I Can Stay Without Food But I Don’t Joke With Music – Ogun Fast-rising Music Artiste, Ikagwu

It’s obvious that the Nigerian music industry is competitive and full of “already-made and upcoming talented stars. Many people believe that majority of artistes in these categories are based in Lagos, a state regarded as a home of entertainment and entertainers, however, other states of the federation, especially Ogun state are producing young talented music artistes who are exceptional in the industry, one of them is Joe Abutu Ikagwu.
In this interview, Ikagwu whose passion for music can be said to be second to none gives an indepth journey of his life into the music industry, his experience and expectations.
YOU DO MUSIC, WHAT MOTIVATED YOU INITIALLY?
If you ask me what motivated me to do music. What motivated me was the fact that, right from when I was young, I have always loved music. Right from the year 1993, I have always loved Blues and I listen to the likes of Micheal Jackson.
I like cool music and I listen to a whole lot of cool music. Some nights, I will just be awake through the night and listen to music. So, music has been part of my life since I was young. I have that ear for music. But I really didn’t know I was going to do music because my love for music then was just to listen to it.
But you know, coming into the university, I discovered that my ears for music can actually be turned into music directing, and my love for God.
I still love gospel songs and from there, I felt I could be a part of not just listening but also be in part of producing it. And God helped me and God was able to give me access as I met good people and they motivated me.
HOW IMPACTFUL ARE YOUR SONGS?
A lot of people have been blessed by the music I wrote. I noticed that it was not just listening to music for me, it’s about making music myself.
So, from there my passion for music grew stronger. I can say I met a lot of good people and I listened to hood music when I was young. Even now, I still don’t like noise. I love when music has a message and meaning.
HOW MANY SONGS HAVE YOU DONE SINCE INCEPTION?
As much as possible I just keep my atmosphere ventilated with music. And that motivates me a whole lot. I can say that my 2013 album has ten tracks. I have an album, which is my first album in 2013. And currently, I have another album of ten tracks.
So, let’s say all in all, I have nothing less than 20 to 22 songs recorded.
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE MUSIC?
I chose music because music was my life; and it has always been my life. I can stay a whole day without food and a whole lot of things. But you see music, it’s everything to me. I can stay in the house from 7 am to 7pm, so far we are making good music, I do not care.
Music is everything to me. I chose music because music chose me. I can boldly say music chose me first.
It was not about making money or looking for fame or attention. The first thing that attracted me to music is that music fell in love with me and I have to fall in love with music.
So, everything about me is about music. I didn’t choose music, music chose me. And I think this is forever.
WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF IN THE FUTURE?
I am trusting God that even when I am 80 years old, I am still able to do music. If I can’t do music with voice, I should be able to do music with my fingers playing instruments, and if I can’t do music with my fingers, I should be able to push many people to do music.
Music is going to be with me even when I go to heaven. Music chose me and I am not letting it go.
WHAT KIND OF MUSIC DO YOU DO?
I do the circular and gospel genres. For the gospel that I focus on, I do more of worship. It’s not that I don’t like Praise. Praise songs are fun and groove but I have a deeper connection to the solemnity of worship songs.
So, I love worship and I do a lot of worship songs. I write praise songs too. But to stay on a particular lane, worship songs is really my thing.
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR CHALLENGE IN THE INDUSTRY?
My challenge over the years; the number one challenge I have is the environmental factor. We are in an environment where society tells you to go and hustle; go and make money.I kind of see that society wants; everybody to go and make money.
You can see that, if I had my way, I would have started music when I was younger but how would you tell your parents that, out of all the professional courses in the world, it’s music you want to pursue.
So, one of the first issues I have is that society is tilted towards making money first. So, for me trying to pursue my dream, I have to make sure that there is availability of funds.
Going to the studio now, if you really want to have a good production, we are talking between the sum of N70,000 to N100,000 for a track. And the money isn’t going to come by by just sitting down.
So, one of the issues I have is economic factors. It is demanding that one has to make money first before making music. So, it has actually been a big delay. That will lead me to the second issue, which is sponsorship.
So, some of us have good songs. I can tell you, in my song banks, I have over 100 songs. I love to have a music team around me. We would rehearse, play good music, organise concerts. That’s my dream.
But those kinds of dreams, you need people who believe in you. You need people who are ready to sponsor you. Or else, it’s not going to be that easy. So, I can say that funding and sponsorship has been a challenge as well.
And, you know, the way the body of Christ has been structured, I would have said the church would have been able to help. But today we see that a lot of people have good ability to sing within the four walls of the church but they are not projected out.
Every church has like two or three ministers that should be trained and be doing well on the streets, compared to what the circular is doing now of which they have a lot of sponsorship.
The gospel has not really grown a lot of sponsorship. We are not getting enough funding to achieve the vision as we should.
My role models in the music industry; for the international scene, I have Williams McDowell, followed by Nathaniel Basey, Dunsin Oyekan. I have followed their music for the past 7 to 8 years. The likes of Victoria Oyense among the female folks. I also love Mercy Chinwo.
Nevertheless, if you ask me, my top three role models are Williams McDowell, Nathaniel Basey and Dunsin Oyekan.
Every other worship minister I honour, respect and value them. I listen to them as well. But these three, they are top for me.