Bukola Folayan, popularly known
by her stage name, Bouqui is one of the foremost gospel Hip-hop artistes
Nigeria can boast of. Since winning the best Hip Hop Artiste of the year award
at the just concluded GMA 2013, she’s been grinding it out in the studio,
working on the release of a double CD.In this exclusive interview with ANTHONY
ADA ABRAHAM recently, in Abuja, she bares her mind on sundry issues
The album titled B.O.U.Q.U.I was
her debut and the album can be referred to as a two-in-one package, due to the
fact that it contains a record-breaking 14 tracks and four skits – the highest
by any debutant in the Nigerian music industry. Still on breaking records, her
lead single Get it Started, in less than a month debuted at No.1 on the
Backyard Beats segment of the PJ Butter- hosted World Chart Show, also another
first by any home-based Nigerian artiste in the history of Nigerian music.
Other tracks like Not Ashamed, Major Problem, Molejo, Vanity and Wanna Lone U
have become household anthems. The album has won several accolades and
nominations, including the much-coveted AMEN Award in 2007, for Best Female
Act.
She confessed that it is good to
know that people say nice things about her songs and consider her to be a
contemporary artiste, because of the prominence of the Hip-hop style in her
songs.
“I love it! When you are known
for something you love to do and want to be known for, that is the best. I love
it. Also, I am an unrepentant, unapologetic, uncompromising ‘Christaholic,’ a
Jesus freak. I want people to know that and I am not apologising for that. I
represent Christ. I am not reducing the quality of videos I do, because my
music is on point; this, the Bible calls the spirit of excellence. So, we exude
that in whatever we do. If they call me Christian, identifying me with Christ,
it is the most beautiful thing, and that is what I set out to do and what I am
doing.”
Motivated by her brother to go
into music, Bouqui, who was raised within the academic atmosphere of the
Obafemi Awolowo University (Ile-Ife), believes that her environment is largely
responsible for moulding her deep lyrical style and cosmopolitan outlook.
Formerly a broadcaster at Eko FM, Lagos, Bouqui started her professional career
with an all-girl group called ‘G-Vibes’ several years ago, before going solo
and changing her focus and style to suit urban contemporary Nigeria and still
deliver in terms of message and emotion.
Since she evolved 15 years ago,
she has been weathering the weather. “It has been beautiful, all through. After
two albums, my third is on the way. We just finished recording for that and I
will be going back to the studio shortly. I just had to be part of this tour.”
This third album, which will be a
double-disc release, will make-up for last year. Though the anticipated album
has 24 tracks, a couple of singles from it have been already released and they
have been enjoying some good air-play.
The singer had a good time last
year, carting away several awards – home and abroad – including the ‘Best
Female Act’ and ‘Best Gospel Act’ at the Nigerian Gospel Music Award and
Nigerian Music Video Award best mainstream video with her song Take You Away.
So far, 2013 has been a very fruitful year, as well.
But Bouqui, for all her boldness,
draws the line between gospel and circular music.
“Well, there is no comparison,
because success is achieving what you set out to achieve. We set out to touch
lives and help people turn away from the wrong path they are on, to bring them
into the kingdom of light. So, if we get that done, we are successful. On the
other side, while they think success has to do with how many cars you have
gotten and how many girls you can get, our objective is different; that is not
what we are doing. We are trying to get people to change from the bad to the
good, so there is no comparison. We are people of different minds, interests
and goals.”
Looking at where we have been,
where we are and where we are going to, Bouqui thinks the results show that
enough is not being done.
“We are definitely not where we
are supposed to be and we are not where we used to be. We are in the process of
evolution, evolving. We are still on our way to greater things, trying to take
little steps in the right direction.”
Though it is challenging, it does
feel good being the only lady on a tour. But does it really give her the
opportunity to utilise her chances?
“It feels good …they say what a man can do a
girl can do also – I’m not saying better, but I’m not saying I don’t do it
better. I do it better (laugh). I think it is good to be able to represent my
gender. Look, I am rubbing shoulders with Jahaziel and I think it is a good
thing.
“The challenge is that I have to
contend with guys all the time. They are younger, more powerful – it’s just
great. Popularity is the least reason we do Hip-hop. Not for the money, either.
Rather, we are trying to use the Bible to make disciples, and whatever we do,
we are not trying to compete with each other; we are just doing our thing and
making the next generation see that there is a better way of living. You don’t
have to smoke, drink, sleep around; no, you can’t serve God that way. Do your
best and still be happy, unlike the popular craze that you have to behave in a
certain way to get fame. So, I am happy to be a part of this movement. I might
not be a part of the cross-movement but this Cross – I am happy to be a part of
it.”
Bouqui has also got some advice
for the youth as well as what they should be expecting from her.
“They should be expecting lots of
things from me, one of which is good music – that, I will continue to give. I
will also like to tell them to keep their heads up. Don’t let anybody tell you
that you can’t achieve what you have set your mind on achieving. Never say
‘never’ and you will succeed if you believe it. A lot of people say ‘the sky is
the limit,’ but I say ‘no, there is no limitation to whatever you have set your
mind to do.’ So, when you put your mind to it, you will be a goal-getter and
the sky will be your springboard to do anything.”
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