MIKE ANORE
Despite the success being recorded in the Nigerian music industry, Mike Anore, an upcoming musician believes that the educational aspect of music is being undermined.
He, however, wants much attention paid to the entertainment aspect far above the educational value of the various musical genre. He said that the situation had led to low quality performances of artistes, producers, video directors and other service providers, in the sector.
Background
I hail from Ewohimi, in Esan South-East Local Government area of Edo State. I was born and raised in Sapele, Delta State where I did my primary and secondary school education. My mum is a native of Otefe-Oghara also in Delta State. I relocated to Lagos in 2003, and I now work in a medical laboratory.
How I started
I remember I loved singing as a child, way back in Sapele. That was my motivation for joining the choir of the Will of Christ branch of the C.A.C, Sapele. At that time, my elder brother, Kelvin Ibobi, who is now based in Germany and his bosom friend, Brother Godwin, were our choir masters.
We could say that it was like a juvenile thing spurred by instinct. As the days went by, I knew that I might end up singing. But sincerely, the meteoric rise of the Nigerian music industry as it is today, inspired me to hit the studio to record five of my songs.
Role models
I grew up to like Dr. Nelson Mandela. In the area of music, I was highly influenced by Michael Jackson, Bob Marley, Majek Fashek, The Mandators and Onyeka Onwenu.
Inspiration
I derive inspiration from things around me; the people, the social imbalance, the poverty of the masses against a thieving political few.
Challenges
This is interesting. There will always be challenges in life. However, what is important to me is to remain undaunted. Like most up and coming artistes, getting the required finance has been a critical issue I need more studio time, I want to fine tune the songs. Our paltry budget cannot take us far. That's how the teacher's song came about. I believe things can always get better, not worse.
Record label
For now, I am not attached to any label. I'm still promoting the Teacher song. It's currently enjoying airplay.
Why I have no nickname
My name is my name and nothing else. Why should I use a pseudonym? I'm proud of my name. If Fela could change his name from Fela Ransome Kuti to Fela Anikulapo Kuti -a tongue-twister, why shouldn't I use mine? By the time I have my break I might even add my middle name, Ochuko... (laughs).
Nigerian music industry
When you listen to some artistes or watch their videos, you would begin to wonder if their songs have local inputs. Little wonder, foreign-based Nigerian artistes are rushing back home. Other talents who were hitherto forced to join other professions are also coming back. This is just the beginning! The more the merrier.
Piracy
It's a big blow on intellectual property. And that's why one is happy that government has tagged it economic crime. By that, any pirate caught by the Nigerian Copyright Commission will be handed over to the EFCC for prosecution. I plead with the police to assist the NCC in its serious fight against the menace. We have the market and there's no reason why artistes and other stakeholders should not reap the fruits of their labour.
Your plans
My next plan is self development I want to deliver tighter jobs. The industry is pushing us towards excellence.
Advice
In Nigeria, we try to infuse that unique Nigerian and African feel. That is what makes our songs stand out anywhere in the world. That gives them the unique African touch. However, the same can't be said about our videos. We are too Westernized. We are aping Americans. We can still add that touch of the afro feel through costumes, location or set design or even the kind of props we use. I appeal to other artistes and directors to let that unique Nigerian feel shine through in their videos.
That way nobody can beat us in the game. But doing it the other way makes us copycat and second fiddle.