I don’t joke with my studs –KCee

KCee

Popular musician, KCee, tells Ademola Olonilua about his style and career

Why do you wear white outfit most of the time?

It is simply fashion for me. I like white, I like black. I am not only always putting on white, I am seen on black and white every time. I have no favourite colour. I am a fashion conscious person, so when it comes to fashion, I don’t have any particular colour.

What influences your style?

The truth is, I am a very stylish person and I have always had it in my blood. It is something I love. It reflects in my life, video, apartment and even my car. Everything about me is fashion, so anytime I do anything, I don’t get prepared; I do it because it is a part of me.

Do you patronise Nigerian designers?

Yes of course. I use only one. The only Nigerian designer that I use is Kevin Madu. He is not too popular, but he has done a whole lot of things for a lot of entertainers. He is not too popular but he designs for celebrities.

What is that fashion item you cannot leave home without?

I can’t leave home without my earring (studs) for both ears. I don’t know why, but that is something I cannot leave home without. I don’t joke with it. I wouldn’t want to mention how much it costs. I don’t like mentioning figures but they are pretty expensive. Why I love them so much I don’t know. Even if you come to my house in the morning, I would put my studs on first before I come downstairs to see you. I have over thirty of them.

What do you put into consideration when stepping out for an event?

Fashion to me means KCee. The way I want people to see me; that is my own definition. They say dress the way you want to be addressed. I always try to be different, classy, no matter how casual I look.

So far, this year has been good to you. You are an MTN ambassador  and your song, Limpopo, is  well loved. How do you feel about it?

I am excited that my hard work has shown and it is reflecting. I am just excited. It has just been consistency, dedication, hard work and passion.

Do you save some money for the future?

This is about 12 years down the line, and I am still able to live my flashy life. If I don’t save, I don’t think I’ll live the way I am living now. People see me and they conclude; they say what they want to say but they don’t know what I have. They do not know how much I have or what I do. They don’t know how I live my life. The truth is, anybody that doesn’t save is definitely going to go down. For me to still be in this business after 12 years, I think it is not because I am not saving, I think it is because I know what I’m doing. I save.

Was there any time you felt like quitting?

Of course, yes. At a point, I wanted to quit music in 2009. I felt I could do some other business, which I started. I started importing furniture; I have a store somewhere on Opebi, Allen. At a point, it wasn’t just working for me. I still have those furniture in the showroom. I told myself one morning, ‘this is me, this is what I am called for, entertainment, music.’ So, I went back and that is how I got to where I am now. I took a decision that I had to go back and make a mark, if I don’t get it, then, I am going to leave music. Since then, I have put in my life and soul into it.

Do you miss Presh, your former your partner?

I miss him a lot and wish we were sharing the spotlight together. I wish him well and wish him to get back on his feet. I spent 12 years with him. So, if I tell you I don’t miss him, I would be lying to you. He is still my brother.

How do you respond to people who say you made it because you ‘shed off’ Presh?

Yes, I have heard about it. It is on the Internet, Blackberry and all. Sometimes I don’t have much to say about that because God has a way. God writes the scripts while we are just acting as far as I am concerned. When we broke up, we never saw it coming. It just happened. When it happened, I took it personally and said I had to make a mark, an impact and I think that is what is reflecting. I don’t know the decision he took himself when the group broke up. I think it is not too late. Anybody can make it, you just have to be dedicated, do it and wait for your time. It is KCee’s time.

What is the craziest thing a lady has done to you?

A few days back in Abuja, I saw a girl and she opened her hand, I saw my name tattooed on it. I don’t know her, I saw her during a show some days back. She was like this is KCee. She said that she did it and had been looking for a way to show it to me. I was surprised. I went mad, I was excited, I felt loved. I took pictures with her. Outside the country, I have been taken care of by female fans. Some of them are surprised it is me. They tell me they have a car, home, they want to take care of me. It feels good when people show you love because of what you do.

How many Jesus piece chains do you have?

I have just one and it is very precious to me. I got it in Spain when I went there to shoot the video for my new song, Okoso. I can trade it for money anytime. It is like saving my money. I got it but it was quite expensive. I will not say the price so that I won’t be attacked. I have been robbed several times. I’ll not want to expose myself any more.

What is next for you?

Well, my video is ready even before I released the song. The video will be dropping sometime this week.

Do you think Okoso will surpass Limpopo?

I never knew how far Limpopo would go. I never saw Limpopo taking me to this level. So, I don’t know where Okoso will take me to. As far as I am concerned, it is good music and it has every tendency, strength and energy to go even further than Limpopo.

How did you come up with such a song?

It is inspiration, talent, a gift from God. Limpopo is divine because it was recorded in less than 40 minutes. With the beat, concept and everything, I did the song in less than 40 minutes. The song blew in less than two days. I dropped the song and the next day I started receiving calls from fans and friends. On Twitter, my followers increased, my fan base just blew up. It was just KCee on the song, not featuring anybody.