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| Bracket |
Since they stormed the music industry in 2009 with
the smash hit Yori Yori, the duo of Obumneme Ali (Smash) and Nwachukwu Ozioko
(Vast) otherwise known as Bracket, have not looked back.
In this interview monitored by SHOWBIZPLUSng, the wave making crooners
sensationally talked about their latest release, marriage pressures, women, why
the group has not separated, among other interesting issues.
What has been happening to Bracket?
We went to the U.S. for the African Musik Magazine Awards (AFRIMMA). It
is owned by Big A Entertainment and we were contacted to headline the event.
Before the awards proper, we had an appearance in Baltimore, U.S. Also, when we
returned, we had other shows. That included a show in Cotonou on August 24
among others.
In the face of stiff competition, what factor has made Bracket to stand
out in the pack?
I will have to bring God in, though the upbringing also matters a lot.
In my family, my father teaches love and unity and the need to be at peace with
whoever you are working with. And I think the same thing applies to my partner,
Smash. We handle issues as if we are related by blood. We remove pride and we
don’t want to put anybody first. We are both equal. That is what has been
helping us to be together this long.
Aside music, what other projects are you occupied with?
For now, it is just our music. However, we are trying to set up a cancer
foundation, which will take place very soon. Knowing it is a very long process,
we are trying everything possible to make it stand; and soon, we will start the
promotion. You know, I was sick and every other thing had to be put on hold.
But now, we are putting all our resources and time together to make it a huge
success.
You were lucky to have a partner who stood by you…
(Cuts in) I must say I am a lucky person to have such people around me.
My partner and manager stood by me. One thing about life is that the people you
hang around matters a lot. You just don’t hang around people because they are
successful. You have to think about the positive impact they can make in your
life.
With regards to your experience, what came to your mind at that time?
It was a horrible experience and I do not pray for anybody to go through
such. It was like a nightmare. I pray for whoever out there is laid up with
such a disease because it is a matter of grace, if you are able to survive it.
In fact, only a few survive it.
Can you share that experience in details with us?
It was a miracle because I was as skinny as a stick of broom. I was very
skinny and you could see that this person was almost gone. People who used to
know me would describe me as chubby. But all that went away and whenever we
visited the hospital, they always started with HIV test because I am a
musician. After all tests, nothing was found until an ultra-scan was done,
which showed that something was growing outside the organs. If it was inside
the organs, then, it would have been a closed chapter. It took eight to nine
months to go for treatment and it was not easy. But I thank God.
Talking about your health, how are you feeling now?
If you leave here now, what will you tell people about the way I look?
Healthy, I guess? Well a lot of tests and scans were done about five months ago
and nothing was seen. So, I might have to go back when we are back from America
for another medical check; and by His grace, nothing will be found.
We’ve seen partners fight and break up because of women, what has been
your own experience?
(Laughs) Money has not separated us; so, women won’t do that to us. We
had a little issue about money in the past and we settled it. So, when it comes
to women or when Smash sees me with people who will not add value to my life,
he warns me. And when I don’t listen, he will let me be. Then, when it all goes
wrong, he is still the same person I come back to. I don’t think women or money
can be a problem between us at this stage.
What should your fans be expecting from you?
We just released the video of Nana, which is gaining a lot of views at
the moment. And with the pace Nana is going, we are already in the studio
working on other songs. We cannot do a song that is below that standard now.
So how has Bracket been keeping the 'standard'?
It is God and consistency. A lot of our musicians think dropping a hit
song is the best you can do. But you have to keep up with that pace because you
cannot afford to do something below that standard that you have set with the
hit. Most times, once they release a hit track, they relax. That is the mindset
of most Nigerian musicians. But these days, it is all about consistency because
music does not last that long; so, you have to keep it up. And if you are not
capable of doing a good song and shooting a good video with it, then, I pity
you. Back in the days, you would just release your song and give it to a
marketer. But now, things have changed because you will hardly see a musician
who would drop an audio without a video to follow. I believe these are the
things that have kept Bracket going. Even while I was in hospital, we shot a
video. That is to show how hard it is for you to be up there.
There is a report that you attended Institute of Management Technology
(IMT) another report said that you graduated from the University of Nigeria
(UNN), Nsukka. Can you please clear the air?
You know people mix things up. When they come to interview Bracket and
we are asked about the schools we finished from, one person will be talking and
Smash will say, University of Nigeria, Nsukka. And that is what will be put in
the interview. And when I am being asked the same question, I will say,
Institute of Management and Technology (IMT). That is where the mix up comes
in. But in some cases, you will see where the different schools are written.
So, it is not intentional.
So, what is your relationship with the ex-member of Bracket, Bistop?
Yeah, we are just friends. He is just a friend; we don’t communicate,
maybe because we travel a lot out of the country. He has been trying to do his
own music, but he is not really coming up the way he expected. And we don’t
really see at events. But maybe if we had met at one of the events, we would
have exchanged contacts.
There are insinuations that Bistop is not happy with the way he was
treated by the two of you. How do you react to that?
Anybody can say whatever he or she likes. But one thing I want people to
know is that, if our hands weren’t pure, God won’t have taken us up to where we
are today. Whatever anybody says, I don’t care. All I know is our hands are
clean.
You have been at the wedding ceremonies of some of your friends, do you
feel pressured to get married?
It is a must-do thing and we are not getting younger. Within the next
two or three years, we should do that. We are still single, but we are not
getting any younger. We love to get married and we believe that most artistes
think about it and they look forward to getting married. Even 10 years ago, we
were getting the pressure too. But it takes time and you also have to be wise.
If we had done it 10 years back, they might not be enjoying what they are
enjoying today. But they are enjoying it today because of hard work.
By FEMI SALAWU - ENTERTAINMENT EXPRESS
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