Boogey has done quite a lot for himself in the past few years. From the shadows of the underground rap, Boogey is now arguably Nigeria's most promising rapper. Of course we would like to claim that we gave him a boost to fame as we were one of the first blogs to spot his talent but still Boogey's success is all his thanks to his unrelenting superb rap lyrics. Last year we hailed as Rap's Rookie of the Year and it's only proper we sat down with the man most rap heads are hailing as the new lyrical messiah. Confident and ready to show the world what he has to offer, Boogey lets his mind rip. At the end of interview you can watch him perform 'Sanctum' at Industry Nite. Enjoy.
Emilius Central Pop- It's been quite a journey. I remember the night when we first posted your songs on Pop Off Central. Your career has moved on exceptionally since then, with co-signs from Terry Tha Rapman, M.I and Mode 9. Describe how the journey has been like?
Boogey- I recall: POC was indeed one of the first sites to ever post my work, and I’m grateful for the love you showed me in my "needle in a haystack" phase. It's been an interesting year, one with a mixture of the bitter with the sweet. Being acknowledged and acclaimed by the fans, my industry peers, and industry stakeholders like Pop Off Central has definitely been sweet: It’s always good to have the product of your sweat, blood and tears recognized by “your people”. The co-signs from MI, Mode 9, Terry Tha Rapman were also a definite highlight of my year: like being knighted by the king(s), and proclaimed heir to the throne. The “bitter” comes from realizing that I’m still not quite where I want to be and I have some work to do yet. I’m still not a household name and I want my music to reach a wider audience, so I've still got work to do. That said, I realize that all things unfold in their own time and that my journey has just begun. I’m just completing my rookie year! I’m good with that, though: it’s a learning process and I’m putting in my study time. When I graduate, though….. WATCH OUT!! The peak of the mountain has my name on it and I’m going to keep climbing until I claim that spot .That’s the focus for my team and I and it’s coming; you have been warned.
Emilius Central Pop- We crowned you the 'Rap Rookie of 2012' which a lot of people felt you deserved. The way a lot of people have positively responded to you and your music is rare based on your style of rap. Are you surprised at how you've been seen as one of the leading rappers of the next generation?
Boogey- Thank you for the honour. I've said it before, but let me say it again: I appreciate the love. I work hard day and night and I put my heart into it and perhaps listeners feel that in my music. The reception to my mixtape and the songs I've put out in the last year (“One Ticket” ft Morrell, “Burning Bush” ft Evaezi, “5am in Lagos” and “Sanctum”) has been very encouraging, and I’m inspired to deliver even better material to the people, as a sign of my gratitude for their support. There has also been some negative reactions to my music, but as much as I hope everyone will be a Boogey fan, I can’t realistically expect that, so that's just fine.
Emilius Central Pop- Sanctum is your first music video. Did you have any nerves when shooting?
Boogey -Yes! I had been in two videos for songs I featured on but the Sanctum video shoot was my first. Going back to that day, there were some set-backs on set (no pun intended) and it was a hectic day. Combine that with how clueless I was, before the camera started rolling and you get a nervous wreck who's a danger to himself and others. I admit it wasn't that bad once the camera was on and I got "In the zone". I went in! The video turned out really nice, in fact (*beats chest proudly*) it’s a classic! Shout out to Brotha Lee of Temple films and B-Elect. The Sanctum video drops on the 12th of August and I can't wait for everyone to see it. Classic, I tell you.
Emilius Central Pop- What's next after the video. Are you gonna drop another mixtape on us, go the EP route or keep dropping singles till you get that album buzz?
Boogey- Actually, all three, with no specific tags. I haven't begun work on an album yet. I'm recording new material though. I'm working on an EP S.A.D. (Something About David) project to be released hopefully at the end of the year. Before that I just might drop a 5 or 6-track appetizer. People can call them what they wish but at the moment, I can't (categorically) say. I can say one thing now and my Ogas at the... Okay, I'll stop now.
Emilius Central Pop- Eva Alordiah kinda plays your love interest in your video. You two are kind of similar judging from the alternative content of her songs. Is she your muse?
Boogey- I can't elude the Eva questions can I? Eva and I admire and respect each other and are both passionate about the craft. I'm not certain how accurate your analysis of our similarity is, but I'm certain that we can relate to an extent. I hope we get to work together real soon and possibly draw inspiration from each other. Shout out to Eva.
Emilius Central Pop- At a point in your career you will get to the mainstream bend on the road where you will have to adjust your lyrics to accommodate a larger crowd. Are you getting ready for that?
Boogey- I am seemingly at that point where I have to make that decision, according to “public opinion”: "Boogey needs to make something commercial"; "Boogey needs to dumb down his lyrics"; "Boogey shouldn't dumb down his lyrics. We like him like that" "Only rap lovers can relate to Boogey" "Boogey is unique but he needs to blend his sound" "Boogey needs Yoruba, Igbo and Pidgin hooks" "Boogey needs the right features"....I can go on and on. So many what-to-dos and so few how-to-dos. Let me just say this: I will listen to everybody and I will listen to nobody. I am ready.
Emilius Central Pop- How did you get signed to AbOriginal Music?
Boogey- It happened pretty much shortly after the (October 2012) release of my Art-ificial Intelligence mixtape which thankfully captured the attention of hip hop and music fans across the country. AbOriginal Music reached out to me while I was still basking in the response to the project and we set up a meeting. We realised that we shared a vision, and in November 2012, I got signed. What you've heard since then, and what you’re seeing today is a glimpse of that vision. Together with my label mates (Ese Peters, Eclipse, Barzini and Bonnie) we plan to take over the world...laughs.
Emilius Central Pop- Besides rap, what do you have a flair for?
Boogey- I love basketball. These days, I hardly have anytime to ball thanks and no thanks to this rap sh**. I just read a reader's mind (ignore pun), and the answer is NO- I'm not tall or nothing- I'm taller than M.I sha laughs. I used to love to read. Not so much anymore. I write short stories. I might write a book someday.
Emilius Central Pop- A lot of your songs have dark and spiritual angles to them. Why is this so because a lot of Nigerian rap songs are bright and light?
Boogey- Yes, a lot of my songs have spiritual angles to them. Some of them even express gloom to an extent. I put my emotion in my art and I write according to my mood. I've got happy songs like "You and You" and "I'm Wack" so I'm not trying to be a preacher or anything. I could goof around and be filled with joy and champagne popping on every song but sometimes when I think about our society and its traditions, and realise that a large number of decisions being made by individuals or groups, that affect us, are at least partially based on religion and tribalistic stereotype it makes me wanna just talk to the listeners.
Other times I wanna tell my story. No gimmicks. Just paint pictures that tell listeners who I am, bring them into my world and let them see what I see and what I've been through. I have constantly been told that people can't relate to that. I choose to believe that isn't true: it would mean that people can't relate to the truth.
Emilius Central Pop- Who are your top three Nigerian rappers of all time?
Boogey- The Nigerian rap scene seems a little too young to have a greatest of all time, but If I had to pick my top three, based on impact on the game, I'd go for Dagrin, M.I. and Modenine, in no particular order.
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