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| IMXB |
‘Education
should not be sacrificed for music’
should not be sacrificed for music’
A student of
Continuing/Adult Education at the Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai
(IBBUL), Abdullahi Alhassan, aka IMXB,
is an upcoming Hausa hip-hop artiste. In an interview with ABDULSALAM MAHMUD,
he advises student-musicians not to abandon education for music.
Continuing/Adult Education at the Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai
(IBBUL), Abdullahi Alhassan, aka IMXB,
is an upcoming Hausa hip-hop artiste. In an interview with ABDULSALAM MAHMUD,
he advises student-musicians not to abandon education for music.
When did you
start music?
start music?
My romance
with music started right from my secondary school days. I am a fan of hip-hop,
and have always followed Nigeria’s contemporary hip-hop artistes and singing
sensations. I am fond of downloading their latest songs immediately they are
released. After that, I memorise the lyrics and mimic the voice of both the
hit-tracks and musicians.
with music started right from my secondary school days. I am a fan of hip-hop,
and have always followed Nigeria’s contemporary hip-hop artistes and singing
sensations. I am fond of downloading their latest songs immediately they are
released. After that, I memorise the lyrics and mimic the voice of both the
hit-tracks and musicians.
What genre
of songs do you produce?
of songs do you produce?
I am a
hip-hop artiste. I produce modern Hausa hip-hop songs, which are now the rave
of the moment. It is what sweeps many Hausa music lovers off their feet.
hip-hop artiste. I produce modern Hausa hip-hop songs, which are now the rave
of the moment. It is what sweeps many Hausa music lovers off their feet.
Have you
released any music album?
released any music album?
While I have
produced several hit songs, the fact is, I am yet to release any album. But the
good news is that my debut album is only a matter of months before launch.
Already, I have put finishing touches to it. So, I am only waiting for the
launching, and I am assuring my fans that the inaugural album is coming out
with a bang. It is an album that will rock the airwaves.
produced several hit songs, the fact is, I am yet to release any album. But the
good news is that my debut album is only a matter of months before launch.
Already, I have put finishing touches to it. So, I am only waiting for the
launching, and I am assuring my fans that the inaugural album is coming out
with a bang. It is an album that will rock the airwaves.
Do you
perform at events?
perform at events?
Yes, I have
received invitations, and still receiving them for musical performance at
entertainments. I have performed in Lapai, Minna, and several other places. I
have lost touch of the number of times I performed at shows. At the risk of
been immodest, I am now one of the ‘regular diet’ on the menu of entertainment
shows organised on campus.
received invitations, and still receiving them for musical performance at
entertainments. I have performed in Lapai, Minna, and several other places. I
have lost touch of the number of times I performed at shows. At the risk of
been immodest, I am now one of the ‘regular diet’ on the menu of entertainment
shows organised on campus.
How do you
combine schooling and music?
combine schooling and music?
The thing
is, both music and education are indispensable. One cannot be sacrificed at the
detriment of the other. And it is in appreciation of that that I always try to
balance the time I have for my education and music career.
is, both music and education are indispensable. One cannot be sacrificed at the
detriment of the other. And it is in appreciation of that that I always try to
balance the time I have for my education and music career.
Whenever I
am in school, I ensure I attend classes and avoid missing lectures. Otherwise,
my university study will suffer. Similarly, when I have the opportunity to
attend shows and fun-seeking events, I try to give it my all and my best. But
so far, so good, it has been great for me in school, and for my music career.
am in school, I ensure I attend classes and avoid missing lectures. Otherwise,
my university study will suffer. Similarly, when I have the opportunity to
attend shows and fun-seeking events, I try to give it my all and my best. But
so far, so good, it has been great for me in school, and for my music career.
Do you see
yourself becoming a professional artiste after school?
yourself becoming a professional artiste after school?
Without
mincing words, I am already a professional musician, though I am still in
school. But I know, and I am certainly sure that music is my true calling,
after I graduate. So, I see myself becoming a full-time artiste, who will be
engaged in producing hit songs to the delight of my fans.
mincing words, I am already a professional musician, though I am still in
school. But I know, and I am certainly sure that music is my true calling,
after I graduate. So, I see myself becoming a full-time artiste, who will be
engaged in producing hit songs to the delight of my fans.
What
messages do you pass across in your songs?
messages do you pass across in your songs?
My songs are
devoid of obscenities, and vulgarities. In my songs, I propagate good morals
such as honesty, kindness, trust, patience, and generosity, to mention a few. I
also preach the gospel of true brotherhood, hard work, good parenting,
faithfulness, and acquiring good education.
devoid of obscenities, and vulgarities. In my songs, I propagate good morals
such as honesty, kindness, trust, patience, and generosity, to mention a few. I
also preach the gospel of true brotherhood, hard work, good parenting,
faithfulness, and acquiring good education.
I have
produced several songs that exhorted youths to shun drug abuse, thuggery,
robbery, and other vices. I have sung songs that called on our leaders to be
just, incorruptible, selfless and offer good governance to the masses. So, the
messages I pass across in my songs have always been noble, and righteous.
produced several songs that exhorted youths to shun drug abuse, thuggery,
robbery, and other vices. I have sung songs that called on our leaders to be
just, incorruptible, selfless and offer good governance to the masses. So, the
messages I pass across in my songs have always been noble, and righteous.
What is your
dream as an upcoming musician?
dream as an upcoming musician?
I want to go
places in my musical career. I hope to win plenty awards, locally and
internationally. I want to become the most sought-after Hausa hip-hop artiste
in the North. And above all, I want my songs to revolutionise Hausa hip-hop,
thereby taking it to an enviably level.
places in my musical career. I hope to win plenty awards, locally and
internationally. I want to become the most sought-after Hausa hip-hop artiste
in the North. And above all, I want my songs to revolutionise Hausa hip-hop,
thereby taking it to an enviably level.
Any advice
for talented student-musicians like you?
for talented student-musicians like you?
I want to
urge them to remain ambitious, passionate, dedicated and persistently strive
towards actualising their career goals. The journey to attaining fame, and
stardom, will be rough. But they should not relent amid odds. They must remain
focused, prayerful and believe in their dreams. But in the meantime, I want to
urge them not to sacrifice their educational pursuits for music.
urge them to remain ambitious, passionate, dedicated and persistently strive
towards actualising their career goals. The journey to attaining fame, and
stardom, will be rough. But they should not relent amid odds. They must remain
focused, prayerful and believe in their dreams. But in the meantime, I want to
urge them not to sacrifice their educational pursuits for music.