By Ajibike O.
If you missed our previous Twinterview with Nikki Laoye, read it HERE.
It’s a great day to be alive and as fit as a fiddle, most
importantly, to be able to write this wonderful article. This one hmm is about one
song that I heard and immediately fell in love with. Okies, here’s the gist.
importantly, to be able to write this wonderful article. This one hmm is about one
song that I heard and immediately fell in love with. Okies, here’s the gist.
I was invited for a
concert called Alabanza organized by TEHILA CREW in February. When I looked at
the list of artists that were supposed to perform, quite a number of faces were
familiar and some, not too clear, but that didn’t deter me as I waited
anxiously for the day to come so that I could have an avenue to praise, worship
and have a good time.
concert called Alabanza organized by TEHILA CREW in February. When I looked at
the list of artists that were supposed to perform, quite a number of faces were
familiar and some, not too clear, but that didn’t deter me as I waited
anxiously for the day to come so that I could have an avenue to praise, worship
and have a good time.
The day finally came and after work, I hurried to the venue.
I got there just in time and just settled down after saying hello to some
familiar faces. The event of course started and trust me, it was soo wonderful,
soo many things I learnt and then around the midnight hour when the tiredness
was setting in, one artist was called on to perform his song. The name was
quite unfamiliar so I just sat back casually waiting for the performance to
pass by so that the event could end. Then, when he started the song, I noticed
how people responded. I wondered, ‘How come I feel lost?’ then when it got to
the chorus of the song, I saw how the whole hall sprung up and am like, ok?! And then I didn’t even know when the sleep
vanished from my eyes and I started singing the song that I didn’t know. It was
an amazing feeling and immediately after the ministration, I had to ask, ‘what
the name of the song is and the artist?’ I was told it was Preye and the song
was Ebezina. I told myself, you need to meet this dude, so I walked up to him,
asked for his contact and was soo happy.
I got there just in time and just settled down after saying hello to some
familiar faces. The event of course started and trust me, it was soo wonderful,
soo many things I learnt and then around the midnight hour when the tiredness
was setting in, one artist was called on to perform his song. The name was
quite unfamiliar so I just sat back casually waiting for the performance to
pass by so that the event could end. Then, when he started the song, I noticed
how people responded. I wondered, ‘How come I feel lost?’ then when it got to
the chorus of the song, I saw how the whole hall sprung up and am like, ok?! And then I didn’t even know when the sleep
vanished from my eyes and I started singing the song that I didn’t know. It was
an amazing feeling and immediately after the ministration, I had to ask, ‘what
the name of the song is and the artist?’ I was told it was Preye and the song
was Ebezina. I told myself, you need to meet this dude, so I walked up to him,
asked for his contact and was soo happy.
Immediately after the event, I downloaded the song
immediately and started asking people about the song and artist and I got some
details which I felt wasn’t adequate enough.
I really did not understand what attracted me to that song and for about
2 days, my PM on my Blackberry Messanger read ‘’Ebezina Chukwunonso’’ even
though I didn’t know what that meant – That’s how captivating the song is to
me.
immediately and started asking people about the song and artist and I got some
details which I felt wasn’t adequate enough.
I really did not understand what attracted me to that song and for about
2 days, my PM on my Blackberry Messanger read ‘’Ebezina Chukwunonso’’ even
though I didn’t know what that meant – That’s how captivating the song is to
me.
So I was able to contact him and then we got talking and he
told me the story behind the song and I was like ‘woow’, God Is truly faithful.
So I wouldn’t just saw it all, let’s actually hear it from the horse’s mouth.
told me the story behind the song and I was like ‘woow’, God Is truly faithful.
So I wouldn’t just saw it all, let’s actually hear it from the horse’s mouth.
Jibike: Can you please introduce yourself?
Preye: MY
name is Preye Odede and I am from Isampou town In Ekeremor LGA all in Bayelsa
State. I’m a graduate of Microbiology in from Abia State University Uturu.
name is Preye Odede and I am from Isampou town In Ekeremor LGA all in Bayelsa
State. I’m a graduate of Microbiology in from Abia State University Uturu.
Jibike: Let’s
talk about My Script. How did that name come about and what is the album all
about?
talk about My Script. How did that name come about and what is the album all
about?
Preye: My Script is more or less like words put together in
writing to form a book or journal.
writing to form a book or journal.
In this context, it means “The WORD OF GOD” So, the song
Titled My Script is a declaration, countering what the world says about us. We
don’t believe what they say but what the WORD says.
The Album is simply an expressing of God’s ability to raise anything from
nothing to something. It’s about my
life’s story and how God dealt with every bit of my struggles.
Titled My Script is a declaration, countering what the world says about us. We
don’t believe what they say but what the WORD says.
The Album is simply an expressing of God’s ability to raise anything from
nothing to something. It’s about my
life’s story and how God dealt with every bit of my struggles.
Jibike: How many tracks are there on the album?
Preye: It’s a 14 track album
Jibike: How long did it take you to put the album together?
Preye: . Well, I actually did singles long before the album
was released. I started the process in 2009 though was quite reluctant about an
album. I wanted to do more of singles but the demand for an album came pressing
and I had to release an album in 2012.
was released. I started the process in 2009 though was quite reluctant about an
album. I wanted to do more of singles but the demand for an album came pressing
and I had to release an album in 2012.
Jibike: So tell us
about your hit track. How did it come about?
about your hit track. How did it come about?
Preye: Well your Hit track may not be my hit track.
hahahaha!! But on a more serious note, I’m sure you are talking about Ebezina.
hahahaha!! But on a more serious note, I’m sure you are talking about Ebezina.
‘’Ebezina’’ was actually written
in 2009 and had little audience till when it started gaining massive airplay in
Port Harcourt. It was officially launched
in 2012 in the Album ‘’MY SCRIPT’’. The Video was shut in November 2013 and was
released in March 2014.
in 2009 and had little audience till when it started gaining massive airplay in
Port Harcourt. It was officially launched
in 2012 in the Album ‘’MY SCRIPT’’. The Video was shut in November 2013 and was
released in March 2014.
That song tells to a large extent a part of me. I wrote that song in the middle
of serious hardship. At a point we were thrown out of our house and rendered
homeless by some folks I wouldn’t want to mention back in 2009. It was actually
a write up God gave to me to encourage myself while it was difficult. I never
knew or had in mind it was going to make as much impact as it has made so far.
I was like a helpless young guy who just concluded NYSC in July 2009 in sokoto
state.
Now, on that faithful
day this happened: I was to travel back to Sokoto state while I missed my bus
and wondered back to church where I used to put up because at this point, we were
homeless. The good part of the story is that God gave me a job in the middle of
the hardship and gradually everything started falling in place. Then he gave me
this song, telling me that He’s the same God, who was there for me in the
midnight hour, and he’s the same God, who is able to wipe my tears away.
And He said to me, tell me why you’ve given up on me when I’ve not given
up on you. And he said; Hold on, your change is on the way. I put all the
lyrics together and sang the song first in church and almost immediately, I was
invited to the School I graduated from and I did the song for the first time
and finally, this is it. So much to talk about this song but I wish to
stop here.
day this happened: I was to travel back to Sokoto state while I missed my bus
and wondered back to church where I used to put up because at this point, we were
homeless. The good part of the story is that God gave me a job in the middle of
the hardship and gradually everything started falling in place. Then he gave me
this song, telling me that He’s the same God, who was there for me in the
midnight hour, and he’s the same God, who is able to wipe my tears away.
And He said to me, tell me why you’ve given up on me when I’ve not given
up on you. And he said; Hold on, your change is on the way. I put all the
lyrics together and sang the song first in church and almost immediately, I was
invited to the School I graduated from and I did the song for the first time
and finally, this is it. So much to talk about this song but I wish to
stop here.
Jibike: In all honesty, did you expect that song to be a
hit?
hit?
Preye: As a matter of fact, I didn’t record the song to
become a hit; it was the message God gave me during my trying times and I never
knew the song would be appreciated. Nope, Never!
become a hit; it was the message God gave me during my trying times and I never
knew the song would be appreciated. Nope, Never!
Jibike: How was ur growing up like? What particular fond memory
do you have?
Preye: Well, my growing up wasn’t the best of stories but I
guess it would make a best seller if you wanna have a play.
Hmmm, Growing up wasn’t really funny, wouldn’t
want to talk about it but the other part was that I was really and still
loved by my mum who took everything upon herself in making sure I went to
school. Though she wasn’t really happy about the fact that I always spent the
better part of me traveling, singing and backing up gospel artistes. She made
sure I was not making any mistake.
guess it would make a best seller if you wanna have a play.
Hmmm, Growing up wasn’t really funny, wouldn’t
want to talk about it but the other part was that I was really and still
loved by my mum who took everything upon herself in making sure I went to
school. Though she wasn’t really happy about the fact that I always spent the
better part of me traveling, singing and backing up gospel artistes. She made
sure I was not making any mistake.
Jibike: Tell us about your journey into music and the
challenges you encountered!
challenges you encountered!
Preye: I’ve always been a singer right from my childhood
days; sang in my church children’s choir, graduated to the main church choir,
and then in the university, I was part of one of the finest choir then (CRC
ABSU).
days; sang in my church children’s choir, graduated to the main church choir,
and then in the university, I was part of one of the finest choir then (CRC
ABSU).
I formed a group known as the Born2Praiz (A five man
acappella group); I also was a back-up for some major gospel ministers in PHC.
When I went for my youth service and was also part of NCCF choir. Though I kept
doing my solo thing along the line.
acappella group); I also was a back-up for some major gospel ministers in PHC.
When I went for my youth service and was also part of NCCF choir. Though I kept
doing my solo thing along the line.
Jibike: what’s the inspiration behind your music?
Preye: My messages are being inspired by
the Holy Spirit. Though songs most times or may be often times come from our
day to day activities, but to do a gospel song, you really need the Holy Spirit
to be able to translate songs to the soul because gospel music ministers to the
soul as well as the body.
the Holy Spirit. Though songs most times or may be often times come from our
day to day activities, but to do a gospel song, you really need the Holy Spirit
to be able to translate songs to the soul because gospel music ministers to the
soul as well as the body.
Jibike: What else do you do apart from
Music Ministry?
Music Ministry?
Preye: Ermmm, I work in a small
company; I’m also a designer and can do all things through Christ. (grins)
company; I’m also a designer and can do all things through Christ. (grins)
Jibike: when you are not singing or working, what would you be doing?
Preye: I would be listening to music,
watching Movies, – comedy and mostly I love being in the studio because quite a
number of things happen there.
watching Movies, – comedy and mostly I love being in the studio because quite a
number of things happen there.
Jibike: Your last encouraging words?
Preye: Stay glued to your purpose and
vision and then be original;
vision and then be original;
Stop
Piracy and stealing from other peoples work. If it is Gospel music, then the
Holy Spirit will not stop at giving us inspiration. And stop stealing from
other people’s work, work hard;
Piracy and stealing from other peoples work. If it is Gospel music, then the
Holy Spirit will not stop at giving us inspiration. And stop stealing from
other people’s work, work hard;
Whatever you are and will become, the fame, money and wealth you have
and will ever have, God did them all and He can strip you of them all just to
save your soul. Shun pride!!!!
and will ever have, God did them all and He can strip you of them all just to
save your soul. Shun pride!!!!
It’s amazing how God works!!! He
definitely lifts people up from dunghills and sets them within Princes and soo
much more. Another thing is when God blesses you with something why would someone
want to steal it from you?
definitely lifts people up from dunghills and sets them within Princes and soo
much more. Another thing is when God blesses you with something why would someone
want to steal it from you?
One thing to note is that: There can
never be 2 originals, so people should learn to be Original because it pays!!!
never be 2 originals, so people should learn to be Original because it pays!!!
Finally, I don’t know what you maybe
going through and it seems God has forgotten you, please hold on a little while
more, don’t let the devil deceive you into missing your blessing – Your
Breakthrough is very close. May God grant us the grace to patiently wait for
our blessing because sometimes, they come in raindrops!!!
going through and it seems God has forgotten you, please hold on a little while
more, don’t let the devil deceive you into missing your blessing – Your
Breakthrough is very close. May God grant us the grace to patiently wait for
our blessing because sometimes, they come in raindrops!!!