WHAT motivated you to opt for a career in the music industry?
I have strong passion for music, right from when I was very young. From childhood, from my primary school days, I have been involved in one singing group or the other, at the primary and secondary school, and at the tertiary level. But I embraced the profession fully some six years ago. I have strong passion for it. I love listening to music and I love writing songs. I was taking the lead position as part of the cultural group in my primary school. In my secondary school, I was nicknamed ‘Peju carol ‘ by my class teacher because I loved organising carols. I personally organised the first Christmas carol in my secondary school. I promoted musical concerts on the campus among students when I was in the higher institution.
Which university did you attend?
I attended Yaba College of Technology before proceeding to the University of Lagos, where I studied Political Science.
How did you come about the name ‘Eazy Lizy’?
My real name is Peju Elizabeth Taiwo. From Elizabeth, I got Lizy. I adopted ‘Easy’ because I am an easy going person. Some people misunderstand me and think I am stubborn. But I know that I am easy going naturally, calm, a home-loving girl.
Who are your role models in the profession?
In Nigeria, there are people I admire a lot; people who have done so well in the musical industry, people who are consistent; the likes of Tu face Idebia, P-Square. I really admire these two people. On the international front, I like Zakira.
Who are the people you are targeting with your music and what messages are you sending out?
I like the music of Weird MC. I also like to reach out to the youths. I don’t do R n B. I do Nigeria flavour music. We don’t have many females doing that kind of music. So, I will not say I really have role models in that field. But I have musicians that I admire a lot personally.
How many albums, records, and public concerts have you done?
I have done a lot of public concerts. I have one album now to my credit. I am still working on my next album. I have worked with Glo, entertained at political events and also corporate events. I have lost count. I can’t even remember.
What is the title of your album?
The last one I did was ‘Ose Ologo”. The next one I am still working on it. I have not yet decided the title.
What are the challenges that have confronted you in the course of your musical career?
In life, generally, people face challenges of finance. That is the most important thing. If you don’t have adequate capital, it is a challenge. But i have been scaling though by the grace of God. We also have the piracy issue. You work so hard and at the end of the day, you realise that your work has been pirated and you are not getting your normal dues. These are the two major challenges.
How can piracy be checked?
I don’t know, except the government comes to our aid. We may need another body like NAFDAC to vet things that are artificial and fake in the music industry. Government should help us to look into this issue. The entertainment industry is engaging a lot of youths. Young guys are coming up and they are making good money from the entertainment industry. They are in limelight. Music sells, but the money goes to the pirates and these Alaba people. Even, the so-called super stars do not get money from albums. They get their money from shows and concerts. But those coming up can only rely on their sale of albums. If all the monies go back to the pirates, what happens? So, the government should come to our aid.
What is your marital status?
My marital status? Why are you asking? I am engaged.
Cupid the goddess of love has been kind to you. Who is the lucky man?
I like to keep that personal.
What attracted you to him?
Definitely, I like mature guys; guys that really know what they want for themselves. I like someone that cares about me a lot, someone that makes my happiness his own priority. So, that’s what attracted me to my man.
In contrast, what do you hate in men?
I hate guys that are promiscuous, men who do not really know what they want for themselves. men who are after anything in skirt. It pays to have one faithful man than to have 10 randy men, he-goats.
You are beautiful and you have come-and-do face. How do you cope with overtures from men?
May be, because I am always around guys, I am used to it. I grew up around guys. I am the only girl in a family of seven. I have three younger ones and three elderly ones. They are all men. I feel comfortable. I feel relaxed because it is an industry dominated by the men. Because of my upbringing, I still feel comfortable. I am used to such advances.
What is the level of support you are getting from your family for your career?
It is wonderful. My brothers, my mum, they are encouraging me a lot. They are my pillar. They are standing by me. I really feel happy that I am from that family. They are always there for me. I have a brother, Bukky Taiwo. who follows me all about. A lot of people even think that he is my boyfriend in the entertainment industry. As a female, I don’t like going out alone. He is always with me. My family has been so supportive.
How have you been able to insulate yourself from the scandals that normally wreck the career of up -coming stars?
No smoke without fire. You must involve in something before there can be scandal. I have been able to check myself. I know where I go to. I know the kind of people I move with. I know how to package myself.
Sex scandals and ruptured marital relationships are some of the features of life among those in the entertainment industry. How do you feel about the negative image?
It is not peculiar to the entertainment industry. It is a societal problem. It starts from the individual. It depends on the individual. Some people fell into wrong hands, not that they prefer to be in that situation. The belief is that those in the entertainment industry are promiscuous. But that is not true. I really feel bad when people misjudge us unnecessarily. They do not know us one on one, but they pass judgment. Because we are in a career that often puts us in the public view, they now misjudge us. It is unfair. People should begin to have some understanding. that we are just doing our job. Personally, this really hurts me. Before you can judge me, you should know me very well.
Does the likelihood exist that, in the future, you will take up acting role?
A lot of people have called on me to be part of it, but I don’t think i am ready for it. If I wanted, I would have started it. May be, my mind is not just there.
It has been alleged that those people in the music industry are trying to release albums that tend to expand the scope of moral laxity and social vices in the society, instead of building values and virtues. What is your view?
My own view us that is that, when we talk about entertainment, we are doing things that make people happy. It is part of entertainment to make people happy. You have the choice to listen or not to listen to it at all. It is up to you. A lot of people are delighted. As an individual, you can decide not to listen to it. You can decide what you want to hear and what you don’t want to hear. If the music dominates the scene, it means a lot of people are enjoying it.
What do you intend to do that will make you stand out as a musician?
That is a lovely question. For now, apart from music, I am pursuing an idea sold to me by someone who has been my friend for 13 years, a politician from Surulere. I am involved in this ‘Community Initiative for Child Education’. It is a free holiday coaching for children between Primary One and Six. The programme has been on in Surulere local government. It has been impactful. This year, we came down to my own community, Isolo. We are now holding the programme at Gideon Nursery and Primary School.
What are your future plans?
My future plan is just to be on top of my game, to do positive things.
What is your vision for the music industry, generally?
I want musicians to do good music that will be acceptable to people.
