Encomium
David Bebian is the vocal director of Nigeria Idol and one of the pioneering members of Cordwebs and Synergy Band with Darey Art Alade and Ben, Music Director of Project Fame. In a courtesy visit to ENCOMIUM Weekly on Friday, August 1, 2014, he opened up on his success story.
How long have you been in the entertainment industry?
I have been in the industry for 20-25 years. I’ve worked with lots of artistes, like Lagbaja, Sunny Nneji, Plantation Boiz and a host of others both old and young. We had a group that started by training choirs, choir masters and music directors.
We had a group called Cordwebs which consisted of Dare Art Alade, Benneth Opewi, who is now the Music Director of Project Fame, Nnamdi, Kenny and myself. It’s an acapella group that took Nigeria by storm, performing in almost all the places and also before several presidents.
We featured a lot on NTA Morning Train, Breakfast Shows. Apart from that, we had a group called Synergy. Synergy had late Jaiye Aboderin, Stella Damasus, myself, Benneth Opewi and others. The group was a live band. What the new artistes are doing today was part of what Synergy laid on ground.
I have gone deeper into training. I am the Vocal Director of Nigeria Idols. I am also into event management. I’m also an MC, I equally run a label and also an actor and director.
Why didn’t you pursue your music career like Dare and Ben?
Entertainment is a thing of passion. I stumbled into singing by accident.
Let’s talk about Nigeria Idol, how did you become the vocal/music director?
Getting on that show was just by God’s grace. When grace comes upon you, you are at the right place, at the right time. It started with one of my classmates who happened to be the production manager of the Idol Franchise Season 1-3.
He was in search of a vocal/music director and he knew that was what I’m into and chose me to do it.
What will you say has been the secret of your success and what is your unique selling point?
God is the secret of my success because He is the owner of our talents, inspiration and style. My unique selling point is whatever I get myself involved, I would want to do it to the best of my ability. I try as much I can to explore, to research more and know how its being done all over the world and also get latest ideas. And I learn every day, from people and also my surrounding.
Between acting and music, which brought you more fame?
I would say music, because I have done a lot of music. I love acting. One thing I will say about acting and music, is that they are all about passing a message. So, I would say music brought me more fame.
Would it be right to say Nigeria Idol shot you into limelight?
I wouldn’t say that because it is just a portfolio. Before then, I had greater fame from performances especially with the Cordwebs and Synergy. They helped me because I went almost everywhere. We were the talk of the town when it comes to Acapella music.
So, what happened to Cordwebs and Synergy?
You know how it is with groups, it was a question of individuality, I mean it happens all over the world, once people are growing, different challenges, ideas and goals come in and it started with Dare Art Alade. He went for Project Fame in South Africa and then we had to contend with that.
Benneth was involved in Project Fame in Nigeria and I was also involved in some other things. Everybody got married. At some point, family setting and we became very busy trying to pursue our individual lives. Now, it’s difficult because of the way Nigeria is, but above all, we have to survive. So, we had to go our separate ways to make ends meet.
What unites you guys now?
We are still friends. We started out as brothers, so to speak, we’ve come a long way. We all know the background of each other. We are very happy for each other. We still meet, though communication has not been really okay, but we still relate once in a while.
What project are you working on now?
I’m working on so many projects. Let me start with music. In the entertainment industry, I am an advocate of good music and I feel so bad that this time, the young ones don’t have the opportunity to listen to good music. So, I’m not happy with that.
My goal now is for those I have trained from the Nigerian Idol platform, after the show, I still pick some of them and I’m still training them. We are recording songs that will make impact because music is supposed to take you to a different level and not what they make it look like.
There is content in whatever we are trying to do. So, we are trying to change the concept of Nigerian music. People don’t know how to sing, its just the beat. I’ve written a script, which talks about Nigeria, what actually is going on, corruption, bad governance, reckless spending that affect the growth of the nation.
What are the pains and gains?
Pains, I will start with the artistes’ survival in Nigeria, most especially the true artistes. We really have the content. Sponsorship is also an issue and morals also.
Can you tell us about your other line of business?
My business, has spilled into several ventures. I represent some few hospitals. I’m into medical tourism. I represent some few Indian hospitals in Nigeria. I own a company called Grandieu Limited.
– OYINKANSOLA EKERIN
