Sifter is a Nigerian-born American-based music sensation. He left Nigeria for the United States of America to pursue his education but found out that music was his calling. SEGUN ADEBAYO caught up with him recently when he came to Nigeria to shoot two videos with popular indigenous singer, 9ice. He opened up on his journey into music and other life in the US.
Why the interest in music?
I wasn’t the one that chose music, it chose me. It is something that has been growing in me for a while but I didn’t notice it. I just discovered that music is the only thing that gives me joy. I can’t do anything better if it is not music.
How did it start?
Well it started from the church, Christ Apostolic church, Odo-Ona Adabeji. I used be a chorister in the church. I started singing at the age of six before moving to The Redeemed Christian Church of God and that was where the whole music thing grew in me big time. It got to a point that I could not control the affection again but I thank God today that I am getting better at it everyday.
With the level you are today, how has the story been so far?
I have changed a lot in the past few years. The transformation has been good. You know I started with gospel music and now I sing secular music. Now that I sing secular music, thing have changed and I am coping very well.
You dumped gospel for secular music?
I wasn’t a gospel artiste in the real sense of it. I was just a chorister. The fame, the name, the promo and having a record label, those things don’t come over night. Basically, the changes have been good. To God be the glory.
What do you see in your record label that has given you the motivation to stay ?
We have a very good management team and within a year, if you Google my name, I already have over ten pages with my name. The publicity is working fine at the moment. BRG is a group of motivated people that are striking towards the same goal. Bringing something cool and unique to the listening of Nigerians. I have seen something great coming and I am glad to be part of the dream that will transform Nigerian music industry.
You signed the deal in the US, are you planning to come back to Nigeria?
Well, I have more of my audience in Africa, probably later in future I plan to move back. I am not ready to come back permanently but right now I’m still working on some new stuff that will keep here for sometime.
What’s the reception like in America where you are based?
I have a very huge fan base in the US. I can’t even walk on the streets freely anymore. I just finished a performance before I left America where I performed with Shade Arewa. I have been to California, where people realy love my style of music. We have a couple of shows already lined up for me when I get back there.
So what genre of music do you do?
I do Afro Hip hop, R&B, but I do Afro pop regularly.
Why did you include Badson in your name?
My name is Sifter people added Badson to it. It is just like an acronym maybe because of the way I perform on stage. You know that kind of energy that carries the audience on top of the roof, may be that’s why people call me the badson. I bring the energy of Badson to the people. It’s like lets groove to the roof; like let’s get the roof boiling.
What’s your impression about Nigerian artistes?
They are doing fine. I am very happy with what they have been able to pull so far. Davido, Sean Tizzle, Wizkid and a couple of others have done the music industry proud.
Why is it difficult for you to come back and test your popularity like Davido and other Nigerian artistes who were once residents in the US? Do you still want to make more money?.
It is not all about the money. It is about when the time is right. I will come back when I feel it is right. I have a lot of things I am doing in the States right now that won’t permit my coming back. Aside that, I am still in school.
How do you run school and music?
It’s easy for me. I take most of my courses online. So, that makes it easy for me anytime I am outside the country. All I have to do is to open my laptop, go online and do my studying. Studying in America is convenient compared to what we have in Nigeria.
Do you think you have what it takes to break into a very competitive music industry in this part of the world?
For me, I don’t see any competition. With due respect, most Nigerian artistes don’t understand music. They don’t have a deep understanding about music lyrics and it is very sad. If you listen to my songs, you will feel the connection and the professionalism. I am not trying to blow my trumpet but I feel that being exposed to the Western world has helped me a great deal. God be praised for that.
What’s your next project?
I just shot a video with 9ice. I can tell you that it’s a banger. The song is going to blow everybody’s mind. I can tell you that we are taking over the music industry for good.
Why 9ice?
I felt he is the person that will be able to relate the story well. There are other R&B and ingenious artistes in Nigeria. I think 9ice is a legend in that regard. He knows his game and has been very consistent.
What was it like in the studio with 9ice?
It was great; 9ice is a cheerful person. He is a great person. He is a friendly someone you would love to be around with. I would say he is my mentor, after I met him and did a couple of things with him, I would say I have learnt a lot from him.
What are your challenges as an artiste?
I don’t see any challenge. I am sorry if I am sounding strange. I don’t see anything as a challenge but a phase I need to pass through. Facing the crowd is no problem. I don’t see that as a challenge, I can carry a crowd of over 1 million people if they are here. I will carry them along and everybody will have fun.
What motivates you as a musician?
God is my motivation. Every day I wake up, I thank God for His blessings and the grace to write and produce good songs.
When will you be dropping an album?
It is not about having an album. It is about how many people your songs can touch positively. A lot of people keep releasing albums with no positive impact on people. My question is that what do you intend to achieve with the many albums you have in the market if they don’t make sense to the people. My album will come at the right time.
It is believed that you are not yet a successful artist if you don’t have an album to your name?
People can believe what they like. To me, releasing an album is not a definition of success. I am working on my album.