Evaezi Ogoro is one of the leading Afro Soul Fusionists. Evaezi is an actress, a song writer, a presenter, a compere and also into television and movie production. The native of Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta State, in this interview with SEYI SOKOYA, speaks on her raising career, challenges and fashion preferences. ExcerptsHow I discovered music was good for me.
Music chose me! I didn’t plan to be a musician and an entertainer. But one day, as a young girl, I watched the late Whitney Houston performing and singing the United States National Anthem at the Super Bowl and I remember the goose pimples I felt all over me. I saw as folks were crying, holding hands and waving their flags in patriotic unity. It was beautiful. I saw for the first time the true power of music. It was from that moment, music began haunting me (laughs...) I have always believed I was going to touch lives and change the world and from that day, I knew that one of the avenues would be through music.
Sustenance of my career.
Well, firstly, it can’t be anything or anyone other than God. So many things happened along the line that made me want to throw in the towel and just do a regular job, but God remained faithful. I would wake up with renewed strength, fresh ideas; an overwhelming hopes to just keep thudding on. Secondly, He blessed me with a few great friends and fans, who would randomly call me with so much excitement in their voices and countenance, telling me just how much they love me and my music and how it has helped them in one way or the other. That always made me feel like I wasn’t just wasting my time, but I was doing something that matters to someone other than me.
How I came about my stage name.
Evaezi is both my stage name and my real name. It means a ‘Pure Heart’ or ‘Good bele’ in my native tongue. I am from Delta State in Isoko South Local Government Area. When I came on the scene in 2006, I took up the stage name, EVA. That was a name I started using in the university because folks were too lazy to get my full name right (laughs...) Somewhere in 2009/2010, I decided to go with my real name, ‘EVAEZI’, the one wey my papa give me (laughs...) because I wanted some roots. I didn’t want to be lost in the cesspool of the ‘facelessness’ of the EVA brand. We have everything from soaps, perfumes, body creams, wines, water not to mention international actresses and musicians called EVA. So I needed to stand out and build my own legacy from the scratch.
Songs I have to my credit.
I had an album I released in 2008 called EVA and then a seven-track EP I released last year called “WHISPERS: Love & Other Things” and of course a few singles this year. I am currently getting ready to shoot the video of her song ‘The Break up Song.’ I have been working closely with Paporrella Kingdom, headed by singer, producer and entrepreneur Zdon Paporrella. I am also working on her 10-track album ‘Both Sides of a Coin.’ I have some movies I will be featuring in and another project too.
...Awards too.
I have been nominated so many times for Nigerian Entertainment Awards (NEA), Hiphop World Awards, The Headies, South South Music Awards (SSMA) and Nigerian Music Video Awards (NMVA). I won the best female RnB in the SSMA. I was recently given an honorary mentorship award by Ten Strings Music School. They are so many. I have even lost count (laughs.)
Pranks I played while growing up.
Let’s see. I used to pretend to be sick so my very strict mum won’t let me go to school and I didn’t want to go to school because I wanted to stay at home and eat indomie and chocolate. (laughs...) At some point in my secondary school days, I would steal my mum’s makeup so that I would use it in school in order to look more ‘appealing’ as a lady to my peers and then say nothing when my mum blamed it on the house girl. I only did that because I was known as such a tom boy in school. So, during Valentine’s Day, I wasn’t really serenaded like the other girls. The guys would use me to help toast babes on their behalf because they just saw me as one of them.
Challenges in the industry.
There are plenty of them. Where do I start from? You see, there are a lot of dishonest folks in the industry. I tell people that the industry isn’t in itself bad. People make it bad. A lot of lies, back biting, defamation of character so that you can get ahead; of course, usual sexual harassment both on the male and the female artistes. There is also lack of professionalism, lack of originality and creativity. My brother, they are plenty. It’s truly sad that one cannot seek for help from people without them trying to take advantage of one or trying to play God in people’s lives. It’s ridiculous! If the person is one like me who has some level of self pride he or she will be forced to take their career into their own hands. Politics or cliques be damned but that type of ‘aluta continua’ mentality takes quite a while before one sees the desired results and one is often branded proud, reserved, egoistic. They wouldn’t understand that we are fighting for their lives.
My take on the Nigerian entertainment.
The wrong people are in charge of the platform that would have been used to push real talents. I mean when folks who are not true lovers of music get into media positions like radio, TV and print and they are only interested in promoting people who give them money and ignore other talents who don’t have money. It is quite discouraging and it kills the potentials, in the Felas, Femi Kutis, 2faces and Asas in our midst. Secondly, we are too narrow minded when it comes to art and creativity. A huge chunk of Nigerians believe that once one’s type of music is in vogue, everyone must follow suit. Although, it’s okay to experiment and combine new sound with the old, that is what music is all about. But to hop on to anything in vogue and then tear down the ones who decide to stay true to their genre is just wrong. Diversity is the spice of life. The music culture abroad is richer because of diversity.
Do I feel threatened among female folks in the industry.
Not at all. The sky is big enough for us all to shine. As a matter of fact, as far as I am concerned, there aren’t even enough of us (females) out there. I so much respect the hustlings of the ones that are out there and it makes me really proud. They have stepped things up and this is one thing I really wanted for us as a gender; massive kudos to all my sisters out there in the music industry doing their thing. May God continue to bless you and crown your efforts.
What I do aside music.I am an actress, a song writer, a presenter, a compere and a television and movie producer in training. One of my hobbies is watching movies. I have this love affair with movies. I started featuring in movies by Charles Novia, Emem Isong, Gbenga Salu and a few upstart producers. For me, it’s fun. I’m still young and I’d like to explore all my talents before my Father in heaven decides to call me home.
Definition of style.
Style to me, is simply one’s personality in colours, fabrics and accessories.
Description of self.
I am simple but classy. I am highly creative and full of fun in a conservative way. I do have a great sense of humour. I am a lover of art and culture and I am a Christian.
Beauty routine.
I have sensitive skin and fine hair so I use a lot of baby products because they are mild and are most times water based. I use Cocoa Butter or Shea Butter creams for my skin. It helps with the shine and softness. I also drink a lot of water as well to help it (my skin) breathe.
Choice of accessories.
I love costume jewelry because one can go crazy with designs and colours. I actually think that gold, silver are nice but can be a little confining. Costume jewelry has a way of just making a statement. They speak of one’s style, culture and personality. I love them.
Favourite colour, perfumes and designers.
My favourite colour is gold and I love NINA RICCI, LOLA by Marc Jacobs and the entire FL Pafum line. On designers; I am not really particular. As long as it fits me well, I am good to go.
Opinion on toning and cosmetic surgery.
I think folks have abused toning. Abuse is what has led to bleaching and that is really bad. I know the harm constant exposure to the sun does to our skin. So, it’s okay for one to brush up one’s skin in order to regain his or her natural skin. Tone, but when it becomes an obsession, that’s when it is wrong. As for cosmetic surgery, the jury is still out on that one.
Take on provocative dressing.
I think it is a personal and psychological thing. Frankly speaking, it is very unnecessary. Don’t get me wrong, it’s okay to accentuate one’s best features, but I believe it should be done with some level of moderation. Not everyone has mastered the art of self control. So, when you flaunt nature’s gift and you are addressed inappropriately or thrown outrageous and derogatory remarks, you shouldn’t start blaming society or calling men dogs when it was in fact you who kept dangling the bone.
Fashion item I cannot be caught dead wearing.
Bum shorts in the public probably because I don’t think I have the legs for them and my gluteus maximums would draw the kind of attention I am not ready to handle (laughs) But I could wear it for the private viewing of my oga at the top, but definitely not in public.
My greatest physical asset.
My eyes, lips and my hips I guess.
Speculations on whether I am single or not.
(Laughs..) There is no speculation. I guess that happened because I sing a lot about relationships, love and so on. Most folks seem to have taken me to be an authority on the subject and as such, expect that I’d have a picture of a perfect life and love. Everywhere I perform, I have folks walk up to me and ask me if I’m married and I’d burst out laughing, asking myself ‘What’s the rush?’ it will happen at God’s appointed time with the right man.
If I’m engaged.
No, I am not engaged (smiles), but I am in a relationship with an amazing man, who isn’t perfect but who is perfect for me.
Whether my man supports my career.
My man is my number one fan. He is so curious about my career. He’s always excited about new ideas to push my brand forward. He is one of my many motivations.
How I handle my male admirers.
I try to be cordial because you never can tell. Some of my great friends who are guys actually started out toasting me and I let them down easily but today, we are great friends. I really do not believe in stringing someone along or playing with someone’s feelings. So, when they approach me, I thank and appreciate them and then respectfully tell them the situation of things. Some stop the advances and move on, some still want to keep in touch and then we end up becoming good friends.
Words to my fans.
No man is God! Don’t be afraid to dream and live your dream. Keep pushing no matter what happens and what they tell you. Above all, truly involve God in every single thing to guide you right. To my darling cheer leaders, Mrs. Anne Ogoro, Nansel Nimyel, Mrs. Margaret Nimyel and Pastor Sunday Ogwezi of WEBIC CMD parish, Magodo, I love you all deeply. You make my sky a little bit more golden and my rainbow a little bit more colourful. I deeply appreciate you all for the love and support.
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