Bez Exclusive: 'I'm Passionate About My Music'

By Osagie Alonge

About four years ago, a young singer stepped into the scene – underrated but filled with so much potential, which has now moved him into a more recognizable sphere of the industry. Bez is full of talent, and by hooking up with the multi-talented Cobhmas Asuquo, he has easily expanded his listening audience from Nigeria to the rest of the world.

In this interview, he talks about his journey so far, the many girlfriends in his life, and what the future holds.

How do you feel about the international exposure your videos have been getting?

I really feel grateful and I’m quite excited as well because of the opportunities that can come from it.

Please tell us how your music journey began…

I started playing the guitar when I was nine years old. My father taught me how to play and then I honed my skills in secondary school and in university. After that, I kept playing and we started something called ‘Taruwa’ with my sister [Lydia Idakula]. Taruwa served as a platform to make me better in my craft, helping me learn how to perform in front of people and to have that confidence. Eventually, I met Cobhams in 2008 and my musical journey as a signed artist started.

How did your family influence you in music?

My dad used to play the guitar, so he and my mum used to sing in church. They had this tape recorder where they usually recorded themselves playing and singing. So that was like where it started from. I could hear my parents on the tape, there were family meetings, bon fire; gatherings where we sing like a family. Every Sunday, we listen to albums; that was where the influence came from. It was really great growing up.

In which part of the Nigeria did you grow up?

I grew up in Jos. It is a quiet town. Everybody seems to know each other and there was some sort of competition around when it comes to things of the art like music and sports.

Which schools did you attend?

I attended Loyola Jesuit College, Abuja and then Covenant University, Otta, where I studied Information Communication Technology. During that process, I just did what I love, which is music. I hooked up with Dr Frabz, who was also in Covenant at that time. We started a small band; we would rehearse, create music and do backup for people. So, when I was leaving school, I knew that was what I wanted to do.

How did your parents react when you decided to go into music professionally?

My mum took it well because one time she said, ‘you know if you and your sister go into music, you guys would make it?’ My sister used to go for events, music was her life. So she (mum) thought my sister would actually go into music. She just mentioned it, but at that time I wasn’t really interested in it. But when I decided that was what I wanted to do, my mum was like ‘are you sure that’s what you want to do? Are you sure you don’t want to go for your masters or take a job somewhere?’ I was like nah, I just want to go into music straight and she was cool with it.

What’s the first song you ever recorded?

First song I ever recorded is ‘Zuciya daya’ with Cobhams

How did you hook up with Cobhams?

Back in 2008, Cobhams called me from out of the blue and asked if I was interested in opening for Asa for her performance in Nigeria. I was really excited about it, so I went to the studio, and he asked me to play a song for him with the guitar. I played and he really liked it. And he was like ‘cool, so you are going to open for her’. He did most of the set but I came in on the seventh song. The response from the crowd was really awesome, and that was when we knew that we would work together. There was this kind of bond that we developed. We just clicked. So, it was easy to relate with him; he could see where I was coming from.

How has it been trying to make Nigerians love your music?

It hasn’t been easy at all, but you get a shock absorber from your passion. So when you are passionate about it. and you know you’re not doing it solely for commercial gain, you are able to make a lot of sacrifices and have the patience to see that the music gets to where you want it to be. Nigeria is a platform, but we have the rest of the world, and there are a lot of people that will love this kind of music. If you can use Nigeria as a launch pad to reach the rest of the world, then it’s good, but it takes time, so you have work through that time. It’s been tough

Do you strictly perform with a live band?

Ten out of ten, I perform with a live band. I’ve never used a CD to perform, it’s not a conscious thing, it’s just that I don’t know how to. I would flop. It  would be a messed up performance. If I’m going to do a solo performance, it will just be my guitar and I, sometimes I have a backup singer and I have a violinist accompany me. It’s really a small setting. Sometimes, I go with my whole band and always perform live.

Some people consider your kind of music elitist, and say it’s the kind of music that doesn’t reach out to the average Nigerian. Do you consider them also when you write?

There was a point in my life I was asking these questions. Who am I targeting, who am I writing to? Who will be listening to my music? I could write in proper English without using Pidgin, or sometimes put Hausa in it because that’s my first language. I just did what came naturally to me. I write the way I feel; the way it comes to me, that’s how I write it.

So when I get inspiration, I just write it that way. Now, if I have instrumentation that can capture that mass audience plus my writings, then I think it is something that can work. Sometimes people don’t even listen to what you say, they just want to dance. So imagine I’m writing something very intellectual and then I have a beat that is just making people dance, they won’t even listen to what I’m saying, but just dance. That’s another way you can capture the masses.

How long did it take you to work on the album, ‘Super Sun’?

When I met with Cobhams in 2008, I gave him a demo of songs that I had written; he listened to it for close to a year. In 2009, we started production. We didn’t have a set schedule, sometimes when a new song would come, we’d just go quickly and then record it. We were free that way.

What would you rate your album?

I will give myself a seven. Some people may give you less; some people may give you more. I know I worked hard getting the album done but I also know that I could have done better. There’s a lot more room for improvement.

Your video recently had a world Premiere on BET. It means you are in the international zone right now. What plans do you have for the international media and breaking out as a bigger artist?

We are following the waves. By the grace of God, we have created a larger following. We are going to ride on into the waves and just wait for doors to open and use our opportunities wisely. We’ve booked some tours that we are going to have in Europe and America. I’m scheduled to play in Houston, Texas in March, 2012. I’m meant to speak in Harvard Business School, as an entertainer in March as well. Those are the kind of ways we see that we can affect people in the right way and garner more fans and followers.

Most people would have expected a more ‘Pop’ Nigerian artist to get airplay on BET; what do you think about the fact that you got there first?

I think it’s a great plus and I’m happy about it. ‘That Stupid Song’ is sort of ‘poppish.’ And I wouldn’t say it’s the best music out of Africa. It was just an opportunity and it was a blessing from God and working with Praiz. He is a great artist who brought a lot of value to the song. We were able to project things that bring memories; that people love; that they are familiar with; that is one of the strategies we used in working the song that got people loving it. I think it’s a great song, a great video by Clarence Peters and it was just a great opportunity.

(VIDEO: ‘THAT STUPID SONG’ – BEZ FEAT PRAIZ)

Do you have a girlfriend?

I have many girlfriends o. I think girlfriend means girls that are your friends. Why do you have to ask about relationships? Can I plead the fifth?

How do you relate with your female fans?

It’s not that hard to deal with. It’s great to have all that attention, but I think it’s great to manage it as well, so you are not overwhelmed and take the wrong route, instead of being where you are supposed to be.