Youths Hold the Key to Truly Rebranding Nigeria – Sistasoul

Sistasoul Veronny “Sistasoul” Odili is that street-certified, nature-tutored polished urban mixed breed you could call a true Lagosian. Her interests cut across music, fashion and writing, but talking to her, one feels the passion with which she analyses the many problems facing our country. And she tries to bring that passion to life in her every artistic expression… Excerpts:    

Let's start with your background…

I grew up in Lagos. I move – and still mostly do – around quite a lot but it has always been majorly Lagos.

What would you say is the genre of music you do? 
 

I am inclined to reggae/jazz and soul. But I am really curious as to what these genres sound like when mixed with other genres. So, you can say I cross-breed those to achieve something for everyone.

Aside music, what else are you involved in?

Aside music I design fabrics, write and concentrate on hearing myself think. That's important nowadays, considering what our society has been reduced to. When you listen to yourself think, the weird things our politicians do will no longer drive you crazy or force you to crime.

What is your perception of Nigeria?

I thought about Nigeria; the Jos crises, Boko Haram bombings and the insensitivity of our government keeping children at home because their classrooms are to be used for voter’s registration. To my surprise, my chest began to hurt. I will not let them kill me before my time. I can’t figure out how, in a country filled with bright minds and extremely efficient and good people, we somehow get some of the worst of the worst – pardon my grammar – out there, handling sensitive positions. It is shocking and extremely puzzling. No matter how politically unconscious one is you can’t miss the feeling of disappointment. Even market women are conscious and asking questions these days.

Does that mean you won't blame the youths for being negative about this country sometimes?
Not all youths are negative about this country. I believe in hope but sometimes you just want to jump into a well when you wonder how we can have all this money and there is no electricity. They act like they don't know when there's constant power supply crime rate will drop because Nigerians are naturally enterprising. Have you heard of a giant living in darkness? Giant of Africa or Giant Blackout of Africa? Look, many of the criminal inactions of Nigerians are borne out of frustration. They’ve tested our ability to survive at difficult times, now is the time to try comfort for a change. I tell you, a people this God-fearing when they have actually been pushed beyond the wall will make a truly great people if things are comfortable for them. 

Do you then think the youths can rescue this country from the elite old?

All these people who are there now were once young. At what age did some of them enter the army and subsequently the government? It's funny, because they always told us when we were children that we were the leaders of tomorrow. Now I'm 26, but they are still there. When will they check out for us to check in? It’s the order in Africa as a whole, they never bow out. Check Zimbabwe, Kenya and most recently, Ivory Coast. Children are never the leaders of tomorrow around here unless they make it happen themselves.

Two things are getting some connections here. Could being a Reggae freak be because of its typically critical messages?

I love reggae because my father made that kind of music accessible to me since I was a baby. It grew in me and as I grew up I found that the philosophies of most of my favorite reggae musicians made a lot of sense. Well, it may have affected my world view and choice of music. But I had always been someone who asks questions. When you need an answer, you ask questions; that is the essence of life itself. God did not create us to just exist.  

You've featured in the works of notable Nigerian artistes; can you remind us of some? What is your view on the messages Nigerian artistes carry in their songs?

I have worked with Sage, Has.son, Vector, AdePiper, Plumbline, Ayetoro and some who are in the works. On my view of messages, I hope you’ll understand if I say I cannot tell any musician how to run his craft. What I can only say is that the children are watching and learning; if you damage them, na you and God get dat talk. But what I can freely say is that the type of music which traditionally belongs to us is safe. Folksong, jazz, chants and oral poetry (which hip hop actually is) were safe until we embedded them with western civilisation. The bottom line is, in our quest for transfer of pop-culture, we mustn’t copy everything available

Your critical analysis makes one look forward to the release of your album. When should we expect it?

I am at work at it and I like to believe that it is going to be the kind of collection of songs fathers and sons, mothers and daughters, husbands and wives can dance, chill, laugh and relax to. Amid all the uncertainties we’ve been forced to bear, Nigerians have lost two important senses: those of humour and relaxation. I am trusting God to bring those back my through my album.   

In this era of anything goes, who stands out, in your view, among Nigerian musicians? Who has been able to shape your thoughts and act as role model to you?

I am passionate about Yinka Davies. King Sunny Ade has inspired me. Osita Osadebe, Rogana Ottah, Funsho Ogundipe, Keziah Jones, and more recently, Asa, Tuface, Black face, Bez and some other amazing musicians have really given me reasons to respect them and regard their music. It is different now; we have role models across music generations. Feels like an added advantage.

Sistasoul, thanks for giving us your time…   

Sistasoul started the iRead Literacy Network about a year ago with support from friends and family, you may also contact Sistasoul on Facebook or on Myspace.




Thank you so much. Cheers.



This interview was conducted and put together by Kayode Isaac Adebiyi