Ibusa born Augustus Ezedinma Obidi, an alumnus of OSISATECH, Enugu spoke to Our Lagos Bureau Chief/Online Editor, Linda Nwaeze recently in a brief interview in Lagos. He narrated some of the challenges upcoming artists like him faces in the competitive music industry and disclosed some of his aspirations as far as his musical career is concerned.
Excerpt:
Let’s meet you……..
I’m 6tusflow, a hip hop artist, songwriter and producer. I started my musical career in 1992, rolling with the likes of OJB Jazreel and Joe Kennie, a producer. We did a couple of songs like“Get d flow” featuring Joe Kenny, “Lagos Anthem”, “I’m a Nigerian”, “Tomorrow’s Leaders” and “Speak for All”. The video of “Lagos Anthem” is out and it’s getting airplay on TV, I’m hoping to get a marketer soon and after that the big break.
My real name is Augustus Ezedinma Obidi, I hail fromIbusa, Delta State. I have five siblings, a guy and four lovely ladies. Thereis also my mom but my dad is late, he passed on in 1988. Presently, I’m notunder any record label, hoping to get signed into a label and have my ownmarketer.
How many songs do you have in your current album, Made in Nigeria?
The singles are “Lagos Anthem”, “Get d Flow” featuring Joe Kennie, “I’m a Nigerian”, “Money Maker” featuring Jaffar, “Tomorrow’s Leader’s” and “Speak 4 All”. I have two albums on ground and a couple of songs.But for now, I want to bring one album out at a time instead of pushing all into the market at the same time. At the moment, I’m promoting Lagos Anthem.
The song, Lagos Anthem is it a political or image laundry tool?
It is basically not a political song. It is actually toportray the good image of Lagos State where I am based, rolling and hustling.So I must give credit to where I reside which I’m doing. It is not a campaign song.
What inspired you to write the song?
I have actually been someone from the street, a guy from reality, so much things about the street, what happens to people. Life issues inspire me a lot when I’m writing a song and so does my career.
What are the challenges you’ve so far faced in the music industry?
The music industry is very big and there are a lot of challenges facing upcoming artists. You need to work in the studio to get your song ready, you go to radio stations expecting to get air play but along the line, you see some radio DJs and Presenters who would try to weigh you down if you don’t tip or scratch their hands and it has become a normal thing which most upcoming artists go through.
Sometimes, they are not always being fair. The reason I say so is because they always expect you to come up with a stipulated amount of money to promote your songs and if you don’t have such, you would be lacking behind while those that have the finances and influence get there with quack songs. Basically, it is all about hustling and I definitely know that when itis my time, it would be my time.
So far, how many artists have you worked with?
I have worked with Lagos based artists like Joe Kennie,Jaffar, D Bounce, Safina, Ladoski, El- Katur, Gina and OJB Jazreel.
Is there any other artist you would like to work with?
Actually, in my second album, I’ m hoping to work with D’Banj, Tuface, MI, Naeto C and Mode 9.
Who is your role model?
My role models are 2Pac and Fela.
Can you hint us about your educational background and what you are doing at the moment?
I went to Saint Mary Primary School in Broad Street,Lagos and I graduated from Our Saviour’s Institute of Science And Technology,OSISATECH in Enugu, 2004, where I studied Business Administration. Presently,I’m working at Oceanic Bank in their IT department and hoping that as time goes by, I will fully pursue my dream, which is music.