Encomium
Blessed with vocals that melt hearts, Uwale Okoro, better known as essence, sang her way to the top. Now she is exploring another gift of hers as she has taken on blogging, but this doesn’t mean she has quit music. In this chat with ENCOMIUM Weekly, the Itsekiri, Delta native debunked the idea that she has quit music, stating that she’s only exploring her other gift.
What do you have on your plate currently?
I have a single which I am promoting. It’s entitled, Se Jeje. It was written by Koker, a new signee to Chocolate City and produced by Chopstix.
You’ve not released any new music recently, what’s been happening?
I haven’t released anything in a while because I underwent surgery in February and so I have been recuperating.
What have you planned for the rest of the year?
What I have planned for the rest of 2015, by God’s grace, is to shoot the video for my single and of course promote it.
What led to your leaving Kennis Music in December after many years?
Contrary to what people may think, I left with Baba Keke’s blessings.
Considering you’ve been in the industry for quite some time, are you planning to establish your own record label like many of your colleagues have?
I like to take things slow, gently and so I’m not floating any label for now.
Just working on my music and my craft.
Speculation now is that you’ve quit music and taken to blogging. How true is that?
I obviously haven’t quit music, but I have a knack for writing and have in the past written for a soft sell magazine. The notion that one has failed because one is exploring other aspects, then I conclude that somebody somewhere needs educating.
You said some time ago that the industry is unfair to female singers.
Times have changed, haven’t they? When I said the industry was unfair to women was a long time ago, say about eight years ago. Why that story is being told today baffles me. Guess, I can chalk it down to lazy recycling of ancient news.
Do you think you can achieve that in the face of current competition?
As it is, I’m not in competition with anyone. I’m doing my thing and by God’s grace will impact people I need to impact. My sound has evolved and so I’m not gunning for the young crowd because my fans are matured now or even if they are young then they appreciate my sound. The beat will be contemporary, but the message will be like life…you have to listen and try to discern.
