Daily Independent (Lagos)
9 July 2009
interview
Andrew Kelvin Ashaka, an Estate Management graduate, is a budding artiste set to take the Nigerian music scene in a storm. Known to his fans by a strange stage name, AK 47, he aims at shooting himself to stardom in no distant time. Despite a hit album, 'Arrest Me,' currently creating waves in the industry, Ashaka says he is yet to arrive. He also speaks on the rising hip-hop, rap culture among contemporary musicians, challenges in the industry and the ways out, in this interview with GROUP LIFE EDITOR, Emeka Alex-Duru. Excerpts:
How did you come about this your strange stage name, AK 47?
Well, I am Andrew Kelvin Ashaka. Actually that is my supposed stage name. But when a couple of things and couple of people on street heard my song they felt that I should go by the name AK 47. The truth is that to be able to get to the street you have to have a little bit of them and a little bit of you put into your work. So, the street actually called me AK 47, otherwise I should have been called AK Ashaka Lee.
What type of music do you actually play?
Hip-hop, rap.
Why hip-hop rap, why not highlife or any other thing?
Well, this is something that comes from the inside not something I really delve into because I felt like doing it. It is what I am, who I actually am. That is why I do rap.
Would you describe yourself as an amateur or professional musician?
I will call myself a professional musician because I have been into music for a couple of years now, for four years to be precise. And I have done a couple of shows in Calabar and even here in Lagos. Yes, I am a professional musician.
Do you have any album right now?
Yes, I have an album released but not officially released because I'm yet to launch it formally. But it is released already, which goes by the title Arrest Me AK 47 Ashaka Lee.
What actually led you into music?
Apart from the fact that it is in-born, my society did. It is the only way I can talk to the people and strengthen them, enlighten my people to believe in themselves. I am not a pastor, but I think it is not just music like you see it. It is also a ministry. There might just be some ministries that get into gospel that you know, but I am just out to change my people's mentality, especially the way they think, the way they handle affairs, the way they live their normal life. I am sorry to say it but if you look at the Nigerian content, a lot of people are not happy with where they are. They are not doing what they are supposed to do. There is something we call non-fulfillment, causing depression, which is why most Nigerians are always angry at the slightest mistake by fellow Nigerians. But in this case I am trying to teach them the way to live free life because I am free now, which is why I went further to say "arrest me." And if you can't arrest me, if I am free, then you too on the street can enjoy freedom. So, that is my main reason for going into music.
I was about to ask you why the choice of the name Arrest Me. Have you been arrested or were you suggesting to be arrested?
No, like I told you, I am trying to empower the people. I am trying to inform the people that if you choose to do what you want to do, though it might be difficult trying to do that which you believe in, nobody can really stop you. They might try. They might tell you all sorts of nonsense that you are not supposed to be this. You are supposed to be like me. You are not supposed to be like other guys. I mean, you cannot be held down. You are the only one who can hold yourself down. That was the reason for the title of that album, Arrest Me. If I can't be arrested, then you cannot be arrested. It means that you can still be free. It is another way of saying I am free. But instead of you using the words 'arrest me' put me in the jail, and throw in the keys. But I am free. You can't arrest me. So, you also on the street cannot be arrested. You cannot be touched.
Are you daring somebody to arrest you?
Nobody can arrest me, not even the police because I am not a criminal.
What has it been like, I mean the fan base? How are you being appreciated?
By God's grace, ladies, women even grandmothers, children and the youths. But I will say that the youths have problems. To them it is competitive. When you are doing what they cannot do, they could snob you and hate you. But then, for the children and adults, I am talking about parents, have been very appreciative. They have been very supportive. To that extent, I think it is a very great thing coming from my environment, my community and Nigeria as a whole.
What have been the major challenges encountered by you in music?
My major challenge is money. Money and that man out there whom God is yet to send to rescue me. It is not facing the people. It is doing my kind of music. It is not working in the studio, but money. So, I really want to take my project to the height. For instance, I want work with Dr. Dre of America, the guy who produced most of Tupac's albums, the guy who actually saw 50 Cent to limelight.
What are you doing to counter that problem of money?
Although, I am working, like I told you, my album has not been officially released. It means that I am doing something. It is already in the market. People are feeling it gradually. That is what is good for all upcoming artistes. But then, there is hope. And I know that God is about to come and push me to that man who is actually going to elevate my standard.
How would you assess Nigerian contemporary music? Do you think it is doing well or not?
It is doing too well already. It is doing so well compared to a couple of years back. Now, hip-hop is the in thing. By God's grace Nigerian music is spreading all over the world. I mean foreign music is no longer aired on our TV and even on radio stations much. It is now more of the Nigerian music all over the world, most especially Africa. Nigeria music has taken over Africa. Nigerian artistes are being respected. It is a wonderful thing. Nigerian music is big now. It is really big.
A lot of you guys are going into music for one reason or the other probably because of unemployment. Do you see yourself leaving music in the event of getting another thing better?
No, I can't leave music. I have started it and I shall die with it by God's grace. I am a graduate. I graduated since 2002. I have a white-collar job. I do menial job sometimes. I have to act records with a couple of artistes to make more money. The fact is that if I have not gone out to look for a white collar job all this while, then I am not going to do it now that I am on the verge of exploding, bringing out what I am actually born to do. I intend playing music for live. And then for those going into music solely for moneymaking, you know, when the money doesn't come they quit. But in my case I am not in music to make money. Yes, money always comes alongside like a crown. But then you have to do the job. You have to do what you have been asked to do, what you have been sent to do, what you have been called to do, and which is what I am going to do.
Did I hear you say you were a graduate?
Yes, I am a graduate. I graduated since 2002. I read Estate Management from the Federal Polytechnic, Auchi, and did the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in 2003/2004, with my NYSC discharge certificate intact.
And you do not want to make use of your certificate?
Like I told you, when you doing music and really love what you are doing the others may not be necessary. My certificate is good. Without my certificate I wonder what I will be doing in rap music because rap is for very intelligent people. But the fact is that I don't need the certificate right now. All I needed it for is to be that I am a graduate. That is all, because I have more to offer than going to get a job and be locked up in one confinement and at the end be frustrated.
I was trying to ask why is it that many of you are going into this hip-hop rap?
Well, many can go but the few will always be chosen. It is not about how many people going for hip-hop rap. It is just that Nigerians are beginning to see the light. They are beginning to know that this is the truth. Hip-hop is not just music, but a movement. It is like a culture. It is the light for the people, which is why we who are into rap songs are not expected to show what we have on stage alone. It is supposed to reflect in the way we live, the way we eat, even when we take our bath, when we get married, when we have our children. It is our nature. It is our life. It is a culture. So, a lot of people go into rap, yes, because they are beginning to appreciate the movement. It is a good thing because we need more people. Like I said it is a movement and so we need as much people as we get in this movement.
Most musicians are known to lead rough life, drinking, smoking, womanising. In which of these do you belong?
I had told you before that my music is not just music per se. It is also a ministry. And when you are talking about the ministry here, it has to do with God. We are talking about God here. And what will pass across to the public. Now, I told you I didn't go by the name AK 47, but the street called me that. Fine, but then this AK 47 is a different one. The AK 47 is to heal and not kill people. So, I am not out to destroy my listeners, my fans. No, I am out to educate them. I am out to show them the light. And so I wouldn't go about drinking, womanising impregnating women. No. I am out to heal people, heal the street, where I come from, where I love and of course where I belong.
What advice or words of cheers would you want to give to your fans?
Wao! You are great out there. All of you who cherish my name AK 47, all of you who remember me, who love my song Arrest Me because it is doing well as shown by my fans. And even those who are yet to be fans, and even my enemies, I love you too because the Bible says that we should not hate. I do not hate you. I love you all.
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