For Chidinma, time to act is now

Ordinarily, for human beings, our biggest fear is death. But for celebrities, it is something not as big as death. Even though they hardly admit it, losing relevance is their biggest nightmare. It means they are moving from a life of plenty to emptiness. The thought of it alone can make a celebrity commit suicide.
Yes, there is money in showbiz. But showbiz is more complex than what we see on paper. You may invest all your life savings on music, yet your pocket will be empty at the end of the day. You may also invest just little and your generation would not be poor again. In other words, showbiz is like a gamble, an investment one can never be so certain of the outcome.
Even after releasing a couple of hit songs, it takes good fortune to be active for more than a decade. And for a celebrity who has tasted fame at the highest level before, he or she might find it hard to adjust when people are not dancing to his or her music again.
Though, winners of Nigerian reality music shows often struggle to make a name in the music industry, Chidinma Ekile’s transition has been a smooth one. Only the likes of Timi Dakolo, Iyanya, Praiz, Omawumi, Yemi Alade and Chidinma have been lucky. All those names can boast of a decent life off music. But this is very little when one compares the numbers of people who have passed through Project Fame, Nigerian Idol and other reality shows since inception in the country.
From winning Project Fame West Africa in 2010, Chidinma, who was born blind, transformed to a powerhouse in the music industry within two years. She found favour where most of her colleagues did not.
She is not really blessed with a massive physique, but her vocal strength is as powerful as one who is three times bigger than her. In a way too, she has a lovable personality and you will always catch her with a cute smile.
Immediately she left Project Fame, precisely in 2011, she signed a five-year record deal with Capital Hill Music. It was from there she conquered the music industry, winning many awards, including Kora in 2012. She won the Best Female West African Act category and she performed her hit song, “Kedike,” at the ceremony.
Since her debut single, ‘Jankoliko,’ featuring Sound Sultan, it was as if she charmed music lovers. She was never short of love and acceptance from Nigerians.
But things now look uncertain. When her contract expired early this year at Capital Hill, for some reasons, both parties did not renew it. According to a source close to the label, she believed she had got to a stage where she could choose the direction her career was going. But even before she left the label, music followers were already asking questions. She was already losing her mojo.
For female singers, marriage and pregnancy ensure they must leave the scene for some time. Tiwa Savage did it, Omawumi did it and D’ija did it. Obviously, combining motherhood with music, especially when a child is still in the  infant years, is almost impossible.
Chidinma is not a mother yet and so cannot hide under family. Unless she has got married unannounced, she’s still single. Of course, we’ve heard at different times that she was dating Clarence Peters, Phyno, Vector and recently Flavour. She even went ahead to kiss Flavour in a music video. But she is not officially tied to any Nigerian celebrity.
Few days after leaving Capital Hill, rumours had it that she was signed to Flavour’s 2Nite Entertainment. Though the story is yet to be confirmed, getting signed by Flavour might revive her music career. If Flavour is serious about her and she is still hungry, he has the resources to make her a force once again.
I also got a hint that she is working silently, putting plans in place to start her own record label. If Chidinma does not act quickly, she may soon be forgotten. If truly she has great plans, this is the time to unveil them.