Nigerian rapper Fecko recently caught up with fellow veteran Nigerian
rapper, IllBliss on set during his “Anamachi Kwanu” video shoot which
was directed by Clarence Peters. Both rappers had a chit-chat
afterward, and the end-result? A thought-provoking and an interesting
interview. Read on!
FECKO: Most Nigerian hiphop fans would agree with me that ‘Anamachi
kwanu’ is one of the latest rap anthems in town. What inspired the
song? And what’s the message behind it?
illBliss: Anamachi kwanu is a serious record. Lately music has been
sounding recycled and redundant, so I went back to the essence of
illbliss which is Rebellious music. It’s a chant in igbo dialect
meaning “Do you really think I’m joking here?” I love the new
generation of artists coming out but some of them lack a true calling
to the art of music so I had to jolt the phoney
FECKO: I support rebellious music. People are too cautious these days.
Speaking of the new generation of artists, do you think most of them
still respect those that were here before them?
illbliss: Well I know they show me a lot of outward respect. However,
I can’t see their hearts but I truly believe the current structure of
the business was built from sweat and sacrifices made by older
artists. We came from the scratch with very little technology to
support the growth. Today it’s different; the kids have a lot more
resources. Credit must also be accorded to newer acts that hustle hard
to keep dropping hits and raising the bar. No credit accorded to the
percentage trying to jack existing formulaes
FECKO: Indeed veteran rappers like you made sacrifices for the
industry. I remember watching Thorobreds perform on Galaxy TV back in
the day. Y’all made me believe that there was actually a hip hop
movement in this country. Are y’all still cool? Will there be any
group project in the future?
illbliss: None for now. I’m in touch with my thoro fam though
FECKO: Nice! So I was at your video shoot for Anamachi kwanu the other
day. And I was like ‘yo, when this video drops…Illy’s gonna be
nominated this year’ to say the least…
illbliss: You already know the politics bro.
FECKO: Word! So when’s the new video dropping?
illbliss: First week of July
FECKO: ‘Oga Boss’ is the title of your forthcoming album? What should
Dat Ibo Boy fans look forward to?
illbliss: Oga boss is my sophomore LP. It’s a rap album, period no
gimmicks. Honest, daring, reflective, triumphant, aspirational, every
track was molded to mirror one or more of these attributes. I have
been an entrepreneur from day one so I have always made music on my
own terms. I am my own oga, so Ogaboss is today’s illBliss.
FECKO: Which artists and producers did you work with on the album?
Illbliss: I featured Naeto C, Timaya, Ice Prince, Suspect, Chidinma,
Silvastone, Blak Twang, WizBoyy. On production I worked with Suspect,
Phyno, Silvastone, Wizboyy and XYZ of Str8 Buttah.
FECKO: I see Black Twang on your track list. Good to know you’re also
collaborating across borders.
illbliss. Yeah, you know Black Twang right?
FECKO: No doubt, homie’s been holding it down in the UK.
illBliss: That’s right!
FECKO: By the way I also noticed your style cuts across both the young
and old. So when’s your sophomore LP dropping?
illbliss: I’m 34 fecko. May not be very old, but not a kid anymore. My
album is not underground texture wise. It’s rap. It’s illbliss. ‘Oga
Boss’ drops in a month!
FECKO: You’re on the right path bro, and I believe originality is key.
It makes one stand the test time of time
illBliss: Yes bro. You know I want to do this because a lot of people
have little regards for you when you’re not hot, they drift!
FECKO: True that!
illBliss: Till you look like a contender again. When I had ‘aiye po
gan’ dudes were hanging onto me. So much groupie attitude. And I can
see through it.
FECKO: I can imagine.
illbliss: And I know with my new tunes they gon start famzing
FECKO: Yeah right (laughs). There are a lot of Famzinoes in the game
right now. Would you say ‘Aiye Pa Gan’ was a commercial song?
illBliss: Nah. Aiye po gan has a message and a philosophy behind it.
The beat was commercial. I can’t write dumb music
FECKO: Whenever I hear an Illbliss verse, there’s something different
about the rhyming pattern. Is that your trademark rap style?
illbliss: Well. Not really. I write how it comes to me so long as I
don’t fall off the beat. I just go in but the flow at best is
staccatoish
FECKO: So besides the rap grind, I know you run the Goretti Company.
What’s the company all about and what else do you do?
illbliss: The goretti Company is involved in grooming fresh talent.
And I also consult for Project Fame. I manage their winners.
FECKO: Interesting. So how do you juggle both jobs? Being a rapper and
an artist manager?
illbliss: I try. I understand the boundaries and somehow they don’t
clash. I make a lot of sacrifices as a talent manager to ensure my
clients get full attention and sometimes it slows illbliss a bit but
altogether I’m having fun doing both
FECKO: I see! I would have asked ‘Any final words to your fans?’. But
that’s kind of cliché
illBliss: It’s ok (smiles). Clichés work sometimes. I love my fans. They stay
loyal and mad supportive. I thank them for being dedicated through the
years from dat iboboy to u go wound to aiyepo gan to now
FECKO: Thanks for your time
illBliss: You’re welcome. Thanks bro. I totally endorse This Is Fecko,
it’s a fresh angle to blogging and e-mags. Your brand represents
Originality, it’s thought provoking, artistic and informative
FECKO: Thanks boss!
illBliss: You’re welcome bro. Anytime
