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Ashawo hit singer Chinedu Okoli (Flavour N’abania) is one of the most successful African artistes. However, Flavour’s mother was skeptical of his career choice and he had to leave home to pursue his dream. He spoke to CATE MUKEI
Were your parents supportive of your music career? When I started my career, my mother was totally against it. She said music was not a job but a distraction for druggies.
Why was she against it? My uncle, a wannabe musician was the cause of my woes. He left Nigeria and went to South Africa claiming that he was going to get a better opportunity where he would start off his music career. He disappeared and did not come back home for a long time.
When he finally came back, he was very broke, not a single song and shaggy hair. My mother did not want me to look like my uncle. In fact, I had to leave home to pursue my music career. Coming from a polygamous family there was competition and being her first born she did not want me to get wasted.
Were you chased away? No, but I had to leave. I wanted to prove to my family that music is a real job that can pay bills.
What was your mother’s reaction when you left? She gave up on me and imagined that I would end up just like my uncle. She said that my younger brother was her only hope. Ironically, my brother later became a DJ.
How long did you stay away? I only went back in 2008 after buying my mother a house. I bought her the house even before I got mine. I wanted to prove to her that music is a job.
Did she finally embrace your career? And more...She encouraged all my siblings and even younger children around her to pursue music. She also gets a lot of favours and recognition for just being my mother; so you can imagine how happy and proud she is.
Has she been to any of your shows? She has not but I believe if she did she would cry from the treatment I get. My younger brother shows her my shows on Youtube performing abroad and she cannot believe that I’m her son.
Your first hit Ashawo is still very popular. How do manage to keep your other songs relevant? I have learnt how to accept that some things cannot be changed and besides, there is no harm since it’s my song. I try to push the other songs too, but if they don’t do as good as the first ones I don’t complain. I just go back to the drawing board.
What do you consider before recording collabos? My producers are always involved. We always ask each other if the song can do well if I work on it alone and what value other artistes will be adding to it.
In 2013 you said you were ready for marriage but no wedding so far. What happened?
Marriage is not something you rush into especially in my country, Nigeria where you almost get married to the whole community. Looking for a wife involves your nosy mother who will go and first find out the background of the girl’s family. When you finally get married it will not be easy getting out of that union. I want to take my time especially now that you can’t tell the difference between a girl who slept in a bar and a real Christian since they all go to church and sit at the front.
