By Opeyemi Akintayo
After spending some years abroad, Zara (Margaret-Mary Joseph) made her debut into the Nigerian music scene. Among other songs, her greatest hit,  Aboko Ku ruled the air waves.

But after a while, she seemed to have faded from the stage but kept in touch with her fans on radio. She attributed  her absence to her NYSC which would end in October. Here in this chat, she talks about growing up, music, her man and others.

I grew up on the Island and the mainland of Lagos.I attended Saint Mary’s private school on the Island and Lagos State Model College at Badore.

I left the country in 1999 and had my University education in Tessburge and graduated with two degrees in 2006. Then, I worked for a while. But all the while, I was doing music as well.

When I left Nigeria, I didn’t think about coming home till around 2009. I believe the world is open for us to go wherever we want to and make good opportunities. So, I traveled abroad because my mother is based there and she asked me to come over. But after graduation, I decided to come to Nigeria and see what life holds for me.

When I came back, I went straight to doing music and before I came in, I was already signed to Alapomeji Records, owned by 9ice. After a while, I thought about going for my NYSC because I might still want to have a job. So I’ll be through with my service in October this year.

I also decided to pick up the job of an on-air personality because it goes well with my kind of person and what I do. People say I’m social and yes I am but not very friendly. I just love to share information and brigthen someone’s day. And because of my voice, I’ve been offered jobs at several times when I went for music interviews at radio stations and I felt I should give it a try.

But in all, music and dance are my first love. I used to dance with a DJ and an African crew. In fact, there’s a particular video where I danced on Awilo’s stage. Then I realised I always had one thing or the other to do with music and I had to consider doing music.

Yes, I know I’ve not really had time for music recently and it’s because of my NYSC. That’s why I had to make sure I’m doing what I enjoy and serving where people will still have the opportunity to hear me and I won’t be fogotten. But after my NYSC, I’ll have enough time for music. I’ve been working on some singles but havn’t released any yet because I want to have the right focus.

I love to mix Yoruba in my songs because I am a Yoruba girl. And even before I moved back into the country, there’s always been a mixture of Yoruba with English in my songs. It’s part of me so I had to include it in my music. So also, I considered the market because Nigerians now enjoy localised songs.

I didn’t consider doing music until I almost graduated from school. It all started when a friend Kino took me to the studio with him to do back-up vocals. So I just told him I wanted to rap with him and we both did some verses together. Later, I went to eLDee’s place when he was still in Atlanta and he said he’d wanted me to hear a song sang by a Nigerian girl and that he loved the song. So when he played it, it turned out to be what I recorded. He was surprised and told me that I sound great. He then advised me to consider doing music and that was how I considered it. So, when I started doing music in America, I felt like I was doing Nigerian music only that I was in America. So that was why it made sense to come back so I can understand the culture more and it has made a huge difference on my music.

My mother has always kept an open mind towards anything I want to do. But she is more interested in me keeping my music clean. But in my first single, Good Girl, Bad Girl, there was a line where I said Yansh(buttocks) and my mother was very upset. In fact, she condemned the whole song because of that word. But aside that, she’s been very supportive. My father usually says I don’t write well. And that if I want, he could write songs and give to me. So my parents have been supportive. Presently, I’m building a team that’s very strong that will work with me. I believe that even if an artiste sings like an angel and doesn’t have a good team , everything isn’t going to work out. I believe I haven’t tapped into half of my potentials and so, I’m working really hard about it. By the time I start full time, I’m just going to keep going and not fizzle out.

I didn’t have any problem breaking into the Nigerian music industry because even before I came back, my music was already playing on the radio. I won’t say it’s easy but I ‘ll say the music has traveled itself and I’m sure it’s in the right direction. It’s by God’s grace because I don’t do anything extra ordinary to push my music.

I’ve heard people say I’m big but whenever people say it, it’s never in a negative way. So I’m happy with the way I am because I’m healthy. Do you think I would easily show off my body and stomach if I was skiny? The thing is this, at the end of the day, it’s how you present yourself that matters. The only thing I don’t like to do is wear too much make up.

My hair always grows fast. When I was in school, I always cut my hair and my hair has always been natural. In 2003, I started growing it. Later, I cut it off and coloured it. And then later, I decided to start locking it. So in December 2006, I started locking it and would trim it at intervals. So in the past five years, my hair has grown so long.

Yes, I can unlock my hair if I want to. But if I decide not to wear locks anymore, I’ll rather cut it.

I don’t have time for boyfriends now because I want to focus on my music.

I may have met the person I would marry but right now, my heart is locked. That doesn’t mean I don’t have admirers. But I know I’m not ready for guys now.

But if I want to get into a relationship now, my ideal man will be someone who understands what I do and supports me. It’s not about him giving me all the money. And when times are hard, he’ll be a companion to me. The personality of a man and how we relate is what matters to me. But I like handsome guys too.

In life, good things and bad things happen. So every single thing in life is a lesson so I don’t believe in regret. Even if I regret anyhting, it’ll be not coming back to Nigeria earlier or starting music eralier than I did. But what difference does my regrets make now? My life is my life and is left for me to make a difference from this point.