He is charming and down to earth, Korede Bello is his name but known by music lovers as African Prince. Korede shot into limelight after releasing his first single titled ‘I love Naija’; ever since the mega super star has not relented from releasing hits and club banging songs. Korede doubles as a guitarist, songwriter, singer, composer and above all a good performer. In this chat with MUTIAT ALLI, Mr Romantic as he is sometimes called talks more about his work, album and others
Career before and with Mavins…..
It’s been a beautiful journey before and after I joined Mavins. I have had like core fans who have been supportive all the way. And my fan base expands from 1 year old all the way to like 80 years old. So it’s a big spectrum and am grateful to God for giving me such loyal fans base. They have come to love the person behind the music and not just the music.
The love for the fans is something to accept and be grateful for.
I don’t think it’s something you have to deal with. So yes I am grateful for the fan love and my ladies love me and I love them back. Am also grateful to God especially and I pray that God blesses every person who has been with me since the beginning and is still with me. Even if you like one Korede Bello song God bless you.
I do Music the way I feel it. .
That’s why if you notice before ‘Do Like That’ or from when I got signed all of my songs are different from Godwin, African Princess, Mungo Park, Cold Outside and more are all different from different genres. And I want people to know I can blend into different styles. From ‘Do Like That’ I want people to know what I was feeling. Fortunately it cut across globally as it was a global hit. I was in a studio in Lekki with it came about and I worked with my producer to do the song and it came out really nice.
My ongoing projects…..
Also I have an initiative I run centered around education and empowerment of young people. Sometimes later in the year pretty soon we will be putting some projects in motion regarding that. We also organise a symposium on Police and media.
My team and I came up with that. It was an interactive forum to shed light on the relationship between the police and the media. So the next one we are having is the Police and the youth.
That will involve stake holders, the Police and youths, student unions then we have a seat to talk about the existing relationship between both parties and how we can foster a better relationship between both parties. And I think Police should understand young people and young people understand the Police.
Godwin’s success was a mixture of everything.
Good feeling because you know that was my first shot of having a big song or a national anthem so to say and not just a hit song but a song that can be identified with every type of person.
Whether you are a Muslim or Christian, young or old, office holder or politician it circled around everybody. And for once I felt all eyes on me and Godwin is such a good song. Projected my brand and that side of me the world knows.
It got me to corridors of power. I performed before Presidents, leaders and the elders welcomed my brand. I think the problem with a big song like that is that many people want you to replicate that song and that’s why I like to do different type of music.
I am me and that’s what makes me unique.
I really can’t be anybody else and I kind of like people to see me inside of my music and my brand. I like them to see me as I am and not an illusion of a perfect guy.
I like them to see me for who I am. My flaws, my good and bad because am part of the society and I could be your brother, your friend and your boyfriend. I like them to see me in all aspect and inject myself in the family.
I like to look simple and good.
I like to look good and nothing is behind anything. My hair is inspired by a vintage look and something people will remember when they see me.
