I won’t smoke, drink or womanise –T-Blaze

T-Blaze

’Nonye Ben-Nwankwo, and Ademola Olonilua

Fast rising artiste, T-Blaze, tells Saturday Beats about his career

Why did you decide to be a rap artiste?

I chose to become a rap artiste as a kid and that was shortly after I first listened to foreign rap artistes. I fell in love with the music and could not shake the sound and lyrics out of my head. Ever since then, I have been harnessing my skill as a rap artiste and I have not looked back.

Who exposed you to rap music?

I listened and watched most of my favourite rap artistes on television. Also, my brother

was an ardent lover of rap music so he also influenced my love for the genre. I started out by freestyling in front of the mirror whenever I was alone and when I saw that I was getting better at it, I became more confident and began to perform in front of people.

At what point did it change from being a hobby to a career?

That was immediately after my National Examination Council exams and that was when I was in SS3. There was a competition that a radio station organised and I was a part of it. At first, I thought it was a normal programme until I was briefed that it was a competition. I emerged the winner in the competition and since that day, I decided that I would make music a career. I told myself that if I could surpass all those people and emerged winner, then the sky is my limit when it comes to this rap game. There were a lot of artistes there but I was not intimidated.

At 17, one would think that education would be your priority.

I would not let my music affect my studies. My father told me that after God, my education comes next, then every other thing would follow suit. Education is my priority.

Has your father always favoured your career?

When I started, nobody in my family knew except my brother and that was because he knew how much I love rap music and how hard I practised. It was not till I won the competition that my parents got to know about my talent. At first, my father was sceptical but later, he said that if it is something I like, I should go ahead with it because nobody knows what the future holds. His only condition was that I should not allow the music affect my studies.

With the numerous rap artistes in Nigeria, do you really believe you have what it takes to succeed and compete?

Yes, I believe I do with God by my side.

We learnt you write your songs, what inspires you?

Inspiration comes from everything I encounter. It could be when I am walking on the road or what I hear from people. I draw my inspiration from everything.

How would you describe your rap?

I am trying something new. I don’t want to be put into a box. Today, I could rap in fluent English and if I am inspired to rap in Yoruba or any other language tomorrow, I would go for it. I just want to be different from other rap artistes.

What are some of the measures you have put in place to ensure that your education is not affected by your music?

 I face my studies squarely when I am in school but whenever I am on break, I give my music undivided attention. I have time for music now because I just finished my secondary school education and I would soon be a student of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology. So during this break, I am recording songs till I gain admission. I believe in giving to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to Him. I would create that balance and I believe that my education would not be affected.

The music industry is one associated with vices like smoking and drinking alcoholic substances. As a youngster getting into the industry, are you not scared you might pick such vices?

I don’t think I am going to pick up any of that because of my background. Right from when I was a kid, my parents have trained me in the right way, in the way of the Lord and I cannot depart from their teachings. They have preached and warned me against such, so I don’t think it’s something I would engage in. I don’t see anything positive in smoking or drinking. That’s my thought on the subject matter.

How would you cope when the ladies begin to flock around you?

That is where discipline comes to play. I would try to discipline myself and I don’t think I would get carried away by such.

What are the challenges you have faced so far?

It has not been very easy, especially going to shows and facing some embarrassments but I would keep on pushing further because I know I have a very bright future in this industry.

You are planning to redefine the Nigerian entertainment industry, how do you intend to do that?

When we look at the industry today, there are lots of things which ought not to be but the youths of today see those as being trendy. For instance, being an artiste is not an excuse to drink, smoke illicit substances or womanise. Being an artiste does not mean you have to be proud or be unapproachable by fans. These are some of the things I want to change; I want to be a role model and a mentor. I want to be a megastar yet be approachable by everyone who needs me. I want to make the industry sane again.