John Agoha is not an everyday guy. He is a designer,  singer,  song writer,  model and a good cook. He was at Star Quest, 2006 and his group known as SQB was first runner up. In this interview with FLORENCE AMAGIYA, he talks about his life after Star Quest and today

Enjoy!

 My journey and multi talents 

John Agoha

I am a singer, a song writer, a model and a designer. I started first as a chorister in church, and then at one time, I became the choir master.  I knew l could sing at a very young age. To further work on my talent, l went to a music school called BenJof Show Biz Academy in Benin City. When l got to the academy, l noticed l could model also. So I started modeling right there at the academy. I did traffic jobs, jingles and TV commercials. I also went into fashion and started designing all my wears and that of my friends.

My inspiration

Actually, my designs are not the regulars, they are designs you cannot get to buy and wear. It is quite funny when I talk about it, but it is the truth. I actually see these designs in my dreams when l sleep. I wake up capturing them by way of drawing them down and cutting raffia materials for sample before actually putting them in real fabrics. These are designs that haven’t been captured by any other designer before.

I love standing out in events and everywhere l go to. So l have being able to make designs that are very unique and which also would stand anybody out. Sometimes, my designs get sold on my body. I also design my friends’ clothes and they stand out at every given event.

How I came into show biz

It started in Star Quest, 2006. My set was actually the second set of Star quest, but the first to be televised and recognized. I did my audition in Benin City, Edo state. There were about five thousand people that came in the day l auditioned and out of that number, I only was picked.

I went into Fame land, but it was my first visit in Lagos, Nigeria with an assurance that I could sing, but my dreams and aspiration was nearly defeated in the house because no one liked my face and some thought l couldn’t even sing. I was despised by all the contestants and at a time, I wrote a letter telling the organizers that l wanted to go home because of it. I was advised by the organizers to have faith in myself; they included me in a group called SQB. SQB needed one more contestant to make them six as it were.

So I stayed in that group like a nonentity. I was that addition that made up the band. My opinion was never sought in any of the group’s decisions, so l sat in the group until an opportunity came up. We were losing out in the competition and we needed help like never before. l begged to make a suggestion and later was allowed to do my own song. The song l did took us from that level of eviction to the highest scorer that night. It was indeed amazing.  We didn’t win the competition, but the glory followed me home. The rest was history because l got about three record labels begging to sign me on. I have done jobs and written songs for IBB, some banks and others l cannot even remember their names now.

Challenges

It was not easy from the beginning. I am from a very humble background, my parents didn’t have much to spare apart from the obvious.  Beside my parents didn’t want me to be a musician, they wanted me to be a pastor, so it was difficult convincing them. My form for Star Quest was bought by a friend who didn’t even pass through the audition stage of the procedure. On top of it all, my colleagues in the house nearly killed my confidence by their actions, but God somehow opened a way for me in that competition. I took my band to the next stage in that competition and also my life.

After Star Quest

After Star Quest, I have been invited severally to Star Trek and other competitions came up also. I was one of the judges for the last Star Quest competition, but I couldn’t make it because I was held up in another show.  l went  for other competitions and one of such competitions is the one held in South Africa in 2007 called Music Jamboree.

I was the only one who represented Nigeria in that competition . Although l didn’t come first, it became a major platform for me because while there, I did other  modeling jobs and today l have so many friends in South Africa and I can go back there any day.

Meanwhile, I wasn’t supposed to be any of these like l said. I was supposed to be a pastor judging from what my parents expected of me, but somehow God wanted me to do something else.  No wonder l am still here and I am getting stronger.

My background

My name is John Agoha. I was born and raised in Benin City but l am from Owerri in Imo state. I am from a family of eight including my parents and l happen to be the last child, the baby of the house indeed!

The video Omalicha and the meaning

Omalicha is on air today and it is being played by many Radio and TV stations. Omalicha is an Ibo word which means beautiful. My video talks about a beautiful woman.

Feelings after Star Quest

When my group didn’t come out first, I felt terribly bad, but l am happy we didn’t win today because l wouldn’t have been here today if we had.  There was so much envy going on in the group and l knew we wouldn’t have gone far with it. Meanwhile, the winners to me are not doing much as we can see. I hardly see them in shows, but l have been favoured enough to attend shows with the big stars in the industry. I was at a show with Tuface during the Valentine’s season and many others even at the NMVA’s award.

Other interests

I enjoy cooking. l am a good cook. I wouldn’t mind adding restaurant business to my business in the nearest future. I even invite my friends to lunch and dinner, just for the fun of it. That’s my idea of relaxation.

Advice to the up- coming artistes

The youth who is hoping on God for a breakthrough should first talk to God about it, believe after praying and then push. Pushing means not believing what people say about you on the staircase of growth. Push on, until you are heard; push on till you get to your destination.

I was told at Star Quest that l couldn’t sing in the house, but l am doing more than singing today. I am a model, I design clothes, l have written songs for the strong and mighty in this country and l am a singer whose video is on air today and who has done much work with other great artistes.