Next To Blow
NEXT 2 BLOW: My Music Is A Gospel Of Hope – IBK Spaceshipboi
Friday, August 17, 2012Omoba
Written By Babajide Awonyinfa
Ever since he won the Don Jazzy Enigma Beat Competition in 2011, his career has been on
the upswing. Today, Ibukun Kevin Emuwawon popularly known as IBK Spaceshipboi, has become one of the
most anticipated up-and-coming artistes in the Nigerian music industry. His
single, “I Have a Dream” from his in-the-making debut album, I Come In Peace,
has been getting remarkable reviews online.
A multi-talented artiste has worked with notable
names in the music industry, from being a producer-at-large with ace producer
Cobhams Asuquo, CEO C.A.M.P., to recording with the likes of hip hop heavies
like Muna, Yemi Alade, Modele, Sound Sultan, Durella, and rave-of-the-moment
Bez.
IBK, however, is different from your everyday artiste. In this interview, he
explains the rationale behind his decision to toe the path of gospel music, how
he strikes a balance between his act and his art, and what music means to him.
Tell us about the Enigma
competition
The Enigma Beat Competition was a rap competition put together by one of
Nigeria’s top music producers, Don Jazzy in 2011. I jumped on it because I saw
it as an opportunity to put out God’s word and reach out to a ready audience
that was caught up in the hype of the competition. I came across it through a
website that was an affiliate to the initiative. I was excited when I won. This
was the first competition I was wining as an individual for the first time in
my life but at the same time, it made me more conscious of the fact that now,
more eyes would watch my every move, my comments, my lifestyle and that what I
profess to stand for would become public - these made me to become aware of the
need to be responsible. It was an awesome experience; from the day of
submission through the period of voting to the final day that I was announced
the winner. 
You won the competition
with overwhelming votes; what do you think endeared you to the listeners who
voted for you?
I would say the message and the way it was
delivered. I heard the beat and immediately thought “cinema”, hence I introduced
special effect elements like the thunder clap, rain, soldiers’ marching steps,
and extra vocals to make the intro fuller, and then an inspiring hook, with the
body of the rap focusing on the story of God’s salvation told in the
manner the rapper Common, did in the song “I Used To Love Her”. It was
different and it stood out. I can’t forget a comment from someone on Twitter
who said: “Wow! You spoke about Jesus without saying His name but we all got
the message. That is true creativity.”
How did the Enigma
competition transform your career?
Winning the competition made me feel more conscious and responsible. Now I feel
I’ll be held accountable for the words I say on my songs, which should be the
case. The level of recognition from winning the competition has increased and
more people know about IBK Spaceshipboi.
Give a brief background
about yourself?
I was born in the city of Warri in Delta State on December 18, 1982, but I am a
native of Ondo State. I spent my childhood in Warri where I attained my basic
education at NNPC Primary School, Warri. I got my secondary education at
Demonstration Secondary School, run by College of Education, Warri. There, I
was schoolmates with Nigerian pop soul Diva Omawumi and soul sister Nneka.
During this period, I joined the group called 4th Dimension made up of the rap
duo of producer Oscar Heman-Ackah and Aiwa ; it was a period of growth and
development in my craft as a producer and a rapper. I might have grown up
listening to jazz, soul and the likes of Nat King Cole, Chick Corea, Leo Sayer
and Nina Simone, but my rap fever was ignited the day I was introduced to the
two-man group Kris Kross back in the 90’s. This set in motion my journey into
music which saw me and my brother write rhymes and record on double deck
cassette players that were in vogue back then. I later moved to Ogun State to
study Computer Engineering at Covenant University, and there my passion for
music blossomed. I was actively involved in the school choir, and later
became the music director.
How did you come about
your stage name?
The IBK abbreviation is popular to those who bear the name Ibukun in the south
west of Nigeria. The spaceshipboi suffix is a pseudonym that fits what I am
about perfectly - different, unique, out of this world persona - and it was
adapted after my friend and colleague (BEZ) used it to refer to the kind of
music I created while conversing with one of my clients in the studio.
Has music being your
childhood dream?
Music has always been a part of me; so taking interest in developing the craft
was almost automatic. I have been capturing my voice on tape since I was 11
years old. I started writing and producing beat by using stools as drums. Music
has been the easiest way for me to express myself. Growing up and even till
this day, I daydream many times about being on stage performing to a large
audience, making music in big recording studios with great musicians, singing
and seeing God move in an awesome way amidst the audience as they hear the
music. So Wanting to be active in making music and in performing arts has been
a part of me for a very long time.
What were the songs that
molded you as you were growing?
The songs that molded me in my growing up years include songs from the Ron
Kenoly Lift Him Up album, Don Moen’s songs, Leo Sayer’s I’m A One Man Band,
amongst many others. I listened to a lot of music and got influenced by genres
such as soul, jazz, and hip hop, especially.
How would you define your
musical style?
My music is what I classify as “spaceship music”. It’s a fusion of soul, jazz
and hip hop genres with a touch of “weird” creativity. It’s a sound that most
people have termed “different and unique” or “fresh” or “out of this world”.
Who are the artists that
influenced you while you were growing up?
I can’t pinpoint any other major influence in my early days other than Michael
Jackson. But as the years went by, my taste broadened; artists that have
influenced me musically include Kirk Franklin, Fred Hammond, Dwele, Common, De
la Soul, A Tribe called Quest, The Roots, J dilla and Pharrell amongst many
others.
Tell us about the songs
you have composed?
I have written a couple of songs. All the songs on my debut album (still in the
works) are written by me. I also co-wrote the song “Over You” on Bez’s Super Sun
album. The songs I write have an undertone of hope and are inspiring to the
listeners.
What has been your works
so far?
I have done a couple of recording. I put out a single called “Tongue” in 2009
and it was the single of the month on Soundcity Blast magazine. The song is
referred to as a classic. I have worked on an all-star project for the
group Project 1835 which featured acts like Praiz, Bez, Sound Sultan,
Waje, Omolara, Joan, Chichi, Blaise, Durella, and IBK (that’s me!) Currently, I
am developing material for my album.
What makes you unique as an artiste?
I like experimenting with the intent to stand out and create something new and
sweet to the hearing of the listener. My uniqueness can also be found in my
theme as an artist on a mission to earth to spread the word of hope and let
people know they can only fulfill their destiny when they discover the purpose
for their existence.
Tell us about the
Martianship
I
own my production outfit known as Martianship – it is the label, I am the
brand, that’s what’ up! Anybody that’s going to be signed on to the label has
to go through training, because for me, it’s important you know what you want
to sell, as well as your audience and most importantly, have a team. Right now,
I am trying to build a company that will have an affiliation with international
brands, probably labels that are not owned by artistes.
What are your plans at
the moment?
Gearing up to put out the video for my single “I Have A Dream” which was
directed by Brian Nu Kid. I can assure you, it is an award-winning piece.
Working on my debut album as well as making records with up-and-coming, as well
as established acts – those are my plans.
You can connect with me online via
these links:
My Twitter handle is @spaceshipboi
You can also go online and check out my blog where
you’ll get loads of information on what I am up to on www.ibkspaceshipboi.blogspot.com
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