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R&B ACT, SAEON EXPLAINS HER COLLABO WITH WIZKID

Songstress, Saeon Moruda also known as Omo Ibadan, has a background in International Studies and History from Babcock University after which she left for UK to further her studies and graduated with a masters degree in International Relations from the University of Warwick.
However, in this exclusive interview with ENCOMIUM Weekly on Wednesday, May 14, 2014, she revealed the success of her new song Boogie Down featuring Wizkid, plans for her album and relationship with BBA star, Uti Nwachukwu…
 

Saeon
Saeon

How would you rate your career over the years?
Definitely on an upward projectile. I started out by releasing demos as far back as 2008 with Sazzy (Osaze Omobunde RIP) and gradually worked my way up to this point. It’s a constant work in progress and I hope to take it to levels never before reached. Especially now that I just got signed to Baseline Records and have an amazing team of people working with me, all of whom are aimed at achieving the same goal and success by the special grace of God.
How and when did music start for you?
Music started for me as a toddler. My father has an amazing voice and a flare for music and I’m pretty sure he saw that in me. He’d ask me to write songs he liked and this was when I was about four or five. I realized that music made me feel some way I couldn’t describe. So I decided I was going be a superstar. I’m very well on my way.
Have you always wanted to do music as a child or the urge came along the way?
I’ve always wanted to do music. It was just a matter of when I’d start writing and doing it on a professional level.
What gave you the inspiration?
I’d never forget. I was 13 and in J.S.S 3, having mock corridor classes in Queen’s College, Yaba, Lagos, on a Wednesday morning. I was bored of the class to be honest and then melodies I’d never heard started to play in my head. I was like wait a minute! What do we have here? And so I started to marry lyrics to the melodies and in less than 30 minutes, I’d written my first song, True Love. I’d obviously never been in love but I’d watch enough movies and read enough books to have an idea of what love felt like. After classes, I sang it to my best friend, and she rated it quite good. That, for me, was a confirmation that I was born to do this. I took no song writing classes but it came to me in its own time.

Saeon Moruda
Saeon Moruda

How would you describe your kind of music?
I started out writing RnB songs. Mostly centered on heartbreak, love and making up. Somehow, in 2009, I met Bez who’d just started out and Ibk Spaceship boy and we decided to make music. It turned out to be a rap track Let It Go which wasn’t bad. I remember it got on blogs like Notjustok and Gidilounge. And then I took part in a competition called Underground and became the first Queen of the Underground. Let It Go was my winning song. From there I stumbled on other genres. Right now I’d say my genre of music is a fusion, primarily RnB but with afrobeats, rap, pop, dancehall, etc.
Do you think it would be widely accepted and why?
It definitely will and has been accepted. My latest single, Boogie Down featuring Wiz is a testimony to my music being accepted. Times have changed. We now live in a not so conventional world and there’s room for new sounds, fusions inclusive.
You are also known as Omo Ibadan, how did you come about the name?
I met Sesan Adeniran, owner of My Streetz magazine which is a widely read HipHop magazine in Nigeria and he gives me a lot of advice. It took a while for me to transition with my music as I started out writing proper international standard western music. I remember telling him I was having difficulty connecting with the grassroots who are the major stake holders in the Nigerian music industry. He told me that I’d need to include something in my music that’d make them understand I’m just like them and one of them. One day, I thought, but ki lo n se e? Omo’Badan lo je now! I went straight to the studio and laid Omo’Badan Saeon! on a track and it worked perfectly.

Moruda
Moruda

You just released a hit single, Boogie Down featuring Wizkid, what is the song all about?
It’s basically about two people who meet and after a brief moment acknowledge that they click and just want to have fun. No fronting, no acting like they don’t know and things.
What inspired the song?
I went to Wiz’s studio to work on a track and I was wearing this sleeveless knitted crop top. I’m sure that’s where he got the Shimi aka Chemise idea from. Maleek did his thing while Wiz and I built up our melodies and in 20 minutes, we were done recording.
How does it feel working with Wizkid?
It was an amazing experience. Not rushed. Not forced. The perfect combination and synergy. That’s how making music ought to be if you ask me. The moment I start to struggle with lyrics or melodies, I let it be.
Why the choice of Wizkid and not another music artiste?
We all know without a doubt that Wiz is the best at what he does. He’s very dedicated and has amazing work ethics. I learned from him that you can’t be a sitting duck and expect success to come your way.
You have to give it your all because no one else will. Music is my baby. No one else can push or deliver it for me. I wanted to work with him, especially because he’s young, has a fresh mind and is very successful.
What were the challenges?
He has an extremely busy schedule which is obviously a giving. So, I had to be patient till he had time to work on the song.
What would you count as the pains and gains? I won’t capitalize on pains because, no pain, no gain. But I definitely got heard. I’m still getting heard. I tapped into his fan base. After all he said, “Oh baby, follow me go, come chop my millions…”
Aside Boogie Down, what other singles and videos have you worked on?
Boogie Down is my first professionally released video and I can’t wait for you all to get a viewing of the best visuals Nigeria has been blessed with.
Apart from working with Maleek Berry, Sarz and Gospel, who else do you still have the intention of working with and why?
Mosa, he’s an R’n’B singer, song writer and producer so that’s an obvious choice. Spaxx has an amazing way of bringing afrobeats to life, so I’m definitely working with him. Ultimately, I’d love to work with international producers such as DJ Ganyani, The Dream, Ryan Leslie, and even David Guetta.
Are you working on releasing an album soon and when?
Yes, I am. I record a lot these days because my record label gives me access to the best facilities. I’m also working with an amazing in-house producer called Chidoo. So, sooner than later, I’m going to release my debut album and you guys will be the first to know.
The music industry is competitive and highly populated, how do you intend to survive the test of time?
Yes, it is, as with every other industry. I’m hard working, dedicated, open to learning. I’ve got the best team, I’m signed to the best record label in Nigeria – Yes, I said that!  And I’ve got a very big God o, who is always by my side. I call all these ingredients to success my MusicMatics.
Tell us about your background?
I come from a family of seven. I’ve got four siblings, two brothers and two sisters. I’m the middle child and the middle girl so I’m quite special. We all are.
What was the reaction of your parents when you decided to go into music?
They always knew that music was what I loved to do. However, it took some convincing from my mom to stay in school and follow through with my education first in order to have a backup plan. I had to get a first degree from Babcock University in International Studies and History and a Masters Degree from the University of Warwick in England before I was allowed to do music full time. Now that I’ve got those, my parents are in full support. They get to even have exclusive listening to everything I work on before anyone does. They’re bad like that.
How do you relax?
I’m a fitness junkie. I love to work out and I’ve got a trainer. I also love watching movies and reality series. When I’ve got the time to, I travel a lot. Then again, my work lets me do that. I also love to cook.
If you are not in the studio rehearsing or recording, where else would you be found?
There is no other place you’d find me to be actually quite honest and frank with you. I’m a workaholic. It never stops. And that’s because I love what I do.
It was alleged that you are in a hot romance with BBA winner, Uti Nwachukwu. It is true? Tell us about it?
I’d like to keep that private. However, you should know that Uti is my very good friend. We’ve known each other for a few years. He’s got a kind heart and he’s fun to talk to. He’s also very good looking.
What else should we expect from you?
More visuals this year and an eventual Saeon Nova. A supernova but one dedicated to Saeon Music.
-DOLAPO AMODENI

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