28th December, 2012
Sholanke Abiodun Joseph, famously known as Klever Jay, tells BAYO ADETU his next direction
What is happening to Klever Jay?
I have been on a musical tour. I just returned to the music scene and I’m planning to release another big hit as a follow-up to my previous works like KoniKoni Love and Igboro Ti Daru.
We have not heard from you for almost a year. What have you been doing?
I have been working on my new album. The two singles that I’m promoting right now are part of the album. I now have investors, who are interested in my works. I’m currently signed to a new label, Akashick Records. I have been working to come out with the best of the best this time around. This time around, I’m taking it to the next level.
What is the nature of your contract with the record label and how reliable is the label?
It is a four-year contract. I can’t disclose other details of the agreement, but I can assure you that it is something all the parties involved are happy with. Besides, I have confidence in the people involved. Everything is in God’s hands. I believe everything is going to work well fine for all of us.
Which of the singles are you promoting?
I’m working on two singles: Sexy Ladies, produced by Irich; and Sme-Sme featuring Faze. It is produced by Fliptyce. I have been doing the promotion of the songs in my own little way and with the recording company coming in now, the two songs will soon spread across the globe by God’s grace.
What about your label, Jay Records, and the artiste you signed?
The truth is that I didn’t sign any artiste under the label. Jay Records was just a platform to promote my previous album in the market. While I was doing it all alone, I decided to come up with something of my own which is Jay Records, and now I’ve got to the point that I need an investor to join me in the project. Jay Records is a dream that I believe I’ll achieve one day. But for now, let’s face the reality.
How do you manage the little fortune you’ve made in music?
To God be the glory, but don’t expect me to give you details of how I spend my money. I won’t say anything on that.
But it was reported that you were broke to the extent of begging for financial support, particularly after you parted ways with your former manager?
We all know how people spread rumours and how they make up stories. It is mind-boggling. In this case, I thank God because I don’t have any regret, so far, for not working with my former colleague, K-Solo. But it’s a long story, which I’m not here to tell. I’ve been doing fine and feeding well with my family, at least without any label or sponsor. If I could release Forward Ever, an album that did massively well in the market, and also made videos of the tracks on my own, I think everything is fine with me financially. It will get to a stage where I cannot do it all alone with my capital; you will need investors to support your business and I think that’s the step I’m taking right now. But those saying I’m broke or begging for financial support are ignorant. I’m not broke and I don’t beg to eat.
What is your relationship with other artistes?
I have good and cordial relationship with everybody in the industry. People know me with my easygoing style. I don’t quarrel and I love to respect everybody. I avoid stepping on toes and on this album I’m working on, I’m featuring 9ice, Faze, Reminisce, YQ and many others. I have good relationship with other artistes.
What are your pains and gains in the industry?
So far, I don’t have any pain. Everything has been going on well with me. The only pain I can give account of is the fact that I can no longer do certain things. That is part of the price I have to pay for fame. Everybody wants fame and when it comes, you try to manage it. It has been all gains for me and all I want to do now is to always strive to do better than what I have done before. Everything has been good for me so far.
How do you cope with female admirers?
I don’t know what to say. But as an entertainer, we all know women will always come around and different things would happen. It depends on you and how you manage the women around you. Once you have learnt and understood how to manage your fame, you can overcome any prank and trouble of female fans.
Any regret about getting married early?
I don’t have any regret about that. It has been so well with me and it makes me responsible, focused and most times, I think about my family and not myself alone. To be honest, it has been more of a blessing to me.
How is your family doing?
I told you they are living large. My wife and kid are healthy.
What are your plans for the future?
After this album, I really want to go back to school. I want to finish up, have my certificate and plan better for the future.
What do you intend to study in the university?
I have being in it before. I was a student of Business Administration, but I stopped for some reasons. You know how things can be when you are not born with silver spoon. The challenges are so tough that I had to drop out and work on my standard of living first. Thank God that I’m still young and vibrant to go back to school and complete my studies.
Perhaps, you will end up in white collar job after graduation.
I don’t think I can do that because I can’t do anything apart from music. I just want to get certificates. You know that Nigerians believe so much in certificates. Without it, you are not likely to be respected, but it shouldn’t be so. There are people who are not graduates, but they are far more intelligent and useful at what they do than those who have all the certificates.
Why are you not considering an entertainment-related course of study?
You are right, but let’s leave that for now. The most important thing is that I have prayed that God should teach me to make the right choices in everything that I do. It is very important. As time goes on, you will get to know about other plans that I have.
There are junior artistes looking to up you. Any word of encouragement for them?
Check yourself if you have the talent. It is not all about playing music simply because friend is into it. Don’t say because my friend is earning money from music, I too can make money from it. If you have the talent, be prayerful and put everything into God’s hand and keep working till you hit the big time.