By Chiagoziem Onyekwena
When you were much younger, what was it you’d always wanted to be by the time you were all grown? In my case, let’s just say my ambitions varied from year to year. When I was six, I wanted to be an astronaut really bad but by the time my age tallied with a dozen, all my space dreams had all but disappeared into well, space and all I wanted to become at that point was a policeman (and yes I did grow up in Nigeria, just in case you were wondering.)
Dr Sid was lucky, he got his parental vocational counselling from a place where at that age, most of us would gladly take everything it said to be law – straight out of the television screen. So you see, even though the wave-making rapper might double up as a qualified dentist today, for Dr Sid a career in entertainment was always a question of ‘when’ and never a matter of ‘if’.
The only man in Nigerian music to hold membership cards from two of Nigeria’s most respected crews, albeit from slightly different eras, Sid is an important part of our recent music history, a role the emcee takes very seriously, ‘I’ve probably been around longer than anyone in the industry at the moment, excluding 2Face, sha’, he re-educates the NET while laughing heartily. Although his allegiance today might be to Don Jazzy and Mo Hits, Sid insists the relationship between him and his Trybes kindred hasn’t suffered one bit over the years. ‘We’re all on Blackberries,’ he informs us, ‘they are all a BBM away’.
However, Dr Sid’s relationship with eLDee himself transcends technology, the Trybesmen top brass made a special guest appearance on Sid’s very first solo video Something about You, while also blessing Sid’s debut album Turning Point with his presence. ‘eLDee opened the door for me in this game and I’ll always be grateful… He is on my album (on Ba Mi Jo) however, as an artiste not as a producer. Don Jazzy produced my entire album’. More on Turning Point later but for now let’s focus Sid’s attention to more, dare I say, trivial matters, shall we?
Like the animosity that comes with being a part of arguably Nigerian music’s most successful crew of all time. ‘Once you’re successful the only direction people see you can go is down’, he declares. ‘I don’t know about animosity though, but it’s just the normal thing.’
Over the past six month or so, one man has made it his responsibility to pick issues with Sid’s label mates – Wande Coal and D’Banj over some of the music they’ve released in the recent past; music Kelly Hansome has somehow found offensive. And even though the tight knit posse have refused to fan the flames of controversy Kelly Hansome has started, his derogatory songs and accompanying viral internet video campaign have certainly not gone unnoticed. ‘I’ve heard the song and seen the videos. But honestly do you think Wande would be recording an album that (eventually) made him a star and the first person he decides to take a shot at is Kelly Hansome of all people?! It’s ludicrous!’
So what about D’Banj allegedly spitting on Ibo tradition by calling himself an Igwe? Sid then took the time to provide some much-needed flesh to the bone of Mr. Hansome’s perceived contention. ‘D’Banj never said he was an Igwe. If you listen to the song, he says ‘when the people see him they say Igwe, D’Banj is coming’’. He then adds in nearly flawless Igbo, ‘the title D’Banj said the people gave him was – O si na nwata buru ogaranya, and not Igwe’ However, as scatterbrain as Kelly’s rants may appear, Sid recognises that there is a method to the madness. ‘He’s just looking for an avenue to be relevant’, he declares, ‘Igwe (Kom Kom) is a beautiful song… too bad he wasted it.’
And for those warmongers waiting patiently for a song in response to Kelly from Dr Sid and company, in simple Waffi parlance, Una go old oh! Sid is all about his music and right now, his music is in a bit of a transition; the good doctor is embracing different sounds. ‘We named it (the album) Turning Point because it marked a turning point in what I was doing (creatively), the turning point in my career. Technically, Turning Point is Sid’s second solo project; his first studio album Prognosis was recorded 3 years ago but unfortunately, the album never hit store shelves. That disappointment now lives in the past however. Dr. Sid has moved on.
The difference between 2009 and 2006 for Dr. Sid is that now he’s perfected a mainstream sound, tailor-made for the clubs and with plenty of pop culture appeal in tow (Pop something ft. D’Banj), introduced more melody and intrigue into his music (Winchi Winchi ft. Wande Coal) but most important of all, Dr Sid has proven his diversity – the Mo Hit’s All Star is not afraid to belt a tune all by himself (Something about You). ‘Let’s just put it this way,’ he offers, ‘I’m a musician; I’m just making music that’s commercially-viable’.
So what are the chances that Dr. Sid would follow his father, Nollywood legend Justus Esiri’s footsteps, and someday seek a career in Nollywood? I’m an entertainment baby’, he enthused, ‘and anything is possible!’ However, Sid doesn’t share the same enthusiasm when it comes to the prospects of dusting that University of Ibadan certificate and swapping the studio for the hospital theatre. He hesitates and then chuckles with apprehension, ‘…And that’s all I’ll say about that!’
With albums from D’Prince, Ikechukwu and the Koko Master D’Banj expected to hit the market at various points within the next few months, 2010 promises to be a busy one for Sid and company. However, Sid is more than up for the challenge. He’s been here before, he’s done that. The only difference is that this time; the spotlight is all on him now. It’s his time.
So when the beat stops and the screaming fans pipe down, when the passion wanes and the bones are no longer what they used to be, maybe, just maybe a career in the white coat might not be so unattractive to the good doctor after all. But until that day comes, one thing is certain; what has been the Nigerian Medical profession’s loss has certainly been Nigerian music’s gain.
*Dr.Sid’s debut album Turning Point is now available online on iTunes and Amazon and will hit stores next week.
20 comments
I’ve been expecting D’ prince, Ikechukwu and D’ banj with their new album. These guys are unbeatable.
Dr sid better quit music and face his medical practition cos he's got no talent…or if he does not want to quit he should get all of tuface idibia's,m i and dagrin's album so he can learn how to do good music……boring dude.
Dr.sid we love ur music keep it up
DR SID,AS 4 ME OOOO,U AR OKAY IN THE INDUSTRY BUT JUST KEEP THANKING MO'HIT.
Dr,Sid,i personally love your music especially pop something'dont listen to critcs.you r doimg good.
Dr. Sid u are really doing good but d real truth is u have to don jazzy and mo'hits to thank
Dr. Sid We love ur music and i bet u that even those that critisize u cannot even do anythin better 4 demselvs. Keep going bcos God is with u and i beliv that blessin can only delay but e no go change. Bravo!!!!!!
Dr. Sid u a really doin great, leave critics & how many of them can do better. I hate Kelly Handsome, too stupid for my liking.
I really think ure great, keep it up. Doesn't matter wat anyone thinks is wat u think of ur songs dat matters. So all dem haters can go and die
dr sid u are cool.I luv ur music especially flyin over the moon.u ve got style kip it up
Dr sid i am flashy d’d’ an upcoming artis in abuja, i like all your song and i will like to work with you,help me how can i do it
Dr sid thanks 4 bringing up a good talent 4 d people, i luv ur music especially pop something, but it will be more better to sing gospel music to glorify thy lord for givin.g u talent of singing and for lifting u up…..WE THANK U DR SID
U left medicine 2 become a singer???Rili???Thats dumb,no offense.