It gives me joy grooming new acts - Mr. Raw

Raw

In this chat with SHOWBIZPLUSng, Abia State-born rap star, Mr. Raw Nwanne shares the story of his very successful musical career with us among other trending and germane issues.

You recently rounded off your last show at Star Trek in Onitsha, Anambra State, how did it go?

It was a wonderful experience; I had fun performing. The crowd was singing along. Everything went according to plan. My crew and I prayed shortly before the performance. I understand that it’s not by power and might but by God’s grace and mercy. At some point, when I did the Bob Marley stuff, it was very emotional. It was fun and coincidentally, it was Bob Marley’s Remembrance Day. It was a wonderful day; I had fun with my Onitsha peeps.

How many legs of the ‘star trek’ have you performed?

Umuahia was my first. Then we moved to Orlu, Owerri and finally, landed in Onitsha. All these were done back to back in four weekends.

Among these four concerts, which can you tag as your best?

The different cities had different things for which I can remember them for, but Onitsha was the best for me while Umuahia was like home coming for me.

Why was Onitsha your best?

Well, the turnout and participation was great. This is actually my first proper concert in Onitsha. I have done smaller gigs at different times and places here, but this was the first actual concert-all the lightning, stage setup etc were intact. I had mad fun and the people came out with the aim of enjoying themselves and I enjoyed watching them enjoy themselves.

Which of your songs made your crowd ecstatic?

I would say ‘Hip-Hop Gyration’ did it for me. Every time I do that song, the crowd always go crazy, throwing their drinks in the air. Onistha gave me something to remember, they entertained me. There was this time in the course of the performance that a guy was so happy that he took off his shirt and cap and threw them at me; I had to throw mine back at him. Sadly, someone else caught it. It was funny and interesting.

So in essence, you look forward to coming back here next year?

Yea, I look forward to trekking with the stars next year and gyrating with my people.

For how long have you been with the Star Trek family?

I would say for about four to five years. That was few years after the first ever star quest that I participated in, I think in 2002, the one where me and Klint da Drunk came second behind KCPresh.

Financially, if you were to compare the previous years and this one which will you say is the best?

(Laughs) It’s the current oh; and next year own go better.

Do you mind sharing with us the amount you were paid for this year’s star trek?

I would have said it, but I don’t think my legal adviser, pastor and manager would want me to say something like that. Also since we are practicing cashless society in this nation, it is not right to mention that kind of money. Besides, it might look like publicity stunts, over hyping or under hyping.

But were you well paid?

(Laughs) Yes.

What do you have up your sleeves, any new album in the making?

I have lots of works in the pipeline now. I started recording even as I got into Onitsha. I went into the studio to record a song featuring ‘Fanzy Papaya’. I am always working. It is going to be one of the singles I will be dropping soon. Right now I just want to be dropping singles and do a couple of videos.

Have you dropped any single this year?

No, I have not. But I released one on my birthday last year, entitled ‘Kpomkwem’ and I shot a video for that. I actually did drop a song this year entitled ’80 to 90.’

Is the video out?

No, it is not. But expect more videos and singles soon. This song ’80 to 90’ is about the progress and blessings of God and how God will keep protecting and blessing us.

These singles you are about dropping, do you wish to share their titles so that your fans can anticipate their arrival?

I don’t want to share the titles now, but when the time is right, I will let people know which song I am dropping because I have different songs ready and I don’t know which one to drop yet. I am just moving as the spirit leads. One of the songs I will be dropping soon is the one I did with Fanzy Papaya. It is a song I am so passionate about.

Why Fanzy Papaya, when you had a range of popular artistes to choose from?

Well, he is a young artiste in Onitsha. He has been doing good stuff; in fact, he did something with Flavour a while ago, so he is not really new. Although he has not gotten to that place he is meant to be, but I think God wants to help him, so I featured him on this song and I discovered that the guy is good. The title of the song is ‘Blow my trumpet’. I look beyond people’s names when I want to feature people. If I feel you are good and my spirit accepts your own, then I don’t really care about your name. I also look at it from the angle that I wish people did this for me when I was coming up,  because, at one point I was looking forward to meeting people who would hear me and give me an opportunity. So when I see people who are talented, I try my best to help them in any way I can.

You have a reputation for helping people; why this passion for making stars?

Well, I like to look at it from the angle that there is no harm making people happy. Most times, as we progress in life, we keep looking for people to help us while we neglect those who are looking up to us for help. I look at it like an opportunity to use my God’s given ability to help people. I don’t think God gave it to me just for me to hold it and keep it to myself but also to help people that need help in my own little way. I look at it like if you are good, you are good. Irrespective of who is competing with you. So if I am privileged to be up there, what stops me from helping others?

How does it feel knowing your boys like Flavour, Phyno and others are doing well?

I feel great because you know; they give a certain kind of respect. It’s really cool to sit back and see people that were looking up to you make waves; it put smiles on my face. Sometimes they still call me to tell me what they are doing or planning to do, and they seek me opinion and I am always happy to give them my best advice.

Have you done any collaboration with Flavour and Phyno?

Not yet, but I am working on a song with Phyno. After the trek, we are going to do a song. Then for Flavour, he has been very busy but we’ve talked about it a couple of times. The truth is that, I don’t like forcing people to do anything because I believe they all have the right to do what they want to do. He told me how busy he has been and I totally understand because I have been in his shoes. So I will be working on a song with Flavour very soon.

Looking at the industry now, how would you rate it?

Well, the past era and the present one have their challenges. Then, when I first came to limelight, if you want your song to be played in Kaduna, you have to send it to Kaduna but now, if you want your song to be played in Kaduna, you can do it from the comfort of your house- just send the download link to your person and that’s it. The internet connectivity makes it a lot easier than it was in the past. So I think there is a great positive change.

So are you trying to say artistes no longer need record labels?

No, every artiste needs a record label to make him or her stand firmly. But when it comes to pushing your job, technology makes it a lot easier now. Now, I don’t even know how many people print their jobs on CDs any more. I am enjoying the benefits that come with technology but I am not a part of this generation- I am just enjoying the benefits of it.

What is the secret that has kept you till this time, even when your contemporaries are no longer in the spotlight?

First and foremost it’s God. Then consistency matters a lot in this business. Another thing that has really helped me is my originality. Every artiste should strive to be original, because that is what keeps you in the minds of people.

Do you feel threatened by the success of people you brought up in the music industry?

I don’t feel threatened; I just look at it as a reason to work harder and try to improve on myself. Look for a better way to do my stuff and grow. The problem with a lot of people today is that they have refused to change. This world is dynamic and change is inevitable. I don’t feel threatened at all, I just feel happy that at least I am part of the revolution and I was a part of their success stories. I count myself lucky to have seen success in the past generation and still experiencing it in this generation. I believe that nothing is forever. Something that was new and fresh yesterday might not be so today. The only thing I think people or artiste should do is, to find their area of strength and carve a niche in that area. Rebranding is always necessary; it helps to keep you new and fresh in the minds of the people. But it is also very important that you understand that people won’t always be there for you. Your fans will grow up and times will change, move with the flow. You are not in a competition with anybody, we all have different destinies.

When you started music, did you envisage that you would get to this level?

I did not. Funny, I remember back then, when journalists would interview me, they used to ask questions like ‘where do you see yourself five years from now?’ then I did not have the slightest idea. I used to say ’I don’t know but I know I will be bigger than where I am now’. 

Did you parents support your music career?

Yes they did, they never discouraged me, most especially my dad, even though I studied Business Administration.

Aside music, do you do other things?

Yes, I watch movies; I hang out with friends and I travel. The thing is, music is what I do. I know I’ll have to leave music sometime soon but I want that to be when I will be using walking sticks (laughs). But seriously, I know at some point I will have to throw in the towel but right now, I am still doing what I am doing because this was what I was meant to do. I still have songs to write; songs that will make people smile, dance and be happy. I am still in the business of entertaining people. When the right time for me to stop music comes, I will stop. I only hope and pray that when the time comes, God will tell me to stop.

Do you intend going into politics in the nearest future?

No I don’t. I don’t know why but I am not interested in it. I am a very quiet person, it may look like I talk too much but I live a coded life. I like to chill at home, think about my life. I don’t think I have the strength for it. It’s not even in my head or anything.

You do rap music but your songs most times sound political

I move as the spirit leads. Music is spiritual; I think everybody knows that now. God lays songs in my heart and I do them. The state of our nation needs constant attention and prayers. For instance, when I did ‘Kogbadun’, it was not the song I planned to do. I got to the studio, the inspiration came and I wrote it right there. So I think the message in the songs come as God gives the inspiration.

Where do you get your rhymes?

I get them from the streets; I hang out with my friends, and they say some stuff that is funny but also loaded with meaning and rhyme. I make it a point of duty to note them.  Whenever the need arises, I use them. I appreciate the street. It always has something to give.

So you came to spotlight in 2002?

Yes, I did but I started music professionally in 1992. That was when I wrote my first lyrics, I used Naughty by Nature’s ‘Everything’sgonna be alright’ as the background tune.

How do you cope with your female fans?

(Laughs) They are important oh! And they have been very supportive. They drag their boyfriends to come see your shows and buy your CDs. I take them as sisters and backbones.