By Osagie Alonge
He’s young, energetic and full of promise. He’s name is Mr 2Kay and he’s a full fledged Port Harcourt boy.
Signed to Grafton Records, the popular South South record label that once housed the likes of Da Indispensables and M-Trill, 2kay has already hoisted the Port Harcourt flag and is flying it high like his fellow comrade Duncan Mighty.
In this interview, held few days before his near-fatal car crash, the rising star talks about how his growing up was like, him hooking up with Grafton and his quest be the best act right now…
You have been visiting Lagos for sometime now. How has it been?
It’s been from one place to another, one media house to another media house. I’m here to promote my album, and my new singles.
How old are you?
(Laughs) Well I don’t hide that, I was born 1988, which means I am 23-years-old but will be clocking 24 very soon.
How was growing up like in Port-Harcourt?
Growing up wasn’t funny in P.H because I am not from a rich background, so most times I have to support my parents even while hustling.
What was growing up and listening to music like in your household, did your mother support music?
My mum was a music lover, she plays music on our radio set, and then it was cartridge back then. I would also listen to the radio on my own. I later gathered money to get myself a personal radio so I could listen to music all by myself.
How was secondary school life like?
Secondary school life was fun and music. I was doing music with my social club and also part of a YAA club (Youth against AIDS). I would always represent my school in any music competition we attended.
When did you start taking music professionally, when did you start writing music?
I started writing music way back 2003 but had my first studio recording in 2005 with Duncan mighty at The Large Studio in Port-Harcourt.
How is music in Port-Harcourt?
Music in Port-Harcourt is quite big. Port-Harcourt people like music so much in fact most commercial buses in Port-Harcourt have a speaker in them. They don’t care if you like it or not, they just want to bump music. Port-Harcourt is also a place with lots of talents but people here walk around with big chips on their shoulders, you have to do the ‘abnormal’ to gain their respect.
What do you mean ‘abnormal’?
(Laughs) I mean if you keep doing the same thing others do, you don’t stand any chance to be noticed but if you can go another way, you will be respected. That’s what I meant by ‘abnormal’. Doing what they don’t do.
How did you hook up with your current label Grafton Records?
It was my prayer point in church some time ago (laughs)
(Cuts in) so you had your eyes on Grafton?
Yea, because they are quite big, they are the biggest in the South-South. They had the Da Indispensables and even won the Channel O Award with M-Trill. It was quite big. Everybody in Port-Harcourt wanted the big thing, so I submitted my C.V and went to the corner to pray. When I went for a competition in Bonny Island, I remember it was my pastor that gave me transport fare; God was so good I found favour. I will not say I know how to sing too much but God helped, the crowd applauded me.
I used to go by the name 2Kool but someone had started answering 2Kool so when I got to Grafton, I had to change my name. I removed the ‘kool’ and replaced it with Kay, hence 2Kay.
So what is the transition from 2kool and your experience in Grafton?
There is a big difference because Grafton actually thought me how to do good music, they thought me how to be different, and they thought me how to be a brand. The boss told me something I won’t forget; he said ‘good music is once heard, once understood and once liked’. Music is for the street. If the street people like your music, I mean the poor people; the rich have no choice but to appreciate you.
Categorising your song, what kind of music, what genre do you fall under?
I do Afro-Pop music
How was working with Duncan Mighty like?
It was great. I wasn’t scared at all because I know I have the talents in me. So, we put heads together and decided on who comes first and who sings the chorus.
What about your album?
The album has 22 songs in it
Don’t you think that’s too much?
I don’t think it’s too much because I didn’t just want to give all. I have over 40 songs
You recorded 40 songs in the space of how many years?
In the space of one year
Who are your produces your songs?
I work with Hobit, AZ, Chakb, Bobby and Rainshot but the main producers are Hobit and AZ
Can you predict the future of the Nigerian music industry?
Sure, things are looking good now but trust me in a couple of years, it will get even better.
Watch 2Kay’s documentary below…
7 comments
Wow grafton is great i love to be their too bcos am up coming artist.i need help seriously cos i really want to blow naija.
i am a hard core rapper and i am well gifted in my field iii
I would like signing up with Grafton.They’re great
Am interested, I have great songs and I need good producers, pls you can reach me true my email if you a produce.
Am an allien 4rum jupiter to dis planet earth, just lukin 4 a record label to sign me in so dat i can unleash my package.dis is my num 08168804847
Wd need a very nice studio in ph to produce our and also we will like to walk with grafton
am a artcomming in PH. get to ,,www.sharemobile.ro (search for. mr selling i wonder)08139664644