With its hilarious video, Weird MC’s (real name Adesola Idowu) song, Ijoya, became a somewhat street anthem and sealed her reputation as a hip-hop star. But her imprint appeared recently on the political turf after it emerged she had composed campaign songs for Osun State governor,Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola. She tells ORUKPE NELSON why she is diversifying and plans for a new album.

How has it been with you?

I’m diversifying and we are building up. It is not just music anymore; we do motivational session, social media consultancy for politicians, among other things. We just finished a major campaign for Governor Rauf Aregbesola. If you had followed it you would know the role we played there. That for me opened new opportunities for the brand and more politicians are knocking at our door right now. The label too, 0907 Entertainment, is there which shows that I am an entrepreneur as well. We have just one artiste, Shuley Dee, on the label right now. Watch out for her; she is really gifted.

Ijoya was an instant hit; did it ever occur to you that the song would go far?

I had an incline so to speak, that the song would be a big song, but I didn’t know it would go as far as it did and it is still on the move. The song keeps renewing by itself. When we performed at the Afrika Shrine during Felabration, the reception was massive. I always tell people that Ijoya is not just a song, it is a gift from God.

The video of Ijoya was animated; what gave you the impression that Nigerians would appreciate it?

I like unique things; that has been constant about my brand. If it has been done I don’t want to do it. I have a pacesetter instinct and I didn’t what to do what everyone had done. Though we had already shot a normal video for Ijoya, but I felt it was just a wasted effort and the director was dragging it. So I thought of a plan b and I wanted something different. I stumbled upon a guy on the internet, Obinna Owuekwe. He specializes on animated African movies. I asked if he can do a music video and he sincerely replied that he wasn’t sure. But the moment he heard the song he was arrested and insisted he wanted to be part of it. He asked me to send pictures and luckily for me I had mini camera. I filmed some of my gestures and I emailed everything to him. He put the video together and in six weeks it was ready. He was someone I had not met before and a particular friend of mine was even worried. I paid for the service without meeting him. He kept sending me bit by bit, so I was part of the process and I added my ideas. Immediately he finished I sent a window media file to MTV base and they demanded for 24 hours to have the video. This was 2006.

So when should we be expecting another hit from you?

We are working. I just don’t want to make the discussion rowdy I would have loved to play some songs. We have shot a new video for the song, Fiesta. We dropped the single briefly, we tested the waters and the reception was so wonderful. So we decided to shoot the video. I don’t want to say this is when the video would hit the screen,but it would not be long.

Why do you prefer the name Weird MC?

It is just a unique name. I was actually part of a group known as the Weirdos, but I decided to go solo at some point. I kept to the name Weird MC because I wanted to sound different.

How do you feel when you hear or read unflattering stories about you?

We are in the public’s eyes, so I don’t bother myself about what people say. I always tell any artiste that the day you take that step into limelight you’ve lost the right to defend yourself or be treated equally like an average person. There would always be stories about you, but it is part of the price to pay. For every dream or desire, most especially being a public figure, there is a price to pay. When you are a sports man, actor, musician or politician, you have a price to pay. And this is part of it. People would say things about you; it comes with the territory

What were the childhood memories you still cherish?

Growing up for me was a wonderful thing. I was partly raised in the United Kingdom and later I moved to Nigeria. So coming back to Nigeria it was such a wonderful experience learning a new language and culture. It is something I am grateful my late parents did for us. I am grateful they brought us back home and we could mingle with the Nigerian culture and society.It is wonderful to have the combination of African and western cultures.

How did you break in the industry at a time it was largely dominated by the male folks?

What I did was to put out good music. That is simple. I was not sentimental about it or believe that because I am a lady it would be an easy ride. I came in and I worked hard. I dropped Allen Avenue and it was everywhere.

Ijoya came in and Riranwo too. It is not about gender; it is about your content.

If your content is strong people would embrace you, though it might take time in some cases.

Do you think we are doing enough content wise?

That is not up to me to decide; it is up to different artistes. It is an individualistic thing and a personal decision. Do I want to keep bombarding the airwaves with sex and alcohols? Or do I want to strike a balance? But I always feel that the best way to go about it is to strike a balance and that is why I respect the likes of Asa, Nneka and a few artistes too. I think it is a decision of an artiste to decide the kind of songs he or she wants to be known with.

We all know evergreen songs and the rewards attached to them because of how relevant the contents are. Look at the likes of Shina Peters, Onyeka Onwenu, King Sunny Ade and Christy Essien-Igbokwe. The legacy you want to create or pursue is up to you as an artiste.

Are you dropping any album soon?

Yes, we are working on my album but I can’t give a specific date yet.

How would you describe fashion?

I do not follow fashion, I create my style. I might like what is trending at that moment but you won’t see me doing it. I try to represent myself. I tell people that there is fashion and there is style. I prefer to be identified with style because fashion is seasonal; it comes and goes. But style is a signature.

How do you love to be remembered?

I want to be remembered as one who came, who saw and who conquered.