For Ozomelam Umah Okorie (a.k.a. Emodee), music started while he was nine. He did not stop when he got to secondary school or even at the University of Port Harcourt where he studied. Now on his way to stardom, the up-and-coming musician who organises the Miss Ututu Beauty Pageant in his hometown tells Assistant Life Editor, TERH AGBEDEH, the road he has so far taken.
How have you been with music?
I started singing, performing for people right from the age of nine. I was still in primary school then. I had my band. From there to secondary school I was still doing it and I was known for music and performance when I was in secondary school. I was still doing it when I entered higher institution. I didn’t go to the higher institution because I wanted to work in any company or office, I felt I needed to go to school to acquire knowledge.
What did you study?
I studied theatre and media art at the University of Port Harcourt. I (majored in) directing. I am supposed to be a director in Nollywood; but since music is what I like doing, I decided to go with music.
Do you direct your own videos?
Yeah. But since I don’t have my own camera, I still invite a director. However, before that, I would have my own concept.
As a nine-year-old, where were you performing: school, church or elsewhere?
We had this children drum set designed with strong waterproof (nylon bags). I had my band with my players, and whenever they were playing, I would be singing. People were inviting me to perform. They loved me perhaps because I was a little boy who was already a performing artiste.
Where were you based then?
I was in my hometown then, in Abia State.
So, at nine you already knew that you were going into music?
Yeah. My primary school was at Aba, but my parents were in my hometown, and anytime I visited them I continued with the music. But then, in Aba, I was known for my music.
Your parents didn’t mind?
I think it was giving them joy because I was also doing well in school.
Are you the first child?
I am the last born.
Your first paid show.
Even while I was in primary school, I was getting money (from performances). But it was not a negotiated payment. It was when I was in the higher institution that I got to know that someone could call you for a show and ask you how much you were going to collect, and you could bargain on the fee. That was when I started collecting money (to perform).
If someone were to give you an open cheque for a performance, what amount would you fill in?
It depends on the kind of show, the place and the performance the person wants. That is what determines how much to charge.
How much were you getting for your performances in the university?
In school, even if it is N2,000 because you want to become known, you (take it). Then when you are going outside the school into town (with this one, stress is involved, transportation is involved and time is also involved), the money increases, maybe you double the amount.
Would you say that you are popular now?
I am still climbing to that point. I can’t say that I am well known now.
Have you decided where you want to get to?
Sure, and I know I will get there. I want to be the number one artiste in Africa.
What steps are you taking to get there?
I have not really relented. I can remember that some of my friends that we started the music together (because of one thing or another) dropped out and now concentrated on other businesses. Some who also graduated from the university found themselves jobs in companies. I got so many jobs in Port Harcourt, but said I am not going to work…
Including from a multinational oil company?
No. I got a bank job, but I don’t see myself in that sector, so I decided to stay strong, believing that one day I would get signed to a good record label to push me since I am not that financially strong to push myself.
What brand of music are you into?
The kind of music I do generally is secular. So I do hip-hop; Nigerian hip-hop, not really core hip-hop, reggae hip-hop. I also do R&B.
So, would you say you are one of those born for music?
Sure.
You had a band when you were nine; are those kids in the band with you still in music?
It is only one or two of them; most of them are off music.
How does that make you feel?
It makes me feel great that I still know what I want. At a point, they were like; you don’t want to quit, others are quitting. But since I know what I want, I stayed strong and I will still stay strong till tomorrow because I know where I am heading.
What is the label you are on called?
Godek Records. It is a new record label.
Apart from being an artiste on the label, do you perform administrative functions or other duties?
No, I just bring ideas. I am like the founder of the record label because the man was never into entertainment. It was because of me that he fell in love with entertainment. So I am the senior artiste.
When were you signed on to the label?
March this year.
You have not done an album yet.
But I have done a song and also shot the video that will be dropping next week (this week).
When is your album due out?
How the industry is now, an album is not really the main thing; it is to have a hit that will shake the whole country.
Is ‘Toriba’ the track, for you?
Yeah, it is a hit track. But I am still going to do a bigger hit.
Do you think there is a chance in the industry for new acts like you?
The industry is not easy, but I don’t see anybody who is better than me in the industry. I have been living in Port Harcourt for years, but I left for Lagos because I feel the best place for music is Lagos. I know so many artistes that I am better than who have made it today in Lagos, who are being celebrated. I believe I am the best, and once I step in they will know that someone has arrived.
Do you have any plans for anything humanitarian in the future?
Things change and the problem we are facing today in my community may not be the one we will be facing when tomorrow comes, when I must have made it big. So the problem at that time will determine what I will be doing for my people.
What language is ‘Toriba’?
It is a slang from Calabar.
What does it mean?
You cannot do anything to me.