Q: Konga, recently, the NBC announced that your hit single, Baby Konga, has been banned from airplay. Why was the song banned?
A: Really, I must confess that the reason that was given for the ban is vague to me. Baby Konga, in what we call 'Konga' language, means the most beautiful girl in Africa and to me, my listeners know the message I am trying to pass through the song. It is not vulgar as they claim. The language was only coded in eno (Yoruba slang) and Konga. Even if they want to claim that the language is vulgar, that's why we coded the lyrics because of the children. I know that what the song is all about is: Baby Konga, (meaning the most beautiful girl in Africa), Bo Konga (come to the party) and anyone that wants to spoil the party, E ju won si Konga (kick them out). That's all. So, I don't see any vulgar words in that. In a nutshell, what the song means is, come and have a fun-filled time.
Q: How come you decided to code the song because of the children, as you claim, when it is not vulgar?
A: That was because I just wanted to code my songs in a 'Konga' style. It is not because it contains vulgar language.
Q: If it does not have any vulgar language, what is Ileke konga, as you sang in the song?
A: Okay, this is how 'Ileke Konga' came in to the song: 'Baby Konga' 'So konga' 'Di Konga' 'Ileke Konga' (Most beautiful girl in Africa, shake your buttocks), 'Ileke' are beads which is currently being promoted among African women, who wear them around their waist. So, I decided to bring it into the song to describe the real African woman, since my style, 'Konga,' is deeply from Africa and aimed at projecting the image of Africa. That's why I also wear beads around my neck during shows since I cannot wear them round my waist like a woman. I prefer wearing those beads instead of gold, diamond or any kind of foreign jewelry. I think the only problem is that, they don't understand the 'Konga' language.
Q: Where does the 'Konga' style come from and how did you develop it?
A: Really, right from my childhood days, I had always wanted to carve an image for myself. When I was coming into the music industry, I went through a lot of research and met people. I am a rap artiste and I observed that most rap artistes are 'rasta,' so I felt I should come up with my own style since I understand the eno language very well. The 'Konga' style is peculiar to me and basically from me, because I want to teach people the 'Konga' style through my music. And one of the advantages of the style is that it is secured.
Q: Has the NBC written you on the vulgar parts of the song?
A: No, but the truth is that I can interpret the song to them from the beginning to the end. And what they have only said about it is that there seems to be a mix up somewhere.
Q: Don't you think the NBC can't find how you arrived at 'E pon mi si Konga' (fetch water into the well), which confuses virtually all the listeners. Is it possible to fetch water into the well?
A: Just as I said earlier, my style is eno and what e pon mi si konga means is that everybody should join the party. It has no vulgar meaning and the issue of beads (Ileke Konga), means shake the beads and join the groove. I think this whole controversy is the brainchild of some of my detractors. I know God will never allow their evil plans to manifest because I believe every stumbling block fashioned against my life will be a stepping stone.
Q: Before the ban circulated to the Nigerian media, were you served any notification letter by the NBC?
A: No, not even as we are now discussing. We have been to their office at Race Course and they told us they are responsible for the ban. They demanded that we replay the song and explain the lyrics to them, which I did and they concluded that it might be a mix up, or probably, there's another version of the song which may be vulgar and immoral. So, why would any one just wake up and decide to spoil my career?
Q: When writing the song, who were your target audience?
A: Everyone that has imbibed the hip-hop culture. The old, the young and the unborn. I want to spread the language through music.
Q: Although the song is catchy, how do you intend to endear your 'Konga' style to the hearts of people in other continents?
A: With time, people will embrace it. And even through my research, I discovered that during the colonial era, some of those that enslaved our forefathers even got to know about this eno slang and spoke it. Apart from the language, now you can dance to the music because it is very danceable. Thank God, my fan base is widening by the day and even the pace at which it is moving, I don't think I can meet it for now.
Q: When recording a song, an average Nigerian musician would dream of clinching a Grammy award with it, just as I'm sure you did. Now, did you ever envisage this kind of problem?
A: Yes, because I know life is all about ups and downs. I was prepared to face the challenges ahead but I waited this long to release the song, four years after it was recorded, to avert impending dangers ahead.
Q: Now that the song has been banned, what are your plans?
A: I will go on another research, while I will make sure that whatever I am coming out with is well furnished, fresh and won't have any loopholes. I want to make sure that everyone who hears it will attest to the fact that I am a world class musician.
Q: You came out as a promising music act and your hit single has been banned from the airwaves. Now, don't you think your career is in jeopardy?
A: I have always prayed to God to lift me up and let me achieve my dreams in life. Although this situation is making me scared, I believe God is in control. This is just going to be a challenge that will put me on the right path and I hope sooner, God will further put me in the limelight.
Q: Do you have any plan to redo the song if the need arises?
A: Yes, as a matter of fact, we are currently working on that in the studio. The reason is that I want to translate what was meant in the 'Konga' style of Baby Konga.
Q: So, have you accepted that Baby Konga is banned for real?
A: No. I don't think it is banned because I don't have any letter to that effect. There's no letter regarding the ban and nobody can just come and ban my song without explanation. But I have only decided to take it easy with them. Soon, we shall sort things out because they don't have any evidence for now.
Q: The song Baby Konga has received nominations for awards like GhaNaija Awards coming up next month (March), Hip Hop World Awards and the forthcoming Gbedu Awards. Don't you think the ban placed on your work may affect your chances?
A: I pray it does not affect it but... I believe God is in control and He won't allow me to weep over what I suffered for many years to achieve. However, if I don't clinch those awards, I will congratulate whoever wins and accept my fate.
| Posted: at | |
evans_ogezi
kingseas
khadijah
omerta_7
slimzypink
. I mean there are a thousand and one songs out there that are uncoded and still contain vulgar words. where they blind or deaf when the koko master and the likes of zule zoo released his own? I mean can't they find something better to do?
Ifeezy
bomsi99
quinzee4me
Solidstonez
TRENDING GISTS 
VIDEO: Adorable Moment Man Proposes Marriage To Lover On A Plane
Nigerian Soldier, Sani Yahaya Goes Wild In Enugu, Stabs Colleague In The Head With Dagger
Panic As Fire Razes University Of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Destroys Drugs, Equipment
Video Of A Student And His Teacher Engaging In Heated Argument Sparks Outrage
OAP, Moet Abebe Shares Receipt Of Her Outing, Insist Men Should Spend N7M Or More In Club