you to be a musician, you must be able to play instruments.
For some time you were off the music scene, what happened?
I was with a record label called Miracle Day Music. We had a three year contract. They couldn’t play their part, so I had to wait till the contract elapsed. Now, the contract has elapsed, so I can work with anybody. Besides, as a spiritual man, I was in the spirit, preparing myself and now I’m back with fresh material for the people.
When you were off the radar, how were you taking care of your family?
Music has been feeding me. People are still calling me for shows here and there. Also, I own a studio, I’m a producer and I produce young artistes.
How would you assess your career over the years?
I’m grateful to God, I’m very okay. My family is there, my children are there, everything. I’m just grateful to God. My life is there, many people have passed away.
-DANIEL FAYEMI and MICHAEL NWOKIKE
