Godwin Chinedu Nzekwe, known with the stage name B-Code, recently released his second single ‘Lemme know’ directed by Toyin Lawani after his first single, titled ‘Rollercoaster’, was directed by Patrick Elis under paparazzi records. B-Code, a petroleum engineering graduate, who also plays the konga drum, started music professionally in 2008. In this interview with JOE AGBRO JR., he talks about his passion for music, inspiration and more.
The music industry is very competitive at the moment. What is unique about your music?
I am not going to say that I am the strongest vocalist but what counts is my versatility. You can’t really predict what I would do next. I may do afro pop today and tomorrow I could do a reggae song and next you would hear another song done in R n B. I can switch style and my versatility is my very strong asset.
How did it all begin for you in music?
I am not one of those who would say it started when they were five and all that. My mother was a lead singer in a dance troupe and they even had some records. I grew up in a family of nine made up of seven boys. We started by going to events to perform and gradually it got bigger and better. In year 2006, the love for it grew and I decided to take it to a professional level.
My friends and I started writing songs and in 2008, we did it with paparazzi records. My elder brother, Samuel, actually opened the record label because of me. He is based in Austria and when he came home, he heard a couple of my songs and he was impressed. When he came back, he decided to open the label and that same year I got admission.
How do you get motivation for your songs?
I have dropped some singles, dropped some videos and done a couple of things way back in school, that is the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, where I studied Petroleum Engineering. I have performed in different places and I have been involved in a number of competitions. In year 2002, I won the best act in school. I like my career in Petroleum Engineering but it would be on hold for a couple of years.
Everything about life inspires me; the good times and the hard times, as well as the times that you feel confused. Life is about the ups and downs. You get the downs to make you stronger and it also makes you not to forget how you got up there. When you have the good times, you appreciate it with good music and when you are confused you write confused songs. So when people who have gone through that stage get to hear such they appreciate the persecutions and the things that they have passed through more.
Talking about confusion, Bobby Brown and his family are passing through this phase. What do you think about what his daughter, Bobby Kristiana Brown, is going through at the moment?
It is really sad and unfortunate. Her mother died about three years ago and now the girl is in a coma and she is being abused. I don’t know whether I should say that he is not being watchful or careful. But sometimes, you are so watchful and the same thing still happens. Sometimes, I think it is part of life and you really don’t know if it is your mistake or someone else’s mistake.
A number of local and international celebrities take drugs for motivation. What do you think about this?
For me, I have been inspired naturally. I do not smoke but if I tell you that I do not drink, then I would be lying. I hang out with friends and drink occasionally. I know my limits and I do not take drugs at all. My advice to fellow upcoming artistes is that they should not be under pressure; they should not do drugs to get inspiration. Inspiration should be natural; all these things are just temporary. Once you get addicted, without it, you are hopeless. Womanising is another problem, especially for men, but the truth is that whether you are an act or not, women would always be there. They have been there from the inception, they are drawn to celebration. I love them and respect them like my mother and sisters.
I know where to draw the line of friendship and relationships because sometimes you might be friendly and they may get the wrong impression. So if you change the situation at this point, they would feel heartbroken and very emotional. I relate with my female fans in a friendly way.
Who would you describe as your role model in the industry?
I would say that 90 per cent of the artists coming up in Nigeria would tell you that Tuface Indibia is good. I respect him to the core. He is an act you just feel so proud of; he is an act that you just wish to be like. MI is an extraordinary rapper, I respect him a lot. There are so many young talents that I admire, like Wizkid. There are so many of them that make the industry fun and they inspire me a whole lot. They make you want to do much more. On the International scene, I admire Akon, R.Kelly and recently I admire Chris Brown. He has brought something fresh to R and B.
Why did you study Petroleum Engineering and now you are in music?
The truth for me is that music is life. I have been in music before I went to school. The course, Petroleum Engineering, is very challenging. It is a course that I admire a lot. I chose it because music for me is natural and I wanted to study something new. Instead of restricting myself to music, I said why don’t I divert and do something fresh. Expand the knowledge and not just be in the arts to study music. I wanted to be a professional in two fields and it wasn’t easy convincing my people initially. Then going back to music, my people were like ‘are you sure this is what you really want to do?’ Music in me is very exciting. Even if I decide that I want to do something else in future, I still see myself writing songs for people. My albums are all in the works and it should be out early next year.
After explaining all this to my family, they also saw the passion and the zeal. They said that as long as I assure them that I would be successful, they would support me. Of course, I know that I can’t put in all this and not aim for the top. I believe that with hard work, it would be a success story. In going back to music, my family was like ‘are you sure this is what you really want to do?’ Even if I decide that I want to do something else in future, I still see myself writing songs for people.
What does style mean to you?
For me, being stylish is being comfortable. Today, I may put on my jeans and tee shirt with a simple hat and tomorrow you could see me in a shirt and straight trousers. Being stylish is looking clean, smart and comfortable. Looking good for me is not just about wearing something expensive, it has to do with how you put it all together to look unique.
What are some of the challenges?
The truth is that the biggest challenge is working with the right set of production crew. As an artist, I feel that to get a great song, the producer and people you work with should feel and understand the emotion behind the song to get a great production. Everyone has a favourite singer, favourite rapper and so you must give them the reason why they must like you and their favourite. So far, it has been good. I have a wonderful management.
Let’s talk about your mentors. Who are those inspiring you?
First, I would say my brother, Samuel, has been great while my management team has been wonderful. They believed in me from day one. My parents are late; I lost my dad in year 2002 and my mum in 2007. She was diabetic. My brother was a footballer but now he is retired. He played for an underground team in Austria before going into business. Dad was a civil servant, mum was also a civil servant and she did a couple of business by the side.
Are we talking about marriage now?
No! Falling in love is not a problem. Marriage, however, needs a whole lot of dedication and maturity. I didn’t say women are difficult but they can be difficult sometimes. It takes a whole lot of maturity to live with a woman for the rest of your life.
Where do you hope to be in the next five years?
I would like to consolidate on the gains. In addition, if I want to move to any other area it would be clothing. I love clothes and I know how to do some sketches. I also have some guys that I want to work with on this.
