NIGERIAN ENTERTAINMENT: 2012

Friday, 7 December 2012

AN EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH KEROUS ON HIS 12-12-12 AND MORE AGENDA

The name Kerous sends many signals whenever it is mentioned. It connotes a mechanical Engineer cum musician and writer with a very lively personality. This Warri boy has been trying to make a mark in the very competitive Nigerian music industry, releasing singles after singles. This weekend hype Naija caught up with this creative and extremely mult -talented fast rising superstar. In this interview, he talks about his background, growing up, his love for entertainment and his soon to be released new single titled MORE. Below is the excerpt, enjoy it.

HYPE9JA: Good day sir please can we meet you?

KEROUS: I am Onyeka Frank Ibeanusi a.ka Kerous. I am from Imo state but was born and bred in Warri, Delta state. I am a graduate of Mechanical Engineering from the University of Benin.

HYPE9JA: So how did this Mechanical Engineer venture into music, leaving the promising prospect of a very lucrative job in an oil company?

KEROUS: It’s about the passion. I grew up in a musical background. My Dad and Mum loved music so they were always playing different songs in my house ranging from Gospel to highlife.

HYPE9JA: So your family knew that you were going to become a musician and when did you go into music professionally?

KEROUS: No, it came as a surprise to my them, they thought I was going to get a job as a Mechanical Engineer, Infact they all felt that if anyone could ever become a musician in my house, that it was going to be my elder brother because of his very visible love and interest in music. I grew up wanting to become like Michael Jackson but along the line I fell in love with 2pac and Bob Marley and decided to medge the ideas with a Michael Jackson effect. While in school I was singing and rapping on few shows on campus but it wasn’t until 2009 after graduation that I had a chance to take it to a greater height after meeting Uche Leonard Okei.

HYPE9JA: So you were constrained to study Engineering by your family?

KEROUS: No, I’ve always wanted to study Mechanical Engineering and thank God I was able to do so. I’m not going to be a musician forever, so I will invest in that direction in the future.

HYPE9JA: How do you combine your music with your writing considering the fact that you have authored a book before now?

KEROUS: It is about proper arrangement of priorities, so they don’t clash because to me they go hand in hand.

HYPE9JA: How has the support from your family being?

KEROUS: It’s been awesome lately. Initially they were skeptical about the decision. Leaving a promising career for uncertainty, but im not one to be stopped and they understood that.

HYPE9JA: So how has the musical journey been so far?

KEROUS: To be candid it hasn’t been easy but it has been fair and very promising. I have been able to meet a few industry movers and shakers and a couple of Nigerian popular artistes.

HYPE9JA: Who and who?

KEROUS: J. Martins, Tha suspect, Solidstar and many others and it gets better. HYPE9JA: So what is your 12-12-12 project about?

KEROUS: It is a new single that I am about to release on that day.

HYPE9JA: Will it be a rap song too?

KEROUS: This time I want to show another side of my music, like I have always said before, I am a musician who does more of rap. This new single titled more is a dancehall track

HYPE9JA: So what is the reason behind releasing it on 12-12-12?

KEROUS: That date is very unique and special because it is uniform and will be the last in that series for a very longtime to come. You know that entertainment is about opportunities and how they are used, I just want to use the uniqueness to my own benefit because I am a very unique and different musician.

HYPE9JA: So do you intend to feature any popular artiste on this song?

KEROUS: No, though I wanted to initially but I changed my mind

HYPE9JA: You know in this industry sometimes a popular producer helps to sell a song, did you work with anyone on this song titled More?

KEROUS: I believe in creativity and not names, I didn’t work with any super popular producer on this song. It was produced by Youngtoz, a talented young chap but it doesn’t mean that I wont work with established producers in the future if need be.

HYPE9JA: Okay, so far how many singles have you released?

KEROUS: More will be the sixth single that I have released

HYPE9JA: So who do you wish to work with both home and abroad in the future?

KEROUS: I admire a lot of artistes both internationally and at home, I have an endless list of those that I would love to work with, but top on the list are 2face, D’banj, Terry g, Asa , M.i etc internationally Kanye West, Jay-z, Eminem etc

HYPE9JA: How has the acceptance of your music been and how do you handle the fans especially the females?

KEROUS: The acceptance has being very encouraging, like my battle of the emcees freestyle and serious music had encouraging download rates from different websites. For the fans, I love them because without them I will be nothing, I am a very down to earth and real person so I treat them well and the females too because I respect them

HYPE9JA: Are you signed on to a record label?

KEROUS: For now I am working alone but if I find a record label that I am comfortable with, I will sign

HYPE9JA: So when are we expecting an album from you?

KEROUS: Not yet, I want to get more acceptance first before I will do that

HYPE9JA: It’s been nice talking to you. Thank you for your time.

KEROUS: It’s been my pleasure

NOTE: Kerous is a fast rising star, you can follow him on twitter @onyeckerous and like his fan page on facebook. kerous