By Tony Okoroji
I have spent a life time in the music industry yet there is still so much to learn. That is the intriguing thing about the creative industries. Every project is different, every day is new. No one has yet discovered the exact formula that turns a set of words curved into melody and set to a rhythm into a hit song. Anyone who tells you that he knows is lying. The guy should be a zillionaire! What worked for ‘A’ will not work for ‘B’. What worked last year will not work this year.
Even the great Quincy Jones, one of the greatest music producers that ever lived, had projects that bombed. His ward, the almost immortal Michael Jackson made recordings that did not quite work. The truth is that almost every new recording project is guess work and every new artiste, a risk.
With all due respect, I have told my friends who are doctors, lawyers and engineers that it is a lot easier to be a success in their professions than to be a successful singer, actor or writer. The pathways to success in these professions are a lot more predictable. That is why in societies that are more discerning, those who succeed in the arts are specially celebrated and given privileges not available to everyone.
In my time in the music industry, I have seen talents surge and talents disappear. I have seen record labels take centre stage and suddenly melt away. I have witnessed the industry go through the era of the black vinyl, the music cassette and the compact disc. I saw the rise and fall of Alaba. Presently, I am engaged in getting the music industry to master the digital age with the internet and mobile technology playing significant roles in music distribution. As downloads, streaming, CRBT, etc. take over and establish themselves as the new methods of passing the ball, it is clear to me that those who work in technology and those who work in content production must work better together.
Despite my crazy schedule, in the last one year, I have spent practically every weekend in the recording studio working with an incredible crop of young Nigerian songwriters, singers, producers, dancers, choreographers, etc. I am in the trenches with them imparting whatever skills I have learnt and whatever values I believe they need to rise to the top. Each of them has practically become a member of my family. We work together, eat together, dance together and laugh together. I have also tried to support them with the little that I have. I want to spend the rest of my life giving hope to young people who have very little especially in Nigeria where hope is such a scarce commodity.
Today, we begin the unveiling of a special member of the family we have created. Her name is KASI. KASI, born on the historic day of June 12, 1993 as Mary Anuforo lost her father while she was barely 10 years old. While she lost her father and has had to make do with what little her teacher mother provided for her and her siblings over several years of want, she did not lose hope.
It has been one of the important gifts of my life to have the opportunity to work with this multi-talented Nigerian girl who is a complete artiste: a great songwriter, a very hot singer, a soaring performer, a unique fashion stylist who can draw, paint and create different fashion accessories and products with leather, beads, metals, etc.
I know that no one has the exact formula that guarantees success in the music industry but I know that you need talent and KASI has that in abundance. I know that you must have ambition and I do not know anyone who wants to succeed more than Mary ‘KASI’ Anuforo. I also know that you must be manageable and KASI is a joy to work with. Always smiling, always listening, always on time, ever working, rehearsing, and practising and never asking for anything to come her way easy.
Thirty minutes after I met this impressive young Nigerian, I promised to be there for her. I hope I have not let her down. Certainly, she has not let me down. If I was a betting man, I will bet on the roaring success of KASI. Hey! Isn’t that what I have done?
With the release today of KASI’s double barrel singles, “Lovinjaitis” and “Ifunanya”, I see what appeared not too long ago like a dream becoming reality. I cannot wait to hear KASI on radio, see her on TV and watch her on the world stage. Go girl! Show everyone today who has no hope that dreams can be made to come true.
Fly, KASI… Fly!