INTERVIEW: "My Music says I'm not a perfect Human Being" - Badmus Abdulazeez [Tempo]

- Welcome to Campus Verve Interview Stories. Can we meet you sir? Name? Insights to your background? 

My name is Badmus Abdulazeez [Tempo]
   I was born into a family of six and raised in Ibadan, Oyo state where I completed my primary and secondary school education.

 - What first got you into music?

1) I think it was when I was little... then my Dad bought a lot of Indian movies for us back home, So I developed a likeness for the way they sang in the movies and I tried to imitate them ...although, I sang rubbish most of the time.. Smiles. 

- Who inspired you to make music? 

 2) I have been inspired by a lot of great artists in the past and now ...so it's not really someone in particular

- How would you describe the music that you typically create?

3) I mix afrobeat with a little bit of soul music and many other elements...i basically do afrofusion.

- What is your current music project about?

4) It's about the way the society views African beauty among women.. 

- When did you start writing music? 

 5) I started writing songs when I was a child around 8 years or so

 - What inspires your writing? Do you draw inspiration from poems, music, TV, or other media? 

 6) I get inspiration from anywhere: movies, other music I listen to and so on ..funny enough, it was a Korean movie I watched a long time ago that inspired my latest single "Nobody else"

- How do you go about writing a song? Do you have a melody in your head and then write the other music for it? 

 7) yes , it first starts with a hunch... I may be eating, exercising or doing anything then the melody of the song suddenly comes to my head then I work on it afterwards. 

 - Would you like to collaborate with anyone? If so who and why? 

 8) I would love a collaboration with Cynthia Morgan cause I like her style of singing 

- How do you deal with writer’s block?

9)

- Do you enjoy recording and production?

10) yes I do, music is something I love so much.

- Where was your last song recorded? 

 11) it was recorded at Teekay Studio

- Which famous musicians do you admire? Why? 

 12) Vado... he is really talented 

- Do you sing in the shower? What songs?

13) smiles.. not anymore 

- What does your music say about you?

14) My music says am not a perfect human being and at one point or another we all deserve to feel loved and connected.. 

- What would you be doing right now, if it wasn’t for your music career? 

 15) I would be an actor cause I love acting in stage plays and all

- Where did you perform recently? 

16) that would be a wedding party at around mokola ..

- What are your favourite and least favourite venues? Do you have any upcoming shows? 

 17) My most favorite Venues are variety nights especially the one held by the school and I don't really have a least favorite venue, it's mostly about the vibe you give to the crowd I don't have any upcoming show for now..

 - How do you feel the Internet has impacted the music business? 

 18) The internet has really impacted the Music Industry positively.. It has made music marketing and promotion a lot easier for everyone

- What is your favourite song to perform?

19) That would be my single "OJAY" ...i like the way people react to it. 

- What is the most trouble you’ve ever gotten into?

20) Smiles.... It was when I was in secondary school... I did something really naughty and some guys ganged up and wanted to beat me up.

- Were you influenced by old records & tapes? Which ones? 

 21) yes.. Mostly those by Elvis Presley 

- Do you perform in public? Describe those occasions? Concerts, radio, TV? 

 22) Sure... I perform at dinners, wedding parties, birthday parties, clubs, variety nights and so on .. 

- Do you play for dances? Step-dancers?

23) No 

- How do you handle mistakes during a performance? 

 24 ) Mistakes are bound to happen during shows but I just forget about them immediately and move on with the performance. 

- Do you get nervous before a performance or a competition? 

 25) Sure.. I do get nervous but when I get on stage and look at the faces of my fans ,I try to erase the nervousness and give them a very good performance.. Also I get motivated by them especially when I see how eager and excited they are to see me perform... I really appreciate them

- What advice would you give to beginners who are nervous? 

 26) everyone feels nervous at one point or another but with time , you get used to it. 

- Do you have any other plans relating to your latest release? A video? Online Shows? 

 27 ) Am still contemplating on that .. 

 - What can we expect from you within the next 6 months? Any releases planned? Future gigs?

28) Yes, am currently working on two projects ...

- What are your plans for any future releases?

29) I plan to make the release massive and the song really good to listen to with 

- Are you planning any videos for your music?

30) sure... especially for my first two tracks

- Do you attend sessions? What makes a good session?

31) Yes I do... What makes a good session is when the producer and the artiste are on the same page because ,thats what makes a session fun and easier

- How often and for how long do you practice?

32) I practise for a long time before I record... I can still remember how long it took me before I did the final studio recording for "OJAY" because I had to get my vocals and the lyrics in a perfect condition. 

- How do you balance your music with other obligations - partner, family, school?

33) I try to get every other aspects of my life in a good state but it's not been an easy task

- What is the best advice you’ve been given? 

 34) I think that would be to always do whatever you love to do no matter how little it is because life is short and we will only end up blaming ourselves if we didn't get enough out of it. 

- If you could change anything about the industry, what would it be? 

 35) If I could, I would change the funding of the Music Industry because the entertainment industry as a whole isnt funded as expected and this has really discouraged a lot of talents out there.

- What's your advice for other young music artists?

36) Just stick to whatever you are doing, a breakthrough is definite when your time comes but don't forget the inner circle ( your friends, parents, well wishers and all) when you finally make it. Thank you for having me. 

Thank you so much for your time sir and how've chosen to be a source of inspiration for other young music artists out there.