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His journey to fame started in the year 2008, when he released his debut album, N’abania. The album's success was relative and limited to Eastern Nigeria, particularly, Enugu State. But after dropping two other successful albums- Uplifted (2010), Blessed (2012)-he indisputably became one of Africa’s most sought-after and celebrated artistes.
In this exclusive Interview with Entertainment Express, Flavour Nabania tells the unknown stories of his life.
Enjoy and Happy Reading:
In the Nigerian music industry, lots of people have begun to refer you as the uncrowned king of collaborations; how does that make you feel?
I think I’m on the verge of earning that glory due to the unique style of my music.
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The fact that most of my collaborations turn out good and are being appreciated by fans makes me feel great. In a every song I’m collaborating with anybody,
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I always try to bring in something new. I bring in my ingenuities into every song I’m being featured in. The truth is that I must always try to bring in something commercial.
Something I know the fans and lovers of music would embrace and hold unto. I spend quality time thinking about the listeners and I keep trying to put myself in their shoes. I always ask myself, what are the fans going to hold unto in this song, even if it’s just a word or phrase?
So I keep looking out for such word or phrase. And I just have to find it; I have to create that unique word or phrase. There is no way you will sing and be appreciated if you don’t appreciate the fans and put them into consideration while composing the song. If you don’t consider them you would end up singing and satisfying yourself instead of your fans.
So what I bring to the table is the key factor in the success of most of my collaborations.
In your collaborations, do you just sing the lines/lyrics you are given by the original owner of the song or you try to add or change it totally?
I will not just collect and sing anything I’m given to. I must not sing what you ask me to sing. I would like to add my own creativity and ingenuities. Collaboration comes out good only when the two persons involve are bringing in something unique to the table.
If Mr. A has a style and Mr. B also has a style, the combination of these styles would make the song a hit. On my own, I can’t just do magic. You must bring something while I also bring something. I can only do that magic maybe when I’m in the best of my moods. But the core essence of collaboration is to see two different artistes combining their styles. You tap into my fan base while I also tap into yours. For instance, Omawumi is good; she was the first Runner up in West African Idols 2007.
She is doing well in the scenery and has done good songs. So in the song, Bottom Belle, she brought in something while I also did. The same thing applies to other collaborations I have done with others.
There are lots of up and coming artistes and some others you started with who are still struggling; do you in any way try to extend a hand of fellowship to them?
I’ve been doing that. I have lots of guys back in the east and even here in Lagos who I try to help out. There are some that I decided to fund their music videos, apart from just collaborating with them. I also keep telling them to believe in themselves.
As for me, nobody helped me; nobody gave me any money when I started. I keep telling them to be focused. I prefer creating opportunities for them to come out of their shells rather than just giving out money. How long would you continue to give out money? And most times, the money might be channeled into something far from the purpose you gave it out for.
But all the same, I still support some financially; I still train some. I think that is a good way of giving back. I already have a foundation focusing on the young musicians. I’m going around schools especially secondary schools to discover and groom young musicians. At least I’ve been to a couple of schools, especially in the east. There are some I have decided to put under my label. But at the moment, I don’t allow them to record;
I want them to be groomed first. Gone were the days when parents would start crying whenever their children chose the path of music. Apart from the young ones, there are two others who are officially on my label. I signed them about six months ago and they have already shot their videos and would be released soon. I also collaborated with them.
You said nobody supported you back them; share the story of your life with us and how your music career started?
I was born and bred in Enugu state. Enugu is my home. But I’m from Umunze, Orumba South LGA in Anambra State. From where I came from, there was nothing. I didn’t really set out to be a musician. What I know is that I was always admiring choristers in my church. I was passionate about singing and drumming. My pastor noticed it. He called me one day and said a friend of his just came in to Enugu and was looking for young musicians to train. I was 13-years then.
Then I was already playing drums in the church. So the pastor introduced me to Chris I Ordor, the CEO of Sound City Communications. Ordor had just started a musical company aimed at training young musicians on the basics of music and nurturing them all the way to a professional level. He took me in. I couldn’t offer anything then, I was just learning.
They even sent me to the University of Nigeria to study Music. My parents weren’t happy. It was so bad that I had to run away from home. For eight years I ran out of my parents’ home. I only went there once in a while. They never wanted me to be a musician.
My mum continued crying; she had no option. Along the line, when the company was about relocating to Port Harcourt, my mum said I must not go with them. Then I just finished my first year and was about entering second year. I had to stop school. But by then I had already learnt enough. I was already playing at companies’ end of the year parties, birthdays and similar events. When I left the company, I had to join my mum in Ogbete Market.
She had a shop where she sold Jewelry. But it was not fun. She kept telling me to relax that I would soon take another JAMB and gain admission. Along the line, I joined another band and we kept playing at one event or another in Enugu.
Anytime the lead singer didn’t show up, I would be asked to take over. Once I get onto the stage, I would tell them ‘N’abania ka ifeninegaeme’ which means ‘this night, everything will happen’. Sometimes, I would ask them the flavour of music they wanted.
That was how my stage name-Flavour N’abania-came about. I was also backing Mr. Raw then. I didn’t really want to come out as an artiste. At the end, I just felt I could also sing on my own and the move to release a single began.
How do your parents and siblings see you today?
(Laughs) You should know! They are happy. They feel on top of the world. But I’m happy they did what they did.
Most of your lyrics and videos always talk about and portray women as sex objects; is that deliberate?
It doesn’t. It’s all about the music; it’s all about what my fans want.
Why always the choice of busty and ‘big behind’ ladies in your music videos?
Maybe it’s because of the nature of the song.
But you seem to love such kind of women-ladies with ‘big behind’
I love women that look like African woman. I’m an African man, so I like African women (Laughs)
How do you cope with the avalanche of women that flock around you?
I admire and cherish my fans. Sometimes I see these fans and I tell myself ‘these girls are beautiful oh’ (Laughs). The truth is that I’m a man and I must appreciate women. But I don’t take advantage of them.
What is the craziest thing a female fan has done to you?
So many crazy things! I’ve seen so many crazy fans, especially outside the country. Ladies outside the country are even crazier about music stars than Nigerian ladies. Some would want to worship you. Some would see you and begin to cry. Some would kneel down and just want to touch you. So many crazy things that amaze me!
Some of these ladies are gorgeous and irresistible; how frequent does the urge to ‘do it’ come?
I respect women. I don’t take advantage of my fans.
Considering your popularity, are you not disturbed that you might find it difficult to settle down in marriage?
You know the star thing takes away so many things from you. Firstly, you may not just get married like that. You must get married when you know you are ready for family life. You wouldn’t want to come back home and your son would ask ‘mum who is this man?’ (Laughs). I will get married at the right time. I’m still young. I’m not even up to 30-years. I’m still looking at about four years before marriage. I thank God I started my career early.
Millions of ladies at the moment would be praying and wishing to walk down the aisle with you; do you think the one in your life would be ready to wait for that long?
Yes, millions of ladies want me. Once a man is successful in anything he is doing lots of women would definitely want him. It’s natural.
But the most important thing is that, one should not marry out of sympathy. Do you want to sacrifice your future simply because you want to please somebody? Do you want to take a hasty decision and end up suffering later? No. If there is any, she must wait.
So who is that special person?
At the moment it’s me and my music.
Among all your songs, which do you think is your greatest hit?
For recognition, the song that brought me out is Nwa Baby. But the song I believe has made a serious change in my career is Ada Ada. When it came out, lots of people began to understand where I’m coming from and where I’m going. Lots of people began to understand who Flavour is!
Ada Ada has become a national anthem, especially at wedding ceremonies; how did you come about the song?
I told myself that I needed a song that would be a wedding song in Africa. That was how the song came about. There is this similarity in marriages across African countries. I wrote the song. I started composing it a long time ago when
I newly came to Lagos- two years after I came to Lagos. Then I was still living in Surulere. I told myself that it wasn’t yet time for the song to be released and that was why I kept it till when I finally released it. I have lots of other songs with me and I’m waiting for the right time to release them. Every song has a time.
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