INTERVIEW: ‘I don’t think government can save us’ — Korede Bello talks politics

Korede Bello is an award-winning Afrobeats megastar. He rose to global prominence in 2015 after he released ‘Godwin’, a semi-gospel and pop hit song which became a national anthem and topped many music charts across Nigeria. In this interview with TheCable Lifestyle, KB, as he is widely known, talks about politics and his musical styles. He also reflects on his time with Mavin Records and how life has been as an independent artist.

Korede Bello: It has been like every other journey. Every journey has different stages that require different types of management. It has been interesting to go from level to level. I’m a low-key guy, so you won’t find me ostentatiously spending away. All I can say is that all has been well with me.

TheCable Lifestyle: Since your hit single ‘Godwin’, you evolved and changed your styles. How would you say that has impacted your career?

Korede Bello: I put out songs before ‘Godwin’ that sounded different. It is not like Godwin is my style, it is just the medium that I used to express that particular message at that time. And after that, I have done other styles. If I have a message to pass, I try to choose the best medium for that message and after then I put out different songs that have done well.

As I said, different levels come with different expressions. 

TheCable Lifestyle: How have you been able to take advantage of the commercialization of Afrobeats globally?

Korede Bello: I have been fortunate to be part of the artistes who have benefitted from the recent spread of the Afrobeats gospel. I feel like I’m one of the first people to experience the global impact of the Afrobeats with ‘Do Like That’ in 2016 or 2017. And even ‘Micasa Sucasa’ during the lockdown enjoyed global reception.

It has benefited me and it is still benefiting me. I’m happier and more grateful that it is benefiting the industry as a whole. That for me is the joy and not necessarily the optics. People have had it and will still have it after you. The fact that music no longer has borders; that freedom for music to travel brings me joy.

TheCable Lifestyle: When you released ‘Godwin’, there was barely the existence of streaming platforms, now that we have, how are you tapping into that?

Korede Bello: I’m a benefactor of the experience that music travels. The DSPs and social media platforms are just vehicles to make the music travel. It is evident in songs like ‘Do Like That’ and my recent songs. And a distribution system like TikTok can make music travel.

TheCable Lifestyle: You have been in a record label and then independent, what have been your experiences in both?

Korede Bello: I’m not presently in a record label but I have a distribution deal. Everything has its pros and cons. There are benefits of being independent and being in a partnership structure/ label service.

Because there are some things you can do yourself and things you can’t do yourself. There are always pros to partnerships and corporations. Having people who are stakeholders and stakeholders make things successful. It means that all hands will be on deck. When more hands are on deck, things can move faster. I think with a structure you have to be dependent on timelines and schedules that might not necessarily foster freedom or allow artistic spontaneity. Sometimes that could limit artistic expression. 

Asides from that, it has been very fruitful. I enjoyed my partnership with the Mavin platform and definitely enjoy artistic freedom and independence. I think it is best to figure out what works for you and where you are at a particular time. The partnership works for me. It is the best. It is my message for any artistes or creatives to try to partner with people who have a stake in the business. 

TheCable Lifestyle: Your EP, ‘Table for Two’ is a blend of lyricism and good sound, a typical you, what stage in your life were you when you made that music?

Korede Bello: ‘Table for Two’ was put out during the pandemic. I wanted to create an intimate project because everybody was isolated. So, I wanted it to be just me and the listener just having honest laidback communication. Those songs are intimate and an expression of companionship.

I created it with the intention of saying we are made for each other and friends that understand you. So, that was the place I was at at the time. It was created with the intention of giving companionship during the trying times that we had.

TheCable Lifestyle: What are those parts of you that you are yet to explore in music?

Korede Bello: There are so many more people who don’t know things I can do music-wise. People are going to be hearing more of that artistic expression.

I will be creating more from an intentional point of view where a lot of more honest subjects matter to be touched. there will be more collaborations.

TheCable Lifestyle: Who are you looking to collaborate with?

Korede Bello: Songs tell me who to collaborate with. Songs are key for me. I don’t really have a preference for who to work with, it is always the song. The music is key.

TheCable Lifestyle: You studied mass communication in varsity. Are you looking to take a job related to the field in the near future?

Korede Bello: Music allows me to communicate messages to a mass audience, that is what mass communication is, and that is what I’m doing. I’m mass communicating the messages of love, healing, and peace. That is mass communication for me. I see music as my weapon of mass compassion. 

It is a way to embrace and high-five a lot of people at the same time. I create with the intention to solve an emotional need, so that is mass communication.

TheCable Lifestyle: How have you been able to handle criticisms?

Korede Bello: It is all the same to me. Positive or negative criticism is a subjective opinion of something that is out there. You don’t have control over the people that are receiving the message you’re putting out. You can’t please everybody and people perceive information differently, so with that, I always focus on what I can control.

And the only thing I can control is what I put out, so whatever the reaction after that, I don’t pay too much attention to what doesn’t make me grow. Meanwhile, there are some positive feedbacks that you can take and work on. 

TheCable Lifestyle: What is your take on the clamour for good governance by the Nigerian youths?

Korede Bello: The way I see governance is very different. I don’t think anybody in the government can save you. There is a false sense of hope that we put in government officials. The government is not going to save us. These are people’s families, uncles, brothers, and fathers. What we are facing is a people problem, and until we address that on a mass scale, the government is going to keep disappointing us.

What we are supposed to be talking about is the nature of the average Nigerian. An average Nigerian can become president or get elected in any arm of government or hold any office, and these people are part of the society.  I don’t focus on the government as an institution, I focus on the people in government and the nature of the people we have in society. If an average Nigerian has a corrupt mentality, it is just a matter of time before that mentality spread into government because the government is not a human being.

I don’t believe in the government saving us, I think the people have to save themselves. 

TheCable Lifestyle: What is your advice for youths — considering the current political atmosphere?

Korede Bello: I don’t like advising people but if there is anything I could share that could help, it is that be the change that you want to see. Because when you change, you could be in a position tomorrow to help other people.

TheCable Lifestyle: Are you supporting any candidate for the 2023 presidential election?

Korede Bello: I’m not supporting any candidate for the presidential election. I believe people put too much hope in other people in some false sense of reality. I feel like everyone should be the change they want to see.