Copying limits creativity — Ebuka Obiligbo (Umuobiligbo)

Ebuka Obiligbo, one half of the brothers that make up the duo of Umuobiligbo, tells NAOMI CHIMA about their music

Tell us about your educational career.

I attended the Lord’s Creation Primary School, and moved to Goodnews Secondary College, though I left for St Charles College in Onitsha when I was in junior secondary school 3. Later on, I moved to Ideal Minds Secondary School, where I wrote the West African Senior School Certificate Examination.

How did you begin singing?

When I was growing up, if someone had told me that I would become a musician, I would never have agreed, because I was not interested. Although I used to play some local instruments, I never took it seriously. I used to see it as something I did for fun. What we have today started after I took an interest in playing the guitar in 2010. I started learning in January, and by the end of the year, I was good. I started playing the guitar but most of what I could play were Christian songs. But something happened one day, I went for one occasion and the singer wanted me to play a particular solo in the song of a highlife artiste but I was not familiar with that particular song. So, the man embarrassed me, and that treatment pushed me to say that I would never go to those events again. Instead, I would use the guitar to sing in my house and have fun. As time went on, when I played my guitar, it gave a particular melody that I was flowing with and my brother always “backed me up” while I sang. From there, we picked an interest and decided to write a song. When we wrote the songs, we told our father about it, and after some scrutiny, he sponsored our first album. Basically, we started singing because God wanted us to be singers.

Where do you draw inspiration from?

If you are in Lekki (an upscale part of Lagos), you will rarely see or know what the ordinary man is going through, so aside from living here, we go to the streets to mingle with people. We listen to their stories and pain, and we advise them too. By doing so, we see what people are going through in different aspects of their lives. Sometimes we even call our father to tell him about some of the stories, seeking his help. That’s how we get our inspiration.

What are the challenges you have faced working together as a team?

We try not to feel like we know too much. No one acts too smart or wise, that what he says should and must be followed. Everybody has a right to bring his own idea, then we look at it together and we take the one that will work. We usually agree, but that does not mean we are perfect and do not disagree on some things. We quarrel and shout at each other, just like siblings do, but we don’t carry personal issues into our business. And we always rectify those issues, over a drink, and gist because of our business.

How do you manage your popularity?

Being popular is only an added advantage for us, though it affects our freedom. You can no longer do things you like or go to some places you used to go to. You now look for luxurious places, so that people won’t say you are not living up to standard. What your mates bought for N1000 would be sold to you for N3000. When you enter into a place, everyone wants you to show them love. They want to tap from you; nobody cares, they just feel entitled. If you give 20 among 50 people, the other 30 will be upset, doing all they can to affect you negatively. It is really not easy to be famous. However, we still maintain our personalities regardless. With that mindset, the pressure of fame does not get to us. It does not change anything in us.

How do you relate with your fans?

Online, we give gifts to our fans, follow back some of them that we need to follow. We prefer to help others without people knowing. We often tell people we have helped to keep it off social media, because we don’t need to publicise it. We offer help to make people happy, and not to gain favour from others.

Are you married?

Yes, I am married with a son called, Munachimso.

What are the most memorable moments of your life?

The day my son was born was the most significant day of my life. I cannot forget the joy of being a father for the first time.

Aside from singing, what else do you do?

My brother and I are involved in other businesses. An Igbo adage says that ‘you do not stand at a place to watch masquerades’. So while music is paying off, our other businesses are also generating income, and we are progressing.

What kind of change have you been able to drive through your songs?

We have impacted the lives of so many youths. Some youths will tell you that they got to know some things about life through our songs. Our songs have caused so many young people to repent from certain bad lifestyles, and even some families that used to have crises have resolved them because of some of our songs in which we explained the negative effects of family problems. I often get messages from people that a particular song brought their parents back together. From our songs, those who beat their parents also got touched, and smokers stop smoking. Almost all our songs have loads of messages for the youth and the elderly.

What advice do you have for young artistes as regards chasing their dreams?

They should make sure they are original. Everybody needs to have a particular thing they are known for. They should not try to sound or be like someone else; rather, they can take a trait and add it to their own creativity to make theirs different from that of the other person. But, they will not have to copy, because copying limits people. So for you not to be limited, just take a sample from someone you want to be like and add it to your own creativity. That will help you a lot, and you will have your own brand. New artistes need more creativity than copying.

Also, it is not an easy process. It is not that once you start singing, you would start getting popular immediately. You must have something to offer; either your song is preaching a good message, or it is good for parties.

How do you like to dress?

We like to look cute and fresh.

What is your favourite food?

We love rice, and I can eat it like four times a week. I eat and enjoy “swallow” too though.