?Goldie is, undoubtedly a pop diva to be reckoned with in the Nigerian music industry, especially with her weird musical videos that have dubbed her the name ‘Nigeria’s Lady Gaga’. The talented musician spoke with LEADERSHIP WEEKEND’s Ajibade Alabi exclusively on many issues bordering on her? career and personal life. Have fun as we get up, close and personal with Goldie.
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Briefly introduce yourself
My name is Harvey Oluwabimpe Susan, a native of Ikole-Ekiti, in Ekiti State. I am the first born of a family of six children – three brothers and two sisters – It comes with a lot of responsibilities. I came from a very religious background. I grew up in Anthony area of Lagos Stateand? had my primary and secondary school at the Green Springs Montessori School, Anthony village and Saint John’s College Palm Grove respectively. I have BA (Hon) degree in Business Management from the University of Sunderland, UK.?
We don’t have many friends as my parents did not allow us, so I used a lot of my time indoors personally writing a lot about things and trying to be creative. I was a relatively good student. I was good in English Language because I read a lot of novels and also lend a lot of it to my friends. On the other hand, I am a bit shy and like to be on my own. It was all due to my upbringing because when I was growing up, I don t like going out too often. So, I can say I am not the outgoing type of a person.
Were you an oustanding student, both socially and academically?
Well, I was socially adept in school; I mingled a lot and I had a lot of friends. I was very popular at school, though my parents didn’t allow us to have friends outside the church, so I couldn’t bring friends home. But I would sometimes sneak out to visit them. Academically, that is another issue. I don’t think I was stupid, I just think I wasn’t motivated. There was a term I had F9’s in all my courses except English, Biology and the Christian Religious Knowledge. How I managed not to repeat a class is beyond me.
How would you describe your childhood?
Happy, carefree and innocent because I was alone for a while; I mean my younger sister wasn’t born until five years after I was born. So I was spoilt rotten, I think.As a child I was
stubborn, playful, and highly intelligent; I loved playing, but I also never got less than 3rd place in all of my primary school years.
You won many awards this year, as one of the hottest stars in the Nigeria music industry.? What do you have to say to that?
Yes I won many awards this year, like the Sound City Award.? In November this year alone, I have nine awards so far; among them were the City People Award, NMA, and many others. I think anyone can win an award if the person deserves it and if the award is credible, and they have people to support them. I think there is no big deal in that. Also, I will like to mention the support of my record company, Kennis Music. Kennis Music has been so good and important to my musical career; in fact, I owe a lot to them for where I am in my career. So on the award; I think it’s just the dedication and support of your family members, friends and loyal fans that help one win an award.
Which of the awards you’ve won so far do you cherish most?
All the awards are equal because of the fact that you are being appreciated for the effort that you put in. It is one thing for your family, friends and people out there to like your music and another thing for the industry to recognize your work. The awards that I have received from my ‘You know it’ video are something for me to cherish.
Is it true that you signed a life contract with Kennis Music that many have termed as ‘slavery’?
The relationship I have with Kennis Music is beyond business. I see Kenny as my mentor, brother, and father, even before I came to the industry. So I don’t think the contract I signed with Kenny has any slavery deal in it. I think it is favourable to both parties, as long as you work hand in hand with the company, you will always do well.
Would it be correct to say you are one of the artistes who returned to Nigeria because they could not make it abroad?
You can make it anywhere. But I think my family knows why I returned to Nigeria. I went abroad for my degree programme at the University of Sunderland, where I read Business Management. I wasn’t intending or planning to stay there. I came back to Nigeria in late 2006; my first musical video when I returned was in April, 2007 titled ‘Kowole’ and was produced by OJD. I really don’t think that I returned to Nigeria because I could not make it abroad. I returned to Nigeria to continue with what I started. I never saw myself as going solo in anyway, even while I was abroad, I was thinking of continuing my musical career in Nigeria. When I returned I could remember I met a producer, who is now a head at Cool FM. We talked about him doing jingles; I was bent on producing my work. He was surprised that I could sing, play a guitar and a piano. I told him that while in school in the UK, I belonged to a musical group of four girls and we use to perform. He said I should come and produce jingles for him, and that was how I entered the studio. So, it is not like I came to Nigeria because I had failed as an artiste in the UK, no. It was more like your interest and passion coming out of you when you meet the right people, with the right mind set.
Who is your role model in the industry?
Someone who has done the unusual; I don’t like the everyday people, I mean people who are not creative and keep doing the same thing every day. But a lot of artistes have changed in different ways, which I like. I like Dare Art Alade. I think Dare is extraordinary and Tuface; I grew up listening to Onyeka Owenu and the late Christy Essien Igbokwe, Eddy Ogoli, Blackky,? I think these people influenced me in many ways.
Who are you dying to have a collaboration with?
I’m not really dying to have collaboration with anyone. I think right now it is more about a collective mind with my fans on a personal level, I think collaboration is more of a commercial benefit, when you are trying to marry this person with another person. But to me right now, I am not keen about any collaboration with anyone; rather I want to get closer to my fans.
Talking about your fans, how do you cope with your male admirers?
Everyone who loves me loves my personality and my works. I have been fortunate that I do not have a male fan who says, ‘oh Goldie you are sexy,’ I think I have been lucky in that aspect.? I am not saying it’s a bad thing. I think people see me more as a hard working artiste rather than the sex symbol and it’s a good thing. My fans approach me more and say, ‘oh Goldie be my mentor, I really love your work, your videos,’ and things like that. So I don’t have any problem with my male fans.
Rumour has it that you preferred hanging out with women rather than men. What is your take on that?
I don’t even have a girl friend; my work does not even allow me to keep? friends. Like I said earlier on, I don’t go out clubbing, I only go out for an event, if you see me at an event, you will see me with my personal assistant, Clariet, who is a tall model, and you see me with my team. I’m reluctant to say this, but I have to say it, can anyone come out and say, ‘I’m a friend of Goldie,’ or that he or she knows a girl friend of Goldie? I’m too busy to have a friend, and you know you have to have time for your friends, and I don t have that time, I am always too busy to hang around.
Do you see yourself as being a controversial person?
No, I don’t see myself as a controversial person, I think people tend to see me as being controversial because I do different things, or may be the character I portrait? in my videos. People may have different opinions about me; also I think most of the controversies are from people who don’t really know me. A lot of these people don’t really know me; they don’t know anything concrete about me, they just make a copy of me and spread it.
Any lucky guy that has swept you off your feet yet?
For now I want to speak about my music career, my family and my fans because they are the ones who brought me to limelight.
So, when is Goldie getting married?
Obviously everyone is looking forward to settling down with someone one day. I don’t think I need to make noise about when or who I am getting married to; marriage is a thing of commitment and it’s not until you call the whole world to come and felicitate with you that you know you are married, it is just a committed thing from ones heart.
Are you kind of planning a secret wedding?
I am not saying that, I am not saying anything about a wedding, all I’m saying is that your connection with someone should be in the heart and not a public spectacle.
Do you believe in love at first sight?
I believe in lust at first sight, but anything can happen after that; though it hasn’t happened to me yet.
So who are you connected with right now?
Right now, I am not connected with anyone that wants to be spoken about.
What is it that Goldie will never be caught up in?
Walking on the red carpet naked!
What are the things you can’t do without?
I like eating, I like my food. I don’t joke with my food. I like pounded yam and egusi soup, jollof rice and assorted meat. I also like to watch documentaries; I like to learn more about life and animals. I also like telling stories.
Do you use any drug that enhances your performance? Because there was a story that you always kiss before you go on stage to perform?
(Prolonged laughter) is it rumour?
So if I just give a kiss then go to the stage and perform, then I am too much.
Do you like kissing?
No, I don’t really like kissing, you know why? Because you don’t really know where that person has taken his mouth to. I don’t like kissing. Mouth to mouth, no!
So what do you prefer then?
I like hugging. Hug me and I hug you back.
What about sex?
I don’t really know, I think sex has been overrated.
Overrated?
I personally believe that if you have too much sex, it could affect your creativity. So, I don’t like to have sex when I’m working.
How do you spend your spare time?
Read novels, cook, write or just gist with friends when I can.
What is your advice to those who look up to you as their role model?
I don’t copy anyone, I don’t follow anyone’s path to the bush, and I don’t say because this person has made it in music, I must make it also even when I know I don’t have talent in music.
Do you have any album this year?
Yes, my album came out this December.
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