Music artiste, Chukwugoziam Obi, popularly known as Emma Nyra, speaks about current engagements and career.
What have you been up to lately?
I recently released a single titled For My Matter remix featuring Patoranking. The video has garnered over 100,000 views on YouTube in less than a week and I am very glad about that. I also took a year off to rebrand. I am also working with more female artistes and there are different sides to me that people have not seen. My album will be ready for release in late 2016.
Why did you decide to record a remix of an old track?
I have recorded several new songs but I recorded For My Matter remix a year ago and I wanted to release it at the right time. It also marks the beginning of all the projects I am about to embark on.
In what ways have you rebranded?
I have a different look and sound. I am now doing a lot of ‘worldly’ sounds, so I can market myself better to the world.
Have you also altered your looks?
I have not modified my body in any way. What I simply mean is that I am more polished and I am also more covered up. I am older now, so I am more about building my brand into a household name.
Isnt a year too long a time to be away from the music scene?
While I was away, I performed at shows in Dubai, Malaysia and United States of America. I also embarked on a tour of Canada within that period. I focused on recording new music and the only difference was just the fact that I was away from Nigeria. That was why a lot of people felt I had relocated to the U.S. It was necessary for me to take that time off because I wasn’t pleased with the direction I was headed. I also wasn’t happy with the way I was being portrayed in the media.
How were you portrayed in the media?
So many untrue stories were written about me.
Why didn’t you throw light on the stories?
By design, I didn’t grant any interview that would have enabled me to talk about them.
Was it a depressing time for you?
No, it wasn’t because I was with my family. I was only upset about what people thought about me.
Did you consider quitting music at the time?
No, I didn’t. I had always planned to return to the Nigerian music scene but I needed time to fix myself up.
While you were away, several stars were born and you now have greater competition.
We have quite a number of new female artistes, but I think the more female musicians we have, the better for us. I have never been one to fret about the fact that if I don’t sing, some other person would take my place. I feel there is room for all of us to excel.
Some people say with your looks and talent, you should have surpassed your current status in the industry.
I have only been doing music for three years. I was doing music professionally in the USA before I moved to Nigeria in 2012. Throughout high school, I participated in talent shows, and played sports for my university, which enabled me to sing the American national anthem at every home game. In 2009, I opened up a show for P-Square during their U.S. tour and decided that I wanted to venture into entertainment full-time. I released my first single in 2012 and I am happy with what I am doing right now.
What label are you currently signed on with?
I have my own label now, Nyra Nation and Nyra Empire.
Is this a deliberate decision?
I want to handle my own projects, so I can see and track my own revenue. I can make my own money and also bring up other artistes when the time comes.
Didn’t your former label, TripleMG, do all you mentioned above for you?
Obviously, they didn’t.
Didn’t you ask questions, speak out or air your grievances?
I did air my grievances but they were not addressed. That was why I left the label.
What are some of the lessons you have learnt since you parted ways with your former label?
I learnt to focus and not really trust what I hear. I have learnt to take everything I am being told by sight and keep my faith in God because He is the only one who actually has my back. Even if I hear something, I don’t react just like that and I also stay away from drama. If I sense that a situation might likely lead to a confrontation, I simply avoid it.
It is believed that when an artiste is in a relationship with his or her label boss or label mate it spells doom for his or her career. Do you agree?
I actually wasn’t in a relationship with Ubi. He made all that story up. Personally, I don’t want to speak about it.
What is your relationship with your former label boss, Ubi Franklin, like? Are you both cordial?
No, I wouldn’t like to speak about that.
How do you handle male attention?
I handle male attention very well; most men are polite, while others are too shy to approach a celebrity. It’s been easier for me to handle male attention now that I am an independent artiste because I personally relate with everyone.
How do you love to dress?
I love to wear clothes that are edgy and classy.
But your dress sense still comes under scrutiny especially by your social media fans.
People will always have negative things to say about anybody and sometimes it’s good and at other times, bad. My sister told me to be calm and not respond to everybody that has something to say about me.
Which artistes are you eager to work with?
I want to work with Flavour and Omawumi because I love their music. On the international scene, I love Shakira . I like what she represents and how proud she is of her roots. I am also working on a couple of international collaborations.
What do you hope to achieve with your music?
I want to use music to achieve all that I want to do. I also have a foundation called NyraPhoenix, which is designed to help children. Music will simply be the stepping stone with which I will create awareness for other things I want to do- mainly working with children.
How is your relationship with other female artistes?
I have worked with the likes of Cynthia Morgan, Yemi Alade, Seyi Shay, and Victoria Kimani. I have a good relationship with other female artistes. I respect them so much and I know what we go through as female artistes in Nigeria. I will definitely work with more of them soon and I can’t wait to release my new work to the public.
