Award-winning artiste, Chukie Edozien, popularly known as Lynxxx speaks about the downsides of fame
What were your expectations when you released your debut single ‘Change Your Parade’ in 2009?I had no expectations but I was curious to know how far the song would go and most importantly, I wanted to be heard. God is great because that song single-handedly opened a window of opportunities. That is the reason I am still here six years after I released my debut single.
What inspired the name Lynxxx?
I was considered the go-to guy back in high school because I was a well-connected kid. As a result, the word link inspired the name Lynxxx because I was able to connect people with whatever they needed.
Your sound is a blend of Hip Hop, RnB and Afrobeat. Where would you say your niche lies?
My sound can be described as JollofMusik because it is a blend of genres from my musical influences. My niche market would have been chiefly females but I always find a balance so the men folk are not left out.
How did you come up with the terms Jollof and Utunu?
They are trademark names I coined to help people identify my music and sound whenever they hear my voice on records.
As a Business Marketing and Economics graduate from the University of Hull, United Kingdom, why did you choose to become a musician?
Music has always been a passion of mine, so it was only a matter of time and faith before I took it up as a profession. By design, I studied specific courses in school in order to prepare myself for life as a musician. I studied business to learn the ropes of setting up and operating a business, economics to manage my finances and marketing so as to become skilled at selling my brand. As a youth, I repeatedly disturbed my household whenever I played loud music so I guess my decision to take to music did not come as a surprise to members of my family.
Why did you establish a record label?
Syndik8 Records was established in 2004 as a result of my inability to get signed on to already established record labels. In 2008, my partner, Ikon and I built our first studio, “The Syndik8 Redroom Studio” on the Island. We literally started recording and producing for all the music heavyweights in the industry at that time. I moved back to Nigeria from the UK in 2009 and recorded Change Your Parade a few weeks after. I started writing music in 1997 and my first time in a studio was at the Even Ezra Studio in 1998.
Tell us about your childhood
I grew up in a family-oriented home. My parents ensured my siblings and I understood the essence of family plus the importance of maintaining a good reputation because it can open or close doors. I am happy my sisters and parents gave me the liberty to discover and express my talents in the right manner.
Did your parents support your decision to do music in the first place?
Yes, they were supportive .They love my music and most importantly, they are very proud of my accomplishments. That fuels my desire to accomplish more and make them happier.
Critics say you have been favoured in the Nigerian entertainment scene because of your privileged background. What are your thoughts in this regard?
I want critics to explain how true that is. We all go through the same struggles as artistes. We work hard and enjoy the fruits of our labour and it has nothing to do with what family you come from.At the end of the day, your talent is all that matters because nobody is going to buy your album because of your surname. My parents are not in the entertainment business so I do not know how that helps me sell more records or makes it easy for me to make hit singles. My journey into music didn’t happen overnight, so all that talk about being from a privileged background is baseless because I worked hard to get this far.
What projects are you working on currently?
I am putting finishing touches to my sophomore album titled Jollof Music.
What challenges did you encounter while breaking into the Nigerian music scene?
I do not really have fears or challenges because I always push the envelope and try to make the best of every situation I find myself in.
How would you describe your personality?
I am a jovial person but a lot of people think otherwise because I always keep to myself. Keeping to myself helps me focus on the goal at hand.
What plans do you have for your fashion label?
I floated a fashion label called Syndik8 Denim, long before Lynxxx came into being and our area of specialisation is T-shirt designs. We plan to open our flagship store in Lagos soon.
What qualities attract you to a lady?
I like a free-spirited lady with morals, one who I can learn from. She must be able to cook and look good. On the other hand, I am turned off by bad breath and a smelly weave. I am not attracted to women who talk too much.
What is the most uncomfortable thing about fame?
Sometimes, people expect you to be superhuman. There are times when you just do not want all the attention because you want to live a normal life like every other person. People fail to understand that celebrities also have problems.
What is the craziest thing you have read about yourself?
They said my dad got me the Pepsi endorsement. How could that have been possible? My dad did not know I was into music at the time the offer came. I laughed it off and moved on. I also read somewhere that I have children. I get to read and hear so many stories but it’s part of being in the entertainment industry. You can’t run away from it.
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