Azeezat: The voice, struggles, and eventual stardom
Editor’s note: Legit.ng continues a series of stories about talented Africans, who achieved a great success abroad, written by Martha Olawale.
Ms Olawale, the founder of Stars of Afrika writes from Florida, USA. She is passionate about changing the narrative about Africa and celebrating each African doing us proud.
This week’s story is about popular Nigerian singer Azeezat and the journey to her eventual stardom.
“That was it for me; I walked off that stage with the absolute conviction that this was what I wanted to do with my life.”
It was a busy day in the year 1999, my last year as a communication student. I found myself looking for a quiet place in school to prepare for one of my final exams. I looked around for a class to study, away from other students and finally settled for a near empty classroom with just 2-3 other students. As I sat down at the back of the class, I heard this beautiful voice singing “Lean on Me,” by Michael Bolton. At first, I thought I was hearing wrong because the rhythm sounded too good to be coming from Azeezat, the unassuming broadcast major student. I was so drawn to the strength and finesse of her voice that I put my books aside and just listened as she sang quietly in front of me. Being a worship lover, I know a God-given voice when I hear one, and what I heard that day was a gift from God. That was 17 years ago and I can still feel the warmth of her voice.
Background
I was born in the mid-seventies to Alhaji & Alhaja M.A.O. Salu, at Island Maternity Hospital, Lagos Island, Nigeria. My parents moved to Lagos Mainland when I was 5 years old and I attended Rabiatu Thomson Primary School right behind my house at Shita, Lagos State. I later moved to Gbaja Girls High School where I completed my senior secondary school education. After my high school, I was admitted to Moshood Abiola Polytechnic for my college education, where I studied Mass Communication and graduated in 2000. In 2002, I got married and at the tail end of the same year, I released my debut Album. The single, “Lonely World”, was well received by people, which led to the release of “Hold On” and the eventual release of other singles which culminated into the release of my first album titled “Simply Magnificent” in 2002.
Excerpts from my forthcoming book “I BARED MY CHEST,” in collaboration with other 20 women from across the globe.
I had my first publication at the age of 13. It was a poem in the state-owned Newspaper, which was made possible by my ever supportive mom. I was mighty proud of myself when I saw my poem published. Writing was my first love, but I have always loved to sing too. Growing up, I remember that while running errands, I will keep myself entertained by singing and mimicking European songs even with my inability to speak the English language well.
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As time went by, I became fully aware of my singing talents, particularly in the second year of high school. My cousins used to converge at our house each school day in order for us all to take a bus to and from school together. From there, a healthy rivalry grew between my late cousin Lanre and I; who could sing better? I won the family singing contests most of the time! My love for singing, naturally spilled into my years in college. While I got many commendations from several class mates, I also got some schoolmates going into laughing bouts each time I opened my mouth to sing; it was really embarrassing. In spite of the mockery, I must have loved singing more than I hated the embarrassments because I never stopped singing. No matter what, I just couldn’t stop myself from opening my mouth to sing in class and anytime I get a chance to.
Like most students of that era I had a songbook. But mine contained mostly copied lyrics cos I didn’t have access to a radio in order to score songs myself. I didn’t directly hear some songs for years and had to rely on what I hear from my classmates. We didn’t have a television or radio in my house when I was growing up, so I had no access to the original lyrics or rhythms of the songs. I relied on my friends for the lyrics and sang them the best way I knew how. Later on I discovered lots of mistakes in those lyrics, but back then it didn’t matter.
As much as I loved music and loved singing, I had a personal running battle within me about making a career out of it. Like I said earlier, I am from an Islamic religion background. It mattered what the Quran says to me. I wondered if it would gladden God’s heart for me to be an artiste, because in Islam, a woman’s voice is like her body and strictly for her husband.
All my uncertainties came to an abrupt halt in 1992, a year before I ended High School. We were having a valedictory and award event in my school, there had been several competitions before that day, and while trying to collate results, there was a stall in the ceremony. The master of ceremony announced that they needed anyone who could do something to while away the time. Even today, I cannot explain how I got on that stage. I just remember those precious moments while I singing and the whole school standing with excitement, clapping, cheering and singing along. I can also remember the surprise on the teachers’ faces. I understand their surprise, this was not the timid Azeezat everyone thought they knew. That was it for me; I walked off that stage with the absolute conviction that this was what I wanted to do with my life. That if I could live my life filled with what just happened, I would be living fulfilled indeed.
By the time I got into college, I was invited to be part of a music group called “The West Coast Family.” I was the only female in the group of three members. We also had a group of followers we called ‘Moral Support’. They were all male. Honesty, I didn’t see anything wrong in being the only female among several males. They were gentlemen and I was usually with 6-8 guys at a time, doing night runs, going from one club to the other, from one state to the other. Sometimes, we all slept in a single hotel room, with only one bed. They watched out for me and I enjoyed the attention. In the beginning, my group mates were approaching me with propositions from their friends but I wasn’t interested. I just wanted to do the music. After a while, they understood me and started rebuffing advances on my behalf. We were a great team.
I was the singer; Dj Xmas was a Dj, rapper and arranger; while Magnificent (aka Mag) was a rapper, singer, and songwriter. During that time, I struggled with an Achilles heel; beat phobia. I could sing anything beautifully, but the moment I hear a beat, I freeze. In short I’ve had it most of my music career. It was really frustrating for my group but with time they learned to help cover it up and I survived. It has gotten better over time, especially after I enrolled for dance classes. I know that many of my fans will be hearing this for the first time.
That was the preparatory stage of my career. I got in professionally in 1999. I was part of the first ever “Girls Nite Out” which, was organized by Smooth Promotions, the Organizer of “The Headies.” There was a talent hunt competition as part of that event, I took part in it and I was the 1st Runner up. Because of that exposure, I was able to meet someone who believed and invested in my talent. That was how my music career took off.
Who are your greatest inspiration?
The greatest inspiration in my life is of course my God; He is my everything and has seen me through thick and thin. There were moments I gave up on myself but God sent people, situations, and scriptures to me to pick me up, and make me believe in myself again. Other inspiration will be my mom, hubby, family and friends. I am surrounded by people who truly love me and want the best for me. Knowing that always inspires me to be the best I can be, so I don’t let them down.
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Presently I am a socio-preuneur; I run Hairvolution Magazine & Network Tentacles, an online media and promotions outfit. At the same time, I am still inspired to work in the studios, because I truly love to sing, and as long as people don’t get tired of hearing my voice, I will not get tired of recording. So future plans, I still want to be dishing out songs, starting with my latest single ‘Life Begins at 40.’ Finally, watch out for “I Bared My Chest” a book in which 21 women share their naked truth to being unstoppable. It will be released in September on Amazon and other top online bookstores.
Your message to this generation of Africans
For the new generation Africans, you have absolutely no excuse not to make it. You have different technologies at your disposal. With the internet, you have a level of control, you can create your own success story. For instance, if you are a creative person, with Google/YouTube you can upgrade your skills; with Twitter/Facebook/Instagram etc. you can promote your brand. With E-payments, you can transact your business with customers from far and wide without leaving the comfort of your homes. These days, you don’t even need to pay for office space, unlike before. Always view your cup as half full instead of half empty.
What do you want the world to know about Nigeria?
Nigeria is a land full of immense opportunities. You only need to come here to be amazed by the unending business potentials. It is true that power is a great challenge and I believe that the new tested, trusted, and responsible government are working to fix this. Nigeria has beautiful and highly creative people. My advice for people across the globe is that they should come and invest in Nigeria. This is the country of the nearest future!
The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily represent the editorial policy of Legit.ng.
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