Larry Gaaga: I was once jailed in Ivory Coast over fake EEC passport

Larry Gaaga, the music executive, says he was once jailed in Ivory Coast over a fake passport.

The record producer reminisced about his formative years during an interview with Joey Akan, a music journalist.

Gaaga said the arrest happened years ago after some locals sold him a fake passport in his desperation to emigrate.

“I don’t make people feel like they need me, even when you come to me for something. I came from a very poor home. I don’t want to go back to poverty. I was born in my hometown, in Okija, Anambra state,” he said.

“But I grew up in Mushi, Lagos from where I moved to Okota, Isolo because I schooled in Apata  Memorial. I’m a first child. My dad, when he started making money, he spent a lot on me to go to school.

“But he was confused too. Today it’s about being a doctor. Tomorrow, it’s the lawyer. You know how parents can be. All my life, I wanted to travel. I even made some moves that got me arrested and jailed. Where’s Ivorycoast again?

“They locked me up. Some Ibadan boys sold me a fake EEC passport. I was moving with my friends. We’ve done different things to get out of the country, thinking, if you’re in London or America, you’ve made it.

“He wanted and expected a lot from me. He was disappointed in me. No matter what I studied, I just wanted to have a certificate. I followed my uncle’s advice but it wasn’t what my father wanted. Today, he’s a happy man.”

Larry Gaaga gained fame with the success of ‘Gaaga Shuffle’, a song he performed alongside 2Baba, the singer.

He began his career in the entertainment industry in 2012 as the GM of YSG, managing Vector, the rapper.

Gaaga is currently the VP of Def Jam Africa and the head of A&R across English-speaking markets in Africa.