Highly talented singer, song writer and Five Star Music recording act, Harrysong aka Mr. Songz, has a great sense of humour. No doubt, one of the Nigerian acts whose songs are currently enjoying great rotation on the airwaves, the Kolombo and Ofeshe crooner has a voice that get even reluctant dancers on the dance floor. ORUKPE NELSON caught up with the energetic performer who recently renewed his endorsement deal with one of Africa’s telecommunications companies in his Omole Estate, Lagos residence. He shares his life, music and challenges…

How has the second quarter of year been for you?

It’s been great and exciting because I have one of the banging songs now, Ofeshe. I have been very busy, recording, performing in shows, travelling and lots more. God has been good all the way.

How have you been accepted outside Nigeria and where is your largest fan base?

The funniest thing is that I am accepted both here in Nigeria and outside Nigeria.  Sometimes, I am even surprised by the love I get from my fans. When I am on stage performing, you see them screaming, they want to touch me and all that. I love my fans because they love me even more.

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

(Laughing) I have been harassed severally by my female fans. One has even gone as far as wanting to kiss me on stage. Some want me to take off my shirt; they have their different ways of showing me love.

How do you handle your female fans?

I try as much as I can to reciprocate their love, because we need these people in our career, no matter what. Without our female fans, we can’t get anywhere.

So, how do you appreciate them?

I love and appreciate them the little way I can. I give them gifts sometimes.

You said some of your fans ask you to take off your shirt on stage. Do you oblige them?

Well, I used to, but not anymore. We are growing and we need to stop some childish acts. I think I really don’t need to do that all the time to please my fans, although, sometimes, I just do it to spice up the show, but I have stopped.

Is that why you guys always flaunt it on social media?

My brother, it feels good to look good oo!! You know, sometimes when you have the body, you will want to flaunt it, but because of maturity, it is best you do it the right way.

By doing that, don’t you think you are projecting a wrong image to the public?

Not really, it all depends on how you do it, don’t overdo things. When you want to flaunt your body on social media or anywhere, you need to take caution and do it with some sense of maturity.

What’s the most challenging thing you ever faced as an artiste?

I use to have challenges when I was still coming up, but let me not lie to you, I don’t think I have any challenges now, though the sounds can be a little bit confusing. It takes only the men to handle it because the music business is not for boys, it’s for men. Being talented is not enough.

Do you see any of the younger artistes as a threat?

No, not at all! When you know what you have, you should be able to trust what you have to always deliver anytime and with God by your side, you are on top.

Is Harrysong into a relationship?

Hmmm! It is not very easy to play love life now my brother, but we can’t do without it you know. You want to meet a woman and tell her you love her without giving her attention? It’s going to be hard for her to keep faith in that relationship. Is not that I won’t love to be in a relationship, but I don’t have that time now, I am very busy. I don’t want to torment any girl emotionally, not because I don’t love her, but because I don’t have the quality time to spend with her.

So since you don’t have a girlfriend now, how do you cope sexually?

I don’t have a girlfriend now and sexually, I just cope because I have to cope, when I am ready for a relationship, I will create time for it.

You are an adult, don’t you think, you need to start building a family?

Yeah. But that doesn’t mean you have to punish somebody’s daughter. I can be very busy that I even forget to eat. My mind will be on music and business for two to three months and a lady will just be in your house eating and sleeping….No na… she is human.

So you can stay for months without sex, say three months and even more?
Yes! I can stay for three months without sex. Sometimes when we travel, we are busier than when we are in Nigeria. When we travelled to Europe, I only sleep for two hours a day and you know the timing are not the same. When it’s day here in Nigeria, its morning there and before you know it, you are called that you are going on stage in the next 30 minutes and when I am back home in Nigeria,  system is bad. For a whole week, I may not eat. So you see, getting a girl that can cope without seeing you for sometimes is kind of hard because every woman loves quality time and attention.

So when precisely, are you planning to settle down?

Just give me five years, (LAUGHS) but if I see a lady that can tolerate my busy schedule, I will marry her to fulfill my late father’s wish; I am looking for a wifey o (LAUGHS).

Despite your busy schedule, how do you find time to relax?

No time ooo. I don’t really have that time to relax. When I sleep by 10pm, I must wake up when it’s 4am, so, relaxing is sometimes out of it.

If Harrysong was not doing music, what else would you have been doing?

It still would be MUSIC! I can’t find myself doing any other thing. If I wasn’t doing music, I will be doing music. If you take me to write exam now, I won’t be able to do anything aside music, music is all I do and will always do.

Some say you write songs for Kcee and other Five Star artistes?

Well, Harrysong is a writer. Five Star Music as you know, has a lot of people working here. One person cannot say I’m a better artiste than the other. For instance, I am recording my album and we have everybody inside the studio, everybody tries to contribute to the growth of others; that is one thing that makes Five Star Music. So you see, one person can’t take the credit, you can’t say you did all.

Explain your bond with Kcee

Kcee is a very wonderful guy. He used to be a fan back when I was still coming up. He came around with E-Money when I used to perform at Ojez. They would spray me money and I would follow them to their house. So after that, we became like family and this is us today, I give glory to God.

Do you have any regrets in life?

Well, it has to be the death of my mother; I wish she was alive to see what I have become. I wish I could take her out for shopping so she could reap the fruit of her labour and know what it feels like to have a successful child.

What does fashion mean to you?

My favourite colours are black and white; my wardrobe is filled with black and white. I am not a designer freak, when I go to a place to buy something and I see that what I like suits me, I pay for it. Sometimes I don’t look at the design, I just look at the price and if it is okay, I pay.

Any words for your fans?

Oh my fans, I love you guys so dearly, you are the reason why I am still here, thank you all for your love and support, I can’t thank you guys enough. God will continue to bless you all.