Today, we interrupted the busy schedule of veteran reggae artiste PUPA ORITS WILLIKI at his Cowrie Muzik/media Int'l Ltd Recording Studios in Lagos to bring you this exclusive interview.
In this interview with Onwuka M. Onyeka, he shares his personal life and more about the music industry in Nigeria. Enjoy!
GP: Thank you for giving us audience amidst your busy schedule
ORITS: You are welcome
GP: What was the vision behind floating a record label?
ORITS: Our primary reason was to be free of the Master-Slave relationship that existed between the Artist and his or her Recording Company at a time. Then the Artists were in perpetual debt to the Company what l mean by that is that they will produce to you huge figure of the amount of money spent on you as production and publicity cost and sometimes some loan and you never end up paying this debt in a lifetime no matter how much you sold. So they send you a statement of accounts that see you collecting no dime as they must recoup this debt before thinking of earning a dime.
GP: Three decades in the music industry, has anything really changed in the industry?
ORITS: Well a lot has changed. You do not necessarily have to be a musician to become a recording Artist. The dictionary definition of a Musician is a skilled instrumentalist while an Artist is said to a Singer, painter or dancer. In those days you are encouraged to learn how to play at least one instrument to enable you to know how to compose or write songs professionally. In those days you play almost all your instrumentation live, the digital Era was just evolving musicians were hard working and not lazy unlike what you have now. Every Artist now is almost Laptop artist because you have software like Loops which if you have it on your computer you are already a musician because you have presets sounds that you can just combine and just sing or write any trash on it and bingo a song is ready and then go an shoot a classy video it's as easy.
GP: Is reggae music still as influential as in the 80’s?
ORITS: It depends on what angle you are seeing it from Reggae music has evolved through different styles and pattern over the years. We have seen reggae moving from its original style as Ska music into traditional roots rock to Ragga and lovers and to Dancehall and Hip-hop. So to those who do not understand this fact feel like Reggae is dying but to those who know reggae is bigger than it used to be Globally the reggae in its original state as we know it here may not be popular on our airwaves as it used to be. This is because the youth are more tuned to Hip-hop as at today but you still have huge followers who are yearning for reggae music day in day out
GP: What are some of the challenges you can identify in the music industry?
ORITS: The major challenge the industry is facing is that of near inexistence of sustainable structures. Only recently the Federal Government answered to the yearnings of the Copyright Collective Management Creative Sector by correcting the forced monopoly on the sector for over 24 years and in this period Musicians and Artists were robbed raped and deceived. Now that, that has been done it is time to also fix the Musician Union that has gone into an abyss in the past one or two decades because without fixing the Union the sector cannot positively move forward as there is no adequate regulation to guide the industry and it's practitioners. This is the only country where every Dick and Harry thinks music is the easy way out.
That for me is not proper until we do what is right we shouldn't expect miracles.
GP: Looking back at the success of your over three decades career, what would you say have been your staying power?
ORITS: My sustainable power comes from Jehovah first of all. Secondly hard work and sincere and loyalty to my callings which is Music. Thirdly is consistency and continuous dedication to that Calling. For them to sow their coats with solid material of patience and loyalty. Be hardworking and humble and above all out God first.
GP: How can a budding music artiste with no record label or ORITS: financial investor make it in this highly competitive industry? It is difficult for budding Artists to make it into the industry. It's even worse now because there are no encouraging structures to enable them to succeed. In spite of all the reality programs, there are no waiting structures to take them beyond that point.
GP: Let’s digress a little, how many African countries have you visited and which would you love to visit next?
ORITS: I have visited many but Kenya is a beautiful country, Nairobi is a lovely City.
GP: Who’s your favorite serving African President?
ORITS: None, I don't have any.
GP: You’ve maintained such a beautiful dread over the years, how much does it cost to keep it this beautiful?
ORITS: It is not a cheap venture to embark on. The physical and Spiritual attention it requires is not easy to do. It's beautiful but requires so much to put in.
GP: What local meal are we likely going to catch you eating in an African kitchen?
ORITS: I love African dishes from bole roasted plantain to Fish pepper soup with solid pap.
GP: Our final question sir, what advice would you give to Africa’s youth?
ORITS: To stay focus on whatever they decide to do. Put God first, work hard; stay out of drugs and out of trouble. Eyes on your set Goals at all times.
GP: Thank you so much for your time.
ORITS: Bye Bye
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