INTERVIEW: How I stay away from scandals, by Chike

Chike Osebuka is a talented singer and songwriter whose journey to fame began after his appearance on The Voice Nigeria in 2016. His career soared to new heights following the release of his debut studio album, ‘Boo of the Booless’, which he released in 2020. He has since ventured into other areas of entertainment, such as acting. He featured in Africa Magic’s drama series ‘Battleground’ and played the character Ify in ‘Gangs of Lagos’. The singer has also received several accolades and awards for his craft. In this interview with TheCable Lifestyle’s VICTORY ORIMEMI, Chike discusses how he has managed to avoid scandals, his collaborations with other artistes, and his plans to export his music across Africa. 

TheCable Lifestyle: It is truly remarkable to witness your journey from a music competition to releasing several hit songs and even starring in one of the biggest Nollywood movies of 2023. Looking back, did you ever imagine experiencing such incredible growth in your career?

Chike: One thing anyone who is working is also hoping for is that things align for them. Yes, I did hope that the stars aligned for me, and all the doors got opened, and I guess that is what happened. I am so excited about it!

TheCable Lifestyle: What inspires your unique sound?

Chike: I would say the kind of artistes I listen to is number one, and I also love storytelling. I just try to play within that space, you know, like telling conscious stories.

TheCable Lifestyle: Can you share the creative process behind ‘Ego Oyinbo’, your latest single?

Chike: I wanted to make a love song for sure. In my culture, there are names for people that are just very special. So, I wrote down ‘Ego Oyinbo’ for sure, knowing that I was going to use that. Then, I started creating a story around it, landing on the idea of talking about somebody whom you want to have a romantic relationship with, but that person is not reciprocating the feelings. I pretty much decided to tell a story around this concept.

TheCable Lifestyle: What is one misconception about you as an artiste that you would like to clarify?

Chike: To be very honest, I do not want to go into any. I mean, there is always going to be a misconception. I do not think there is just one; I think there are a lot, and I do not think I can clarify any for real.

TheCable Lifestyle: You have had pretty decent collaborations with other artistes; who would you say is your favourite to work with?

Chike: This is a trap question! If the person was not my favourite, would I have collaborated with them? To be honest, I have collaborated with my favourites. Most of the people I have worked with are those I have always wanted to work with, and I feel blessed about being able to work with them.

TheCable Lifestyle: You starred in ‘Gangs of Lagos’ and the movie has been facing criticism recently over allegedly depicting Eyo wrongfully. What is your take on the matter?

Chike: I cannot speak on that.

TheCable Lifestyle: How have you managed to stay out of scandals?

Chike: I do not know, but what I always tell people is that anything can be scandalous… it just depends on the people involved and how hotheaded they are. So, maybe I have just been lucky to find a middle ground where nobody blows things out of proportion.

TheCable Lifestyle: Looking back on your career, which accomplishments are you most proud of, and why?

Chike: I would say my debut album because of the way it went. I mean, we all want success, and we all pray for success, but I was not expecting the kind of reception it had and how quickly it happened. I was just really excited about that, and it kind of assured me that I am on the right path.

TheCable Lifestyle: How do you handle your fans? Female fans, specifically.

Chike: The bulk of the excitement comes from the female fans; I am super excited to have a large female fanbase. I always say that ladies are way more expressive, and I am genuinely glad to have female fans.

TheCable Lifestyle: Are you currently single or in a relationship, would you mind sharing with us?

Chike: My relationship is private, and I do not think it should be public information.

TheCable Lifestyle: In today’s industry, the concept of “baby mamas” has become more common. I am curious, what are your thoughts on this trend? Is it something you would consider embracing or do you have a different perspective on it?

Chike: I do not have anything against it; it was not an intentional thing for most people. So yes, you never know. You know when a man and a woman enter a room and turn off the light, you know what will happen. I would say it happens; I mean, if you are having sex, there is a chance that there will be a product of that sexual relationship, right? A couple of years ago, it used to be considered taboo, but it does not look like one now. I really do not have any opinion on that. The goal is for that not to happen, but if it happens, we will take it as it is.

TheCable Lifestyle: I am intrigued by your unique stance on expressing love. Could you share the reasons behind your decision to never say ‘I Love You’ to a woman?

Chike: I think that was misconstrued, but there are other languages for love: there is provision, there is presence, and I strive to score as high as 100 percent. A man’s primary responsibility to any significant other is to provide. Saying I love you without actual monetary presence or provision, I think it can be a problem. Ah, you know they say when there is money, love is sweeter.

TheCable Lifestyle: What aspect of the industry scares you the most? 

Chike: I would not say scare; I would just say it concerns me. It takes a lot more involvement for an artiste now. I did not use to think that an artiste needs to be a promoter as well, but we learn as we go, you know, taking the necessary adjustments.

TheCable Lifestyle: Have you ever had any regrets about being famous?

Chike: I do not have any regrets. When I consciously started making music, I have always wanted to be only recognized for what I do. So, I will not say I have regrets, but I would just say there are some things that I wish I could still do without raising an eyebrow. For example, I love to take my car to the car wash and do stuff for myself. In fact, one of my favorite things to do when I was younger was to be in a barber’s shop and get a haircut, but now you have to stay at home. It is a lot of home time. I am not very extroverted, but there are just certain places that I like to go to.

TheCable Lifestyle: Where do you envision the Chike brand heading in the next five years? Are there any exciting projects or milestones you hope to achieve during this period?

Chike: I am genuinely a practical person. I am looking at where my music is right now and the kind of people who are attracted to it. In the next five years, I see myself touring across Africa, reaching out to either Africans abroad or Africans in Africa. I feel that by being able to achieve that, I will become a major export, conquering these regions. So yeah, that is where I see myself.

TheCable Lifestyle: What advice would you offer to aspiring artistes who are eager to make a name for themselves in the industry? 

Chike: For me, I won’t say there was anybody I modeled after. I just recorded music and looked for a way to put it out, and I think time and opportunity came at the right moment because I cannot tell you for sure what I did, but I know I made music from my heart without much external influence. I put it out and wanted it to work, and I also believe in energy. Nobody owns the sound; time has proven that new sounds will always pop out from anywhere. So, just do your own stuff, and your energy needs to be right for the music.

TheCable Lifestyle: As someone who experienced a music competition firsthand, would you recommend young aspiring artistes to go through the music competition route or encourage them to pursue their own path and expect success to come naturally?

Chike: I do not know the kind of attention music competitions have right now. I know when I did it, it had some attention, and it was able to give me my first break in the industry. However, it is an opportunity; it is not guaranteed that everyone doing independent music will succeed. I cannot advise anybody against it; you just have to go with your own guts.