Encomium
VERSATILE singer, Emmanuel Clement Azivudu, a.k.a M-Kaze, is very popular in the Niger Delta and South-East geo-political zones. In fact, you can hardly mention three leading artistes in Port Harcourt, Rivers State and ignore him. Credited with three albums and over 50 songs, the Ikwerre, Rivers born artiste, who has since become a household name over there, recently relocated to Lagos, the nation’s entertainment capital.
In this exclusive interview with ENCOMIUM Weekly, M-Kaze shared the story of his sojourn in music, his latest efforts and aspiration to rule the Nigerian music world and much more…
How did you coin your stage name, M-Kaze?
My real names are Emmanuel Clement Azivudu. I got the stage name, M-Kaze from my favourite movie, Mortal Combat. And I love playing the game too. So, when I joined the industry, I was searching for a stage name and a friend told me, you know you like the game, Mortal Combat, why not call yourself MK. It was this MK I funkified to M-Kaze. The movie is about fighting for freedom just as I’m fighting in the industry to be at the top of my career.
We also learnt you have won a lot of awards over the years?
The truth is that I don’t sing for awards, but they have been coming more than I expected. In 2009, I bagged the Artiste of the Year and Best Collaboration awards at the maiden edition of Port Harcourt Music Award. My lyrical activism has also helped a lot of talented youths in the grassroot, especially those from Niger-Delta region. This feat is more than any award you can ever give me.
Can you take us through your journey in music?
I started singing as a kid. In fact, my mom was a chorister, all my siblings love singing. So, it was only natural I would go into the profession. I formally started in 2006.
Has it paid?
Music has really paid because the three albums I have dropped so far have been successful. My first album was Music and M-Kaze, the second one, Psycho and the third was King of the Underground. I also have over 20 hot singles including Psycho, U be the one, U can be me, Do Good, Kpom Core Gi, Change (Situation), Sugar Banana and Why e be say featuring Duncan Mighty.
What has been the challenge so far?
My greatest challenge now is to break into the Lagos market. This is the heartbeat of entertainment in Nigeria. I thank God for the progress I’ve made so far. Coming to Lagos from my Port Harcourt base has really been a blessing. And it can only get better. My focus initially was the Niger-Delta, where I had become a household name. But I needed to become a national brand and even a global phenomenon.
But the impression in Port Harcourt is that M-Kaze just ran away from the Garden City?
Yeah, I’m now in Lagos cooking more beats and churning out inspiring lyrics. The people of the Niger Delta are used to M-Kaze, having enjoyed scores of my songs. So, to them it is like they are losing their favourite artiste. But I’m sure they don’t want me to be stagnant. I have to grow so as to affect their lives in better ways. I will be feeding Port Harcourt with the same good music they know me. I have already started doing that with some hot singles including the very much applauded song, Change.
If there is a big show, event or engagement I need to attend there, I will surely be there. Port Harcourt is my base. That is my home, I performed at a high society wedding in Port Harcourt a couple of weeks ago.
You were telling us what you have done since you relocated to Lagos?
I have so far shot three videos with different directors. I shot one with Patrick Elis, that’s Psycho War. The second, This Girl was shot by Paul Gambit and the third, Change was shot by my own director, Lecture.
How does it feel to know that Change is well appreciated here?
I feel great because I have a positive message. I’m not your regular artiste mainly concerned with shake and wind your body stuff. No, not M-Kaze. I’m an artiste conscious of my role in the society. You can call me a socially committed artiste. Yes, I can do commercial, but that’s not my calling. I preach change because we need to change Nigeria. We don’t have good roads, no electricity, no food. There is corruption in high and low places and you say I should keep quiet and sing about Moet and Hennessy?
I want to do music I can pass to the next generation. I’m a conscious musician.
Are you calling on Nigerian musicians to watch their lyrics?
Not exactly. All artistes have the freedom to pursue their trade. I chose to sing the way I do. Like I said, I’m not against the commercial stuff. You can do a club beat and still make a lot of sense. 2Face’s Ihe na eme is a typical example. It’s a good beat but the message is still there.
What else is special about your kind of music?
I’m a versatile singer, producer and songwriter. I can arrange, mix and master my music. I love good music and I’m also a good listener so I take time to create and modify my sound. My sound relaxes the nerves and has a lot of message to the masses and even the rich and mighty.
Are you on a label at the moment?
Yes, AMA Sound is my record label. They are based here in Lagos.
What is your ultimate dream?
My target is to work with international music stars like Akon, Jay Z, Wyclef and others in five years or so. I also want to roll out a big record outfit in the future. And I’m going to support a lot of up and coming ones to give back.
Are you now Port Harcourt’s first son?
(Laughs) Not only Port Harcourt but Nigeria’s first son!
– UCHE OLEHI
