Benard Chidi Nwankwo is the real name of Shady XL. He is a new music act on the block who hails from the same state as Patoranking, Ebonyi state. In this interview with Ifeoma Ononye, he speaks about his love for music and relationship
You were nominated in USA, Nigerian Entertainment award, for the category of the most promising artiste, how did you feel?
I was nominated for the Nigerian entertainment awards which will hold in New York for the category of most promising male act to watch. It felt good to know that even as a rising act, my works were being recognised and identified with.
Tell us about your record label in the USA…
I have a management deal with Firematic Entertainment Group, a company based in Dallas, USA. It’s not a record deal, it’s a management deal.
Your first major single was banned in 2012, ‘Hold Something,’ why do you think it was banned?
That’s true, my first major single titled, “Hold Something,” was banned by the NBC, and I was told it was perceived to be sexually suggestive; I don’t know how that is. I have heard worse songs getting played without any hitch.
Heard you did a song for Iyanya, what song is that?
I worked with Blaq Jerzee same producer who produces Iyanya, Kcee, Jaywon, Sean Tizzle, among others, so it gives me the opportunity to have a good rapport with these acts.
You are said to be in USA most of the time, What are you doing presently in Nigeria?
Like I said, my management is based in the U.S. so that gives me reasons to be there every now and then as congruent decision makings are made on those trips. I am here in Nigeria now because this is where the work is done. This is where the market is. I am here to give all I have to music.
When did your love for music start?
My love for music started from my childhood days when I had to listen to my dad play music from the likes of Bob Marley, Osita Osadebe, Fela among others.
What songs are you working on now?
I am working on a lot of songs, but ‘Kilogram’ is the song I’m promoting.
When are you planning to drop an album?
I am not thinking of an album release yet. I need people to get to understand and anticipate what the Brand, ‘ShadyXL’ is about before I put an album together.
How did you come about the name, Shady XL and what does it mean? Does the XL mean expensive Xtra large?
I got the name Shady back when I was in school after the release of a song by Eminem called, ‘Slame Shady.’ Back then, I was a rapper, it stuck after a long time. XL in Roman numerals means 40 plus you can also mean to excel or extra large.
Are you amongst many musicians that quit school for music?
My love for music made me not to finish school, but I’m back in school at the moment. It’s in the U.S. I don’t want to mention that now.
Do you like singing about boobs, booze and sex like every other young artiste?
I won’t say I like to sing about boobs, booze and sex, because I am aware that the things I sing about does have a lot of impact on the generation that follows, so, that’s not the kind of legacy I want to leave. But sometimes, you need to refer to that to get some message along.
You sound like you are from a wealthy home, has your family been supporting your music career?
Far from it, I am not from a wealthy home. I was born in Ajegunle. My dad was really strict about me getting an education, he didn’t support my music at the beginning but after a long time, he got to understand that this is really what I wanted to do. He had no option but to agree.
Most music artistes will readily say they are not cut out for love and girlfriend when they are working their way to the top, are you one of those? Are you in any relationship now?
I really want to keep a good and steady relationship if I can but demands of being a struggling artiste makes it almost impossible to keep one. It would take a woman who is understanding and patient to make it work. So for that, I am not in a relationship now.
What kind of girl is your dream girl, flashy, presentable or homely?
I want a presentable career driven woman.
The post ‘I Want People To Appreciate The Shadyxl Brand’ appeared first on Daily Independent, Nigerian Newspaper.