Before I let you in on her conversation with punch news paper, I'll start by stating that, Waje is indeed a woman in our time that ladies can emmulate, getting to meet her inperson was a confirmation to many presss and online remarks about her. Being down to earth despite her attained personality, she's hard working, motivated and loves her number one fan (her daughter) to bits, without no ego whatsoever , she's open to advice and is a respecter of people and their feelings. Still on a media blitz, promoting her two new singles "oko mi" and "I wish" she has emphasized her image as a strong, confident and talented singer in Industry!!! read below her conversation with Punch ...
Since she first captured attention after featuring on PSquare’s 2008 hit track Do Me,
Nigerian RnB singer, Waje, has gone ahead to make a name for herself.
This includes being the voice behind the chorus on Banky W’s Thief my Kele and M.I’s One Naira.
Despite being an active player in the
male-dominated music scene such as ours, the leggy singer continues to
hold her own. Surprisingly, she attributes her staying power to support
from the female folk.
“I was brought up to be strong. There
were times I felt as if I couldn’t make it. It is that strength that
pushed me the extra mile. In fact, whatever I am afraid of, I put behind
me and push. I have also learnt to sing out my experiences and that of
others. That is how my songs like So Inspired were born,” she says.
In an industry where stars are quick to
keep certain aspects of their private life, far away from the prying
eyes of the public, the singer is open about the fact that she is a
single mother.
“There is nothing to hide. I am a proud
mother. I have a strong support system that helps me in my role as a
mother. I don’t look at them as limitations, they are challenges that
can be overcome. Genevieve Nnaji, is a strong woman who has built a
solid reputation for herself globally. She is also a single mother, I
respect that a lot,” she says.
For Waje, no question is out of bounds,
save for her love life. However, in between the chat, she reveals that
she is die-hard romantic especially when it comes to the matters of the
heart.
“I am romantic o! You will know from my
songs. I believe in ‘happily ever after’, in true love and all that
goodness!” she adds with a wide smile.
Lately, the singer spots a svelte
look-one that has led to critics saying that she is under pressure to
look and dress a certain way to remain relevant in the industry. With
the wave of a hand, Waje debunks the claims as mere talk.
She says, “I used to be relaxed and a
little biased about my appearance. As I have grown as a musician so much
has changed. I have come to the full realisation that I am a brand with
moral, social and commercial value. I have to live up to that, there
are a lot of young girls today that need to see that hard work and
confidence will get you where you want. I have to embody that. I have to
be able to stand at par with contemporaries across the world. I would
love to stand beside a Beyonce with confidence.”
In a little under five years, she lists a
major highpoint of her career as the joy derived from the fact that the
saying ‘Soul music would not be appreciated in this part of the world’,
has been disregarded.
“Even, I have been surprised by the response to my music. It has been like a movement,’’ she quips.
Despite the trappings associated with
being in the spotlight, she says she cannot regret the gift of being
famous except the fact that there can be too much intrusion into ones
privacy at times.
Fresh from the performing at the
Nigerian Entertainment Awards in the US, Waje admits being humbled by
the level of appreciation of her music across the shores of Nigeria.
“When I did So inspired, a woman called me crying whilst saying that the song told her story. In New- York recently, I performed I wish and all the ladies were singing along. The support of women has brought me this far and I’m grateful for it,” she recalls.
With a debut album scheduled for release
in the first quarter of 2013 and a number of singles currently enjoying
airplay across the country, the singer, who has a degree in Social
Work from the University of Nigeria, says she is not in a hurry.
“This is deliberate, it is because I
want the material I present to be perfect. There are also other
surprises, my lips are sealed for now but people should expect so much!”
she notes.
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