Most Nigerian artistes are superficial –Kim Wonder

United Kingdom returnee singer, Kim Wonder, tells Punch's Saturday
Beats about her music career.

How easy was it starting your career in England?

Initially, it started like a hobby for me. Friends urged me to do
something with my talent but I shrugged it off, telling them that I
might do it someday. So one day, they took it upon themselves to take
me to the studio and booked a recording session for me and that was
how it started for me. I started recording songs and I liked it. It
was a wonderful experience for me.

So what was it like for a Nigerian in the Diaspora to do music and get accepted?

When I did it for fun, the acceptance level was good and it got me
wondering how it would be if I took it seriously. Nigerian music has
really grown abroad and if you tell somebody that you are a Nigerian
musician, people who love African music or someone who is exposed to
other music genres apart from the UK's would give you a listening ear.
I think it is growing and people love my songs.

Why did you decide to come to Nigeria to continue with your music career?

I saw the opportunity and I took it. I felt that I could come back to
my country and do my music.
We have few female artistes making headlines in the music industry
compared to their male counterparts; do you think your presence in the
Nigerian music scene would make any difference?
I think female musicians that are making waves are working with the
right team and that is a plus for them. It is not necessarily because
there are no good ones out there. It is all about working with the
right people. It is an advantage to me that there are not many female
artistes headlining shows. It means you can easily get noticed if you
know what you are doing. If you can find a way to work with the right
team, it would shoot one into stardom because you might have all the
right ideas but if you don't work with the right people to execute
them, then it would be a waste of time.

So are you saying you can go head-to-head with the likes of Tiwa
Savage, Waje, Omawumi and Chidinma?

Why not? They should bring it on. Like I said, they have great teams.
It is not all about the talent; the team backing you also plays a
major role in somebody's career. If you have the right manager that
can go about getting endorsement like chewing gum, then the sky is
basically your starting point.

What are the challenges you have faced doing your music in Nigeria?

The major challenge I have is getting the right people to work with.
When I started music it was for fun but music is actually a business.
Everyone has to be taken care of one way or the other. If you go to
the studio, the sessions are not free as the owner of the studio has
to pay his bills. So, you are charged to record a proper good song. It
is all about getting it right and working with the right people, that
is a huge challenge for me. I just did a song with Del-B and I know I
would work with other great producers as time goes on.

What don't you like about the Nigerian music industry?

I don't like some artistes who tend to belittle other artistes and
they are materialistic. I could have a lot without necessarily
displaying them. I see that as being superficial. Artistes show off
and it is not necessary. Buying new and expensive things is nice but
putting them on display is not needed in anyway.

So, are you saying you would leave music for the corporate world soon?

I can't give a definite answer but right now, I am into my music as a
professional. I am not ruling out any possibility. If I get a contract
while working on my music and they don't clash, I would not say no. I
am flexible but I am into music fully.

It is often said that men are scared of dating celebrities, have you
ever encountered such?

Yes, it is only natural because they start thinking about so many
things. It depends though. If he is an outgoing man, he would feel
honoured but if he is the reserved one, he would not want the
spotlight. I always try to be myself when I am with someone, I don't
show that I am Kim Wonder. I try to draw the line and most times when
people are with me, they notice that I am down to earth.

What is your general opinion about Nigerian men?

I don't want to judge anyone but I have question marks sometimes when
I think about Nigerian men.

Why the question marks?
There are nice men everywhere but one of the things I have discovered
about Nigerian men is that most of them would only want to date you
when they know you don't have any complications in your life. They
like things to be rosy around their ladies with everything going
smoothly unlike men abroad. Out there, the men have empathy. They can
actually hear about your troubles, pains and still stick with you.
Nigerian men just want to know you are comfortable and okay. They
don't really want to get involved with your pain. I feel that you
should be able to accommodate everything about someone. It is just my
opinion but like I said, there are great people everywhere.