by Babajide Awoyinfa
He is one
of the new breed of hip hop artistes currently gaining momentum and about to
explode on the big stage. He is known as Eminiic, an acronym for Every Moment
In Natural Interesting Interesting Cases. The musician, whose real name is
Emmanuel Prince Adiele, is fast making a name as an artiste with a knack for
boredom-breaking songs. At the moment, his debut single “Ugly Temptation” which
was released on February 15, 2012, is a big buzz on radio.
Signed to
Cuzio Records in January 2012, Eminiic is being tipped by music pundits to be
the next artiste to dominate the music scene. In a recent encounter, the Imo
State-born artiste talked about his love for music, his need to reach people
through his songs, and his hopes for the future. Excerpts.
What do you think
is the desired catalyst for the music industry?
I think more attention should be given to up-and-coming talents who are seeking for avenues to showcase their talents. Talent hunt projects should be encouraged and there should be some form of encouragement from the already established stakeholders in the music business.
I think more attention should be given to up-and-coming talents who are seeking for avenues to showcase their talents. Talent hunt projects should be encouraged and there should be some form of encouragement from the already established stakeholders in the music business.
Given that the
industry is just coming out of the devastating effect of the global economic
crunch, what are your chances of becoming a commercial success?
Economic
crunch or not, people will survive. Humans have a way of adapting to changes
and in every aspect of life there must be hard work for results to come out. My
record label, Cuzio Records, and the management team are not relenting in their
efforts to promote me and my music. I believe that with God every dream can
actually be actualized.
How did you come
about your stage name?
I am a very natural
person that believes in nature and its aura. Things around me affect me and as
such I always try to be full of fun, that is the background to my stagename,
Eminiic, which is an acronym for “Every Moment In Natural Interesting
Interesting Cases”. However, my real name is Emmanuel Adiele from Imo State,
but I was born and bred in Lagos State.
How would you
describe your creative work (in this case, your music and your performance) to
people who have never seen or heard about you?
I would say my music
is in a class of its own. I am always free and natural in whatever I do. My act
is natural. I flow easily with the groove. I can confidently say that my music
and act are all-round natural.
Looking back at
your early childhood, what was your first experience with music like?
What song do you remember most as a child?
When I was 11 years
old, I performed at a wedding, miming Michael Bolton’s song, “Lean On Me”. The
crowd was wowed. That was the day I knew there was something about me and my
voice. “Lean On Me” was the first
song I ever performed. The event of that day remains vivid in my mind and it
gave me hope at some particular point in time. Back then as a child, I was
close to my dad who always played the music of African legends such as Osadebe,
Oliver de Coque and their likes. Nowadays, the rhythm has changed; we are
mostly concerned with fun and groove; a kind of music that is somewhat
physical; back then, music was for the soul.
What made you first realize
you wanted to pursue a career in music?
Right from when I
was young, I have always had this feeling deep down inside of me that I love
seeing people happy and entertained. From that moment, I started seeing things
around me as inspirational, couple with the fact that people always commend my
voice even when I speak. I don't see music as an external factor that you
pursue, but rather I see it as a force from within. My music comes from within
me, but everything I see around me serves as an inspiration. So I am a natural
artist.
What do you
sing about?
My songs are about
what happens around me. I pass messages across with what I see in our every day
society.
How long have you
been performing?
I have been
performing since when I was 11 years old. But my professional career took off
in 2010, the year I entered the university.
When can you regard
as your biggest break so far in your music career?
Every opportunity
has always been valuable to me. But to every man there is a moment that gives
him a thrill. The recently concluded Calabar Star Trek was a great moment for
me because I left the stage with an overwhelming applause from the crowd.
How will describe
your type of music?
I play Afro-R&B
pop with a feel of techno.
What impact did
being a member of a choir has on your music career?
The choir has really
influenced my musical ability largely because my vocal power was honed and
harnessed during my days as a chorister in the church. As I said
earlier, every aspect of the society has affected my love for the industry, but
places of social gathering, such as parties and weddings has played a huge role
in my life.
What is the concept
behind “Ugly Temptation”?
The concept came
naturally. The inspiration came while I was hanging out with friends in a club
while on a vacation in one of the islands. The song is a groovy one that you
must dance to if you listen to it and it will definitely wipe away boredom in
your life.
What is your
motivation to continue performing?
If there is anything
I like, it is thrilling a crowd - the feeling inside of me has always been my
drive; and the response I get from crowd has always been a motivation. My music
is natural; together with Cuzio Records, we fine-tuned the rhythm to get the best
out of it.
What is the big news about
you now?
I intend to go on
tours to promote the Temptation video, which already has
started trending on Twitter. I can say that the future is heavily-loaded for me
and my team.
If you are given
the privilege to pick three artistes for collaboration, who will you pick?
R
Kelly, Nicki Minaj and Tuface - I admire their consistency and influences.
Is there
anyone you would acknowledge for making your dream come true as an artist?
First of all, the
appreciation goes to God almighty - Baba God noni - and
secondly, to the team at Cuzio Records. The management team is awesome.
What makes you
think that you are the next to blow?
I believe in myself. Moreover, people are already
appreciating my songs. And they are showing me love too. I am already on the
big stage and I am unique. My name is Eminiic. Follow me on twitter @iameminiic to get the latest events coming up about me.
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