Chronicles of The Illest

Soundcity Music Video Award Winner Illbliss, co-signed by heavyweight rapper Nas to be as talented as Hip-Hop legend, The Notorious BIG, speaks on his music, life as a husband and what it's like combining emceeing and a regular 9 -5.

interviw by abidemi Dairo (234next.com)

Why are you still unsigned to any major label?

Personally, I feel there are no labels in Nigeria. You can't really blame the people that actually try to run labels here because we don't really have the right structures for it. If CDs cost N150 and there is so much bootlegging and piracy, and no law to bring pirates to book, artists and intellectual properties are not protected; then you're going to discourage investors. If they come in, they are going to lose their money, get frustrated and leave.

So what you find in Nigeria are just pockets of people that are running their business as a small family cartel. They have artists and producers and do stuff by themselves; so when they break even, they have the money to themselves. This has lead to individuals forming their own record labels even if they have the experience to do so or not.

Another reason I'm not signed to any so called ‘major label' is because I have always been a believer of artist independence; anything you see Illbliss do is strictly what I want to do and not want any label wants me to record, so I feel a label may do a big promo for me, but it may also stifle my growth a little bit as an artist. I've been signed to self since I began music.

So how much creative energy, from you and others, went into the production of Dat Ibo Boy?

I recorded that LP over a long period of time; say about three years. I started when I was still living in the UK; then I was hustling and at the same time trying to get the album recorded. I was recording while working four jobs because I needed to feed, pay bills and also pay for studio time. It has been me, of course with help from Clarence Peters, my associate, who has been helping and shooting videos for me at relatively low cost.

When I came back to Nigeria, say 2007 ending, I found out the tracks I had recorded abroad were likely to be a hard sell [here], so I needed tracks that could carry them along, as in, a little bit more commercial tracks, stuff that would break up the ice and that was when I thought of the Dat Ibo Boy idea.

How did you get the name Illbliss and what does it means?

I just came up with the name Bliss because I thought it was going to sound fly not because it meant anything. The Ill part I added because in rap language, it means something that is fly and tight.

What was the inspiration behind lead, "Aye Po Gan"?

It means there is enough space for everybody to fly; the music industry in Nigeria can get discouraging sometimes. It is either you are an artist up there or you are really down low there; I've seen bigger artists tread on lower artists; refuse to collaborate, front for lesser ones.

So I figured that there is actually enough space for everyone to get together and make good music without stepping on the other. I always likened it to the American system where you see new artists collaborating with the likes of Jay-Z and Beyoncé but such wasn't quite happening in Nigeria because there is so much ego in the Nigerian industry, so I decided to make a good song, at the same time make people realise that there is enough space for all. Although I've seen this stuff, this track is not directed at anybody in particular; it is just to wake people up.

Is "You Go Wound O" directed at anyone?

No, not at all; as a rapper, the biggest thing you have going for you is your ego. It is just a ‘you-don't-mess-with-Illbliss' song, basically just throwing warning shots as typical of rap music everywhere else. Of course, every now and then you get stepped on in the business and you get into the mood of even recording retaliation tracks but at the end of the day, I just looked at it as not being worth the trouble. So I focus on music and keep it as anonymous as possible.

How would you rate the quality of Nigerian rap music?

The genre has done so well over the past years. You look back and you see a Naeto C, Modenine, MI, Ice Prince and so on and realise that the ‘alienish' art form that we used to embrace has been taken to the mainstream by Nigerians. We are winning awards and performing at international shows, so I believe we are doing well.

Nas compared you to Hip-Hop icon, The Notorious BIG while presenting you the SMVA for Best Hip Hop Video, do you think it was an overstatement?

For me, I believe it was just my time to win the award and what he meant by that was just a form of endorsement. It means rap more, don't relent. Although it felt good because these are the guys we grew up listening to.

Has there been any contact since then?

We exchanged a couple of e-mails then because we were looking at doing something together but there are barriers to those kinds of things, [like] collaboration funds. I'm still chasing it though, but that is not all I'm about now; if it works fine, if it doesn't, I move on.

Aside being an artist, you have a 9 - 5 job, how do you combine both?

It is not easy; it is finding a balance and timing as well. I remember times when I need to go for an interview but I can't because I'm stuck at work. Now I have decided to be more daring as an artist but not at the detriment of my other job though; I try to move my music when I'm not working. I also have a reliable team that helps me plug shows and other stuff whenever I'm busy.

How do you keep female fans at bay without being rude now that you are married?

Although some are daring, they are still stay at bay. My wife is fine and smart, that is what happens when you marry someone you really like; you do everything to make her happy and keep all those ladies at a distance, plus it is the fastest way to ruin your career because the press are going to feed on it the moment you even try.