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‘Why I am into music’ – Bonkwe

Bonkwe is the latest singing sensation you should watch out for. His latest effort, Na You I Go Marry is a feel good love song which is bound to tease and make listener’s fall in love. ENCOMIUM Weekly had a short interview with Bonkwe about his music…

 

Can you tell us how the journey into music started?

My journey into music began ever since I was a little boy singing in my church choir, I developed interest in music since then because I love singing, I was always trying to compose songs for our choir master, that was how I fell in love with music.

When did you decide to make it professional?

I decided to make it professional when I realized my passion for music was greater than anything else. Also my boss, L.A. Kashmire was another reason I decided to go professional because of the way he believed in me. He encouraged me to believe in myself. L.A Kashmire is my boss and the C.E.O of Kashmire Records, the label I am signed to.

What was your parents reaction when you told them you were going into music?

My parents were really skeptical about it because I was in the university and they felt it was going to affect my studies, but when they saw the effort I was putting into my music and how good my grades were, they became relaxed. They realized music was my passion and they didn’t want to discourage me, especially when it was not affecting my grades, so they became very supportive. I remember sometimes my dad would give me money for recording and after studio session, I would bring the song home and we would all listen, they became really supportive.

A lot of artistes go into music because of the money, is it the same with you?

To me, music is passion, music is love, it has absolutely nothing to do with money. When I am in the studio, there is this feeling of fulfillment I have. Music comforts me. I write all the time, I write about everything, I don’t see music as a means to make money because as we all know, it is difficult to make money from music in Nigeria due to piracy, etc. I see music as a means of expressing myself, reaching out to people. Music is more of love and passion to me. I am music.

What genre of music do you do?

I do afro pop.

Who are your role models in the industry?

I am a very huge fan of PSquare, I have been in love with PSquare ever since I was a kid. I love their music, I look up to them. When I was younger, I used to learn their songs and  perform them to my family members. So, I would say they inspired my music.

How do you get inspiration for your songs?

I get inspiration from so many things. I get inspiration from day to day activities around me, but I will say my greatest inspiration comes from my childhood, the way I was brought up, the hood I grew up, the life I have seen and the kind of lifestyle I want to live.

How do you hope to remain relevant in the music industry?

The truth is that most of the artistes want to be like other successful ones, this is not right, in this game, being real is everything. Artistes lie a lot, they live fake lives, I am true to myself, I am me, I want to be me, I don’t want to be any other person, I want to be real and stay real in this game, and I also want to put out real materials. That’s how I intent to stay relevant in this game. The moment you try to be someone else, you lose your place in the industry. That’s the truth.

How will you handle money and fame when they come?

I don’t think money and fame can change who I am. I am a very simple person. I am from a very humble background. So, managing my new status won’t be a problem for me. I just want to chill and make good music for the world to enjoy.

I want to make Africa proud. I am not here to get rich and get arrogant because we know pride goes before destruction. Good music is all I care about.

Tell us about your new song?

Na you I go marry was a song I just came up with randomly. It wasn’t inspired by anything. The melody just came to me one day at home, so I took my pen and paper and started writing it down. That was how the song came about, I wrote the whole song under 30 mins. And when I was done writing, I went to see Tspice and he cooked up the beat for me.‎

Encomium

Written by Encomium

A media, tech and events company.

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