Music chose me  –
               Queen of swag, Anabella

Gorgeous Sensational act, Emakhu Anabel signed on to Swag Entertainment with the stage name Anabella, is gearing up to storm the industry with her “MUJOJO” single. In this interview, Queen of Swag, Anabella, tells DAMILOLA TOWOBOLA about her sojourn to music, “MUJOJO” and projects…During the chat the Edo state born sexy graduate of philosophy from UNIBEN, was witty, blunt and generous with her smile. Enjoy the excerpt.

Q: How did music start for you? Tell us how the journey began.

 Before I knew I love music or I can sing, my mum usually told me how I use to sing, how I use to entertain everybody in my neighborhood because I was like chubby…so from there I found myself loving music, I developed a passion for it singing in churches, school and everywhere so it’s not like I know that everybody is doing music that’s why I came into music but I have the passion for music.

Most Nigerian parents do not support their children when it comes to showbiz? How did they react when you told them about your music career?

Even before now my mum usually tells me “You that love music, Are you not going to sing?”…my mum has been very supportive right from time; she is not biased about the showbiz of a thing even though some people ponder why someone that sings in church has started singing worldly music like most Nigerians say…My mum has been a source of encouragement right from childhood, when I return from school, she would bath me up, beautify and encourage me to go out there saying Anabel “your fans are waiting for you on the street”…she is my number one fan, dances to my music likewise loves it but she advices me to know what to do and what not to do when the trying times arises.

What kind of message does your music pass across to people?

My music is not particular about something because I believe in diversity and changes. My first single is talking about happiness because when you are happy you tend to live longer. My music would help both the poor, rich and bereaveds forget their sorrow, have fun. As a musician, I am a messenger, therefore, I use my music to communicate to people on how I feel, how others feel… not everyone can speak so my Music is a voice in disguise. My music entails what is going on, how I feel and how others feel.

Do you have any plan redefining music in Nigeria?

Yeah sort of, I believe in changes because am not a stagnant person…the kind of music I do is my own thing but first of all we need the past to build the present and future. I tend to bring my own style also into music even though I might take from the past and present to sharpen mine.

Are you working on any project presently?

I am working on the promo of my first single titled “MUJOJO”, have shot the video so watch out for Anabella on your television set, Radio and everywhere locally and internationally. Also I am bracing up for performances alongside Tuface, Terry G, Flavour, VIP from Ghana, Olamide, YQ, Jaywon on the 9^th of December likewise performances at Jozing Nite club V.I, Lagos on the 11^th, 18^th and 22^nd. I got lots of performances this December both home and abroad so I am trying to stay in the right mindset to get my fans dancing because “Mujojo” would sweep them off their feet.

Do you have any accolades to your name?

I am a born champion…laughs…I got numerous awards already such as Miss Foundation for Family Values International (FFI), Queen of Swag (Niger Delta Magazine), numerous campus awards(Most popular, Best dressed, Most Outstanding, Most distinguished, Most Sociable and Most Generous) that’s all I can remember for now. I would be giving my very best in my music so that I can add more from the entertainment scene to my shelves and rising profile.

What is your romantic life like?

Maybe I leave that for now because it’s kind of private… (Break in) Why? I think it’s too early to delve into that.

Tell us a really embarrassing story.

(Laughs)…the first time I ever travelled out, I went to Dubia with my sister…You know in Lagos when you want to cross the road, we usually run… so there was a day, my sister and I wanted to cross the road in Dubia, we didn’t know that when you step on the Zebra crossing unlike Nigeria, cars would stop for you to cross with ease but we started running… on looking back we saw people making jest of us so we inquired and was told we acted like “bush people”. Also when I was leaving my friend’s shop I thought I was still in Nigeria, she was about locking up the shop and I busted out “Una no go off Generator, Nepa dey go”… it was really embarrassing.

Who are some of your favourite celebrities and which one of them do you want to be like and why?

My first is Beyonce on the foreign scene, I love Beyonce a lot…it would be a dream come true if I ever work with her, I like her courage, charisma, protégée and personality…she is an artiste that believes in herself and her works are exceptional. In Nigeria, I like Omawunmi…she has a very powerful voice, even Waje is not bad and I think I also like Goldie too because she came into the industry with her own style even though people see her as weird. Goldie came into the industry with something different from what has been in vogue. Actually, I love a lot of practitioners in the industry and I would be happy if I get to work with them.

It’s been wonderful having this interview with you, where do you see yourself in the next 5 years…5 years is too long if you know what you are doing in the industry, let’s say 5 months?

Oh…I prefer to work with 5 month… First and foremost, Anywhere, I want to see myself is God that first of all has to take me there because I believe in him. Actually, in 5 months times, I should be like a household name…Anabella should be everywhere because the type of music I do is what people can relate with, easily know and sing along. I want to make an impact with my music in the industry, is not like I want to take without giving back to the industry and people out there. In 5 months, with my producers, Management, Marketers, Fan base and well wishers I should be somewhere great…so watch out for Anabella.