Ikwo Monday Eyo, stage name iQuo, is the new kid-on-the-bloc music wise. He has since 2015 raised the bar and appears unstoppable.
The rising act has unleashed mind blowing singles, the first is ‘Imafiop’ a ground breaking single with a konto feel, the song became a nominal hit in the south/eastern Nigeria.
Followed by his collaborative effort with CBN act Ckay ‘Bad musician, bad producer’. On July 22, 2016, iQuo released a high life blended single titled ‘Life Na Jeje’, a chart-topping conscious tune that trended for weeks.
It was first premiered on KISSFM 99.9 ABUJA and singlehandedly won the heart of thousand music lovers. The song peaked number 3 spot on COOLFM FRESH-MIX COUNTDOWN and is burning up the airwaves.
Buoy by his released singles, coupled with the time and resources invested in his debut EP. The ‘Life Na Jeje’ crooner in this exclusive interview tells us all about his musical career, ‘The iQuolizer’ EP, relationship, future plans and more… Enjoy.
HOW DID YOU GET INVOLVED IN MUSIC?
Music is something I have been doing for a long time. I started when I began listening to songs by Legendary artists, the likes of Felix Lebarty, Fela, 2baba, Osadebe, Mike Okri, The Mandators, 9ice. I was very young then, but I kept telling myself ‘you can do this thing’. Before I could say Jack Robinson, I started buying CDs and listening to more artists back then.
When I got into secondary school, I formed a group and we were always inviting other schools for social tourneys. Then, I continued till I got into senior secondary class. In my last year in secondary school, my group composed a song for the school and we performed it during our graduation ceremony. But when I got into the university, it was a different ball game entirely. In fact, that was actually when I started recording.
MANY PEOPLE HAVE LISTENED TO YOUR SONGS, PARTICULARLY ‘LIFE NA JEJE’ AND WOULD LOVE TO KNOW MUCH ABOUT YOU. WHO IS iQuo?
Thank you very much. iQuo is a rising musician, born in the 90’s to Mr and Mrs Eyo Ikwo Dickson, from Akwa Ibom State. I’m the last child in the family of 3. My name is Ikwo Monday Eyo, born and raised in Nigeria. I’m a graduate of Theatre Arts from the University Of Uyo, Uyo.
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN DOING MUSIC?
Like I said, I started recording when I got into the University. I recorded my first song ‘Living Ma Life’ in 2010, the song started getting reviews. I recorded a couple of songs. It was a rough journey, at some point I rebranded myself and was still recording. But professionally, I started music in 2015.
MUSIC AND STUDIES! HOW WERE YOU ABLE TO COPE WITH BOTH?
I did my best to strike a balance for the two, something like a scale. I created time from my academic calendar to go to the studio. But what really helped me was that I was not a dullard, so I combined both and God helped me too.
YOU MUST BE HAVING A BUSY SCHEDULE DUE TO THE TIME INVESTMENT IN YOUR DEBUT EP. TELL US ABOUT THE EP?
Yea… My schedule has been very tight since I kicked off this project. From myself and my management, alot has been invested. ‘The iQuolizer’ EP is one cake I have been baking for sometime now, I think this is the right time to serve it. The project is definitely worth the time and investment. Seriously, atimes I used to sleep in the studio at night because of my passion for music and this project. It’s a gift from me to my supporters, fans, friends, even my critics. I call them ‘iQFam’, they are people that have been listening to me from the get go.
PEOPLE CALL YOU iQuolizer, AND YOUR EP IS ALSO APTLY TITLED ‘The iQuolizer’. WHAT IS THE IDEA BEHIND THIS TITLE ?
(smiles). Let me start by saying that iQuo is a brand! Now iQuolizer depicts the kind of sound being produced by the brand. It also doubles as a track in the EP in which I narrate my journey so far.
Normally, Equaliser as an audio equipment filters sound or I’ll call it a sound balancer. So I’m using the brand to bring something different, sounds that will fit into any state of mind the listener is at a particular moment. Generally I have conscious sound, party sound and love sound all housed in the EP.
DO YOU THINK YOU ARE CARVING A NICHE FOR YOURSELF WITH IT??
Yes, it’s a process. The iQuolizer brand is one of them and people have come to associate a couple of phrases with me. Although, that’s not what my music is all about but its my signature. So that even if I’m singing a gospel song, you would know that – it’s iQuo, the iQuolizer voice will always stand out. I’m also working on my dressing style, when I’m done people will be acclimatize with it.
ARE YOU GETTING ANY POSITIVE REVIEWS FOR INFUSING INDIGENOUS LANGUAGES INTO YOUR MUSIC?
Yes, the acceptance has been so encouraging. Imafiop’ is doing well is the south and eastern Nigeria courtesy of Ibibio and Igbo languages infused in the song. I believe music is one of the best ways to spread our heritage and identity across the globe. It’s also the fastest medium to reach out to the world, irrespective of the genre. The way it’s going, soon white people will sing and dance to music in my language.
ALRIGHT!!. BUT IF YOU TAKE AWAY THE SOUND FROM YOUR MUSIC, WHAT MESSAGE DO YOU PASS ESPECIALLY TO THOSE THAT UNDERSTAND YOUR LANGUAGE?
Music itself is a universal language, so I’ll say my music is for everybody. I talk about life and success in my music. For instance, ‘Life Na Jeje’ is a way of encouraging people, also letting the youths know that everything takes time so they should take life easy and hold onto God. The song mirrors current economic situation in the country. If you understand the lyrics of that song, you’ll realise I was talking about what people are facing. And here we are, I try to tell people that things are getting better and the youth to keep doing what they are doing. Don’t listen to anybody telling you success is not attainable. Be positive and keep pushing forward, God will definitely support when you call on him.
YOUR LATEST SINGLE ‘LIFE NA JEJE’ HAS RAISED HIGH EXPECTATIONS FROM YOUR FANS! WHAT SHOULD THEY EXPECT IN THE EP?
(smiles) Fire all the way! two singles ‘Imafiop’ and ‘Life Na Jeje’ was released off the EP to a lot of excitement and wide reception. This body of work has been planned for a while, so no dulling at all. My team and I have been up and doing to make sure that this EP is worth the wait, so the fans are in for a great deal. Like I said, It’s a special gift to people that have endlessly supported me.
ANY COLLABORATION IN THE EP?
Definitely! A song titled ‘Bemia’ is in the EP and it features Congo born London based afro soul queen Lilas Lafleur. I still have another track titled ‘Miss Plaza’, alongside Hanny house entertainment top cat Brown and budding act Shaddy Blisz. So have got collaborations in it and all featured acts did weIl.
THAT’S INTERESTING… ARE YOU UNDER A RECORD LABEL?
I’m currently not signed to any label. So I’m open for discussion with interested sponsors or record label.
A CLOSER LOOK AT YOUR SONGS TITLING, ONE WOULD WONDER! HOW DO YOU GET THE TITLES??
I always use a title that will stand out. I don’t like using already existing titles for my songs. I go for titles that will ring a bell once you come across it.
STILL TALKING ABOUT YOUR SONGS TITLE, CAN YOU TELL US THE MEANING OF ‘IMAFIOP’?
(laughs) Imafiop is a local slogan used for real love, ima means love, fiop means hot. Its a term used when love is inseparable.
HOW EXACTLY DOES IT RELATE TO THE SONG?
It’s a narrative statement that means a girl has loved me for a long time. She follow me from 99 means when I was nobody.. till now that things are rossy. She’s been there for years.
HAS ANY GIRL FOLLOWED YOU ALL THAT LONG? ATLEAST TELL US, WHAT’S HER NAME?
That’s my private life. I keep it off the cameras.
OK…BUT THAT MEANS YOU ARE IN A RELATIONSHIP?
With God and my fans, yes.
I MEAN DO YOU HAVE A GIRL FRIEND?
(hehe) no comment on that.
HOW DO YOU MAKE YOUR MUSIC AND WHAT FURNISHES YOU WITH INSPIRATION?
God almighty is the giver of my talent also the inspiration that comes with it. The process of making music can start anywhere, from the places I go, people I meet. What I pass through in life inspires me.
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE MUSIC?
(brief silence) I would say music is my first love… When I met music, music stole my heart. In the process our love increased as I was growing, we fell in love and got married. That was 2006.
NIGHT OR DAY?
(smiles) Night…
WHAT ARE YOUR FUTURE PLANS?
More singles with videos too. I want more people to avow who iQuo is beyond just a musician. By God’s grace, I wish to go places with my sound. So I’m looking forward to releasing more music and videos.
ANY FINAL WORDS?
Firstly, I appreciate God for everything. I thank Gurus Files for granting me the interview and also thank everyone who has contributed to the success of this project and beyond. Special shout out to my management MOW for having my back always. And to the producers I have worked with on this project Shebongky, Planky and Co.. you guys are the bomb. The iQFam, you all are the reason I’m doing this. I appreciate the love and support thus far, Thank you. Get ready for ‘The iQuolizer’… Bless.
Download: iQuo – ‘Life Na Jeje
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