Gospel City Real Talk: Mbomboyo, The "Godfather" Speaks up on himself, fake music promoters, + More


He is a big fish that has been comfortable in  little streams for some time now. With every work he churns out, he has improved his craft and grown his fan base wider. Now, the pond no longer contains him. He is set for the ocean so we brought him out here.

Gospel City Naija is proud to present this exclusive chat with the remarkable south-based gospel artiste known as MBOMBOYO.

He has been pivotal to the success of a couple of artistes. He started music production in his state of origin when most of his contemporaries had it as a dream on their wish list. They call him "god father'...He is Mbomboyo(Breakthrough)

My name and I
"Mbomboyo" means "Breakthrough" in my local dialect. I believe that Jesus is The Way and I sing about this passionately. Despite my core gospel-influenced lyrical content, I find people who don't necessarily share my core-passion but enjoy my music. This brings me fulfillment too. I personally don't share in Bob Marley's Rastafarian message but I sure do enjoy and am inspired by his music.

 How it started for me
I began professional music career in 1996 with a gospel music group OASIS CREWbased in Abak, Akwa Ibom state. We did an album in 1999 which made minimum impact due to our lack of experience about the music industry back then. In 2001, the group disbanded and I began a duet called BOMSKHOBA. We had two albums, same story..In 2003, I started my studio, d512prostudio. This has been the hub of my music business till date. We’ve produced countless artistes and albums



My Solo efforts
In 2005, I released my 1st solo album - Radical Change. This sold a few hundred copies in local vents/stores. 2010 after serious research, I came out with my current album and most successful till date RECAP [radical change album project]. It has sold a few thousand copes, enjoyed serious airplay in Akwa Ibom and Cross River state where I concentrated the promo. The video single from the album, Long Time Ago, is still having good airplay. 

Genre and creative process
I do Reggae and ragga (dancehall) with strong afro presence and a little hip-hop influence. I also do folk songs in my local Annang/Ibibio dialect. My lyrics and message is essentially "gospel". I write, compose and produce my music myself but with the help of my studio crew too. Sometimes I collaborate with other artistes and producers who bring their creative flavor into my music. There are a lot of producers i aspire to work with over time, the likes of Rhymzo, Iyke Onka, Cobhams, K-solo...

My ordeal with fake promoters
When I released RECAP, I engaged the services of a publicist in Akwa Ibom state and he did a good job. In just 3-6 months, I got the desired results. My attempts to reach cross river were not as impactful due to lack of efficient personnel.  Lagos was a disaster! I spent so much and got nothing. Wolves in sheep's clothing all offering services they can't deliver. 

I made an attempt to get nationwide promo and distribution but kept falling in the hands of incompetent people who promise what they can't offer even after money exchanges hands. Even though the album RECAP is still fresh and relevant, there is demand from my fans for my sophomore album. Am back in the studio working on a 12_track album, 7 singles are ready. Also am working on combo video album of key tracks from both albums [RECAP & the new album], one of the videos is ready. We hope to launch both audio and video in a combo pack as soon as possible. Am looking at national and international promo, sales, performances and distribution across all boards.

inspirations and aspirations
I am inspired by my relationship with Jesus Christ. I consider my self an evangelist who preaches the gospel through music. Am inspired by real life experiences and am also inspired by good beats!  Once, i
heard a track produced by Duncan mighty for N.i.g.g.a. Raw, sat on it for a while and out came one of my tracks, "radical love". I aspire to climb to the zenith of my music career and be at par with the best in
my genre both locally and internationally, tour nations and make global impact. I have good music and an infectious personality. I believe in myself that's why I’ve stuck to doing this for close to two
(2) decades now.

Target audience and message content
I am targeting the youths as well as the young-at-heart, lovers of good music. I hope to influence, motivate and inspire people through my music towards having a real relationship with Jesus Christ, thereby experiencing breakthrough in all aspects of life.

ideology and driving force

I want my fan to perceive me as a real Christian, in a real relationship with God, who is a real musician, who sings about real experiences, influencing real people, make real global impact and make
real money in the process.

personal life
I would describe myself as a zoologist turned musician, a committed family man married with kids, a prolific producer, studio owner and business man

performances

I have been singing in churches, concerts, live shows (both secular  and gospel), rallies, public gatherings etc. clubs? Really I’ve tried a couple of times to jam at clubs but I end up feeling so unfulfilled so I reduce club tours. My target is any event where family-values are encouraged (an event where a father and mother can take their kids along to be entertained wholesomely).

 Social networks
80% of why am on net is my promo. am on facebook, myspace, reverbnation, youtube, and just recently I signed with cdbaby which will give access to itunes, spotify, Amazon, Google music... and lots more. However, i hope to create and spend more quality time on the services of these networks. I have no website of my own and no blog but just some weeks back, a fan offered to launch a website for me. I have an active fan-group and a fan-page also on facebook too.

Other details
I am not signed on any label.  I intend to start one as soon as possible. I consider myself as an "indie". I am self managed and I have an official publicist.

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