Mamah Stanley Emeka, otherwise known as Nedro (Fireboy) is one of Nigeria’s multi-talented entertainers. The native of Nsukka, Enugu State, is a born artist, singer, songwriter and performer. In this interview, he opens up on his love life, career and other controversial issues
How did you come about the name Nedro da Fireboy?
Nedro means –Never Drop God; it’s like an abbreviation. I love God very much. I’m a church boy and that runs in the family. But ‘Da Fireboy’ attached to it came about in a funny way. I actually took a photograph at a night club, and while posting it on social media the next day, the caption that came to my mind was ‘Fireboy’. Immediately I posted it on Facebook, everybody started calling me ‘Fire boy.’
How did your journey into music start?
At first, I wasn’t serious because I was one of those students who make noise in class with music. I started off as a rapper when I was in Secondary School, but gave it a professional shot when I came to Lagos in 2013. My first single ‘Like to Know’ was released under the affiliation of Knight House. In 2014, I dropped another project ‘Dobale’ featuring Phenom. This was closely followed by an EP of seven tracks in 2015 which featured N6, Makiller and Tosyn Buknor.
In early 2016, my resilience and hard work paid off as I was signed to an international record label Timbaze Music under which I dropped my first official single ‘Duronor’ with a video directed by Stanz Visuals. Later that year, I dropped another song, ‘Boju’ with a video directed by Avalon Okpe which got a spectacular acceptance and airplays in various radios and TV stations.
‘Once Upon a Time,’ produced by Mix Master Garzy from Ghana, is my current project and has been enjoying encouraging reviews from music pundits, while the video, directed by multiple award-winning Clarence Peters, has no doubt proved to be the icing on the cake. The acceptance has been quite encouraging. Of course, I featured the world best –Patoranking on the song.
How did your relationship with Timbaze Music start?
The owner of the label is my colleague actually. He has been hearing of my songs and stuff like that, so when I recorded ‘Duronor’ he loved it and called me. I had even slept when he called me, so the next day I returned his call. We met and he told me how he has loved my songs and all that, then we discussed the contract...that was how the whole thing started.
Most times, Nigerian artistes have issues and fallout with their labels. What can you ascribe the cause to?
It is not every artiste that has issues with their label. You can say most of them, but definitely not all of them. Sometimes, the issues they have are personal problems –it is never the same thing. Mr A’s story would be different from Mr B’s story and on like that. The truth is that in life, we are bound to have issues with one another, but how we handle them is most important.
What informs the choice of featuring Patoranking in your new single, ‘Once Upon a Time’?
When I first dropped the acoustic version of the song, people liked it. Anytime I perform the song, people will always tell me to promote the song because it has the potentials of going far. That was why I approached Garzy to reproduce the beat and give it more professional touch. After that, we thought of the best artiste to feature on the song, and it was no other person than Patoranking. My boss, Alex Ozone of 03 Media called Patoranking and it was a wrap. It was a nice experience working with a massive talent like him.
Before and after you featured Patoranking, what has been the transformation?
Patoranking is definitely big, and he has a lot of fans, so having him on the song is a huge blessing. The transformation is quite incredible. Working with Patoranking is like a dream come true. Some people did not even believe it was true until they saw the video. My plan right now is to remain consistent and keep working harder.
What do you want to be known for in the industry?
I want people to know me as a boy who has a dream and would never stop chasing his dreams. I want to be known as a boy who will never stop believing.
How do you hope to be relevant in the industry for a long time, considering that many artistes become instant success and go down almost immediately?
I think some of those people affected have this ‘I have arrived’ mentality. But for me, I don’t think there should be a level someone should reach in this life to think that he or she has arrived. I believe so much in hard work, and anything that is worth doing is worth doing well. I just want to maintain my level of hard work.
Who is your mentor/role model?
My major mentor is God. On the other hand, I have a lot of people who have influenced my life in music. Tuface Idibia is one of them. I also look up to the likes of Davido because despite coming from a rich home, he hustled on the streets to make his own money. I respect WizKid as well.
Is it true that Nigerian music is influenced by Ghana?
I just believe in African sound, and we are all Africans, but I wouldn’t say one sound influenced the other. I just know that once I hear a sound that is African, I can identify it, and I believe so much in them.
Are you still single and searching?
Yes, I’m single but not sure if I’m searching. Probably I’m single and ready to mingle. I’m still a young boy.
But we can expect baby mamas from you right?
Well, I don’t hope to do that –I want to get married to that girl, take her to the altar and do every necessary thing.
How romantic are you?
I’m extremely romantic, but maybe I have not yet met the girl I love to really show her how romantic I am. To an extent, I know I’m very romantic.
You don’t have any lady in your life?
Not really. Since I left my hometown to Lagos, the concentration has just been on my career. Just like I said in my new song; ‘if no be money wetin go carry me come Lagos?’
How do you relax?
I like playing video games and playing soccer.
If you have the chance to marry a female colleague, who will that be and why?
Honestly, I really don’t trip for any of them, but if I have to, then it will be Yemi Alade because she is hard working. She is a true representation of Africa and I love African women. Besides, she is physically pretty.
Nice one Nedro
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