Mavin’s mega super star, Korede Bello, sees music as a career to serve humanity and his type of music called sweet music not restricted to a particular genre. The Godwin crooner in this chat with FAMUYIWA DAMILARE said his fans should expect better works and more visibility from the stables of Korede Bello and Mavin Records anytime from now.
FOR how long have you been in music? Professionally, I have been doing music for five years now, but music has been part of me ever since I was a kid, even back to my primary school days. So it has been a long way to come at and I really thank God. As you can see, here we are.
How old are you?
(Laughs) honestly I am old enough and young enough to do music.
Judging you facially, you look so young. How would you have started five years ago professionally?
Of course, Michael Jackson started right since he was five, doing music professionally. So, I don’t see it as something impossible for me to have started music at the early stage of my life. Music is just part of me. It is what I have always wanted to do as a passion. I will just say it is pretty much cool.
Back then, did you ever believe you were going to be a musical artiste?
No, I have never thought of that. And funny enough, I have always wanted to be a footballer or an accountant. I didn’t really see music as a career. Actually, I saw it as a passion and a hobby. I didn’t know I was going to do music professionally until recently, during my secondary school days. I go to the studio doing recording seriously. I started seeing music as my life purpose. I see it as an opportunity to serve humanity.
When people regard you as an upcoming act, do you see yourself in that direction as well?
When somebody goes to school and is in primary one, will you call the person upcoming student? Or when you just get a job in the bank will you be called an upcoming banker? But for me I will say people are entitled to whatever title they choose to give artistes, but it depends on the artiste; ‘how you see yourself.’ I see myself as a musician, I see myself as a mega super star and that is all that matters. I will advise artistes not to go along with that upcoming title because you might just remain upcoming forever. So you had better see yourself as a musician and a servant to humanity. Is there upcoming pastor? If there is none, why upcoming artiste?
Will you say music is a fulfilment to you at this stage you are?
I am very proud to be a musician, especially to be one. As I said, I see music as a purpose, and whenever people feel the vibes; whenever they sing along with me doing my thing; whenever people claim the blessing embedded in my song, it is joy and I sense fulfilment along. When you listen to the Godwin song it is like a prayer. And whenever you get people singing that kind of song, I will tell you it is fulfilling, because it is like you are doing something positive – serving humanity.
Do you do music fully as at now or are you still looking to becoming an accountant or a footballer?
You see, only God knows man’s intention better than he does. But right now, I intend to do music full-time. Apparently, as time goes on, one should be able to diversify and look into different sources of income. But right now I do music fully, like you met me rehearsing with the band preparing for a live band performance at an event.
You started with a hit song titled I Love Naija, and back then people regarded you as the ultimate lover boy because you did soul music and R&B basically. So what transpired when you got the record deal with MAVIN?
You see, my style of music is called ‘sweet music,’ not R&B, not hip-hop; I do ‘sweet music.’ And I am saying this because I don’t see music by how it sounds. The content of the message also defines my type of music. So I am not restricted to doing R&B or Afro pop or dancehall. If you listen to Godwin it is different from Cold Outside, different from African Princess. African Princess is R&B/Jazz/Afro-soul; while Cold Outside is Pop/R&B/Afro pop and Godwin is High-life. For me, it is the message at the end of the day. Whether it preaches love and peace, music is expression and the message in your expression is all that matters.
When people call you ultimate lover boy, it left many with no choice than to admit he is in love. So who are you in love with?
I am in love with my fans. When I am talking about my fans, I mean everybody that supports the team. God bless you all pretty much.
What were the challenges you encountered before getting to where you are right now?
I encountered many but I am very thankful to God that everyone of them has been a lesson that is even helping me now, especially on a bigger platform. It made me more mature. I see all those challenges as a blessing. I don’t see it as a barrier or limitation, it is an opportunity to prepare you going further and doing exploits.
What have you learnt back then that has helped your career in this bigger platform you are?
Well, I have learnt that not everybody that comes to your life will like you. We have different kinds of individuals in this world. Some people will come with deception, while some will come as being supportive and they make you feel like you are the global best. One of the things I have learnt is that fame doesn’t last forever; so many people come and so many people go. Having that in my mind often times, makes me realise that we all have a short time to make impact and serve.
You are now an associate member of Information Management Africa, how has it got to do with your music?
I am a student of mass communication; I believe that as a musician, we are mass communicating to millions of people around the world. I am someone that likes to pursue knowledge because I believe no knowledge is a waste. One has to keep learning until you are not able to learn again. And I believe you know what I mean by that (laughs). All I am trying to say is that learning is continuous.
What was your parent(s) reaction to music at first?
My parents are very supportive. They love what I do. They’ve always wanted me to do what I think I can do best to make exploits. They have been able to do everything parents should or could to push their son forward. First, I will like to say this; I enjoy much love from them and they don’t love me alone, they love what I do. Infact, they love music themselves too. They have been very much in support, talking of finance, spirituality and many more, just for me to pursue the career I chose. I am using this medium to tell them I am much grateful for that and I do love them as well. And I pray God helps them as well.
You recently became brand ambassador for Woodin. What makes you qualified?
Their values are my values. The Woodin brand represents a youthful brand, a youthful Africa. I think my brand value is young, easy going, upright, accessible, demographic, and most importantly, fun loving. God ultimately is the one that qualifies me being the brand ambassador. And it is an amazing thing for me.
Apparently, we’ve not seen much of your videos for your singles….
Actually, my videos are coming out pretty soon. As time goes on, Cold Outside will be out. And we are currently working on Godwin already. These are shots one needs to watch out for.
You wink in any musical video you featured in, is it your unique selling point?
I don’t know. I just find myself doing it. And there is someone I have in mind whenever I do it. I know pretty much that a particular person I know will be watching it. And that is why I keep doing it. If anyone wants to find out who the person is, I will just say it is you. Whenever you watch me winking in any musical video, I’m winking at you yourself. Trust me.
What has been your greatest achievement so far in music?
My greatest achievement is to be glorifying God with my song. I recently released a new single called Godwin, and it is being received massively globally and that is my greatest achievement. Whenever people are happily dancing to my song, it really makes me happy. You know, to be able to do a song that the old, and young would be able to listen to and dance to but still be able to glorify God really goes a long way. I am very proud of that and it’s really overwhelming.
How will you rate the Nigerian music industry compared to their foreign counterpart?
We are doing well here even if we still have a lot to improve on. The music industry in Nigeria has potential within. We have the best on the street, we have so much talent in the country, and we have so many opportunities yet to be exploited, but trust me, it is not the way it used to be. It is growing fast as we can all see.
Are you working on your album now?
I am putting out singles for people to know who this guy is and what he is upto before I put out an album. I am definitely going to do that, but for now, one has to make appropriate establishment before such could be done.
What should we expect from you anytime from now?
(Laughs) A lot of people have been asking me that. But it is pretty much cool when you let people know what should be expected of you. I will just tell you what I have been telling everyone; just expect better works and visibility from the stables of Korede Bello and Mavin Records.
Mavin signed three talented artistes at once and you’re one of them. Is it competitive?
We’ve got nothing like that here. We are friends and family, but the fact is, we know why we are doing music. And it is very much welcoming, actually, if they push us to work harder to give response to media statement more maturely. We are enjoying what we do.
Who would you appreciate to have leveraged you to this stage you are?
It is God and everybody that has been part of my life and journey; big shout out to my former record label, shout out to TJ, my family, my friends, course mates and everyone is well appreciated. I won’t neglect doing a big shout out to Bellovers UK, Bellovers South Africa, Bellovers Ghana, Bellovers Canada, and all around the world, thank you so much.
