Chatting with a group of journalists recently, Afro-centric singer Omawumi Magbele portrayed a simple, jocular, but frank personality. VICTOR AKANDE, Entertainment Editor, reports.
THERE was no dull moment interacting with this great singer, who rose from the number two spot in a music reality show to beat the winner to the game in the job market. Omawumi Magbele was the first runner-up in the Project Fame Reality Show which in 2007 saw Timi Dakolo winning the trophy. But today, her song has left many to wonder if that contest was fair to her. She appears to be one of the best to have come out of a reality show. Her manager, Sunday Are, wanted to intimate the media about a concert the artiste is putting together. And it caught every body’s fancy that Elegant Stallion, Onyeka Onwenu, will be performing at this young artiste’s show. Omawumi is just an example of a ‘no holds barred’, and she has just so much to say about her passion for music.
If, like they say, the Nigerian music scene is a male-dominated one, Omawumi believes, her female folks are simply laid back. She thinks the men work harder. But she thought it was important to break that jinx.
“The industry is male-dominated because our guys work hard and the women just work. I think there’s an empty space which nobody has grabbed. It’s not about our music but our presence and that’s what I’m aiming at. I’ve heard my female counterparts say things like, “they don’t put us on shows”; these things irritate me. I remember when I used to sit with my manager and he’d say, ‘I heard that this person is doing a show in two months’ time’. We’d just call the person and beg him to fix me on his show with a promise that I won’t disappoint. I market myself and work very hard. I couldn’t connect with the fast style of music, so I deciphered what was good for me and created my own style; by God’s grace, I am where I am now. The female artistes who are successful today are the ones who are working really hard. I commend the likes of Tiwa Savage, Waje and Chidinma. They are very hard-working.
With the way things are going now, we are the ones who will be heading shows next year.”
She said of her coming concert with so much optimism: “One of the ways I’m trying to put my own mark is by showcasing myself. So, I planned an elaborate concert slated for April 7, 2013. It is tagged Lasso of Truth.” “It’s a way of showing who I really am; a mother, an entertainer, my character as a somewhat funny person, the serious side of me and my experiences,” she added.
Incidentally, Lasso of Truth is also the title of her second album. But what is the reason for the title? “I tagged it so because my first album was called The Wonder Woman, and the name just stuck such that people sometimes call me ‘Omawonder’.” Wonder woman, she noted, is a fictitious character of GT Comics, and one of the weapons that she used to wield power was called the Lasso of Truth or Golden Lasso. The lasso is a golden rope that’s impenetrable.
Indeed, when for example you listen to Omawumi’s song called ‘If You Ask Me’ or ‘Bottom Belle’, one would understand that the artiste is moved by certain messages, which she renders clearly and suitably through danceable music.
The concert, though her exclusive preserve, will feature other artistes. “It’s basically going to be a solo concert, but I have artistes and friends of mine who will support me. They include; Tuface Idibia, Onyeka Onwenu, Tiwa Savage, Waje, Shey Shey, 2012 Nigerian Idol winner, Mercy, Timaya, Wiz Kid and of course, Flavour Nabania.
Are added that the concert will have each artiste perform a duet with the celebrator. “What we are trying to do is to tell a story with the concept. This will be unveiled on that day. Omawumi wants people to feel her, and also have the opportunity of meeting their idols through her event.”
The show, which is expected to run for three hours at the popular Oriental Hotel, will have interludes of comedy.
This perhaps will be the first time that a veteran musician like Onyeka Onwenu will be listed in a line-up involving new generation artistes. Omawumi, who incidentally has been referred to in some quarters as ‘Little Onyeka”, gave her reason: “I emulate her character and her person. For her to be so graceful at her age and that her music is still somewhat in demand is a line that should be toed. So, I’m not ashamed of toeing that line. If there were more divas of her time alive, you’d have seen them on my shows because if you listen to my music, you’ll discover that I try to make my music in such a way that people who were here before me will listen and say I’ve done well. The first song that drew people’s attention to me was her “Eko” song and people have been calling me small Onyeka ever since.”
There have been insinuations by some followers of Omawumi’s music. They say that her messages are women-centred. They think she is a feminist. For example, in the Lasso of Truth album, there’s a song titled I Go Go. Omawumi had explained that the song is about women who are dying in their marriages, but appear to be doing fine in the society. She had argued that she is not encouraging separation. “I’m only trying to tell people that if they can’t love themselves they can’t love others.”
She thinks that ‘feminism’ is too strong a word to use in describing her person. “I think that everyone should have something they are passionate about. I talk about things that I’m passionate about.”
Are you also passionate about malaria and mosquitoes? She was asked. There was general laughter. Omawumi is currently on a campaign against malaria fever. It’s a project she runs for Mortein, an insecticide brand. The artiste relayed her experiences: “It was splendid. We visited Kenya last year and we were at the largest maternity hospital in the country where about 200 babies are born every week. I jumped at that campaign because several kids within the age of one and five have lesser immunity against the infection. I also thought, why can’t we prevent it by cleaning our surroundings and using mosquito-treated nets which aren’t costly?”
Omawumi noted that malaria kills more than HIV and AIDS, and that there is the need to sensitise people on the prevention of malaria. “Malaria kills at least five children per day in Africa. So, we’re saying that it’s not impossible to have a malaria-free Nigeria if everyone does what is required of them.”
Omawumi is gradually being known for conscious music; singing about rape and other societal vices. To this, she said her motivation as a musician goes beyond commercial benefits. “If it were just for commercial reasons, then I won’t be conscious about it. I feel that such things that happen should be heard. I also champion causes for cervical cancer, breast cancer and for young people to be re-orientated; they should take things step by step. I believe that as a musician, people should make sense from the songs that I sing even after I’m gone. Look at the people I’m emulating; Maria Makeba, Onyeka Onwenu and Majek Fashek. Please listen to their music.”
But does her song titled Bottom Belle negate her claim of a conscious singer? The song has been seen to portray materialism. “I feel everyone has his way of seeing things. If anyone has decided to see it from the material angle, I don’t have any problem with that. I just thought that things have gone way beyond what used to be obtainable when men used to woo ladies before marrying them. These days, such things are non-existent.” What really is the message in Bottom Belle? “It was meant for every man to appreciate his woman as best as he can,” she said curtly.
Considering her busy schedule, how does she cope as a single mother? “When my daughter was much younger, I used to go everywhere with her,” she began… “There was even a time I was always having her strapped to my back. When I got pregnant, I told myself mentally that I had to take things easy and when I started out again, I told myself that my daughter would be my priority. I rearranged myself to include my daughter in my plans. My nanny was always with me wherever I was travelling. My daughter was always in the hotel room with me whenever I had to travel out of town. My mother was also of great help as she stayed with me for about eight months after delivery, just to ensure that I was able to handle things myself. My daughter is also from a large family; myself and her dad, so we all put hands on deck to ensure that she lacks nothing. If I don’t see my daughter for three days, I’d feel guilty and this will also affect my productivity.”
The chat ended on a lighter mood. People wanted to know what fond memories she had while growing up. “None!” she said, with a smirk of mischief… “I was always beaten and sent on errands.” There was laughter across the room. And when she was asked about her Law certificate, Omawumi answered simply: “The fact that I can sit down with you to communicate and have a good command of English language is as a result of my education; a Law degree at that. Education cannot be over-emphasised whatsoever. I can still go back to Law school whenever I want to, even if my contemporaries are now older in the profession.”
