Pop Off Central scored an exclusive interview with the Port-Harcourt son Waconzy. The singer reveals to us what he has been doing, the success of 'Celebrate', his collaboration with Truth Hurts, his move to Lagos and future projects.
Emilius Central Pop- How did you get started in the music industry?
Waconzy-I started off while I was very young, most people will say they started when they were 5 but I started while I was in the university and recorded couple of singles until 'Ikeba Super' which basically introduced me into the music business. Then I made 'Celebrate' which was a nation wide hit...'Celebrate' was a huge song that basically got to the top by itself with little effort or no effort and applying the same method to subsequent singles didn't work so it created some form of set back but I surely bounced back with the song 'Wedding Day', there are a lot of technicalities when an artiste releases a new song or when an artiste wants to drop new singles. Things have changed you cannot just sit back and say that it's good song and it will move by its self.
Emilius Central Pop-What’s your opinion about the Forbes list?
Waconzy-I got a call from THE NET and they asked me about my opinion and I clearly stated that people like Lagbaja who owns a property like motherland worth like half a billion Naira should be on the list. Youssou N' Dour a Grammy award winner who's in the same league with Paul McCartney, Bob Dylan and violinist Yo Yo-Ma should be there too.
Emilius Central Pop-You have been helping the less privileged lately what's the reason behind this?
Waconzy-Its only naturally that you give back to the people that buy your album- the fans. Also if God has blessed one then you should just try and bless some other people too, especially we that had humble beginnings. You can be a MTN, GLO ambassador but are you the peoples' ambassador? Do the streets support you and what you stand for? We all chill at the Wheat Baker, party at Rhapsody but the masses determine who we are.
Emilius Central Pop-You did a song with Truth Hurts, what was the experience like?
Waconzy-I met Truth Hurts in Austria while I was touring. She loved my style of music and she agreed for us to bake a song together. It was a lovely experience and please expect more international collaborations soon.
Emilius Central Pop-What would you like to change about the music industry if you had a chance?
Waconzy-Firstly, I will like to change the fact that the industry is not well structured, let there be viable structure and also empower the media , because they have a great role to play. We also need more private investors who can facilitate and monetize the sector fully.
Emilius Central Pop-What's your relationship with other Port-Harcourt artistes- Burna Boy, Timaya, Duncan Mighty and Mr. 2 Kay like?
Waconzy-We're all cool, 2 Kay and I even hung out some weeks backs, not seen Duncan in a bit..we are buddies even waxed a song together sometimes back. Timaya , Burna boy and my very self are like brothers.
Emilius Central Pop -Port-Harcourt based artistes are moving to Lagos and hitting the mainstream, what's the reason for this? Also what are the challenges that you have faced moving to Lagos.
Waconzy-Firstly, its only necessary for people to explore new opportunities and take on greater challenges,
The movement into Lagos has shown that Port-Harcourt music has come of age and the artistes in that sub-region can conquer no matter the community. Lagos is a better, organised business market with strong competition. Moving to Lagos wasn't stressful but we had to put together carefully a team of professionals that can deliver which was the hardest part.
Emilius Central Pop-Your album Money Back Guarantee is out. What's the success level so far?
Waconzy-We give God the entire glory, he has been merciful and gracious . The album is not doing bad at all, we have had more demand in several African countries, we keep getting bookings from Europe, Asia, north/south America and as far Australia. The album is selling and the demand is very encouraging.
Emilius Central Pop-What should we expect from Waconzy in nearest future?
Waconzy-Laughs...If I tell you now it twill take away the wow factor but we have a long list of humanitarian projects and Money Back Guarantee album world tour is still in progress. Expect more videos, 'Janglova' ft Banky 'Sweet Like Tombo', 'Omela'. We still have a couple of lovely collabos coming but let me keep the cat in the bag.