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Tag: King Wadada

  • Nigga Raw, King Wadada, others set to headline Oji Festival

    Nigga Raw, King Wadada, others set to headline Oji Festival

    Preparations are in top gear for the biggest annual event in Mbaise, the Oji Ezinihitte and Ezinihitte Carnival.

     Slated from December 27, 2023 till January 1, 2024, the one-week festival will feature music concerts, carnival parades and many other cultural events.

     In the same vein, music stars led by African China, King Wadada, and Nigga Raw among many other artists have been billed for the show.

    Read Also: I am the only vibrant reggae musician in Africa –King Wadada

     According to the carnival planning committee Chairman, Chiwuikem Ihediwa and Chairman of the LOC Sir, Cajetan Nwogu assured that all arrangements to make the event grand is being put in place. 

    Nwogu and Ihediwa added that the event is historic in the sense that it is the first time that the first that the popular Oji festival is combined with other events including colloquium and scholarship awards for some deserving Ezinihitte Students sponsored by Mavis Sirenio Foundation.

     Actor Victor Osuagwu also added his voice to the initiative saying, “I appreciate this great initiative, and I will always be grateful it is happening within our time. Keep the lights shining.”.

  • I am the only vibrant reggae musician in Africa –King Wadada

    I am the only vibrant reggae musician in Africa –King Wadada

    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.

    Read Also: GWR: Oyo Chef begins 200-hour marathon cooking

    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.

  • KING WADADA unveils record label

    •Signs first act

    Reggae artiste Austin Peter, popularly known as King Wadada, has officially unveiled his new record label, Wadada World Class Entertainment, and has signed his first artiste, an Afro hip-hop singer and rapper, Zachariah Kelvin Lekan aka Blackelz.

    Speaking at the unveiling ceremony which held on Tuesday at Citadel De Continental Hotel & Suites, Ikeja, Lagos, King Wadada, said he intends to promote young musicians via the platform.

    “The reason I am launching this platform is that many people have neglected the young talents in this country.

    “This has pushed these talented ones especially the upcoming musicians astray, they now engage in all kind of fraudulent acts, prostitution and other illegal activities. Wadada World Class Entertainment aims to encourage and take talents off illegal things. That is why I am stepping out to start signing up this young, hardworking and determine act.”

    King Wadada who won the 2010 Kora Awards as Africa’s best reggae artist of the year further said that though he has been down for a while but he is back and better.

    “My fans home and abroad should expect a new album. I’m also coming out with a remix, ‘Holy Holy’ featuring Oritsefemi and a collaborating with 2baba in a song titled, ‘Ya Well’ (meaning God first in everything). Because the Bible says we have to go into the world and spread the gospel to all nation because Jesus Christ is going to be with us till the very end of ages that is why we go spiritual, so we have to pass the spiritual message to the president, governors, senators and other people in power for them to be spiritual and know the right thing to do at the right time and in the right way.”

    The new signee, Blackelz, was excited at the signing.

    “I’m so excited to be signed under the legendary, King Wadada’s label,” he said.

    “Watch out for my new single titled, ‘Baby’. The song is sending a spiritual message to all the mummies and babies all over the world. I am also coming out with his new album.”

  • Tithing: King Wadada throws jab at Freeze

    Tithing: King Wadada throws jab at Freeze

    In the recent controversy over giving tithes, reggae musician King Wadada, has waded in, supporting tithing.

    He said this during his performance at the AFRIMA concert which held at the AFRIMA Village in Lagos.

    “I hear say one media personality get problem with paying tithes,” said King Wadada, seemingly taking a jab at Daddy Freeze, an On Air Personality and convener of #Freethesheeple, which condemns tithing.

    But Wadada admonished the audience to pay their tithes just because he launched into his song, ‘Holy, Holy, Holy.’

    “You gotta pay your tithes. And your tax too.”

    The controversy of whether to tithe or not to tithe started by Daddy Freeze has ruled the Nigerian social media space with pastors, celebrities and ordinary netizens wading into the debate.

  • King Wadada back from wilderness

    King Wadada back from wilderness

    With a 16-track album titled original, reggae master and an award-winning singer, composer and band-owner, King Wadada is back to rock the music scene in Nigeria once again.  He speaks to Edozie Udeze on his plans to revive reggae, why he disappeared for over ten years, why his messages to the people will be different henceforth among others.

    King Wadada suddenly disappeared from the Nigerian music scene for many years.  And many of his fans were wondering where he was; whether he had abandoned his first love – reggae – to pursue other interests.  But Wadada suddenly reappeared last month in Lagos during the Lagos Reggae Festival where he performed brilliantly with his band members.  A first class reggae crooner, Wadadas days in the reggae scene were memorable due to his sensational tunes – tunes mixed with gospel and root rock reggae.  His most ardent track – Holy, holy, holy, holy alleluya was almost like a national gospel anthem.  It was a track that dripped with profound melody and vibes.  This was why Wadada later won the KORA music award in South Africa with that track.

    In this encounter with this reporter at the Freedom Park, Lagos, Wadada was indeed excited to be home after many years in the wilderness, like he described his sojourn abroad.  “Yes, I am back; back for good,” he screamed as he throttled up and down like someone on stage “Oh, yes, the last time it was KORA.  Now watch out for me in 2018, I’ll win the GRAMMY Award.  It is my time once again.  At the moment I am in the studios working on my next album.  Then you will know that King Wadada says so.  I am not joking”, he repeated, beating his chest.

    Then he began to sing his popular tune – Praise the Lord, Praise Lord, all the people, everywhere, anywhere you are.  Holy, holy holy, alleluya”.  That made him burst into character as some members of his band quickly joined in.  So, what happened since then?  “Yea me just duck so that…  I was in the wilderness of the Most High God meditating, rummaging through spiritual life.  This helped me to catch more inspiration.  You see, the kind of music we play, we are not commercial people.  But our music is commercial because it goes round the world.  Know what I mean?  Oh yea, so that is it, man!  When I say we are not commercial people, what I mean is that we are not playing basically because of the money.  We do so because we love reggae; we love the type of vibes that reggae gives to the soul.  Yea man!  It is the work of God that we are doing.  But surely the money must come out of it and we will take it”.

    He noted that his numerous fans in Nigeria are still out there waiting for him.  “People all over the world appreciate reggae.  So you cannot say it has died in Nigeria.  No, it has not.  Reggae is a universal music meant for all.  No music ever dies.  Music lives forever in the hearts of people whether in the North, South or East and West.  You cannot continue to feed your child with one type of food.  If you do that the child will not grow up well; he will even revolt against you.  This is why we must have varieties of music in our society; in the whole world.  Our problem right now is that broadcasters and radio presenters who handle our works are people of low morale.  They do not think of how to use tracks that have meaning to feed their listeners”.

    Wadada opined that if the lyrics of a track does not impact well in the souls of the people, it does not make sense to continue to use it to make nonsense of creativity. “Unfortunately, radio stations feed people with only one type of music at the moment.  If radio stations play blues, reggae, jazz, hip hop, each one has its own fans and followers.  Now why concentrate on only one or two?  Why do they force you to like only one type of music?  So, that orientation should cease; should be erased from the system.  Now Patoranking came out with his own brand of reggae yet people accepted him.  Then how come you say reggae is dead?”, he asked reflectively.

    He contended that reggae artists are spiritual people and so their compositions are usually deeper and make a lot of sense.  “We do not play hanky-panky games.  We are the ones ordained to liberate the masses with meaningful lyrics.  We obey the commandments of the Most High and so we cannot therefore play any how music.  Reggae is suffering more now because there are no record labels.  The record labels we have now only concentrate on few types of music which is not supposed to be.  Now when you do not sign on all types of musicians so that each one will fetch you money, how do you cut across all music fans and then make plenty of money?  From the moment you are signed on, the sky is your limit and the record label itself will also benefit.  This is the whole essence of it all.  But that is no longer the case these days,” he lamented.

    In Holy, holy alleluya, he played what he described as spiritual reggae.  “Yes, I call it spiritual reggae for that is what I play basically.  Mine is not gospel but spiritual reggae.  When I say gospel, that name is still very low.  I play street root rock spiritual reggae.  It is the type that touches everyone.  It is for those who go deep into the realm of spiritual life.  I am not the type to go to the studio and open my mouth carelessly to sing.  My music comes from God; it is spiritual and God has to speak to you to get this kind of inspiration.  When God speaks to you, you must obey”.

    For over ten years Wadada was nowhere to be found; where was he exactly?  “Oh, like I said, I was in the wilderness.  I was in South Africa.  I was in Addis’s Ababa, Ethiopia.  That is where my mother and wife come from.  I was also in Nigeria.  So in those places, I see the face of the Most High God.  Going into the wilderness helped me for meditation.  Today I am wired to do more.  Now, I am able to preach to the whole world to stop ritual killings, corruption, wickedness, killing of innocent people; people who preach fake philosophy and so on.  I want to talk to people now through my music to come back to God; let our people repent and be God fearing.  This is my new message; the message I got while in the wilderness of God.  It is for me to speak to the younger musicians to change their messages and give us more meaningful lyrics.  Let them change the concept of their videos and give us something to be proud of.  They are trying but their lyrics have to give us hope.  They sing about women too much.  Yes we love women.  They are great people all over the world, but not the way they are going about it.  There is no fear of God anymore.  Music has power and we must use it positively to change the society.  Music is happiness; musicians should not fight; they should not get angry easily for they use their works to change and effect the whole world”.

    Wadada is optimistic that this new concept of his will soon begin to have effect, so that the level of immorality will reduce.  “Yes, I am back for good”, he almost sang.

  • King Wadada celebrates freedom with Messiah

    King Wadada celebrates freedom with Messiah

    FOR those wondering what has been keeping him inactive, popular reggae artiste, King Wadada, has revealed that he has finally got rid of the contract that has almost eclipsed his musical career in the past years.

    He said: “I signed a contract with a record management, Miracle Day Music, which almost crumbled my career. After all shows and tours, I was denied my cuts on the business. I was just like someone under a cage. Thank God, I’m free and back with a latest single titled Messiah, which is on air presently.”

    The artiste further stated that he is willing to do business with any interested record label and show management at home and abroad.

    He came into the music scene more than a decade ago. His song, Holy Holy Holy, which he recorded many years ago, ruled the airwaves for a long time.

    The dreadlock-wearing artiste also gained global recognition in 2010 when he won the KORA Best Reggae Artiste in Africa.