Popular Singer Alexander Abolore Adegbola Akande aka 9ice has warned up-and-coming artistes against chasing after popularity.
He admonished them to seek relevance by creating a unique and quality brand of themselves which would in turn translate to money, referencing himself.
According to 9ice, popularity most time was worthless especially when it didn’t come with money which is why every upcoming artiste should target the latter more.
The “Gongo Aso” crooner on “Spill With Sims” podcast was asked by the host to advise upcoming acts making moves to break into limelight and gain popularity.
He said,
“I will take from what you said: popular. Don’t become popular o, make money.
“When I started, I was popular but I didn’t have money. Then, I would be on a bike and people would be hailing you ‘9ice! 9ice!’.
“The money didn’t just come in. I had to do the right thing for the money to come in. Because as at then we were doing music and we were depending so much on Alaba International Market.
“I think what we had back then was Myspace, but it wasn’t as important as Facebook. Then we didn’t have Facebook, Instagram and the rest. If you want your song to be popular in Kaduna, you have to go to Kaduna to do a radio interview. You have to be there for people to see you.”
Explaining when his efforts started moving past popularity and translating into monetary gains, the 43-year-old musician further stated,
“So, when the money started coming was when we put in the hustle and we marketed the brand by doing print interviews like all these newspapers, all these magazines; putting your face out there.
“I mean, there are sometimes people have a good song and they don’t even know what you look like, how do you want to make money? So won’t they pay me your money?
“Let’s say I’m Simi and you’re the one proclaiming yourself as Simi, they will give you the money na because they don’t know my face.”
Reinforcing the need to chase after money over fame as an entertainer, 9ice added,
“So I think it is not just about getting popular. But putting your brand out there. Market it, promote it.
“Let your face be known and the money aspect will come later. Do what is unique. Do what is quality.”
