Praise Adejo’s, aka Praiz, unique singing style caught the eyes of many in a TV reality show in which he thrilled viewers in the country and beyond. He was judged as the second runner up as he exhibited great potentials. Few years later, the R&B star who has rubbed shoulders with who’s who in the Nigerian music industry donated N10m to save a baby with a hole in the heart through his caller tune. The MTN brand ambassador tells Adetutu Audu he is glad he is making positive impact with his music.
WHAT made you save baby Sumaya?
It was out of goodwill and an act of giving back to the society. I also believe in making impact through my music and in everything I do.
The caller tune you used was Oshe. What inspired the song? Or was it that you did it having in mind that you wanted to use it to raise fund?
I did not record it with the mind of raising fund. 2013 was a great year for me, and I wanted to say ‘thank you’ with a happy song. I recorded Oshe with Awilo Logomba and I had an interview at Star FM with Moyo Oyatogun, where I went to promote my songs and the caller tune basically. After I was through, Moyo approached me on this project she was handling. She wanted me to do an awareness song for a baby with a hole in her heart. I went back home and promised to get back to her. Later, I felt even if I recorded a song, what we needed was fund. So I decided that from a particular time to a particular time, the proceeds I get from the caller tune, I will give it the baby. And by God’s grace, we were able to raise N10million.
Initially, did you envisage any fear that it might not work?
The kind of person I am, I like to be positive-minded; I am an optimistic person. I just felt that any amount raised would be given to the baby.
Would you now say you are fulfilled?
With that done, I have a great sense of fulfilment. I am very happy and glad that I did what I did. I just hope a lot of people will learn from it.\
You have written your name in the heart of many through this gesture. So what is next for you?
In 2014, I will be working on my debut album which will be out soon. I will also be on tour and shoot videos. I will definitely take my music to the next level.
Do you have plans for more philanthropic gesture?
By God’s grace, I have a project on women which is Safe Motherhood Initiative. It’s meant to enlighten women on the need for ante-natal. This will be later in the year.
Talking about women, what is your view on domestic violence?
Any man who hits a woman should be jailed. I don’t believe in domestic violence regardless of what the woman did. My dad never hit my mum.
Did music find you or was it the other way round?
I think we found ourselves. As a kid, I have loved music. But I never thought I could be a musician. I am a pastor’s son, I was in the church choir and started singing from there. It has always been music for me, though I studied computer science in school, I always knew I was going to do music, it’s a passion and really there’s nothing better than doing what you love and getting paid for it.
You hugged limelight through MTN Project Fame. What made you enter for the competition?
A friend of mine encouraged me. Before then, I had tried a couple of competitions and could not make a headway. So I got discouraged, but this friend said I could. So I decided to give it one more trial. I went from Kaduna to Abuja for the audition. I made it to the Lagos regional and later to the house and eventually the finale. Music has been good since then.
So would you agree that music is paying your bills?
Certainly. And it is paying other people’s bills too.
You mean you don’t do any other thing apart from music?
I do. It is wise for any man to have an alternative. But majorly, I sorted my bills through music.
Your kind of music is R&B. Why R&B for you?
It is the soul of music. My sound has been influenced by what I listened to as a kid. While growing up I listened to Boys II Men. I am a singer and instrumentalist. It is just a way of expressing myself better.
No doubt you are a star. What has being a star robbed you of?
There are a couple of things that you do and you could not do anymore. For instance, you cannot just leave your house to go and buy akara on the roadside. They are just expectations of people of you.
Sometimes when you listen to the lyrics of some musicians, you can’t just figure out what they are singing. What is your view on the Nigerian music industry?
The industry is evolving. I will commend Nigeria musicians, we are recognised all over the world that we are coming up strong and in Africa, we are number one. With time we will get there. To me, music is symphony that gives you a particular feeling. It could make you dance, smile or cry. It is just that Nigerian music is mostly dance music, which is up tempo.
Why is it that after being successful, artistes tend to fight or part ways with their record label?
Most artistes are stubborn. For someone to pick you up out of nothing and raise you does not mean you should forget where you are coming from. Some artistes do, anyway. But in other cases, the label may not be doing enough and the artistes expect more.
How does it feel performing alongside Johnny Gill at the last Butterscotch event?
It felt good. I am not new to the scene. In previous times, I have headlined shows along with Brandy, Joe and others but I was happy about it because it was another chance to put out good music and entertain the crowd.
Why do you love buttons and dark glasses?
Some of my jackets are made by Remmy buttons. The dark glasses look is my trademark look.
What does style mean to you?
I like a fusion of casuals and smart, I don’t always want to dress seriously unless the occasion demands it. I love sneakers, I don’t also joke with suits. As an artiste, it is important to look good and I like creating a balance.
