Daily Independent (Lagos)
11 October 2008
interview
From his personality to his composition, he has an image that depicts that of a musician who has a future in the entertainment industry. Paschal Uche Ejikeme a.k.a Etcetera, is a diligent and hard working artiste. He was in our office during the week and spoke with Trainee Reporter, Anthonia Soyingbe, on why he just came up with his first album after a decade in entertainment.
How did you get into music?
There is just one particular word I love to use whenever I am asked this question and that is that I stumbled into music.
How did you stumble into music?
I was a member of the Catholic Youth Organisation (CYO); we brought our musical equipment and we were to lunch it to the congregation on one particular Sunday. We called on some professionals to help us out and they charged so much. I felt bad and the highpoint of the whole scenario was when they walked out on us. I approached our president and told him that I'd like to work on the piano and he gave me his consent, I took it home and I started learning the primary cord and nursery rhyme. That was how the journey began and I felt I could make a career out of music. As soon as I discovered that it was going to be music I decided to work on myself because every house that is built on a shaky foundation will definitely crumble. I learnt the basics and the rudiments of music and I went to the Music Society of Nigeria (MUSON) to learn how to play the piano very well. I did the practical stuff, industrial training if you like, in the Church. I learnt how to play different types of music in different churches, later I went to the studio to do the recording in 1998.
What has been your experience so far in the industry?
It has been wonderful and challenging. Challenging in the sense that you have to contend with the piracy issue, which has really eaten deep into the industry. There is also 'pull him down' syndrome where people don't want their fellow human beings to grow, and distribution and royalty challenges. I have to contend with all this in the industry. It is wonderful because you sometimes get reward for your sweat. Some people say we have a music industry; I think we don't have an industry yet because what we have is some few individuals who try to make things work for themselves against the system. We have a lot of problems in the industry.
What measures do you think can be taken by the relevant government bodies to tackle the problems in the industry?
There should be laws because without laws there will be no meaningful development in the industry. There should be anti-piracy laws and laws that will promote artistes in the industry so that artistes will eat from the fruits of their labour. Personally I am not into music because I want to be famous but I am into music because I know I can do well in music and that is why I am giving my best to music.
While you were growing up did you fancy any particular music?
Every kid growing up will love one kind of music or the other. I grew up when Michael Jackson was really in vogue. I was listening to all sorts of music then. I am into rock music because I love strings and the piano.
Why did you choose rock music?
Because that is the best way I can be in music. You have to get a particular music genre that can best interpret your personality.
Do you think that there are prospects for you in this your line of music?
If there was no prospect for me in rock music I wouldn't have performed with foreign artistes like Boys II Men, Joe and a couple of other foreign artistes that have been here in Nigeria. For me, it has been very cool. The first album I produced according to my record label, sold over a million copies and you know what that means if a record label in Nigeria can say you sold over a million copies, definitely you must have sold more than that.
My brand of music has paved the way for me. I just came back from South Africa where I performed live with an artiste there.
How many countries have you performed in?
I have been to all West African countries; I was in South Africa lately. I will be going back to South Africa in December because I collaborated with a South African artiste. I want to go and shoot the video for the song. I will be going to Germany next year for a musical concert and I will also tour some part of Europe for the concert.
Have you ever collaborated with an indigenous artiste?
I have done that with a couple of indigenous artistes but I want to spread my tentacles all over the continent. I believe that we are all one and music is a universal language, which everybody understands. There is no restriction for me.
Who are your role models in the industry?
I appreciate the likes of Ebenezer Obey, King Sunny Ade and the late Sonny Okosuns because of their kind of music.
How many albums have you produced?
This is my first album and I hope to go to the studio in a few months time to produce my second album, but I want to feature some foreign artistes.
Why are you just coming out with your first album having been in the industry for the past 10 years?
Music is like cooking food. If you want to cook first you get the ingredients, the utensils and you cook to your satisfaction, when the food is ready you are the first person to taste the food before you serve others. The same process applies to music you have to like yourself, listen to your song over and over and you must be your number one fan before you present it to the world. You just have to take your time so that you can get it right.
Tell us more about your album?
It is a 15-track album produced by X3M music and it includes the single, 'Land of the Rising Sun.' Some of the songs are about life and others are about what people are going through in the society.
How did you come about the name Etcetera?
When you listen to my music now, the same way you feel now is the same way you will feel if you listen to it in 20 years. I have really worked on myself and I think I deserve the best. When you work on yourself, you get to a point in life where you will have confidence in yourself. I am the worst critic of my work and my songs if I am contented with my song then the audience will also be satisfied.
Tell me more about your background?
I'm from a family of nine children and my father was a prison officer. I was born in Warri and I had a bit of my primary education in Warri before I proceed to Lagos for my secondary education. When I decided that I was going into music I went to MUSON to acquire more knowledge about music.
Do you have any plan to further your education later?
To me, you can pick knowledge from anywhere because the world is a big classroom. Everything we do in life is all about learning and learning is not restricted to the classroom education alone but we can pick knowledge from the streets. I will definitely go back to the classroom to acquire more knowledge.
You must have earned so much with music.
Yes. I'm not complaining but I think I have equally paid my dues. Just few weeks back I was robbed, my car was taken away and other valuables in my car. But I'm not complaining because despite the attack, bad roads and harsh economy to me Nigeria is the best country in the world and this is the only country you can be successful in if you are hardworking.
You are good looking, women must be falling over themselves to be with you and why this hair style?
Thank you for that complement for I must confess to you that I am still very single. As for my hair style, to be honest with you I don't know what to do with it hence I have to leave it like this and I don't want to look like every other guy on the street I want to be different.
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