Though she’s been around for a long time, Delta State-born Uwale Okoro, also known as Essence, is yet to hit the A-list. The Facebook Lover crooner, in this interview with ’NONYE BEN-NWANKWO, talks about her life and career
Do you really think your latest album, Essential, is doing well in the market?
Well, I see it everywhere. I make it a point of duty to ask about it. I do one-on-one marketing to augment what the label is doing. I was in Warri recently and I saw the album as well. We thank God. We’re still expecting to do better.
In monetary terms, will you say the album is a success?
By God’s grace, this year has been good. God has been faithful. When others are saying there is a casting down, you will say there is a lifting up. I have been lifted up and I’m very grateful.
Is there anything in the pipeline?
We’re planning a reloaded album. I will have Facebook Lover remixed. It is going to be hot. I’m not going to compare it with the original track. It is going to stand on its own. It is going to be another song. We have so many songs to push and we’re going to push them.
A lot of people believe that the song wouldn’t have been a hit if not for Jaywon that you featured in it…
Really? Well, I stole some of Jaywon’s fans, if that is what they want to hear. His fans have become my fans. But seriously, I taught Jaywon to sing. When I was told to do a song with Jaywon, I told him that he would do the song like me. I told him he could do R and B and he actually did it. It brought out a unique side and style of Jaywon.
You are one of the oldest surviving artistes under Kennis Music. How come you are still there when some others have gone?
Where are the others who have come and gone now? Have they survived? I feel comfortable working under a family-like atmosphere. When you are in a family, there is no way you will be thrown out. Apart being an artiste, I’m also a human being who understands that somebody is taking his time and trouble to do what he is doing for the artiste. Baba Keke (Ogungbe) has a family. He has children. But for the love of the industry, he is sticking his neck out. And staying there has helped me as a person. Sooner or later, I might be in a situation where I can be of help to others. The seed of oneness that I have cultivated by being where I’m now will follow me when I get to that point.
But will it be right to say that you have remained with Kennis because you don’t have an alternative?
Being in this industry thus far has made me see a lot of things. I have seen a whole lot of people come and go. Some people come from abroad and promise you this and that if you join their label. I don’t want to be caught in that. A whole lot of artistes have been caught in that web and they are stuck. It has spoiled a lot of relationships. For me, relationships endure more than silver and gold. Money is a spirit. It goes round.
What kind of contract do you really have with Kennis? Won’t it expire?
I was Kenny St. Brown’s backup singer. I got signed on officially in 2004.
That has been a long time still…
I renewed my contract.
You begged them to renew your contract.
We sat down and talked about it. We decided on what to do. I had to be ready to work harder and churn out good songs. Then we signed the contract.
You are really among the known female artistes in the country but you are yet to be rated among the top in the industry, why?
It is a female problem. You can ask any female artiste. If you look at the line up for shows, you will only see one or two female artistes. I don’t know why it is like that. Maybe they feel we need too much pampering. I don’t know the reason. I’m trying to work towards that. In a situation we come together and showcase whatever it is that we have, then, they will begin to take us seriously. There is a limit to what we can do. There are some stunts we dare not pull as females. They believe that we don’t have songs that can rock the crowd. But we are churning out songs. We may have been resting on our oars and do love songs.
So, you don’t get invited to shows at all?
It is not as if we don’t do any. It is just that we don’t get to do the big concert shows. But we still do gigs, parties and AGMs (Annual General Meetings). They don’t call the guys for that. But we really need to connect with the diehard fans, the ones that go out to buy our CDs.
But don’t you think you would have made it if you had been into rap music like the Sashas, Mo Cheddahs and the Kels of this world?
But I don’t rap! I won’t do what I don’t know how to do! We know our talents and we stick with it. Most of the rappers don’t sing. I will not just come out and start rapping. For what? It is not my talent. I have fans who have followed my career for this period of time and I am not sure they will be there is I switch to rap.
Do you still sing the National Anthem?
I have not sung it in recent times. I have not done it this year. I was supposed to sing it at an award ceremony recently, but the organisers wanted me to do it alongside somebody who I hadn’t practiced it with. With due respect, I had to decline.
Do you still get royalties for the Super Story theme song you did?
It is not all about money. It is about relationship and I have a good relationship with Chief (Wale) Adenuga of Super Story. He is a nice man. He has been there for me. I easily ‘obtain’ from him.
Are there times you feel like quitting this industry, especially when the money is not rolling in?
Of course; there are some down times in everybody’s life. It has never really been about the money as I said earlier, it is about the passion. I love music and I eat and drink music. Only a handful of people get to understand you. You really would like to impact on a whole lot more. It becomes frustrating. Thank God for passion, friends and fans. When those times come, you will still see somebody that will come up to you and tell you he loves what you are doing.
Since you are the only one that sings in your family, do you have your parents’ support?
My cousins don’t get to understand me at times. I’m from a very conservative home. But they have come to realise that I won’t taint their name. Don’t forget that I pay my bills. I’m not asking anybody for money. My mum loves music my dad can’t sing to save his life, but he loves music. They are very supportive.
How do you cope with the scandals?
They affect me in the sense that they affect my family. It hurts them that I’m giving out so much yet people talk trash. Do they know that what they say affects my family? Is there no respect for family anymore? But that is the prize we have to pay. I know who I am. The truth will come out. We’re managing.
Have your forgiven Eddy Remedy for saying that you are KSB’s lesbian partner?
I don’t have anything to say. It is God that will do the forgiving. I know who I am. I know the daughter of whom I am. I know who KSB is. She is a wonderful mother. That story is old school.
Do you still talk to Eddy?
I have not run into him. I’m in the studio most time or I’m at home or I’m at shows. I don’t see him at shows and I don’t see him in my house and I don’t see him in the studio. I have not seen him on the road.
Do you think you will talk to him when you see him?
Let us wait and see.
There was a time you were rated the number two single ladies in the music industry.
Really? I didn’t know about that. That means I’m relevant. There are a whole lot of single women that nobody is talking about. I’m not going to get married because somebody said I should. I don’t intend to get married and jump out of the marriage. I intend to go in and stay.
So when are you getting married?
Soon.
But we have been hearing ‘soon’ for a long time now…
I can’t marry myself. A lot of people are rushing in and stumbling out. You will be sceptical about it. I know some people have fantastic marriages. This is not a race. It is not how fast or how soon.
Are you in any relationship?
Yes I am.
With who?
With a man.
Doesn’t he have a name?
I can only tell you that he is calm. I’m not giving you a name.
Is he going to marry you?
I hope so. I have not seen a ring yet, so I can’t start bragging.
Is he comfortable with your career?
My man is comfortable with it. That is the reason I like to keep my private life private. He knows who I am. Most of the time they say I am here or there, I’m with him. It is hilarious.
Goldie seems to be getting the most attention in your label now.
Goldie is a pop singer and I do R and B. We don’t do the same thing. Everybody has his time to shine in this industry. I have been in the industry for like ten years. I have my crowd and she has her crowd. If it is your time, what will I do? I can only support you so that you will also support me when my time comes as well. We all support each other.
How come you are not glamorous like most other singers?
I’m not flashy. I’m a trained theatre artiste. When I’m on the stage I’m a different persona. I’m telling a story. I can’t look ordinary on stage. Who will I pose for at home? They know who I am. I’m very simple.
You don’t even drive a posh car.
In these days of kidnapping? Hell no! I will not put a target on myself so that people will not come and kidnap me. I will buy a nice decent clean car. I don’t want anybody to kidnap me and tell my poor father to bring N250m.
Are you fulfilled?
I’m not complaining. A true artiste will never say they are fulfilled. Even Michael Jackson wasn’t fulfilled. He still had so much inside of him. But I’m grateful for where I am. I know more will still come.
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