By Funke Babs-Kufeji and Konye Nwabogor
- Wande Coal
In this interview culled from ThisDay Style, the talented singer says every moment in his career has been a blessing…
Tell us about your childhood
I grew up in Mushin and it was not always easy. But I had a very strict upbringing, even when boys were getting into all kind of mischiefs; I tried to stay clear of trouble. Music helped with that because as they are getting in trouble somewhere, you would find me in the church or somewhere singing.
How long have you been singing?
I have been singing ever since I was a kid. In choirs, on the streets, in school, everywhere…
Prior to your music career, what were you doing?
I was a hustler! I have done different jobs here and there but always, always God kept showing me the way back to music. I never left it for long.
You were a member of Mo’Hits records before it was dissolved, how were you signed up?
Back in 2005/2006, I was doing some singing in UNILAG when I first met Don Jazzy. He was very impressed and we have been together ever since.
When Mo’Hits record was dissolved, what was your reason for staying on with Don Jazzy on MAVIN records?
When I call Don Jazzy, Don Baba, it is for a reason. As far as music, he is my Baba. He is the one who has helped me mature as an artiste. So when we spoke in terms of MAVIN and the new movement, there really was no decision to be made.
What has been the highlight of your musical career so far?
Mushin to Mo’Hits to MAVIN. Each of those moments and everything between it has been a blessing.
What can’t you go a day without?
My sunglasses.
What should fans expect from you this year?
Everything! Singing, acting, dancing, (laughs). This year is all about growth for me. With MAVIN, the new album and everything. I think you can see maturity and growth in some of the new music, so fans expect some more lovely surprises when the album drops.
What does fashion and style mean to you?
I try to mix it up. Sometimes you may see me mixing dressy shoes with a formal look, you know. I just like to be as creative as possible.
36 comments
Absolutely great,Wande coal’s still ours….frm Mushin to Mohits to Mavins!(Goodluck bro)
Did i hear wande correctly?, maturity in lyrics, guy u don retrogress, ur songs no get meanin anymore, listen 2ur songs
Wande coal or wande naked?
Wade coal…kudos man! I love your styles’
Wande coal or wande coke coal i luv ur muzik,orobo oh bad.
Wande u are great..but u tinkin dere x maturity in ur lyrix ix a shan…u’v really retrogressed..nd u r nw in d trend of d wizkids,davido’s et’al of nigeria music industry..buh u cn xtil do smtin
Point of correction wande coal or wande hot i dnt see any maturity in mavin
Wande has always been my Guy frm day 1 but I must be sincere with U, if I shuld tell frm the singles u have done lately includin dat marvin album Hmmmm, u better sit up or wake up cos I knw dis industry too well and its goin 2 be difficult without Dbanj, 4get all dis ” E no sabi sing” u guys are sayin, check other producers in Nigeria n see who is bigger dan Jazzy, Nobody but Dbanj made it possible for all of u, if u dnt believ me let Don jazzy make anoda artiste Bigger dan Dbanj Let’s see, Am not siding any body I love all of u at Marvin. God empower U
Wande pls maintain ur vocal signture nd style
@Jibbs and Iamdoubletwo…… Have you got the time to read through his lyrics in GO LOW, PRIVATE TRIPS, FOREVER Etc… Hav you?? Before castingating someone, make sure you do your home work properly… Wande I dey feel u jorr…!
Thats a bold step big bro, keep soaring higher
See all dis yeye tins dey say wande lyrics don retrogres. Una fit compose ordinary brigde? Yeye fowls mtcheew @yungwizzzy2 on 2go
Wande Coal didn’t mention D’banj in dis interview.what a shame on His side.Both Don Jazzy and D’banj shape His career and he owe a lot to D’banj,even D’Prince admitted dat He still misses D’banj.Tell will tell
4rm mushin to mo’hi to mavin to motuary!wande~boy no b dbanj bring u up!
U guys shuld be fair and sincere in ur comments dnt insult any body, if wande does not know d importance of Dbanj let’s see if they can do better than when he was around
Mhen i dont havd much to say,wande,just try and keep doing what no,God be with u.
@Yungwizzy i ain’t gt time 2waste on u sisi, Even d devils gt mor 4llowers than u,
Listen, while i take u back 2skul.
@Felix, i did listen 2his songs & i jst don’t see d maturity in his lyrics, compare d songs 2d ones on mushin 2mohits.
wish u ol d bxt u sing well God b wif u cos he kns bxt
To be candid, I really like wande’s music but he s an ingrate for failing to recall d’banj as an impact in his musical carrier. He is somehow conspiratorial. Ore pe ashiwere gbagbe!
Abra bro ,u no smaltin go du u srongtin but in any aspect wande always give tanks and worship GOD for wat he make u today 08137973260 up coming hip hop artist i ned producer
@teewhye,ingrate as how? Jazzy discovered coal like he discovered d’banj. Though, coal was brought into limelight thru d’banj’s videos nd life shows… Nd no intview mentions d’banj’s name like it did in d’prince’s intview.
Martinz na true talk, even these MAVIN guys knew D’banj’s wot… DAPO BANJO you are always the best… The lord will see u through!!!
Smelling mavin wande u are insane ingrate f u all
Guy,take ur time&watch ur LYRICS,,,,,,Coal man,you are born great!!!
I like dem all,wande u ar gud,bt 1 tin we all need to remember is d koko master,D’banj,am sure de wil miss him,cause he was d best amoung dem all.
Jonbeezy don show! Wait a min…they r bitching ma guy wande? By d way,who says he’s retrogressing! D dude’s just tryna add flavor 2 his style.must not b d same old jimmy 2 impress u ‘never satisfied’ fellows..abeg,let him be! Seems some dbanj’s loyalists r here..talking abt who misses d oda..only time will tell..one tin u pro dbanjs shud knw,’nbdy is anybdy’s god’ so if u think wande must recognize ur ‘Almighty god dbanj’ then u r losing it! 4get abt sentiments,u can listen 2 wande’s song(witout dbanj) n still feel gud but u cn’t listen 2 d banj’s witout help 4rm djazzy or wande.yung wizzy,i feel u..am outta here.
@johnbeezy, guy let me politely say U ar not aware of how things ar been run in dis industry, we dat are Musicians will tel u better, Jazzy himself said no body can do it like Dbanj, dat guy is one of a kind even Wyclef said it on Tv if u ar current nobody is beefin wande here we all like him but we have 2 be sincere
In all of this,Dbanj’s calmness has shown he’s a lot more mature. He’s got more vision and ambition. He wanted to conquer the world while d rest of dem just wanted to remain local champions. Kudos to him cos like dey say,”if there’s nothing more to live for,just die and go”. D collabo with snoop was his idea. It didn’t go down well with Jazzy
You can’t compare Wande with D’banj. D’banj brings all the difference and energy in their songs. D’banj is the master
Common guys, U don’t need any prophet to tell you that D’banj is the worst lyricist in music industry. He is able to reach where he is bcos Don Jazzy was his pair. I tell you without the ingenuity of Don, D’banj is really gonna find it very tough. His decision to go international is the worst decision that can expose his incompetence so all his fans plz advise him to retrace that step
@kunle y must dey mention Dbanj in their interviews. Have u read any of Dbanj interviews, he refers to dem as boys. For God sake they are now stars even is he is d one dat make dem that. Is like jayz refering to kanye west as boy bcos he started in his studio. U give respect to earn one
Who told u dbanj songs ar nt sweet without d help of jazzy,i disagree go nd get his albums. Kimon,sudenly nd lot more,don jazzy is baba too,bt dbanj is too gud,i knw him as a person far bak b4.he is gud my broda,he is calm because he has a wide dream to change african music to d highest level.kas-fimile rmx shows dat koko man too gud,pls my people al we need is to support dbanj nd Mavin records,wish dem d best dan sayn dis or dat.UP MAVIN,UP G.O.OD MUSIC(DBANJ).
weather u like it or nt d banj is on top of d game now so if u are hating go do somasort.
If u care to knw.. From dbanjs second album to d last, wande did the back up even d ones don jazzy didn’t voice..wande is the one doing uh uh uh uh in d beginning of oliver twist… Dbanj cannot blow without don jazzy n wande…tuface has worked with over 10 producers since he became a solo artiste and he has proven himself as d best in africa…dbanj shuld learn from craig davids, he was having a good carrier until he went to join pdiddy(bad boys) in america. The same thing is happening to katy perry and many others. Tuface isn’t in yankee and has taken african music to where no african artiste has. His 44 awards speaks 4 dat( check wikipedia) dbanj has 14…good music will only take u higher, not G.O.O.D music… Anyway, I wish dbanj well. Buh I’m not hapi when som1 takes a wrong step by dumping ur shadow (don jazzy n wande)
JUJU on-check. First of all if you no won make OGUN kill you no diss me… Ok make I start now… D’banj, MARVIN or not? Are you guys blind??? Can’t you see things?? Don Jazzy break with D’banj to create another records label just few weeks after the break, MARVIN records come out with Album and yet the album no make sense at all.. Listen to EME Album and compare this so called Marvin abi wetin dem dey call ham Album with CV… Now tell me who is missing, D’banj or Don Jazzy???