*‘Our gay story’

Months after they were accused of being gay, the duo, Vast and Smash of Bracket music group, who stormed the Nigerian music scene with a bang few years ago have opened up to Potpourri, denying the allegation. They also explained why it has been difficult for them to break into the Lagos market  compared to other cities across the country and beyond, where their music is currently making waves.

By BENJMIN NJOKU

What’s currently happening to Bracket?  

We have just dropped our new single, “Alive”, featuring Tiwa Savage and Tanzanian act,Diamond. We are thanking God for sparing the life of Vast who survived cancer last year. We shot the video of the single, which premiered on Tuesday in South African. Last year, we thought of setting up a foundation, Bracket Cancer Foundation. The aim of the foundation is to assist cancer patients to have access to quality treatment. Many people have died as a result of cancer related disease mainly due to financial constraints.

Who wrote the song?

We were in a studio in America with Flavour last year when we got the inspiration. While in the studio, we were sharing ideas and suddenly, we composed the song. Thereafter, we started considering artistes who would feature in the song. Initially, we wanted to work with Davido but he was too busy. We tried to track him down in America but we failed. Back in Nigeria, he was still busy just as we didn’t have the time too. That was how we travelled to South African and met Tanzanian singer, Diamond. We decided to work with him.

Assessing your performance last year, would you claim that Bracket did pretty well?

Vast and Smash

Some people would say, after “Yori Yori” we have not heard from you guys again. Sometimes, I’d laugh it off. This is because, there’s a big competition going on in the industry at the moment. People tend to pay more attention to the ‘new school’; (emerging artistes) who just had their breakthrough in the industry. That’s why most times, people don’t really know when other artistes drop their albums. I remember that we dropped a song last year titled “International Baby.” Though, it wasn’t a hit.

Also, while Vast was still on his hospital bed, we did a song with Clearence Peters called, “Temperature.” Later, we released “Mama Africa” followed by “Nana.” We have been busy, but I wouldn’t blame anyone who said, he has not been hearing from us again. Like I said, the “new school” are ruling the airwaves and people are paying more attention to them than the old school. But frankly speaking, outside Nigeria, we are celebrated in other African countries. We don’t have to make noise about it. Our work speaks for us. It’s not as if we are not doing enough. But the attention today is being shifted to the up and coming artsites. We have songs that can keep us performing on stage for more than 45 minutes.

Does it mean, you don’t have what it takes to compete with them?

If don’t, we could as well have gone back home. But I think the Nigerian music industry is more of a fame thing than fortune. I would rather get that fortune than fame. I know certain things that the older artistes venture into, which the new generation artistes dare not attempt. All these things, have to do with media hype. And sometimes, when you over-publicize an artiste, it has its negative effect. I rather remian in the middle and still be relevant than to be pushed to the front and contribute nothing meaningful.

For instance, in Lagos, if our song like, “Nana” was released by Wizkid or Davido, it would have been a big hit. But it did not fly here, while in other cities like Port-harcourt, Owerri, “Nana” is played everywhere. Surprisingly, one time in Port-Harcourt, we were asked to close a show, that had one of the top artistes in attendance. In fact, we are celebrated everywhere, except in Lagos. Some artistes know how to go about it.

However, to break into the Lagos market, we are seriously working on our image and presence in Lagos, in addition to putting a management team in place. I think, when you have a better management and PR coupled with a good song, the sky will be your limit. All the same, we have lived up our billing. We are not just Nigerian artistes, but we have hit the international scene.

Are you saying that you are bigger in the eastern part of the country?

We are celebrated everywhere we go , whether in the east, west or north. For instance, Flavour’s latest album, is being played everywhere in the east. But in Lagos, it’s not enjoying massive airplay. I give it up to the emerging acts who are making waves in Lagos. We have tried to hold our own in the industry till date. Though, it has not been easy to sustain the tempo.

The allegation that you are gay went viral online some time ago. Are you gay?

When we read the story online, we thought it wasn’t a serious allegation until my cousin called from Enugu. I was laughing…There are certain things, we wouldn’t want to say on the pages of a newspaper. All we can say is that ‘ you wait until you see us marry.’ But to clear the air, we are not gay. People that are close to us will attest to it.

When are you dropping your next album?

Hopefully in April, this year. But we are praying that the song should be able to announce our presence in Lagos. We don’t just want to drop an album yet. That’s why we have been dropping singles. Currently, we want to do a remix of “Nana” and we are shopping for a better producer that can help us break into the Lagos market. We are still perfecting plans towards the launch of our foundation this year. Although, we are yet to decide on date.

We have seen some big musical groups break up in the past. Is there anything that can make you guys consider the option of going your separate ways?

After what we went through last year, I don’t think the idea of break up will ever come into our minds. God has actually shown us that we were born to be together in this game. Even right from when we used to be three members, before we later reduced to two, we have resolved to be together. Nothing can separate us.