Anogiri Exclusive Pt-1: I was told I wasn’t going to make it…

Posted on 15. May, 2010 by Omega Eee in 120 seconds

The Nigerian music industry is like a volcanic eruption pouring out fresh artistes daily. Some make it to the top while others keep trying to get to the pinnacle of Celeb-hood. Anogiri is today a household name that everyone can relate to. He came into the industry with something different. His music is full of energy with a message of hope and self belief. In this extraordinary interview with Streetnaij, he shares his life with us from a perspective never heard nor read before. Anogiri is one of the most sought after stars in Nigeria at the moment with several million copies of his Album “ignition” sold till date and demand massively outweighing supply. Our conversation with him proved that his personality remains one of the most outstanding in the music industry. Streetnaij present to you a true talented Nigerian. I hope you enjoy Part 1 with Part 2 coming soon

Streetnaij: Welcome to Streetnaij Anogiri
Anogiri: Thank you… How you doing my Brother?

Streetnaij: Not too bad at all. So, how did you come about the name Anogiri?
Anogiri: Anogiri is an adopted name. I come from Edo state Nigeria to be precise, Northern part of Edo state called Okpella. In my State, there’s this masquerade that is so colourful and the most sought after when it comes to entertainment. Anogiri is that Masquerade. For me, I chose the name because am trying to express firstly, that we are all artistes, we are all masquerades of some sort. We attract people with our different kind of costume. The costume I am referring to is that of the music itself. Its an avenue for me to express the ability of us being ourselves. That is, you should try and be yourself no matter what. I don’t wear masquerade costumes but I try to tell people that if you are dressed up or try to dress up like other people, it becomes the fakest thing to do in life. So, Anogiri means the Masquerade but goes on to tell people to be themselves in their various spheres of life.

Streetnaij: How did you get into music my Brother?
Anogiri: Like I said you know, sometimes, people tell you that they’ve been in music since birth or ages ago. I have been in music for quite along time. I made some tracks some years back that made Radio Hits but then the name wasn’t prominent. Hence, officially, I got here two years ago and my first official video hit the TV screen in October. Since then, its been Blisteringly hot and successful. Other videos came forth and other songs too. I’ll say its been two years official entry so to speak but if you want to talk about the Underground, every artiste will tell you that they’ve been there for quite a long time before they started making waves.

Streetnaij: What’s your greatest inspiration because the Swagger and Energy you put in your music is sublime.
Anogiri: If you have gone through tough ordeals in life with God helping you, and you have an opportunity to express it through songs, like in my own situation where it is expressed/illustrated in my songs, it helps a lot. My first inspiration is myself. That is, through God because it’s by his grace am here in the first place. I also have a lot of people that I look up to. These are guys who were able to hold strong to what they believed in. No matter all that was said about them, they formed light of their own. People like Fela Anikulapo-kuti, Femi Kuti, Tupac, Majek Fashek, are real and have been able to shine because they believed in their philosophy. For me, I have to be strong enough and believe that I can do it.

Streetnaij: Coming down to your tracks, the song “Oyibo” is massively loved by everyone, how did you come about that track? What’s the underlying meaning behind Oyibo?

Anogiri: Where am from (Edo state Nigeria), When a person is light skinned, we call the person “Oyibo”. I don’t know about any other part of the world but this is what we call them in Edo state. For me “Oyibo” is a story about a guy in love. He said the first time I walked up to her, she said her name was “IJ” for short. Hence, it’s a storyline of a guy in love trying to correct his wrong. In the process of the relationship, he did something wrong and trying to get her back, he had to plead in anyway he could through the song. He went as far as allowing paint to be poured on his body. He wanted to show that he will plead his case no matter what, how or where even on TV. So, its just a love song about a guy trying to get his love back. That is trying to say please.

Streetnaij: That’s interesting…So, what is the name of your Record Label?
Anogiri: The label is DKL Records. We’ve struck a deal and am with them. DKL is a great Record Label. Right now, we don’t work like CEO and Artiste kind of thing. We are doing this because we love it and just forging ahead with the flow. So DKL, na the name be that.

Streetnaij: The track “Na you know” blew most people away because of your originality and how distinct your style is. So, how did you come about that track and the meaning behind it?
Anogiri: You know my brother, life is about struggle and also the ability of you being able to hold on to what you believe in and get beyond a level unto another level till you get to a point where you know you have done your best. In life, in the course of your struggle, you come across people that come trying to give you some advice that are intended to mock you rather than a genuine advice on the way forward. I’ll give you an instance, personally, I had people that came at one point to say, “are you sure you going to make it?.. When is this thing going to come out?… I think you should just try and do something else”. So, for people like that and other people that are not ready to wait for the right time, its like saying, if you don’t see God’s blessing in me at this point, Na you know.

Laughter Erupts……

When I got to Lagos, someone promised helping me with the Record thing but kept me there for a while. However, when I hit the airwaves, it was an instant thing. The response and acceptance of my songs was amazing and I know it’s not my strength but because God had that in his plans for me. So, for those that did not see this coming, Na them know.

Streetnaij: You seem to be very close to KC-Presh. How is your relationship with them? You appeared in the video Ebengwori.
Anogiri: Ebengwori was done by both sides. Its their song and also mine. Its like me and KC-Presh collab cause the song is on my album too. it’s a song that we did together. My VCD is going to carry the song too. KC-Presh and I are under the same Record label. We just decided to put the track together and make a hit song from it. As you know, by the grace of God, we put it to the people and they like it. So, KC-Presh are very wonderful people and we are under one family, one Record label. That’s how close we are.

Streetnaij: Some say you were first based in Canada, what prompted you to move back to Nigeria if that’s true?
Anogiri: Its not like a based thing but just traveling. I was in South Africa (SA) but, when you are doing music and you have to be recognized first by your people, you do it because you believe strongly that home is where it has to start from no matter what happens. For me it was my comeback, my meeting with DKL Crew and the deal struck by both parties that keeps me strong here. Canada was like an experience and not really a place that I stayed. South Africa was more of a place that I stayed but not like based there. I traveled to various places but came back. What am trying to say is that I’ve been in Nigeria but a lot of people think I stayed in these places which is quite incorrect. Where I really stayed more was in SA but am here (Nigeria). I came home and did what I had to do. However, its crazy when you are like the new kid on the block and somehow, the acceptance is so massive and suddenly you become an old kid on the block

Laughter Erupts…….

Streetnaij: Generally, if you look at your album, you as a person, Anogiri the artiste, where you from, the places you’ve been and the people that have actually inspired you, what message are you trying to pass across with your songs?
Anogiri: The Theme could bear stories of love and all that but basically, I try to pass a message of Hope, self belief and commitment to God because I strongly believe in the power of God. Its not by my power that am at this level today because when people from places as far as Moscow (Russia) that don’t speak English, call to say that they are listening to your song, its amazing. Though I did a love song like “oyibo”, the basic message that my song seeks to offer is Hope, self belief and believe in God.

WATCH OUT FOR PT 2

Tags: Anogiri, DKL Records, Fela Anikulapokuti, Femi Kuti, KC Presh, Majek Fashek, Na you know, Oyibo