By Tofarati Ige
Five Star Music signee and Beta Pikin singer, Harrysong has revealed that he is having the best of times at the record label where he calls home at the moment, thus he has no plans of leaving anytime soon.
In this chat with qed.ng, the bald-headed singer who is in a solemn mood having recently lost his father also speaks about his forthcoming album, his marriage plans, among other issues. Excerpts…
What are you up to at the moment?
I’m preparing for my album right now, and the expectations are very high. For me as Harrysong, and as a writer, I have to meet up so it’s very challenging for me. The sound right now in the industry is just going in one direction, and it is expected of us as content providers to change it and also balance it. In the next one month, my album will be released.
Right now, we can say you’re in a solemn mood due to the loss of your father, will that impact on the sound of your album?
Not at all, though it’s a big loss for me. I was the only child of my father, so the whole responsibility is on me, but at the same time, I’m a man and I have to rise to the occasion. This is also the time for me to show to my fans that I will not let them down, and I also have to balance my family life.
Can you recall what exactly you were doing when you got the news of your father’s demise?
Yes, I was on my way to Delta State for a show when I heard about it on the phone. You can imagine the excited and hyper mood I was in before I got the news, and the sadness that came after, with tears falling out of my eyes. However, I had to perform in about three hours after that, and I had to make my fans happy, and come back to my family afterwards. After that day, I had to cancel one show because I had to attend a family meeting, but I wouldn’t cancel anyone again because I have to keep things balanced.
Did you break the news to your fans while you were on stage?
I did not because I didn’t want them to be unhappy.
How would you describe the relationship with your late dad?
I will miss him for two major things: his advices, and his funny jokes. He was a very funny man.
What’s the most important lesson your father ever taught you?
Since I became Harrysong, his punchline has been just marriage, marriage, marriage. He wanted me to give him a child.
So are you going to be fulfilling his wish soon?
I will get married…I’m looking for the right person to fulfill that wish. Just know that it’s going to be soon.
What are the qualities you want in your wife?
It’s all about connection and trust. It has to be someone I can connect to. Love is not complete and sure without trust. Basically, I want a pretty girl that can cook very well, because I love to eat my native food. She also has to believe in God. To sum it up, I’m looking for a ‘Beta pikin.’
Or is that you’re looking for a ‘high class’ girl that will match your status, sort of like a trophy wife?
I’m not that kind of person; I didn’t come from that type of background and I’m not thinking in that direction. I have to be with someone that I love, and who loves me in return.
What’s your relationship with other members of Five Star Music?
This is like one big family, and I have a great relationship with everybody. We work together as a team, and also move together. I am working towards calming the sound as against the ‘one-way’ traffic of the industry.
How supportive have they being after your father’s death?
Thanks to Kcee and E-Money…they are supportive in every way.
Are you going to be recording a tribute song for your dad?
I’m thinking of doing a song for him; maybe after the burial.
What’s the most money you’ve ever made from selling a song, and which was it?
Two million Naira, though I can’t tell you the name of the song.
Is there really a market for song writers in Nigeria because it seems the industry is not ready for that yet?
There is a market for song writers. We’re getting to that point where we have the right platform for that. We have good and fantastic writers here in Nigeria, but because they’re not recognized, it’s becoming very difficult. The Bible says, ‘Many are called, but few are chosen,’ so I see it as a privilege and grace for me to be recognized. Many artistes that cannot write feel inferior about it, and it’s not supposed to be so. In other climes, stars are not ashamed to sing songs written by other people.
Can you recall the worst performance you’ve ever had?
That was many years ago when I wasn’t really known. I was performing at O’jez Night Club and the people there were not interested in what I was singing; it was like they just wanted me to finish up and leave the stage.
Some people feel you might be leaving Five Star Music soon, would you address that?
That’s not true. I am very comfortable here, and they’re treating me fine. Like I said earlier, this is like a family and I appreciate everything we’ve done together. I don’t have any plans to leave now.
Is Limpopo the only song you’ve written for Kcee?
The thing is that at Five Star Music, we work together. When I have a studio session, Kcee, E-Money, Soso and Skibii are always there too, and everybody makes inputs. It’s a situation whereby somebody brings the melody, another person brings the chorus…that’s just how it goes down.
Last words to your fans?
They should just keep their fingers crossed, and expect the new sound to be unveiled soon.
