Success Odiase of Edo State origin was born and bred in Lagos. The graduate of English and Literature from Lagos State University (LASU) relocated to the Republic of Ireland with her family in 2005 where she made a mark in the country’s entertainment industry as the first individual to single-handedly organise a gospel concert that pulled an unprecedented crowd. The Managing Director of SpringSuccess Productions who came to Nigeria to shoot the music video of her new single, ‘Rejoice’, in this chat with Senior Copy Editor, INNOCENT ANORUO, talks about her music and career.
After your stint with Lagos-based Chorale de Magnifique (CDM) where you sang alto, how did your music career grow to this point?
I travelled to Ireland and attended a church where I was selected as one of the lead worship singers. And before I could realise what was happening, I gained a wide range of audience. Invitations to minister in songs started flowing from all parts of the nation and subsequently spread to different parts of the world.
So, you started a band or…
Yes. I started a band and registered the band name in Ireland as “SpringSuccess”
What is the band’s make-up?
The lead (me), four back-up singers and the instrumentalists. We use drum set, piano, conga, guitars (leads and bass) trumpets, saxophone and violin.
Your two new singles, ‘Am Strong’ and ‘I Rejoice’, are of different genres of music, what genre does your band specialise in?
I am versatile! I try my best to satisfy my fans. Being an African woman, I am well able to do the African beat, and also as I live in the Diaspora, I’m able to also appeal to my European fans by doing their beat also. Hence, I am eclectic.
How did you go about ministering in other countries like Italy; who sponsored your trip?
I was invited to minister by churches, hence they took care of the expenses of the trips.
Notwithstanding all the infrastructure overseas, why did you decide to shoot your music video in Nigeria?
Despite living in the diaspora, my decision to shoot the music video in Nigeria was informed by my belief in the high level of professionalism in music production in Nigeria that cannot be seen anywhere else in the world. The music speaks loudly the message of hope to all Nigerians to rejoice, for there is still a future for us. So such message should reflect the target – Nigeria. The entire project is in recognition of the right time for me to give something back to my country using my music. I saw beyond every barrier of which power failure was major.
So, you believe in the professional skill of Nigerian cinematographers.
Absolutely, yes.
What is your crew like?
Wole Oni is the music producer; Nigeria-born, South Africa-trained cinematographer and video director, Oluyinka Davids (CEO of iFocus Pictures), is the director/cinematographer; while Bola Mogaji (CEO of Set Him Off Music) takes care of the management and public relations (PR) at the moment.
Why did you choose them among the lot?
They are good at what they do. I only work with the best hands, and they are the best; all multiple award-winners in their various fields.
Who picks the bill of the production?
I do. I look forward to sponsorship soon.
Supposing sponsorship does not come.
This is a dream I believe in; so sponsorship or not, I keep at it, as it will definitely and eventually pay off.
In all this project, where is your husband?
Always by me, supporting every move I make. He was used by God to give me the platform I stand on today.
Is he into anything music?
He loves music, hence the huge support I get from him. But he is into banking and finance.
How did you source your dancers in Nigeria for the video?
They are professional dancers and other music artistes, most of who are renowned gospel artistes, fellow colleagues, and with the help of my team (director, management and friends).
And you paid them?
Yes; I have to pay for their services.
You must be operating with a deep pocket.
You can say that again, but God is my sufficiency; I give Him all the glory.
It is believed that for you to do a good music video in Nigeria, you must spend a fortune. What was the budget of this your production?
That is so true; you really have to be prepared for it. The most important thing is the quality that you get. If it comes out good, you wouldn’t mind the cost after all.
So, what is the budget like?
It’s hard to be specific, but I must say that a lot went into it, as I was hoping to get a good result.
How does the cost compare with production in Ireland?
Considering the volatility in exchange rate and other intrinsic factors, I would think it is far more expensive to produce in Nigeria. But it’s really hard to say.
More expensive, still you decided to do the video here?
Yes! As the adage goes, “what’s worth doing at all is worth doing well”.
What is your perception of the Nigerian music videos that seem to make little sense?
Nigerian music videos have grown in leaps and bounds, in terms of their creativity, quality of the video shoots, the dancing, the interpretations, the story, the colour, the rich culture, the sound, even the quality of the songwriting are just a few of the things that make our music videos entertaining and now global. I am so proud of our work so far!
I refer to those that are just suggestive and project just glamour, without meaningful lyrics.
Really sad. The message in a song is what heals the soul. Glamour in music without a specific meaning is noise. I suggest patience be applied before coming out with any new song or video. Most people are in a hurry to bring out new songs, not minding the lyrics, and this is disturbing. Also the industry should be highly regulated to avoid what I call ‘dumping’ in music.
We should only do endearing works, works that last through ages and will bless others for generations. Let’s play those videos you are mentioning in another 20 years alongside ours, and then you tell me what you think!
From a little choir girl to now a band leader, what is your advice to young singers who want to be like you?
They should be patient, focused, believe in themselves, believe in their dreams and above all, believe in God, and everything will work out for good.
What next in your music career?
Release these songs, do a music video for one of them, then launch my EP mid-year, in a build-up to the completed album launch towards the end of the year.
What do you mean by EP?
Extended play – a musical recording that contains more than a single, but less than a full album.
Aside music, what else do you do for a living?
I am an administrator. I run a registered company in Ireland called SpringSuccess Productions Limited. We are into training, development and youth empowerment. It has been rewarding all these years, especially in a foreign land. All thanks to God.
What else have you benefitted from your stay in Ireland?
I graduated with a prestigious degree in economics and social studies from the National University of Ireland, Galway, in 2010.
Aside that, I have performed with the likes of Kim Burrell from the United States, Muyiwa Riversongz in the UK and many more. I have been invited to minister in Italy, France, Germany, Belgium and many other countries.
I released my debut album titled Hallelujah in 2010, and I have featured in various radio art programmes in Ireland where I proudly represented the African community very well.
