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Spartacuz crooner, Mz Kiss speaks on her music success

‘I’ve just started’

The league of extra-ordinary femcees (female rappers) in the Nigerian music industry has been expanded as dynamic stage performer, Justina Omowunmi Akindele, better known as Mz Kiss joins the A-list league.

The Figure Eight crooner and indigenous rapper, signed onto Bad Dog Entertainment, has all the required tools to make it to the very top in her toolbox, as she is not only a rapper with energy, but a singer and songwriter.

In this exclusive chat with ENCOMIUM Weekly, she traced her music journey, her highs and lows, and cleared the air on the notion that young female artistes have to sleep with record label owners before they are signed and more…

Why did you choose to do music?

I’ll say music chose me. I’ve got the talent; it’s what I can do. I have been singing since I was three, not like real singing, but just singing around the house. As time went on, I became a chorister in church. I just have passion for singing. I remember those days when we used to watch the likes of 2Face, The Remedies, Jennifer Lopez; they all made me want to sing. I remember those days when I saw Beyonce on TV, and I said, ‘I want to be like this girl’.

MKN - 020What would you say inspired you into music?

I really can’t say. But truthfully, at some point before I started, I had written many songs. When I met my first producer, he was like since you have songs like this; you should try and do music. And you know parents these days encourage their children to do music, they’ll even push you to go ahead. So, when I told my mom I wanted to do music, she was like ‘ah it’s good, you can sing…sing’ (laughs). My mom was one of those that really encouraged me; since it was something I already had a flair for, it wasn’t a difficult decision.

How would you describe your music journey so far?

I would say it’s been amazing! I remember my first single was really funny. One always has that first song which is like a test run. So far it’s been great. I’ve met people who have really encouraged me. Since I started music professionally in 2010, it’s been interesting but tough.  And it’s even more difficult for female artistes. you have to convince people that you can do this, even better than the males. it’s a male-dominated industry, so for us the female acts; we have to put in extra work. My journey has been amazing, like I said; my first producer really helped me, he even did a free beat for me.

What are some of the highs and lows of your career?

After my first official single entitled, You Go Craze, which was produced by Frenzy, I had to go from one radio station to another trying to promote the song with money. Since it was my first time of having a single that I wanted to promote and as a young artiste, it was really difficult, especially without money. I would say promoting a song is one of the downs. It’s not very easy to promote a song, trying to push it out there, but despite all these, here we are today. The story has changed.

For the ups, I would say the fact that I get to meet people who I used to only see on TV. When I go for shows I meet them and they are like ‘I really like your songs’, ‘nice one’, ‘keep it up’, ‘you killed it’ and stuff like that. Things like these are encouraging; they make me happy and motivated to do more. I meet them and we dine together, so, I’ll say that’s been the up. Though, I’ve not really got to where I want to be, so far, I’m happy.

How would you describe your music?

I’m a very versatile artiste. I’m a rapper, a Yoruba rapper specifically. I do hip-hop and R ‘n’ B, but I can also do fuji, reggae, akpala. But I’m a hip-hop and R ‘n’ B artiste. If I have to do a different genre of music, I’ll do it comfortably.

What’s the latest you are working on?

I’m working on a new single which has a Jamaican beat, but with Yoruba rap. It’s very different. I’m featuring a bigger artiste; I’m not supposed to be telling you this. Currently, I have a viral video out entitled Spartacus; it’s getting some buzz, people really like it.

How would you assess your career thus far?

For me, I’ve not gotten anywhere yet. I’ve not even started. I only dropped two videos, though the buzz is there, but not much. I think this new single will be where we start work.

A little away from music now. How would you describe your fashion sense?

I like to keep it simple; I’m not the dress–to-kill kind of person. I wear what I’m comfortable in, as you can see. I’m not the very girly kind of person; I don’t do gowns, only occasionally or when I have to. I’m more of a jeans and top kind of person.

What are those fashion pieces you can’t do without?

I’ll say my Cartier sunglasses and my Zara bags.

There is a general belief that young female artistes have to sleep with label owners to get favours. Have you had such experience?

No, I have not come across such. I think the thing is how you present yourself. It is how you present yourself that people will respond to you. Also, try not to be desperate, because if you are desperate, people will take advantage of you, even if you are good at what you do. For me, I’ve not experienced such.

What do you think could have made people have such notion?

I don’t really know. But I think it’s based on other people’s experience.

So, what is the relationship between you and your management?

Strictly business, but we are all friends. We hang out once in a while.

Where do you see your career in five years?

Five years from now, I would have dropped at least three albums and graduated from school. I hope my music affects the youth positively and finance projects that will help improve the lives of others.

Do you have dream collaboration?

Yes, I do. I will love to do a song with Nicki Minaj, Rihanna and Don Jazzy.

Do you have any pet project you hope to work on? Tell us about it.

I plan to do some but I haven’t started, everything about me now is music and my studies.

What do you have to say to aspiring young artistes?

Always pray, continue to work hard, stay out of trouble and stay far from drugs.

-MICHAEL NWOKIKE

Encomium

Written by Encomium

A media, tech and events company.

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