Friends turned label mates, these endowed music acts are signed on with Syndik8 Records. Exceptionally skilled, they relate their enthralment with sounds and lyrics
I’m looking for longevity in my craft – Lynxxx
Award-winning artiste, Chukie Edozien, popularly known as Lynxxx, speaks about his career and vision for Syndik8 Records
What projects are you currently working on?
I am working on my album and it is titled The Evolution, because everything about me has evolved in a good way. I am trying to make my brand a lot more transparent, relatable, accessible, and more open to the common man. I am trying to take away the superstar façade. Nowadays, I dress down more often and I wear less sunglasses. I am looking for peace and longevity in my craft.
Are you happy with all that you have achieved in the last seven years?
Lynxxx
Yes, I am. I have achieved a lot personally and not just as an artiste. I have won several awards and I am financially stable. I am working on introducing the other artistes on my label. Everyone is an entity but together, we are strong. That is my focus— showing the world what we can do collectively.
Syndik8 Records is made up of a group of friends. Does that make working together as a team easy?
Yes, it does. We all have the same background, we like the same things and we have the same goals. Our goal is not to make money but to impact the world with the music we make. Money is important and as long as we do the right thing, we won’t have to worry about it.
When you launched your music career in Nigeria, what were some of the things you struggled with?
Honestly, at that point, I was not struggling with anything. The industry was quite young and the people there were people who started about five years before I did. I am referring to people like Dbanj, ELDee, Naeto C and MI.
Are you bothered that people tie your success to your family background?
I would not say I tried to make them see me for me. I just stopped doing what I was doing. When you are successful, people do not want to give you the credit, especially when you come from a certain background. It does not mean it is the truth; neither will it take a dime out of my pocket. You let them win if you pay attention to them. My dad did not know I was doing music until my album was released a year after I started, when I was ready to launch it and when I got endorsed by Pepsi. My father is a former deputy governor of the old Bendel State and a retired banker. At his age, what business does he have with looking for radio play or endorsements for his son?
What are you trying to achieve with Syndik8 records?
We are unique, have our own sound and image. Nothing is holding us back from showing the greatness we have to offer.
As much as you are friends and business partners, how do you manage your different personalities?
In life, two people are never the same. The best thing is that we all grew up as friends before we got to this stage of our lives. We have a common interest and that is the actual bond.
What do you find most challenging, as an artiste and record label owner?
I think the most challenging thing as an artiste is being able to find yourself and being able to understand that irrespective of what is happening in the commercial market, there is a market for everybody and everything as well. Artistes often get swayed by putting money first as their priority and they miss the point that the product is their priority. Money is inevitable if your product is right. Artistes should focus on being honest and real with the music, instead of following trends. When you find that peace, you will make as much money you want. Right now, Nigerians are open to appreciating different genres of music.
How long do you intend to do music for?
I intend to be in the entertainment industry for as long as possible. My partner’s dream and I is to own an empire and not just a record label. I have a lot of talents; I design, I am into programming. Ikon is also a designer and we have a clothing line. We shoot videos as well. Syndik8 is just a household name for a lot of things, we have Syndik8 Records, Syndik8 Media, Syndik8 Film and Syndik8 Denim. We have big plans.
Describe you style in one word?
My style is Confam Utunu.
Music brought me fame – Nedu
Chinedu Ekwuyasi is a dancehall artiste signed on with Syndik8 records. He opens up on his calling
Tell us about your foray into music?
My friendship with BLiNK and Lynxx dates back to our days at Kings College, Lagos. We started off making music behind the kiosks in school. Music was simply a hobby for us but now a lifelong career. I double-majored in Communications, Public Relations and Film Studies at the State University of New York. A cousin of mine owned a studio where we always went to record music and I have been going on strong in music since 2005. I moved back to Nigeria in 2011, teamed up with Lynxxx and released my first song titled Action Man, in 2012. It was my first shot at fame.
And your parents?
They are supportive of my career and my mum is my greatest critic.Whenever I release a song, my mum is usually the first to critic it. My dad was also into music, he was a manager to top jazz artistes in the United States of America, so he understands the industry.
Nedu
Does your degree come in handy?
Yes, it does. I am articulate because I majored in Communications.
You come across as a sex symbol?
I am outspoken, and entertaining; and only recently, I realised that my calling in life is to bring joy to the hearts of millions. The sex symbol persona came with the music I have chosen to embody. I do dancehall music and it involves a lot of conscious vibes. To be a part of that genre, I have to embody it in its entirety.
Do you have any album in the works?
We all have individual albums we are working on but for now, the concentration is on our group project. I have a body of works I have been working on for two years. I just released a song called Woy, which is the first single of the album.
Do you face any competition?
I am predominantly a dancehall artiste. If I wasn’t doing music, I will be working in an advertising firm coming up with adverts and copy.
How long do you intend to do music for?
I will always do music. I thank God for my family as I have a sound upbringing; money isn’t an issue.
What are you most unhappy about with Nigerian music?
The standard of live shows saddens me. If the sound is bad during a live show, it affects an artiste’s morale. It is a growing industry and our music has gone global.
Artistes need to rehearse their songs, choreography and movement. They are not in music just to mime and get the money. It is a craft, so they have to do all the rounds.
Do you have other sources of income?
Music opens the doors no doubt, but it isn’t the only source of income.
How do you like to dress?
I like to be comfortable, the aura shines through. I like to wear sweat pants, T-shirt and leather slippers anytime I can.
Music is a labour of love – BLiNK
Up-and-coming rap artiste, Nelson Agose aka BLiNK, speaks about his career and journey to fame
How did you arrive at the name BLiNK?
I blink a lot because I am bespectacled so, a friend suggested the name BLiNK and I took to it. My fans also nicknamed me‘blink of life’ after the release of my first single.
Blink
How long have you been into music?
I began doing music in 2012 and I released two independent albums in America. Even as a student of Kings College, Lagos, I loved music. I studied Economics at the University of Illinois, USA.
Did you ever work with your degree?
I never did because music has been my spiritual talent. There is a serious side to me, which comes to the fore in my music every now and then.
What was growing up like?
I had a very animated and adventurous upbringing. I used to draw and try to invent things just as my parents exposed me to the music of the late Michael Jackson and Fela. My mum has always been my biggest fan and like any other father, mine was initially worried that I might not succeed as a musician. This is because most musicians take up a career in music to escape from life’s problems.After he saw me perform at my sister’s wedding, my dad gave me his blessings.
How challenging has it been trying to fit into the industry?
I’m not trying to fit in. When I returned to Nigeria, I almost got involved in the rat race before I realised that the only way to make it in life was to simply be me.
Which rap artistes inspire you?
I don’t get influenced but the likes of Naeto C, M.I, Ikechukwu and eLDee made me appreciate rap music in Nigeria better.
Are you into music for money?
I’m into music for fulfillment. Money is important but once you create a standard, put your heart into it and brand it the right way, money will come. I have been earning money from music just like I anticipated. If I wanted to make money, I have all the required links coupled with the fact that I have a strong degree. If I weren’t passionate about music, I would be working in the corporate sector. My music is a labour of love to the world because it is my calling.
What are you passionate about apart from music?
My essence is music; I like communicating with people. Someone once told me that if I weren’t a musician, I would have been a professor or a priest.
My late father inspired my career –DJ Obi
The official DJ of Syndik8 Records, Obi Ajuonuma, is the son of the late media personality, Dr. Levi Ajuonuma. He speaks about his career
How did your music career begin?
When I rounded off my studies at Connecticut School of Broadcasting, USA, in 2010, I decided to diversify my source of income. I was working at a mall at that time. I have always wanted to be a professional disc jockey, having been surrounded by media and entertainment all my life. I am glad to be currently living my dreams.
DJ Obi
Why did you choose to become a DJ?
It is a great stepping stone and a demanding one at that. Growing up with my late dad, I had memorable encounters with notable names like DJ Jimmy Jatt and a host of others. As the anchor of Dr. Levi Ajuonuma Open House Party on Ray Power FM, my dad honed my love for music at a very young age. As a DJ, I love the fact that I am able to determine the mood of my audience. Above all, I find being a DJ very lucrative.
Do you work with other artistes or clients aside from Syndik8 records?
Yes, I am invited to ply my trade at a lot of destination weddings and birthday parties.
Your industry has undergone some rebranding. How does this make you feel?
It makes me feel so great because it has given me an opportunity to be heard and to make a living. Thankfully, Nigerians now realise that DJs are as important as music artistes. In future, after musicians have fallen off the scene, DJs will help keep their legacies alive by playing their songs.
What is the least amount you have ever been paid?
I was paid $50 when I started out and now, I am paid as much as six digits as an appearance fee. I am lucky to have clients that really appreciate the importance of my craft as a DJ.
Tell us about your background?
I was born in the United States and moved to Nigeria when I turned four. I was raised in a strong Christian home. I watched my late dad grow in his field and that ignited my passion for media and broadcasting.
Was he in support of your career?
I kicked off my music career before he passed away and because I was still an undergraduate at the time, he encouraged me to round off my studies before going into music. Even though he had a few reservations about the entertainment industry, he encouraged me all the same.
How did you handle his demise?
It was extremely hard because he played a very huge role in our upbringing. He took care of my siblings and I; so it was very a difficult time for our family. Thankfully, God is helping out in the healing process. We learnt lessons about God, trust and life in general.
Every song I produce is a hit – Ikon
Popularly known as Ikon, music producer and co-founder of Syndik8 Records, Dennis Ekwuyasi, speaks about his craft
Ikon
How did you start out as a music producer?
I was born into the family of music lovers and I developed a liking for music production after I stumbled on a music editing software. I built a music studio after I completed my secondary school education. I partnered with Lynxxx and we both invested our resources to make it a reality. I studied Marketing at The University of Ghana. I have worked with the likes of Black Magic, Naeto C, 2face, Dbanj and Asa to mention but a few.
What is the most challenging aspect of your job?
The main challenge is that a lot of people, who aren’t talented, want to make music at all costs. I do advise such artistes to perfect their skills first. Trying to make an untalented artiste is quite challenging irrespective of how beautiful a beat is.
What happens when an untalented artiste offers to pay you so much?
A lot of people in the industry complain that I turn people down a lot. I simply tell such an artiste that, “I am not implying that you can’t make it as an artiste but it is not the time for us to work together as you need to work on your craft.” The fact remains that I am not going to produce a beat in 10 minutes and have you sing to it because my integrity is at stake.
What do you consider to be the most gratifying aspect of being a producer?
Seeing an idea come to life, dreaming about something and trying to explain a beat to someone who has no idea what I am talking about. When the individual finally listens to the beat and is impressed, I derive so much joy.
Has any of the songs you produced surpassed your expectations?
Every single track that I produce becomes a hit. I never knew Change your Parade was going to be embraced by my peers.
Don’t you think there will be a clash of interests if you sing and produce at the same time?
I spent eight years producing for other people so, now is the time to push all those people to one side and spend more time on Syndik8 Records and myself.
As the co-owner of Syndik8 Records, don’t you think the label deserves a female act?
We all attended the same secondary school and have been friends for such a long time. But we are open to signing on a female artiste if we find any young and talented artiste.
What’s the highest amount you’ve charged to produce a track?
Three years ago, I charged about N350,000 and I would rather produce for free when faced with a talented artiste who can’t afford to pay for my services. I currently charge about N3m to produce a song.
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