The Ghanaian band called V.I.P
People call them V.I.P. which literally means Very Important Personality in Nigerian parlance. For Promxzy, Lazzy and Prodigan, the trio that makes-up the upwardly mobile Ghanaian hip-life band, their celebrity status transcends Ghanaian borders. With their popular track, Ahomka Womu contained in the album of the same title, the group has become a toast of Nigerian party goers. As a result, V.I.P.'s ranking as one of the leading bands in the sub-region is further reinforced.
Apart from enjoying tremendous airplay on Nigerian broadcast stations, the artistes' performance in Benin at the last Kennis Music Easter Concert was a testimony to their popularity and wide acceptance in Nigeria.
In Nigeria, their music is not confined to the dance halls and social functions. Recently, VIP signed a promotional deal with Kennis Music and collaborated with hip-hop stars; Tony Tetuila and Tuface Idibia. The Nigeria/Ghana wedlock which was sealed on the platform of music has also prompted members of the group to take up residence in Lagos. Even, Prodigan is already shopping for a Nigerian girl to marry. Perhaps, that explains why when people ask them where they hail from, they would simply say, “we are Africans.”
While the group was in the country for last Kennis Music Easter Concert, Daily Sun engaged them in a chat. The band leader, Promxzy spoke on their union, their music, challenges, love for Lagos, philanthropic activities and their intention to use music to further cement Nigeria-Ghana relations.
The name VIP
VIP means Vision In Progress. We decided to use the name because we faced a lot challenges in life. We chose the name because we saw ourselves as youths with visions. Although we faced a lot of hardship surviving, today, our determination has finally led us to success.
Who are the VIPs
The group is made up three young men namely Lazzy, Promxzy and Prodigan. We came together about ten years ago. Before then, we were doing solo performances. In Ghana, the music business is competitive. We grew up in the ghetto where there was youthful exuberance, robbery and a large number of school drop outs. We decided to do a song to encourage the children and give them hope. Today, we are proud to say that we are role models in our communities.
There are some artistes who are naturally born with music talents. I was also born into music. My late father was a musician. I loved music right from when I was young. I appreciate music because it is a means of passing messages across to people.
How we started
I started playing music 15 years ago. We produced an album titled Bibibao (Something is coming) we have 8 tracks in it. We grew up in community of musicians. We sing in French and Hausa languages. We also use our own dialect, Ewe and English language.
We were born in the ghetto as musicians. There, we have been able to educate our peers on how to live responsible lives and stay away from drugs.
Philanthropic activities
We appreciate God for His mercies and we are showing this love and appreciation by assisting the less privileged in the society. We also engage in public enlightenment of our people and taking time to create public awareness on the issues of HIV/AIDS. We have offered sholarships to students in tertiary institutions. We also owe our manager, Goodies, all the appreciation because if not for his support, we might not have attained the level we are today.
Inspiration
I will say that the Lord is our inspiration. Also, our physical strength and our ability to touch peoples' lives.
Challenges
Actually, we were not born with silver spoons. Sometimes, our parents and relations did not give us the necessary support as artistes. At that time, most people considered music an ignoble profession. When we started hip-hop, many people didn't embrace it. At that time, when you take demo to a recording company, what you would get in return would not be encouraging. I also want to use these medium to encourage parents to support their children, in their career.
Albums (Promxzy)
We recorded an album titled Lumbe lumbe. The hip hop album was produced by Goodies Music in 2001. The album marked the beginning of our success as musicians. It recorded huge sales and enjoyed much airplay on TV and radio stations in Ghana.
We had other albums, like Yediaba which has about ten tracks and Ahomka womu which also contains ten tracks. Others, Full of Energy and My love contain 17 tracks each.
Relationship with Nigerian artistes
Ghanaians and Nigerians are one. We have been brothers and sisters. We share common ideals and it is a very good thing. We are also building that same solid relationship in music. We have cordial relationship with Tony Tetuila and Tuface Idibia. We did a collaboration with Tony Tetuila video clip for his new album titled Free Soldier. Eedris Abdukarim also featured in one of our albums. We also appreciate Kennis Music for including us in the Easter Concert tour of Lagos, Benin and Cotonou.
Love for Nigeria
We love Nigeria a lot and we enjoy their local delicacies; especially egusi soup and pounded yam. Anytime I visit Nigeria, I feel at home and I'd not wish to go back home. I'm glad to say that we are also resident in Nigeria because we have rented an apartment in Lagos. Nigerians are loving people and I'm happy to be associated with them.
Marriage
Lazzy: I need a woman that will love me for who I am and not for what I am. I'm still single and searching.
Prodigan: I wish to marry a Nigerian girl who is humble and well principled.
Proxmzy: I'm not searching, that is all I can say.
Kennis Music Awards
We have won several awards for excellence in Ghana. In 2004 we won the Best Hip-life Group of the year award. We also bagged Best Video Clip of the year award and we were nominated for the Kora Award in the same year. In Nigeria, we won the hip hop award held recently in Lagos. We dedicate the awards to all our fans.
New project
We are working on our new album titled My Luv in collaboration with Tuface. He is featuring in the album. In another track in the same album, titled Two women, we featured Tony Tetuila.
Advise to Nigeria artistes
They should be themselves. They should not lose hope but do the right thing at the right time. They should not fail to seek advice from their elders in the industry. They should stay away from drugs. Remember to play safe.
Future plans
We hope to have our music studio in Ghana. Moreover, we want to go into film production and also devote more time to fashion designing because we are designers. We make our clothes ourselves.
We also want to go into talent hunt to encourage youths and give fiancial assistance to the jobless, to engage in.
We also want to start giving out scholarship called VIP Scholarship awards to the underpriviledged in the higher institutions, but we want to do more than that. We want to take hip-life music round the world.