Encomium
+Plans to marry mother of his chiildren next year
Two years ago, Nigeria’s leading indigenous rapper, Bukunmi Owoleye otherwise known as JahBless dropped a monstrous hit single that shook the music industry. The song, entitled, Joor, featured arrays of wave-making music stars, such as Ice Prince, Reminisce, ELDee, and Ruggedman.
Shortly after the success recorded by the song, the Ondo born singer disappeared. Nothing much was heard about the talented lyricist for a long time, until last week, when he resurfaced at the JE Records event, where he was unveiled as the first artiste to be signed by the CEO of BheerHugz Cafe, Dr. Kunle Oladehin-led JE Records.
In an exclusive interview with ENCOMIUM Weekly held on Saturday, November 8, 2014, JahBless didn’t only speak of his whereabouts since the release of Joor, he opened up about his family. Unknown to many, Jahbless has a wife, the mother of his two lovely children (a girl and boy), and plans are on to formalise their union in New York come 2015.
After the success of Joor, you disappeared. What happened?
I didn’t disappear. I was actually working on myself. I wanted people to see me beyond the Joor single, which was like a street song. I needed time to develop myself so that I could churn out music that is universally accepted.
My kind of music right now is global, something I can sell on the international stage. To achieve this, I needed a platform to prove the stuff I have got, that’s why I joined JE Records. I am back for real now.
When you were away, a lot of things happened. We have crops of talented ingenious rappers especially Olamide. What is your chance for survival?
I have 1 million fans and I can maintain them for more than two years without releasing an album, I think it is a wholesome work. Besides, my market is not focused on a direction. Maybe Olamide has a youth market, but I could relate with both the youth and old. My kind of brand can cater for that now. I have what it takes now to do music in Nigeria and sell in the US. I have been able to put myself in that direction.
Tell us your new works?
Right now, I have two unreleased albums for JE Records. The albums have been recorded and mastered already. Just waiting for the right time to release them. Personally, I have four albums recorded in my own portfolio. So, if I am done with them, I can pick another record and give them another album comfortably, without any need for me to go to the studio.
How many years deal you have with JE Records?
One year, two albums.
How would you describe your sojourn as a musician?
Sincerely, it has been a blessing, because a whole lot of people I started with are no more in the game. Some of them have gone back to their villages. What has sustained me, I think, is the spirit of helping others grow. All the big names you have today had one or two things to do with me. I have been able to help some of them to feature in my songs. Aside that, I have the talent and I am consistent.
Are we expecting to see something more fantastic than what we saw in Joor the remix?
That was joor era. This is a new era. In this era, you listen to more matured songs. The kind of music that is universally acceptable without any language barrier. Some of the songs might sound strictly Western, for professionals. That’s the kind of music am doing right now. Everything is not going to be local, and everything is not going to be foreign.
Have you experimented this?
Yes. We’ve done three to four songs already, and it is working fine.
What was the reaction?
Fantastic. It was wholesome. We’ve studied the market and trend before embarking on this. We’re hopeful, Nigerians and the world will accept this new sound from me.
Let’s talk about your relationship with your friends, especially 9ice, Reminisce and Lord of Ajasa?
Very well. We’re still friends. We have a wonderful relationship. Although friends have issues, that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t keep up to ourselves. Despite my busy schedules, we still check on each other. I was with Reminisce some days ago. We had fun together. But for 9ice, we’re not close as we used to be. He is a very busy person. My friend is now a politician, so he’s very busy. I am waiting for his call, so that we can start his official campaign, that’s if he is ready to pay (smiles).
You mean you will collect money from your friend?
Why not? I have to pay my record label, abi no be so? Honestly, I will be glad to give him my support for free, because if I am in his shoes, he will do the same. We’re still good friends. I.D Cabassa called me few days ago, asking me to see him.
Tell us more about your family?
I am from Ondo state, but grew up in Lagos. Born into family of four. I am the first son. I grew up in a church environment, that was where the all music started from. I went to schools (smiles). I had ND and HND in Mass Communication at The Polytechnic, Ibadan. It was a wonderful experience growing up. When I am not in school, the assembly ground would be boring. That was the kind of student I was. Same thing when I was in church.
What about the love of your life?
The love of my life? Well, she is fine. She is doing good. She is in New York. That’s all.
Tell us more about her?
She is….em…medical doctor by profession. She is a wonderful person. She doesn’t like to be in the face of the media. We’ve been courting since I was in Poly Ibadan, but kept it secret because she doesn’t like public things and you know na, I am a public figure.
What is her name?
Abimbola. She is from Lagos Island. She is the best thing that has happened to me.
When do you want to formalise this union?
We will. Sometime next year. ENCOMIUM magazine is invited to New York for the wedding. Already, we’ve done the traditional wedding in Nigeria. Although we might still do something, we can’t really say. The wedding is sure, come next year.
That means, you can start having baby now?
We already have a son and daughter together. Lovely kids. Why am I telling you all these sef?
-RASHEED ABUBAKAR
