Then and Now: Throwback Interview with Nigerian Artist Flavour Nabania!

I came across this interview I did with Nigerian artist, Flavour Nabania back in the day. Since we are an African platform, I saw it fitting to republish it here looking at Flavour THEN and where he is NOW!

I sat down with Flavour in 2011 and this is what he was all about back then;

Kiki: You are a musician. Has it always been your dream?

Flavour: I’ve been in the music industry professionally since 2006. I started off as a drummer though. A few years later here I am.

Kiki: It’s 2011 and some of us are only starting to really know about Flavour. How many albums have you released?

Flavour: I’ve got 2 albums out so far.

Kiki: My favourite track is Sawa Sawa Le (NWA BABY). Is that from your first or second album?

Flavour: Originally it’s from my first album. But I re-recorded (remix) & included it in my second album and I’m glad I did because people are loving it.

Kiki: Ok, don’t be surprised why I’m lost about which song is on which album? The truth is that your music is very hard to find at the shops. I’m not just talking about Flavour I’m talking about Naija music.

Flavour: I think I know exactly what you mean.

Kiki: Honestly it’s a big problem. We love Naija music & it’s all thanks to Channel O more than any other music channel. You can go all the way to Yeoville or Hillbrow looking for your music. Sometimes it’s hard to tell whether it’s genuine or pirated CDs because if you finally do get the CD then it will be from some dodgy shop. Can you guys do something about that?

Flavour: A lot of people are complaining. We are looking into it and working hard to make sure that our music gets released in other African countries as well.

Kiki: Now that is good news. When can we expect your album here in South Africa?

Flavour: We are targeting February 2012. That’s when my album will be released here. Hopefully people will be able to get my music when they need it.

Kiki: Is it just your album that’s going to be released or other Naija artists are working on it too.

Flavour: We are all pushing that Naija music be available here. A lot of our fans are complaining. So it’s only fair that we try the best we can.

Kiki: Talking about Nigerian artists. What is it that you guys have or that you are doing right that makes you guys so popular?

Flavour: The support we have for each other is amazing. We always push and promote each other no matter what.

Kiki: That is so true. Nigerians are united. So what advise do you have for other artists from different African countries?

Flavour: Push your own music instead & abort the western culture. Why would you promote people who never promote you? They don’t even know you exist. In Nigeria wherever you go you will hear only Nigerian music. We are proud of our culture, our language & where we come from. So it doesn’t matter which country I’m at I will always put my Nigerian music first. We make sure that we push our own music instead of western.

Kiki: You don’t play American music at all?

Flavour: It’s not that we don’t play it completely. We just don’t prioritize on it. We believe that our own music needs to be out there & if we don’t show love and support to our own then who will?

Kiki: Wow Flavour you shock me. That was deep. Do you listen to SA music though?

Flavour: There are a lot of South African artists whose music I enjoy. Dj Cleo is one of them. I like his stuff. L-tido & JOZI as well.

Kiki: You seem to be against western music. Would you consider any collaboration with any International artists?

Flavour: I’d love to work with Rihanna & Lil Wayne.

Kiki: Hahahah you are aiming BIG hey? So if God answers your prayers and you collaborate with these two. Does it mean you’re going to sing in English?

Flavour: No ways. Never. I will stick to my own language & let them stick to theirs but I will go into it with a mission to leave a mark and making them know and appreciate African music as well.

Kiki: So I guess moving to the USA is also a big NO?

Flavour: You got that right. I can never move there permanently. I can go there to perform but immediately come back home when I’m done. Africa is my home. This is where I get my inspiration from.

Kiki: Channel O Music video awards? You did not win anything. What do you think went wrong?

Flavour: I was so disappointed. I was hoping to win at least 1 award but it didn’t happen and that’s ok. Looks like my fans forgot to vote.

Kiki: Ok I’m gonna start getting personal now. I’m allowed right?

Flavour: Hahahah oh no. Don’t put me on the spot now.

Kiki: Don’t worry man. I’m not that bad. How old are you?

Flavour: I’m 27years old

Kiki: Are you married? Any children?

Flavour: No, I am not married. I don’t have children.

Kiki: You come from a country where Polygamy is a norm. Do you believe in polygamy?

Flavour: Oh yes I believe in it.

Kiki: Does this mean when you finally decide to settle down you will marry 5 wives?

Flavour: Just because I believe in it. It doesn’t mean I practice it or I will do it. Our parents had their own reasons for doing it and it worked for them. Now times have changed. I personally don’t think I can handle more than one woman because that will put a strain on my career. I put my career first. I’m not doing it because I love money. I’m doing it because music is my passion.

Kiki: But why do you think polygamy was or is considered the best thing in some peoples’ lives?

Flavour: You know I look at it this way. You marry your 5 wives they keep you so busy that you won’t have time to even look outside. The world we live in now, you find a man marrying one woman but has a lot of girlfriends & children all over that his wife won’t know about. I don’t understand why people do that? I mean who are you deceiving? If you choose to commit to that one person then what are you still looking for outside your marriage?

Kiki: How do you deal/handle fame, women & money?

Flavour: When God gives you the talent I believe he also gives you the wisdom & the power to be able to control things or situations. We are all human and we make mistakes but the important thing is to acknowledge your mistakes and make right decisions from there on. I always put God in everything I do and it makes handling all this a piece of cake. Yes I am ‘Flavour’ but I never forget that I am Chinedu Okoli. Learn to apologize to people you’ve wronged. Put yourself on check & you will always be right.

Kiki: With all this happening around us as Africans. How do you feel when some continents paint a picture that this is where HIV/Aids lives?

Flavour: Aids is everywhere. People can lie to make themselves feel good about whatever but at the end of the day truth remains. Aids is a world crisis not an African crisis.

Kiki: What would you like to say to other Africans about this crisis?

Flavour: Use protection. A lot of people need you. You might not need yourself but trust me there are other people who need you. This life is not ours. We live for our loved ones and all those who need us. I know it’s much harder for the youth because they are still experimenting. But please protect yourself. Use a condom each time you have sex.

Kiki: Talking about the youth. What kind of a child were you? You look like you were a naughty boy.

Flavour: Hahahah I can’t answer that. Please ask my mother.

Kiki: Eeer, isn’t your mother in Nigeria? I need an answer now Flavour. Heheheh

Flavour: No I was a good boy. I never gave my parents trouble at all. I became responsible from a very young age. I was 13years old when I left home.

Kiki: 13? You left home at 13? Where were you going?

Flavour: I got a scholarship to study music. What my tutor believed in was that you have to live in that music environment surrounded by musical instruments for you to really feel it & become music. I was there for like 7years. But I had to quit when they wanted to move to another city. That’s when my parents said NO.

Kiki: If you had not chosen to be a musician then what would you be?

Flavour: Definitely a soccer player. I love playing soccer.
(This moment I’m picturing him on the field running and sweating with that hairstyle) Thiza!

Kiki: Can you tell me about these dance moves of yours. You really can move that waist huuuuuh?

Flavour: I had to add something for the ladies (he laughs). I know I’m tall and cute so I had to bring in the dance to compliment that.

Lol @ I know I’m tall & cute.

Kiki: My last question: If something had to happen to Flavour today. What would you like to be remembered as?

Flavour: I want people to remember me as a High Life King.

Kiki: What is a High Life King?

Flavour: High Life is the type of music that I sing. So each time they listen or think about High Life then Flavour should come to mind.

Kiki: Thank you so much for your time. Do you have a message for your fans?

Flavour: To all my fans that have been supporting my music. Thank you very much. Look after yourselves. Always put God first. Stay out of trouble. Don’t do drugs and don’t forget to use condoms. PROTECT yourselves.

Where is Flavour now? Flavour is now 34years old, still unmarried. He now has 2 kids (daughters). He is still dominating the music industry with more than 5 albums to date and has collaborated with the likes of Iyanya, Mafikizolo, Tiwa Savage, Semah, Yemi Alade and more.

@KikiMarli

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