Uwaifo Lawrence popularly known as ‘Kilo One’ is the CEO of Benez Music International. The talented singer and song writer who launched his first album titled ‘Rule The World’ and gained a huge popularity with his video titled ‘Number One Girl’ in this interview with Top Celebrities Magazine opened up on his childhood experience, his journey to the music world and sundry issues…enjoy reading.

As an artiste, what is your strength?

God is the giver and taker of all things but I still believe in hard work,
one must plant a seed before asking God to bless it.

A lot of people will say God. That is applicable to everybody, but there should be something else. It could be your voice or stage craft?

Yeah! I believe in my voice because it’s unique and confidential, and as a good dancer, I do wonders when it comes to stage work.

How do you manage to keep up your energy on stage?

I do a lot of exercise daily, so I can stand the stage for hours.

Has there ever been a time, when people failed to respond to your performance the way you expected?

Yes, I can remember a day I performed under the snow, I actually expected low response because of the cold, but surprisingly, the reverse was the case. Secondly in my first performance in Nigeria, I also thought my style was going to be new in the face of
people especially when I had other indigenous arts on the line like Bracket, Punicha and others, well I thank God that reverse was the case.

What is delaying your second album?

I’m working on my second album right now and I am really taking my time to study the market because my first one wasn’t too impressive; so this time I already understand what the people want, now I am ready to come out in full.

What do you do apart from music?

I’m a well known beautician and I have gone international with it.

How do you react to disappointments?

Wow…most people believe that every disappointment is a blessing but for me, it’s a lesson, early to bed early to wake they say, so to avoid late delivery next time, work with time.

Music is a very great tool. What do you plan to do with it?

Music is my career and a nutrient to the soul, so I have planned to be my best so that I can touch the life of the people by teaching them good things, telling them meaningful stories and good behaviour through music.

What legacy do you intend to leave behind as an artiste?

Yes, I like this, I will still remain my humble self, friend to all, minding the way I do things in public because my fans are watching, especially the kids. They can easily copy, and they never mind whether good or bad because they love you.

Was there any memorable achievement for you in 2013?

Yeah! a whole lot of it but the most amazing one is the show I played for Benson & Hedges in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. There were other guest artistes in the show. There was a great turn up even without media support.

What is your plan for 2014?

I plan to work with different artistes and producers; my second album will be coming out and I am also preparing for Europe tour coming up later in the year.

As the CEO, Benez Music International; how do you manage the business aspect and your musical career?

Yes, Benez Music is a brand of its own and has its own team. I have
professionals handling it on my behalf, so I am Kilo One.

What are the privileges you enjoy as a celebrity?

Thank you, I like it when I see people struggling to be my friend, even when meeting them for the first time, privileges here and there, any were you go even people appreciate you, most especially people believe in you and to dine with the president is as easy as the breath you take in every time.

What are the pains of being an artiste?

I like freedom but my job doesn’t allow so many things, like working in the public. As a celeb, people want the best of you all the time, your look, your dress, you must have a car, good house, etc. but all these things cost money. Imagine an up-coming artiste who doesn’t make money and has no support, certainly he or she cannot survive it, the challenge in Nigeria today is that most young artistes find it difficult to feature with the old ones because of so many reasons. Firstly, some of the older artistes demand for so much and secondly, some don’t want to identify with an up-coming artiste, they forget so easily that nobody starts from the top.

How will you describe Kilo One, as a singer, instrumentalist and producer?

Kilo One is a talented singer and dancer.

Which of these things do you enjoy most?

I love dancing, singing and hanging out with fans.

What’s your favourite genre of music?

High life R&B, Afro beat, Dance hall and Reggae music.

What’s your view on the Nigerian music industry?

No doubt, Nigerian music has taken over the world. In Europe where I came from, all the black clubs patronize afro beat, in the USA and also in Africa, I will like to use this media to advise my people,  apart from the fact that private investors have begun to invest into it, our government needs to fully involve in this game so that the whole country can benefit from it. We have so many talented artistes of different genres all over the country yet Nigerians complain of unemployment. Private sectors cannot do this alone. Let the government invest in the music industry so that these talented youths can achieve their aim, especially in the area of quality videos. If one artiste can spend about two to three million naira shooting a video, there are others who cannot afford that.

If you are in a position to change anything in the Nigerian music industry, where will you start from?

I will find a way to fight piracy and support the media.
At what stage did you decide that it was going to be music for you?

Yeah, the fact that I have been a music lover from childhood doesn’t mean I have
wanted to be a singer. But I later discovered myself when I saw the way people praise every little thing I do concerning music. A friend of mine invited me to a studio in Turin, Italy 2009; that was when I recorded my first single titled ‘Rule The World’. Everybody said it was a great job, you know, so I decided to add more to it by reading a course in a musical institution there in Italy. I had no choice than to join the moving train.

What were your parents’ reactions when you wanted to be a musician?

My parents reacted negatively, because to them, music is all about money making and they see me like I have the money already as Europe based showbiz promoter for so many years and a unisex salon and boutique owner, they advised me to remain in that lane, but I couldn’t obey their advice because I already saw from within that music is my calling.

How do you handle female attraction and distraction?

I stay focused and do what I want, I don’t easily fall for emotions.

Are you in any relationship?

Sure, I have a girlfriend but she is based in Europe.

Many stars are known for fast life and fast cars and that include Kilo One. Are you saving for the raining days?

Sure, I thank God for all He has done, I am grateful for what I have. No doubt, I
love big cars even when I was only a showbiz promoter, I have driven big
cars but it doesn’t mean that all my hard earned money is being spent on flashy
cars like some other artistes.

How do you relax?

I love work a lot, so I like relaxing with my girlfriend or by listening to different genres of music.

What is the relationship between you and other Nigerian artistes?

I have a good relationship with other artistes, especially those of them that came to Europe for show under my platform, though some of them see me these days and pretend as if they don’t know me again, maybe because I now wear a new look or they now see me as a rival lol. But I am handling it.

Who are those Nigerian artistes you considered as great inspirations?

2face Idebia, Flevour, Wizkid  and M.I. There are other good artistes in the country right now.

What does fashion mean to you?

A whole lot, I love fashion, I can spend on fashion item, because most times, your look determines how people look at you or rate you.

What was your childhood like?

Playful, I love playing because I learnt a lot of things in the process like construction of toys like car, house and the rest. I like singing all kinds of songs.