ever but the singer of the song, Ukeje
Okechukwu Edward, a.k.a Mr Raw,
formerly known as 'Nigga Raw' ,
disappeared from the music scene and
only recently reappeared with a new
album featuring 2Face Idibia. In this chat
with Weekend Groove, role model of
upcoming Hip Hop acts in Eastern Nigeria
speaks on his absence, his music and why
he changed his name from 'Nigga Raw' to
'Mr. Raw'.
So what's new about Mr Raw?
A lot of things are new about me because
presently I am still recording songs and
doing other businesses. And there are a
lot of artistes I am actually trying to help
push their songs under my label 'Raw
Deal Entertainment'. Presently, I have a
new fifteen-track album titled '' The
Greatest " featuring 2Face Idibia and
some other acts. And I can say the album
is doing credibly well and two videos from
the album titled ''Asanwa" and ''Forget
Swagga '' are already on air.
Tell us about your Record label?
My Record Label is called Raw Deal
Entertainment. I started the Label in
2005 and presently I have three artistes
who are signed onto the outfit. There's
nothing much about it.
*Mr Nigga
Why did you decide to own a Record
Label ?
It all started when I first released my first
album" Right and Wrong" that was the
album that contains ''Obodo'', it made a
big hit. After that album I decided to own
my own Record Label since everything
put into the production of the album was
done solely by me.
Should we say the Record Label is actually
taking your time enough to make you go
off the scene for a while?
The Record Label has nothing to do with
that, the thing is that I actually got myself
involved in many other businesses within
and outside the country. I am still very
much around, doing my thing but the
only difference now is that I don't do just
music alone anymore. I have other
interests
Can we know those other things you
have got yourself involved in?
What I mean is that I am into
importation of goods within and outside
Nigeria and I am also into properties like
an investmentor. Let's just say it's a kind
of retirement plan that could come handy
when I finally bow out from music. It's
my back-up plan.
Now that you are married, how are you
enjoying marital life?
I thank God I am doing great but another
thing is that I like keeping my family life
private. Though I have heard a lot of
people saying that it's because I got
married that's why I've been off the
music scene, it's not true. I just have to
get something else to do other than
music. Though at first it was only music
but now it's no longer music alone, I am
now doing other things as well.
As a married man, how do you treat your
female fans?
Let me be sincere and blunt with you; a
female fan actually pushes more of our
job than a male fan. Guys will always like
to have fun and drink but if a female is
passionate about your music she can go
to any level to promote it even by
making the guys love it. So one has to
treat the female fans right because they
are always there to groove and dance but
men are just there too preoccupied with
other things.
Also, when it comes to comedy shows,
it's the lady that pushes the man to take
her out. So, for me I treat them like
sisters, friends, fans and supporters. My
marriage has nothing to do with the way I
treat my female fans though some
people do have wrong impression when
you treat a lady too nicely. The fact that I
am married doesn't stop me from being
close to my female fans.
*Nigga
Any special relaxation spot?
Actually, I don't have any special way I
relax but you will find me at any spot that
has a nice pool table because I love
playing snooker. I am not a clubbing
person. I don't go out much and I think
this has been one of my biggest
challenges in the industry.
How did you develop your passion for
music?
I picked interest in music when I was still
in the secondary school. I started by
listening to a lot of rap songs and by
miming them I started getting into the
rhythm. It was easy back then because
many of my friends were into it too.Then,
it was basically some foreign artistes like
Big Daddy Kane (my favourite), Rakim,
Fresh Prince,Naughty By Nature, Heavy D
etc.
Why do you usually rap in Igbo language?
Because I feel comfortable doing it and I
got a lot of encouragement from the fans
who have come to show they love it. So
it's just a decision I made and I am glad
I did. Sometimes, people get surprised
when I speak in English because most of
them thought it's because I didn't go to
school that's why I rap in Igbo.
Moreover, rapping in Igbo is my unique
selling point too.
How exactly did you meet Klint the Drunk
beforeoreeaturing him in your song
''Obodo ''?
Actually we were friends back in Enugu,
we used to perform in schools. He would
be the MC while I sing and sometimes
he cracked jokes and our other friends
like Mc Lopgh, Smatter Man, Ernest
Asuzu, the actor, also rapped too. I and
'Klint the Drunk' have been long time
friends and I still wish to do something
with him very soon. Why I featured him
in my song is because everything about
him is music, for example, if you listen to
his comedy, what he does most is singing
out the jokes.
What made you so popular?
I think it's my 'Igbotic' rap. Like when I
did the Obodo song people really
accepted it, that was in 2005 but I wrote
the song in late 90. And another thing
that announced me was the Benson and
Hedges 'Grab the Mick' music
competition in 2002. People really
accepted me when I was rapping in Igbo.
I came first then in Enugu and it was even
I and Klint that did the competition
together.
He was singing while I rapped. And finally
at the grand finale I won, that was in
Abuja. I can never forget that year. That
same year, I still went for Star Quest
competition. Initially, they didn't want
me to enter for the competition because
I just won Benson and Hedges
competition. I came second while Kcee
emerged winner and I am happy he's
doing great now.
What is the story behind your change of
name from Nigga Raw to Mr. Raw?
Yeah ,the change of name actually came
about because on-air personalities could
not say my name without driving another
connotation to it. It was affecting
information about me. Some foreign
stations like MTV Base couldn't play my
music until I removed the word 'Nigga'
from my name. I had to do it. But what
actually gave me the push to change my
name to Mr. Raw was when many people
complained that they weren't able to buy
my songs online.
I had to search for my name online and I
didn't see it in one of the popular
websites. But when I searched for one of
my songs it popped up. I saw that they
censored 'Nigga' and replaced it with five
stars. So if you search for Nigga Raw you
wouldn't find it unless you searched for
one of my songs. Nigerians outside the
country buy songs online before they get
the hard copy.
So I had to change the name. Then again,
if you are going to foreign embassies to
get a visa, the promoter is usually scared
of telling them at the embassy that a
'nigga' wants to go to their country.
But really, the 'Nigga' in my name wasn't
like the American Nigger. Mine is actually
an acronym NIGA which means Nigerian
Guy Anakpo Raw (Nigerian Guy who is
called Raw). But how many people would
you be explaining this to?
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