My Debut Album Is Call For Change

… Eckobig

The Nigerian music scene is daily churning out new talents spreading one form of message or the other for a better society. One of such new voices is Eckobig Chidiebere Anthony, who has just released a promotional single track into the music arena. In this interview with Uzo Chikere and Blessed Mudiaga Adjekpagbon, he beams on his passion for music and sundry issues. Enjoy:

What does the name Eckobig stand for?

It means uncommon grace and unusual favour. The name was given to me by God Himself.

Did God come down from heaven to give you the name?

(He laughs loudly, amused by the question). After I gave my life to Christ in 2007, God gave me the name through divine inspiration. It is just like the story of Jacob who became Israel in the Holy Bible, which signifies that old things have passed away and new beginning has come.

What genre of music do you play?

My music is based on contemporary issues like child abuse, terrorism, rape, kidnapping, and so on, that are commonplace in the world today. It sounds secular but my songs are inspired by biblical messages to make a positive change in listeners’ minds.

What is the title of your first album?

My first single from my up-coming album is titled Change! Yes We Can. The video is already out and is being promoted on Youtube, facebook, and some other blogs portals. I have more than 1000 likes and 5000 followers within two months. It is a frontrunner for an upcoming seven-track album. It is a blend of R&B, rap and soul. DOC, Kelly, 2MS and Peace are some of the artistes that feature in the album.

What is your reason for choosing music as a medium to effect change?

Music is an effective avenue to express your motives for people to key in. Though, there is no marketer for the work now, I am not being limited or discouraged by that. I depend more on social media and conventional media to make it reach the public.

Who produced the album and what plans are in place to market it?  

The album was produced, mixed, and mastered by E-Base in E-Base studios. Marketing in terms of physical distribution of the work will come later.

Where is your state of origin?

I am from Umuomaku in Orumba South Local Government Area of Anambra State. I attended Union Secondary School, Umuomaku. I finished my secondary education in 1997.

If you are asked to describe yourself, what would you say? 

I am an entrepreneur; artiste and motivational speaker that love to motivate budding artistes. I believe in the philosophy that the sky is only a starting point in terms of more songs I am preparing to release. This single is not just a flash in the pan project.

Why did you prefer playing music instead of furthering your education?

It is not as if I am not interested in furthering my education. The poor background I came from was responsible for my non-furtherance for some time, but I am planning to enroll soon into the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN). I went into business after my secondary education, and after three years, I left my master with the hope of travelling abroad for greener pastures. My efforts to travel out to Europe or America fell like a pack of cards when I was duped by fraudsters’.

Can it be assumed that you like music more than education considering that you came out with a musical single at the expense of education?

There is a time frame for everything in life. Education is good, but there are certain things you need to do at the right time as the inspiration comes, otherwise you may never have the opportunity to actualize them again. That is the spirit of music. In my own philosophy, an educated person is someone who knows how to get what he/she wants, not necessarily the ability to read or write, but reasoning well.

What type of change are you using your music to propagate?

I want to see a changed world restored to peace, righteousness, goodness, and free from bribery, corruption, brutality, hostility, terrorism and racism. That is the idea behind the album’s title.

Do you think that the change you are looking for could be possible soon?

It may not happen immediately, but the change in American democracy which brought President Barack Obama to power today was envisioned by Martin Luther King Jnr, many years before it came to reality. I also want a general change in the ways things are done in our country. I wonder why Nigeria cannot be well organized like some well administered foreign countries. Many times I travelled to Dubai and Qatar, I wondered why our country cannot be well planned and organized like them, even when we have the resources that surpass theirs. It is a question of changing our general attitude in the ways we manage our environment and resources.

Where do you expect the change to start from?

The change should begin from everybody, but most especially from our leaders. The youths no longer have focus for integrity and hard work because of the way many elders behave these days. Lack of focus and credible role models are part of the things affecting youths, which we need to change.