Hard Eva

GOODLIFE INTERVIEW WITH eVa

GL: First of all I need to tell you that you look great. Tell us about this new look?

eVa: (laughs) Well, thank you for the compliment. What can I say? It’s new... a lot of things happened that brought this on. First of all, I was going through a phase and I just needed a change of some sort to remind myself that I was still alive and relevant, secondly, I was about shooting my second video- MY JUNGLE and I needed a bad ass look because I take this music career seriously, if I have to shave my head and eyebrows to bring out the beauty of a song, I will do it. I mean, that's what we are paid to do right? Anyways, I went to my darling 'fairy godmother' as I have grown accustomed to calling her; Aunty Ireti Doyle and she took me to Bobbys (the hair stylist) and vuala...

GL: Yea... I believe we saw the whole transformation on TV, how did you feel?

eVa: Truthfully? A bit embarrassed. The whole of Lagos saw my hideous face when Bobby was cutting me (laughs)

GL: It looks good on you though

eVa: thanks a bunch

GL: Your man must have been excited to see the new you right?

eVa: Next question please (smiles)

GL: (laughs) okay... we will come back to that. So tell us about the album...

eVa: The album is called SHADES OF GRAY and it is a 15 track buffet. That means it is an all you can eat. there are diverse types of genre in there from techno to Soul to R&B to Rock to Hip HOP but each genre has a touch of Soul in it. That is the genre that is pretty predominant in the album.

GL: I have often wondered, why artists don't just stick to one genre. Why branch wide especially when it is obvious that some of them can't keep up?

eVa: Well, I can't speak for them but I can speak for myself. Sometimes I have so many ideas in my head and I just want to put it out there, who knows, you might be surprised at the feedback. I also listen and watch a lot of music channels and so... my head gets filled to the brim with different types of sounds and it would be nice to be viewed as an artist who is pretty versatile. I really hate the status quo and the tags they give artists and I really really hate being compared to any other person

GL: Some people would take that to mean you are a proud person.

eVa: I am a person of pride but I AM NOT a proud person. I am proud of the gifts and talents God has given me and I am proud of the people in my life... I am proud of what I do... so... if that makes me proud... I really don't know what to say to that

GL: Let's get back to the album SHADES OF GRAY... what was the inspiration for that title?

eVa: The kind of musician I am is one of Inspiration. i love to inspire people into the next best thing in life, into the next greater level of thinking... of loving... of believing... of living. I mean... I have been a victim of frustration, betrayal, lack, a broken heart, robbery, car accidents... you name it and I have managed to rise above it not because I am better than people who can't find their way out of the dark and into the light but because I had a truth to live by, folks to rely on and family who prayed for me... I came to understand that Life is not always black and White, its not always wrong or right... there are some grey areas here and there that we just can't understand, grey areas that make us break down at night and cry, grey areas that make us doubt ourselves and the world we live in. it is to those things I speak to in the album. The album also showcases pieces of me and some of those grey areas I have been through in my life, if you know what I mean, one moment I am soft and all cuddly like a teddy bear and the next, I am aggressive and taking life by the horns, the next I am a love struck sob and so on... the title is also a kind of play on words as well because if you think about it, I am being managed by a company called GRAY TIGER ENTERTAINMENT LIMITED and so it's like telling people, eVa is one of the many shades of this company.

GL: Tell us a bit about yourself

eVa: Hmm... Campaign after election (laughs) after you don ask me the koko you don forget say you no collect my credentials... interview is over... I don vex (jokingly makes to leave)

GL: no vex my sister... no vex

eVa: My name is Evaezi... I was born on the 13th of July 198... none of your business. (Laughs) i am an indigene of Delta State, I am Isoko to be precise. My father is a fantastic Engineer, his name is Engr. Chris Ogoro and my mum is... well... was a civil servant. She retired a few weeks ago. I am the fourth out of Five Children.

GL: Did you say Ogoro? Are you by chance related to kingsley Ogoro, the film producer?

eVa: Yes I am, he is my paternal uncle.

GL: As I recall, you had a song released on his label last year right?

eVa: Well... it was about 2 years ago. The song was titled "NO CRY".

GL: So what happened?

GL: Are you no longer on his label?

eVa: I was never signed on to his label... it was simply a training ground for me and I am deeply grateful to him for the lessons I learnt there with him Dr. kola Munis, Sammie Okposo, Nkiru Njoku and the the rest of the Kingsley Ogoro Productions crew. When the time came, we both realized that I had to go out and make my own name. I didn't want to go around riding on his credit, I wanted one of my own... you know. So this little bird had to grow her own wings and learn how to fly.

GL: And how has it been thus far?

eVa: Hectic... but definitely worth it. When you go through stuff you get to develop a sense of self worth. You look around you and feel proud of what you have accomplished because you took that leap. You see… some people don't know what we go through to be seen and heard. Why do you think people like RMD, D’Banj, Kingsley Ogoro, Funke Akindele and the rest of them are being celebrated today? I love my parents for one thing; they stood behind, beside and in front of me. they prayed me through the initial trying phase and then my manager, Ataga Gray... I really don't know what I would have done without him... as well as my other friends who contributed and encouraged me to this point. Please don’t mind me… I am practicing for my speech at the Grammys in the near future. (laughs)

GL: What are your fears about this album?

eVa: No fears... I have come this far.... 2 years no bi beans o... haba! No fears... I am here not for the commerciality of it... that's my manager's job (laughs) I am here to give people hope and that can never be lost or broken by whatever fear or insecurities I or people generally might have. There is a message in me for everyone who has been in my shoes, who have loved, lost, been frustrated or whose about giving up on himself or herself or whatever situation they are in and ... don't let me start preaching for you. I think you get the general idea (smiles).

GL: Yes! Speaking on love and lost... tell us... you are a very pretty lady, what does your man think about you being in this industry? Are there ay insecurities on his part? Surely you are aware that there are only a few women who can boast of their morals and integrity... is he not scared that you won't be packed with the rest and one day, your story might be splattered all over the tabloids?

eVa: First of all, I hate tags. Secondly... momma didn't raise no fool... that is not to say that the other ladies are fools but... if you don't want to be accused of stealing the meat in the pot, don't go near the kitchen. Thirdly, I have folks who watch my back and keep me in check, my manager is like an older brother to me... he nags about... well about everything (laughs) and my mum is a praying woman so... I can't escape the eyes of the Lord, if you know what I mean, fourthly... people must talk. You could be on your own and they would still talk.

GL: You still haven't told us what your boyfriend thinks.

eVa: O boy... forget that one... abi you wan toast me? Why is the press so excited about love and sex? na wa. You guys have been watching too many 'Second Chance' episodes

GL: You sound like a gospel artist... are you?

eVa: I hate tags. I wouldn't say I am a gospel artist but I do have gospel influences in all I do. I am church bred... thank you mama (blows kisses). I believe a lot of the answers for what we are seeing all around us lays on the inside of us... all of us. It’s like connecting the dots... we all make the bigger picture, not just you and not just I. That is why I am doing my part to help my fellow man... the younger generation deserves better than this... don't you think? We deserve better than this.

GL: Asides singing, what else do you do?

eVa: My dear I do a lot o. Over talent wan dey worry me sef. I am the editor for a soft sell magazine called CELLULOID, it’s new, I am a training sound engineer; I mixed and mastered a few tracks on my album. I teach... I love to teach... um... I am into events and decorations. I am also a writer, a copywriter, I am into productions… I have done quite a number of Jingles in the past, some we still hear today... I am gradually delving into movies.

GL: WOW! Does your uncle have anything to do with that?

eVa: No… This one is all me. I love movies. When I was in school... UNILAG, I helped a friend of mine who was studying Theatre Arts in his 300 level to direct a play. I wrote and directed the play and he scored really high for it… so that flare has always been in me.

GL: What did you study in UNILAG?

eVa: English (Arts)

GL: Tell us about your MY JUNGLE video

eVa: Well, Ataga (My manager) and I were thinking up concepts for the video. We had really wild and crazy ideas and we were thinking of the best person to call - Clarence peters, Dj TEE and the likes and we just went... ‘what is this song really talking about?’ it’s talking about the life we live in the Music Industry... basically it seems glamorous but it really is hard work and not as glamed up as most music videos today will have you believe... so we decided to do it ourselves. I was the locations manager and co-director while He was the director as well as one of the camera men. It was just a simple in-house thing ... it was basically a 'Hey... this is real life in the music Industry; behind all the effects of the bling bling, this is it! Right here... no long thing!' Besides, it was only fitting, especially since the concept of the song was his idea. I just put the words.(Laughs)

GL: Do you have any favorite tracks in the album?

eVa: How evil can you be? you can't ask a woman to choose from her kids? you should be hung

GL: Any plans for the album launch?

eVa: Well... I am not the album launch kinda gal... but we are planning towards a command performance where people will get to see the crazy and artistic side of eVa. I plan to redefine stage performance in Nigeria with this command performance, so... stay tuned. It’s gonna be a blast.

GL: Any Collabos?

eVa: Just a few. I believe that in an artist's first album, he or she should take the time to find his or herself... his or her own voice. Let people familiarize themselves with your sound. It’s the best. I had only Konga, Shogon (one of my producers), Benny P and Kani on this album.

GL: What about producers?

eVa: Well, I worked with TIMSONIC, JOKAYNIE, WOLE ADESANYA, INI D’ MINSTREL and DARE. I also had the opportunity of working with my dearest friend ad mentor in matters of engineering, BOLAJI ONISIWO, KAYODE, TUNJI ALAYO and fellow musician KANI.

GL: Who are you looking forward to working with on your subsequent albums?

eVa: Hmm... Nyanya of Project Fame... I really do think that boy has talent, he has that fire to take music to the next level… I haven’t seen that in a while. He also has a winners spirit… besides… he's kinda cute (laughs), M.I and Jesse Jags definitely... M.I has nice flows and I love the tone of his voice... I think it’s sexy in its own way; Jesse Jags has amazing flows as well as lovely melodies. Um... those are the folks I can think of now... will flash you the rest (smiles).

GL: One last thing… what should we expect from you in the near future?

eVa: Expect me to make Nigeria proud and to be a source of Inspiration to people around the world. That is definite.

GL: Thank you

eVa: No… thank you GoodLife.com.ng

About the Author

Goodlife Promotions is an internet Adverising and online magazine, for more entertainment news, visit www.goodlife.com.ng

Eva air Amsterdam heavy hard Landing Boeing 747-400 Combi (74E)