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I remember the co-producer saying, Nneka you need to go back to the studio record those songs, and I say to myself I think they are cool the way they are, they sound natural so we had a lot of thinking to do. I couldn’t imagine this entire records was going to go so high, of course I have faith in what I do, but as an independent record, it was the first time I released something independently, it’s a different procedure a different approach I’m very close to peoples I’m working with the management, the promo team the distributors and so on. You know up to now, I have been on a major record label where you do not have that attachment to people, you don’t really see the amount of stress that is behind the work, it reminded me of my beginning, and the support of my fans has been awesome so far.
Job is known in the bible as a fearless man who asks God some crucial questions, we have the feeling that in the same vein, you ask some crucial questions to decision makers in this world. Is it true? Is like you are asking those who have the power, to move things to do the right thing…
Yes of course, you have brilliantly put it there, but at the same time I have my relationship with God. I think Job was very strong, and I would like to see many other peoples and myself react that way. Even if here and there, there are challenges, which make the task more arduous.
Looking back at your career so far if you had to do it again what will you change?
Nothing at all
Earlier you were talking about the image of artists, stating that they have a responsibility since their profession as gained some prominence over the years, and they should be an example to follow. So, I won’t talk just about Africans, but I will talk about black people worldwide. Do you think in general the image black artists are selling around the world regarding black peoples is fair enough, even though a lot of people are complaining about the bad image they are projecting in the diaspora?
Woah! that is a big one. I think that we could definitely be more responsible… but in fact it depends of the kind of artist you are. Some people do it just for money and fame, because they want to be seen on TV, win a Grammy or an Oscar. It depends of what drives you, it’s just like shoes in the market you have different types, those which are cheap comfortable, expensive, uncomfortable, and so forth. Sorry that is the way human beings are, and sorry to compare what we are creating, to vulgar shoes. It depends of what drives you what makes you do what you do, if you are concerned or not. I think we must be aware of the acts we are posing we are a minority; we need to be concerned regarding our history. Point blank we need to be concerned that is all I have to say. We need to be cautious and conscious
In our side, I think it’s fair enough not blame just the artists, but I should blame us too, the journalists. Do you think that since we are giving so many spotlights on some type of musicians we are contributing to this problem, helping that type of behavior by exposing it the media. Do you agree with me that we have our part of liability?
Of course I agree with you. You chose what you air, you chose what you write about, you are giving news to the masses you are the intermediary the filter you are the mounting piece of the artist. I will say your responsibility is even bigger. (Smiles)
Yes I will say that; because if we don’t show anything they won’t see anything (smiles)
You seem to me a very sensitive artist, does your feelings and personal experiences are tainting your work?
Definitely. I think so definitely. My experience as a person as a Nigerian, as a woman, in what