Globally, music has changed from its old ways, as it keeps evolving in styles and interestingly, with most known genres losing their long held and admired identity to admixture of techno infused styles and cross-mixes.
Despite the shenanigans surrounding the continually evolving world of music, particularly in this parts of the world, some wise old heads have remained stoical to their jealousy guarded original kind of music. They are unfazed by the new craze in the modern day music. However, their unflinching love for music, has made them admit, accept and to kow-tow the new world order in music.
Stevie Black is one of the living legends and most vibrant musicians of the older generation of Nigerian and African musicians, still waxing strong. In this interview with BEATS MAGAZINE’s Online Editor, AKEEM BUSARI, the Edo State-born Afro-Funk music exponent, tacitly agrees that technology has made music better, in the present days. He however, maintained that most modern artists are not creative and lack musical education.
He also spoke on varied issues including his food culture shock in Accra, Ghana, during a visit.
Enjoy the interesting interview..
*Please introduce yourself to our teeming readers?*
My name is Steve Black, a drummer, percussionist, lead singer, song writer, music composer, arranger, producer and entertainer. I am from Benin City, Edo state of Nigeria and with five children.
I started playing music in 1968 and have played both in Nigeria and abroad. I played with bands like The Moonrakers, Clusters International, Tee Mac Afro Collection, Osibisa, The Government, Sir Ronnie Scot, Geraldo Pino’s Heartbeats, Freedom Family, Elcados, Segun Bucknor, The Virgins, Severe7, Originators, Afro Cuban Band, Tony Benson and many more.
I have recorded 3 albums namely, Village Boogie, Happy Birthday To U, Make The World and a single tittled Fun In The Street, all between 1975 and 1983.
*Describe your kind of music?*
My music is known as AFRO FUNK. it is a blend of highlife and American funk. Basically a dance music. I love dancing so I play dance rhythms.
*Nigerian artists are presently high-rated around the world. What do you think are the reasons? Are they doing better music now, than the past?*
Nigerian and African artists have been highly rated around the world from long time ago, in the 70s we’ve been selling our music in Europe, America and other parts of the world. My albums sold better abroad than in Nigeria and they are still selling. Are we doing better music now ? I will say the whole world is doing better music now than before because of the technology.
*What’re some of the challenges you’re facing doing music?*
Same challenges the musicians face generally all over the world, you need money to promote your songs, shoot a good video and it’s becoming more expensive these days. You have to finance your recordings, videos, promotions before you find a management that would help you out. It’s not a child’s play.
*Take us down memory lane..let’s have your perspective on live band music and the present ways of doing music.*
Back in the day we don’t mime, we rehearse seriously with a band and most of the time you get your own band together. You reproduce your records on stage, and to record, you record live in the studios unlike these days. Back in the day originality was the thing, musicians were very creative but now, every artist copies other artists, you have producers programming beats that can hardly be replayed live on stage so all they do now is mime. But there are still many of us from that era that are still doing it, the way it’s supposed to be done. We still play live, we don’t mime.
*You’re obviously a widely travelled musician. Tell us some of your musical experiences.*
I freaked out the first time I went to Accra in 1975 when we went to eat and found out that we had to eat rice served in wide leaves and saw the people eating rice with their fingers (laughter). I also was very surprised to find out that the British musicians couldn’t play on our 6/8 time signature (laughs), they play other time signatures like 4/4, 3/4, but couldn’t play our 6/8 it was very funny to us back then.
I was also surprised when I was interviewed at the Bhush House, BBC Radio Network Africa Program that the producer, Dusty Hughes, signed for cash allowance at the cashier for my entertainment, food and drinks, and it was official, unlike here in Nigeria. And I was also very surprised that after my performance in London, when a pretty young lady came and offered me sex (laughter).
*What else do you do, apart from music?*
Outside music, I’m a farmer, I love farming and I love eating what I plant. I’m a crop farmer and aso a poultry farmer.
*You just released a new song. Tell us about it.*
Yeah, I own my studio in my house and I’ve just dropped a single tittled JEALOUSY. It’s an afro funk music. Currently it’s on Bandcamp www. steveblack.bandcamp/ jealousy. It’s a mind blower.
*What’re your favourite colours? Your favourite foods and of course, your favourite holiday spots within and outside Nigeria?*
My favourite colours are black and white. I don’t have favorite food, I love good food. It could be African or continental, but it must be delicious. My favorite holiday spot is my home (laughs). When I have everything I need around me, I love my home.
*What’re your plans to promote your new music?*
I’m planning to shoot a video, which will be shot in Lagos by my very good friend and brother, Gboyaga Adelaja, who is a very experienced videographer and musician.
*Thanks for your time, sir.*
You’re welcome. God bless you.
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