I missed class attendance in Unilag for Music- Koker

Olayiwola Kokumo, aka Koker, is a new artiste signed on to Chocolate City Record label. In this interview with my colleague and teammate, Newton-Ray Ukwuoma, he talks about his deal with the record label, his childhood years, among other issues. Excerpts. 

Tell us the story about your journey into the music industry?

One day during the long break after secondary school I just told my mum that I wanted to do music. And to my surprisingly, she said ‘Okay’. There was a studio around our house called Punchline Music. She said,’Let’s go there and see how you can even learn the basics production’. incidentally, later that day news came that my name was on the admission list for University of Lagos. Music was put on temporary hold.  You know how parents are! My mother said, ‘You have to go to school. Don’t worry, you will come back to do your music’. But somehow the fire of music had been ignited in me. I graduated from the University of Lagos, Department of Creative Arts.  My course gave me the opportunity to do music. There was a time we did the song “Unilag Boy”, that was when the Federal Government wanted to change the University of Lagos into Moshood Abiola University of Lagos (MAULAG). That song was very big on campus at the time. It had the highest download on Hulk share, a large viewing on Youtube. I did the song with Jigsaw and Kikstar. It was big. And I’ve been trying to build my name since then. I stabbed classes for music.

When did Chocolate City come in?

While on campus, I recorded a song with Pryce. I did the hook for Eleto. I was always coming to Chocolate City to record. Pryce and I shot a video for the song. The song did well in the market. Gradually, I became part of the family. I started working with everybody, coming to the office often. It still wasn’t office. So I decided to use the contact I had to push myself. There’s this unreleased song titled Vanity. I sent it to one of the graphic guys in Chocolate City for him to do an artwork for me. I wanted to push the song. The next day I got a call from him. He had been playing the song all night. I didn’t know he played it for the promotion guy and the C.E.O., who played it to everybody. So I started getting phone calls from Chocolate City. Months passed before M. I. called me to do the hook for Rich. I did the chorus for Rich on M.I’s album. When everyone in the office heard the song, the interest grew.  After they listened to about 40 of my songs, the entire crew was impressed. They said they wanted to work with me and the rest is history.

Would you say you have finally arrived?

Not at all! Arrived? Where? Which airport? I have not arrived. I’m just starting. In fact, this is the beginning of work for me. Most upcoming artistes believe when you have a label you are sorted, but it’s just the beginning of work.This is another phase entirely. Arrived? No.

How do you intend to make yourself different from your colleagues?

I think everybody has what in local parlance is called selling point. From my looks, dressing, my sound, I’m trying to carve a separate identity for myself. I’m constantly working on a unique brand for myself. It’s a gradual process. Over -time, it will grow.

So how do you feel when people compare you to Brymo? The perception on the street is that as Jo-el of Kennis Music is seen as a replacement of 2face so Koker is  a replacement of Brymo. This is the perception on the street.

The only reason why this conversation is happening right now is because in the whole circle I’m the only one who sings in Yoruba. You see, in this life people will always compare you to somebody. It’s not a bad thing. Brymo is a super talented artiste. If you are being compared to somebody like that then it shows that you’re doing well. I don’t disregard the fact that every man is entitled to his own opinion. The truth is that I am running my race.

Would you in future have any collaboration with any fuji artiste?

If they call me now, I will pick oh.

Who would want it to be and why?

Not for any special reason but for my sound. I am open to working with people that display versatility. I have worked with Falz. I have worked with M.I. If I could work with these people why can’t I work with a Pasuma for instance?

Your song with Falz “Gerrarahere” tilts towards comedy can you say if you can do comedy skits?

I studied Creative Arts, so acting is a part of me already; so if I get called for a role that I have to play, no problem as long as I get paid.

What is your selling point?

As I said earlier, my sound and my image.

How have you been coping with female fans ever since your single, ‘Do Something’?

Women are awesome people. You need to understand that without women you cannot do anything in this world.

What is the craziest thing a female fan has done to you?

Nothing yet, because as a street boy whenever I am on stage I always  “kaku” [stay observant]. I’ve been getting so much love from my female fans, even the guys too; so, it is all about love. And it depends on how you handle it. For instance, if a female fan says she loves you for your music, she reallyloves you for your music. You don’t have to take it the extra mile. It’s all love.

Do you have a girlfriend?

No. I don’t have a girlfriend yet.

Why don’t you have a girlfriend?

My brother, right now I want to focus on my music.