By Tofarati Ige

Popular singer, Azeezat broke into our consciousness with the release of her hit single “Lonely World” in 1999, and she released other songs such as “Hold On” that did quite well commercially, but not much has been heard from her recently.

However, in this chat with Vanguard Newspaper, she reveals that she has been working hard behind the scenes and will surprise her fans very soon.

What would you regard as the high-point of your career?

I’ve recorded a lot of great moments. I’ve performed on big stages…I can’t even remember the best. I mean, music has been very fulfilling for me. It has opened doors for me, and helped other people as well.

However, I still have a lot to do. I’m still recording in the studio, and releasing new singles. I know that there are greater moments to come.

What would you regard as your lowest moment?

I’ve had a lot of low moments in the past. But now, when I think of the loss of Da Grin, the pain is still indescribable. Anytime I remember that he’s no more, it kills me. This was a boy I knew when he was struggling, and when he started making it, he just went like that. You can see that he revolutionized the industry with the content that we have now in the industry.

Do you regret not working with him?

Definitely. I was still discussing it with someone recently. Actually, it wasn’t me, but my husband. He was always telling Da Grin that he wanted them to work together.

What are you working on presently?

I am presently promoting the remix of the song, ‘Nigeria Go Survive’ by Veno Marioghae. I’ve remixed the song and I’m promoting it. I also have some songs that are ready, and by the time I finish promoting this one, I’ll put them out.

Don’t you feel threatened by the new crop of female artistes we have in the industry?

That’s impossible when someone inspires you to do better. Every chance I get, I ‘Google’ their songs and their performances just to see what I can add to my skills and my branding.

So which of them do you like, and which would you be willing to work with?

I love a lot of them like Tiwa Savage, Chidinma, Waje, Simi among others. Right now, everybody in my house knows that Simi is my favourite because I’m always playing her music. There’s a song I have titled, ‘Love Yourself,’ it’s about female empowerment and female love. Definitely, I’ll be featuring a lot of female artistes on it to add their voices to the cause.

You were part of ‘Girls Night Out’ back in the days which was about bringing female artistes together. Do you think there is unity among female artistes in the industry these days?

I don’t think there is dis-unity. I just believe that things have become more business-like. When you go on social media, you still see that a lot of them hang out together. For example, when Omawumi had her baby shower recently, a lot of female artistes were there to support her. It’s just that people are more busy now than it used to be.

There’s more money in the industry now than in your heydays. Do you sometimes wish you ‘reigned’ at a time when the pay was better?

Well, I’m still working hard to be able to cash in on what’s happening in the industry now.

Why do you think some artistes strive to achieve fame but cannot sustain it?

I do not like to comment on issues that seem judgmental, because I’m not walking in some people’s shoes. So, I do not know how or where it pinches them. We all have challenges, and sometimes we cannot meet them. Some people may not have the required talent. But again, I don’t think making it is all about talent. Sometimes, it’s also because there are no stable structures to sustain creativity.

Celebrity marriages crash on daily basis. How have you been able to sustain yours?

I think it’s by knowing what is important. Marriages are full of ups and downs. But at every stage in life, you should be able to ask yourself that what is important. There is a place for business, and there is a place for marriage. You cannot sacrifice your marriage at the altar of your career, so also, you cannot sacrifice your career at the altar of marriage. It also has to do with having the right partner who uplifts you, and also putting God first.

What’s your definition of a right partner?

It is very subjective. However, I believe that a girl should have a partner who loves her success even more than she loves it herself.

Apart from music, what do you think you could have done better?

I think that’s my business side. People are complaining now that they haven’t heard anything from me for a while, but if my business side was well developed, I don’t think that would be the case.

How do you handle advances from male admirers?

There have been situations where I have mis-behaved to my fans when they pass their boundary even though they know that I am married. I prefer to talk about progressive things.

Last words to your fans.

I love singing, so it means music is my life and I wouldn’t stop singing. I want them to know that I keep on working hard towards making them happy.