Ever since he surfaced in the Nigerian music scene with his runaway hit song, Holy, Holy, 18 years ago, reggae musician, song writer, Austin Peter who is popularly known as King Wadada has been waxing strong with his pure reggae tunes.
With two albums to his credit and about to launch his latest effort, One Love, King Wadada who is also preparing for a tour of Europe, Canada and the USA with Miracle Day Music speaks with SAM ANOKAM about his career, why reggae music is not on main stream music in Nigeria among other relevant issues.
have out and about doing what I know how to do best. At the moment I am preparing to release my new album titled One Love. The album consists of 16 solid tracks.
I have released two albums, Holy, Holy and If Men Were God. Now I am coming out with One Love album.
At the same I am also preparing for my international music tour through Miracle Day Music. We would be touring UK, Europe, Canada and the USA. It promises to be interesting and action packed musically. We would be thrilling our fans with good reggae music.
You have been in the music for 18 years and still waxing strong, how has the experience been?
To be honest with you, it has really been a wonderful experience. The industry has been the matter of the survival of the fittest especially as it concerns reggae music. But we are still trudging on
I tell you, it has been a mystery and every piece fits together to create whom we are, what we do, what we say and how we feel. In all, we thank God because HE has been faithful.
How is the reggae genre faring currently in the music circle?
Nothing is happening to reggae music. Reggae is what it is. It is on. It is one music genre that cannot die. It is only that the youth or the new breed artistes refuse to play it probably they think because it is not as lucrative as hip-hop as what is happening to the Nigerian music now where a lot of artiste are raking in millions from their genre of music. That makes some people keep saying that reggae music is dead, no music dies. All music is on and doing well in their categories.
There is no reggae artist that have come on air with massive promotion and it refuses to become popular, not one.
Suppose a reggae artist comes on the scene and gives his song massive publicity and the song didn’t make wave, then, you can say that reggae music is not working. But so far, none!
The problem reggae music is facing is that it goes along with positive messages which the world needs now however, the youth do not want to hear those messages; radio station and TV stations that are supposed to play such songs do not play them instead they are feeding their audiences with one style of music which is not proper. Then when it comes to music award events, they don’t put reggae into consideration.
With all of these encumbrances, why are still playing reggae?
A reggae artist will always be a reggae artist. It is not for the money or fame but the message and passion. We cannot change from what we are originally are to something else because others are into it and making money. We have a calling to spread the message of love in our own way and we are doing it. We will continue to do it.
Reggae music must go on until the time to blow up the atmosphere with our songs and that time is now because when I drop this album, reggae music will take back its place in the music industry. It will rise again because I am the only one that can blow the horn of reggae music and the youth will follow and the media would have no choice but to help in propagating it.
How do you feel with a lot of young ones releasing hiphop songs but very few are into reggae?
I feel that they are playing their choice of music. In My latest album, I touched on every area of life. I even sang the mind of the youth in one of the tracks, ‘Yahoo.’
I also did songs for the women folks. As much as I praised them, I also criticised them as necessary. When you hear the sons, you will understand. I also pleaded on their behalf to be given opportunity to express themselves especially in leadership. As usual, I praised God who is everything to me and mankind.
You know why again, the young and up and coming artistes are not into reggae is because they have not really seen in their generation a successful reggae musician they can emulate. They are coming up at a time there was no reigning reggae musician or music or song making waves so, they embraced what they met or introduced to without knowing that there is another brand of music which they need to know that is far better than what they are playing. So, people like us need to blow as it were for them to believe that reggae music is king.
What do you think is the future of reggae music in Nigeria?
The future of reggae music in Nigeria is very bright
Anytime any reggae artiste releases a hit that is widely promoted, every other one will start playing reggae.
Then the media – radio and television stations including streaming platforms and other local stations needs to change their minds set towards reggae music.
They should patronise all genre of music very well and equally and not only with one style of music.
Once o am out with a hit and a good song that will be a national anthem , everyone will change their style.
We have Rhythm and Blues, Hilife, Akpala, Fuji, Reggae among others, all these music genre have their fans and so should be considered in big award events.
They should also nominate them in awards too
They should have time for old artistes and the new alike as well as include them in concerts and awards.
You said you are the only vibrant reggae musician in Africa, what about Orits Wiliki, Righteous Man, African China, Salem, Takana Zion, Thiecko, Bongo Maffin and many others?
These guys you mentioned are also good reggae artistes. They are all doing great in Africa with their projection of reggae music.
I am only saying that I am the only vibrant reggae artiste in Africa currently. I am also the only one that can play the reggae of now and sing the minds of the people with reggae music.
I don’t sing to the head, I sing to the heart and everyone has heart.
How have you been able to stay off scandals?
We don’t run away from scandals, though I have not been associated with it in anyway but I kind of like it. It builds and teaches at the same time. As I said earlier, every piece fits together to create and build whom were are, scandals to me are like a ladder to success.
Lastly, what Legacy would King Wadada plans to leave?
I love making people happy. I also love to worship God and obey His commandments as well as to make people have interest in the things of God when they listen to my music.
