Top Artistes Share Their Pains Before Fame

                  Last week we shared how life was before fame came calling for 2Face Idibia, Waje, Yemi Alade and Cynthia Morgan. We shared in their pains, sighs and smiles. Today, we continue with more stars coming forth to share what life was like before the limelight. It is a  #MySuperStarStory series.


I never wanted to be a musician—Naeto C

Naeto C is one of the top rappers on the music scene. His mastery of the game has been proven with his successful albums with hit tracks like 10/10, Owu, Kini Big Deal, My P. Here is the shocker, the 33 year old, father of two never planned to be a musician.

During a recent #MySuperStarStory interview however, Naeto C revealed that while growing up, music was an hobby for him, one that his parents didn’t approve of for fear that he would be distracted.

Constant practice and sheer determination eventually helped him scale through the hurdles and make a point with music.

Asked what his turning point was, he was quick to mention the Kini Big Deal track and advised that upcoming acts be realistic with their choices and decisions.

I squatted with an uncle who was also a squatter– Bovi

Stand-up act Bovi is undoubtedly in the A-list of the Nigerian comedy scene. Having worked with the biggest names in Nigerian entertainment as well as international acts like Wyclef Jean and Ja-Rule, he is widely recognized as one of Nigeria’s finest comedians.

During a recent #MySuperStarStory interview however, Bovi revealed that his sojourn to the top of the comedy circuit in Nigeria was far from simple. He mentioned that upon moving to Lagos, he squatted with an uncle who himself was squatting with a colleague.

He went on to reveal that after taking up comedy as his career, he was billed to perform at a big comedy show in 2008, but upon getting to the venue he was told that he was not on the bill and he was not allowed to perform despite begging. The heartbreaking experience he said moved him to tears.

Going further, he stated that he is thankful for having achieved the success he has achieved and he urged everyone aspiring to success to never give up. In his words, “One thing people fail to realise is that they can achieve fame from their passion. It doesn’t have to be entertainment. I was tenacious, I was steadfast, I was hopeful and I was focused and I think that is what they need.”

Lagos taxi driver ran away with my demo CD – Mr Raw

Mr. Raw is one of the icons of modern Nigerian music and a pioneer of indigenous language hip-hop and rap in the country. Famous for his lyrical wordplay, which incorporates proverbs and mixes Igbo and Pidgin English, he is a widely respected player in the Nigerian music industry.

During a recent #MySuperStarStory interview however, Mr Raw revealed that prior to coming second in the Star Quest music competition, he faced a number of obstacles. In particular, he mentioned an incident with Klint da Drunk when a cab driver who brought them to Lagos for a talent hunt absconded after they left their demo CD in the car.

The situation was saved by a sympathetic studio hand who agreed to transpose their music to a digital format. Soon after, he said, he came second in the Star Quest music show and his life changed foreve.

I dropped school for music without knowing if I would make it—Davido

Davido is arguably Nigeria’s biggest young artist and has gone from strength to strength since making his debut in 2011. He recently sat down for a #MySuperStarStory interview where he revealed that despite his comfortable background, achieving success was not straightforward for him.

Born David Adeleke as the last of five children, Davido revealed that his desire to pursue a career in music did not fly with his dad, moreso because leaving school at the time for an unsure career was a huge risk. According to him, it was the grace of God that made him successful even beyond his own expectations.

He summed up his advice for upcoming artistes and fans this way: “You don’t need to do it because somebody else is doing it. You need to love what you’re doing and know that that’s what you have a passion for.”

No one was laughing at my jokes— Omobaba

Ever since breaking into the mainstream comedy circuit in the mid nighties, Omobaba has been a steady and consistent presence in the dynamic field of Nigerian comedy. He is one of Nigeria’s most popular and in-demand comedians with a solid body of work behind him He recently sat down for a #MySuperStarStory interview where he revealed that at one time, no one was laughing at his jokes.

To counter this he said, he wrote a joke and then said that it was written by Alibaba. The audience then laughed heartily and this he said, was when he realized that he was not unfunny but rather, unpopular. This was his turning point.

Admonishing upcoming comedians, Omobaba advised them to leave a good legacy and always communicate a positive message in their routines. In his words, “Have it in the back of your mind that whatever you say while being recorded on film is going to remain for years to come and your children will see it. Pass a message with your jokes.”
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