EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW!| CHIDINMA- THE LADY ON THE HILL

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW!| CHIDINMA- THE LADY ON THE HILL 

THE LADY ON THE HILL

We bring to you the concluding part of our exclusive interview with Chidinma where she talks about fame, privacy, Ill Bliss, Clarence Peters, Suspekt and the biggest lesson life has taught her. Enjoy. 

Emilius Central Pop- How have you been able to cope with fame ‘cos overnight you went from being the girl next door to a national figure?

Chidinma- It wasn’t easy. I never thought it was going to be that fast. It was so fast, I had to just change. There are so many things I was doing that had to stop doing because people now know me. It just happened too fast for me. It’s been God all the way and my family ‘cos it is not easy at all. I didn't know anything about the music industry. I didn't know what fame was…nothing! I had to just tell myself that this is not me this is just me being out there just doing what I have to do. I just had to cool down, calm down and just take things one step at a time. 

Emilius Central Pop-You’ve pretty much been able to stay away from the rumour and gossip blogs. How have you been able to achieve this?

Chidinma- First of all it comes with the way I put myself out there. I don’t put myself out like I want to be talked out. Definitely some people want to be talked about. They feel its good PR for people to talk about them every time. I don’t feel it should be like that. Why am I here in the first place? It is because of the music so let’s focus on the music. Even when I have to do interviews let’s focus on…it’s not like I don’t talk about my life, I don’t talk about my family but me being here is just about me so let’s focus on the music. 

Emilius Central Pop- Ill Bliss and Clarence Peters, how have they been able to mould and influence you on becoming who you are?

Chidinma- Those are my big brothers. They've always been supportive. The first time I saw Ill Bliss I thought he was a very mean and wicked guy but we got talking after the competition. We were just working on my album that was the only thing that just brought us together, just that until we started feeling this chemistry. He made me meet Clarence Peters. I was recording in the studio and all that. Whenever I'm free I just go there, try to record until one day they just told me ‘would you like to be a part of our family?’ It was a great opportunity for me that I couldn’t reject. They've been very kind to me even before now when nobody knew me; I had not put out any music, they were very supportive. Ill Bliss is always talking; he wants to always make sure I am on the right path. 

Emilius Central Pop- When I played ‘Emi Ni Baller’ for a few artistes they were shocked at how you could flip on a street oriented track like that. Many of them pinned it down to Suspekt’s influence on you. How is he influenced you? 

Chidinma- Laughs Sus P is playing his part in my music. Everytime I try to blame it on him. It’s not like he is the cause he was part of those people that brought it out. Working with Suspekt in the studio there is no room for any forming or trying to hide. Come out as you are, you know. That’s why I said I am not forcing it, it’s been there. He just helped bring it out. Right now I am very comfortable with him, we can work together for weeks, for months in the studio and things are just going on smoothly. 

Emilius Central Pop- When the spotlight is off who is Chidinma? 

Chidinma- Chidinma is very cool and extremely quiet. Forget that thing you see on TV laughs. I am kinda shy to an extent. Off the camera I am really cool, quiet, and nothing serious. I don’t really watch TV. I used to watch TV back then. Then I knew a lot of artistes because I saw them on TV. I knew their songs and I listened to a lot of radio not until now that I have a lot of things to do, a lot of places to go. I barely even go home, I really don’t watch TV. 

Emilius Central Pop- You don’t really go out that much?

Chidinma- Not really. If it is not work then I don’t go out. 

Emilius Central Pop- How was it like winning KORA? 

Chidinma- It was great. I never, ever, ever, ever expected it and my category had very, very big artistes so I never thought I was going to win that. I was preparing for my performance till the night of the award…

Emilius Central Pop- Till they called your name 

Chidinma- Yes. 

Emilius Central Pop- In your journey through life, what has been the biggest lesson you've learnt?

Chidinma- One step at time, nobody knew I was going to be here, nobody not in my family, not even me (knew). I just think its one step at a time. Everything has just worked as God has planned it. Easy does it. You don’t have to struggle or kill yourself over something. Just do your best, pray over the rest and everything will just be in place.