Friday, March 29, 2024

I shunned Rhythm Unplugged, Headies because I had better shows – Yung6ix

Onome Onokohwomo, better known as Yung6ix, has been a regular face in the Nigerian music industry since he was young. In this interview with OLUSHOLA RICKETTS, the Delta State indigene talks about his sojourn in music, being in the middle of controversies and why he does not appear in most shows in Lagos

Don’t you get the feeling that you have not done enough in the industry having been around from the days of Storm Records?

It depends on where you take it from because there are many people who started then too but are not relevant anymore . The most amazing thing about music is t h a t the more you make music, the better you get. So as a musician, you will always be challenged to do more. Even when I decided to stop making commercial music, I do not think I would leave music finally. The process of creating something that never existed is amazing to me. For me, music is more than a career. However, being successful in life is left for God.

Everyone cannot be big or number one. But the most important thing is for people to recognise your potentials. The fact that someone finishes the race before you doesn’t mean you will not get there too. Every year, I consistently put out hit songs, I consistently make money and I consistently do what needs to be done. When it gets to a point that I am being heard far and wide, they will now say I am lucky. I have been working and waiting for that major moment.

Why do you choose to be controversial?

I am a very calm person, but I do not know why people are quick to describe me as controversial. I will not let people to push me aside because of how they feel about certain things.

All I do is to make the next song, go for the next show and drop my next video. The truth is that those people who come out to say things about me do not really care. Once they say it on social media, the next thing is to talk about President Muhammadu Buhari or another thing.

When I tweeted I was the best rapper in the country, I was at the airport coming to Lagos. By the time I switched on my phone, there was already a ‘diss’ song out there.

Are you the best rapper in Nigeria?

I am the best at what I do. I cannot replicate any other person, though we all have influences and people we look up to. I am the best rapper.

How come you’ve been to six universities without a single certificate?

I love to learn and my father was a very principled person. Whenever he found out that I was not doing what he wanted in school, he took me out of it. My father wanted all his children to be professionals such as doctors and the likes. He wanted me to be an engineer. At the University of Port Harcourt, I was studying Zoology instead of Engineering. And because he had already removed me from two schools, I did not tell him. When I was in 200 level, I told him and he still dropped me out of school. That what how it was till it got to a point he was no longer there. Then, all I had was music and I capitalised on it.

Was it true that at a point, you had to choose between music and your parents?

I did not have to choose between music and my parents at any point in time. My relationship with my father is getting better every day as well.

Why did you leave Storm Records at the time you left?

I did not have issues with anyone at Storm Records. My contract ended and I felt I could build something for myself. I still spoke with Obi Asika some days ago and we shared ideas. He still talks to me like a father, as if he had seen what I am seeing now. People say I have become more successful since I left the label and I cannot argue with them. I have put out more hit songs than I did while I was at Storm Records.

Does that mean you did not experience growth at Storm Records?

When I was with Storm, I did not record ‘Blessing,’ ‘For Example’ and ‘Let Me Know.’ I did not have these contents then. Over the years, I have become a better artiste.

You have four artistes under your label; do you think you can manage them and promote yourself at the same time?

LK Kuddy is a star and he would be one of the biggest stars from this country if he listens and focuses like he was when I met him. Gift Halimbello is super talented and a diva. I just signed these two. When you see a star, you know it and these people are stars. When people say I am underrated or overpaid, the only reason they talk about me is because they know I have the potential. It is not just my battle to make them what I want for them, God is involved and the artistes are also involved themselves. I am working so hard to make sure that there are no flaws, but I am not God. I know what I can do and I know I will not fail.

My concert in Warri was sold out. I don’t think any of the shows in Lagos sold out like mine. It is one of the biggest concerts that have ever been done by a Nigerian rapper. It is not really about performing in five shows; for me, it is about performing in relevant shows

Are you not afraid they could grow and become ingrates?

These days you have to be smart as a businessman. I must always make sure that my profit is more than my loss. Regardless, I have to guarantee that I win. Once things are done properly, my record company will be old enough to have grandchildren. I would do my best for them.

Why didn’t you perform or attend most shows in December?

I cannot be at all shows at the same time. The fact that a show holds in Eko Hotel does not mean it is important to all artistes.

I was at Olamide Concert, I wasn’t at the The Headies because I had a better place to be and I was at the Sound City MVP, which was the best show in December. I didn’t attend Rhythm Unplugged because I had another event that paid far more than they were offering.

Also, my concert was sold out, which I spent almost all December putting together. Videos and materials from my concert in Warri are coming out soon. I don’t think any of the shows in Lagos sold out like mine. It is one of the biggest concerts that have ever been done by a Nigerian rapper.

It is only Phyno and Olamide that have done such. We had Oritse Femi, Dremo, Mayorkun, Viktoh, among others. It is the biggest show to be done in South South. It is not really about performing in five shows; for me, it is about performing in relevant shows. If I had not done the concert in December, I would not be able to sign two artistes in January. That is the business side of music.

Why do you prefer having a show in Warri instead of Lagos seen as the entertainment hub?

The first time Phyno did his concert was in Onitsha while the sound was in Enugu. I did my show, ‘Return of The King,’ in Warri last year, but it could be in South East or Lagos this year. I can do a show in Eko Hotel if I want to. I can shutdown Eko Hotel if I want to. Right now, most artistes do capitalise on the power they have.

A show promoter gathers 10 artistes, gives them peanuts and takes all the money for himself. He capitalises on our brands. There is nothing bad to be on those platforms, but at times you need to let people know your worth.

What actually went wrong between you and Cynthia Morgan?

The song I did with her leaked and she felt I did it. Before she could communicate with me, she had already said something online and I did the same too. We both reacted badly, but it was just a case of miscommunication. My songs with Davido and Oriste Femi also leaked.

In the case of Cynthia Morgan, the song was unfinished. I will not put out a material like that because I know what is at stake. I lost the song too because it should be bigger even though radio stations still play it. I later called her and explained what went wrong. We are from the same place and she is like a sister to me. There was no way I would be excited to put out something I was not proud of.

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