Exclusive: I had to learn my voice - Morell

 

While indigenous rapping may have started with the likes of Mr Raw, 2Shots, Black Pope, Splash in 

the Igbo tongue and artistes such as Lord of Ajasa, AY, Dagrin, Tipsy Enupo rapping in the Yoruba language, Morell and a host of other musicians can be credited to have championed the rap phase in Hausa from the North. It is little wonder why Morell commands so much respect especially in the North, as far as music is concerned. TJ went on a 'tell all' mission and Gatan Arewa (as he is also fondly called) talks about his background, music, upcoming album/tour, principles, philanthropic gesture and more.

Musa Akilah famous as Morell is from Borno state but was born in Bauchi, and being the son of a
policeman, he was compelled to move every now and again, from one Nigerian state to another. This
exposure to various cultures and geographical locations, according to him, has helped shaped not just his personality, but also his career.

"We moved from place to place as a growing child, and it has exposed me to various cultures and ways of life of different people. It has helped to not only shapen my personality but also an understanding of the world around me. It has made me more accepting of other people. This is reflective in my music because I try to make it appealing to all", he said. 

On his educational background, he revealed: "I had my primary and secondary education at various command schools, owing to the fact that my dad was a Corp. I went to higher institution with the
intention to study Pharmacy as I was a science student. After remedial, I was offered Mathematics, but I didn't want that, so I ended up studying Theatre Arts at the University of Maiduguri.  I was the
first UniMad student to switch from pure Science to pure Arts.  If I was given Pharmacy in school, I
probably wouldn't be here right now. So I'd say it is fate, determination and the love for arts that led me to study Theatre Arts and ultimately focus on music."

One would think that this vocally talented artiste started singing in his mother's womb, which would invariably inform his decision to do music, but on this note he said: "Music for me started when my brother began recording songs off cassettes, and so the competition to catch up to him, in terms of lyrics, beats and artiste's style, informed my decision to go into music. I enjoyed different genres of music (R&B, rap, hiphop, etc) and so I listened to the likes of Jay Z, R Kelly, BIG, Bob Marley, Mark Morrison, Akon, Eminem, including, but not limited to Northern musicians like Dan Maraya, Mamman Shata, etc. My love for music, motivated me to learn to sing like the artistes I listened to. I wouldn't say I had the talent first hand, I learnt my voice."

Gatan Arewa who has been in the music industry for more than half a decade now, and has collaborated with music stars such as Ice Prince, Naeto C, Ruggedman, Jesse Jagz, Olamide,
Pherowshuz, Terry The Rap Man, Ain Mosini, OD, to mention a few, it is only expected he debuts an album. "I hope to debut an album before the year runs out, and it's going to be about me and my family. It's about three different generations; my late grandfather, my late father and me, all bearing first name as Musa. The album which will be titled Musa is Coming (that is in preparation for the last of the Musas), will be in three volumes; Musa Jikan Musa - volume 1, Musa Dan Musa - volume 2 and Musa - volume 3. This album has been sectionalised based on time and how I've evolved over the course of my career. It will reflect who I was, who I am and who I'm becoming", stated the Northern Orientation act.

As it is normal with artistes, there's always that one song that made them 'blow' and the one that holds a major turnaround point for them. Based on that, he commented saying: "It will have to be Ganga da Garaya. At the time when I released it, I was in Lagos. That did a lot for the Northern industry, because people never thought you could do hiphop with a song like that in Hausa language. I gave it a completely local feel and it went viral. The one that placed me on the musical map in Nigeria was Oxygen and Anti-Social with Olamide. But Anti-Social is where I introduced the costume and so, I tend to site it as the music for me, because that's the one that portrayed me and my music in the light I want to be seen in future. 

Arewa movement has now become the 'it thing' for the Northerners and as far as music goes, Morell
in some ways can be credited to that effect. "For this new Arewa hiphop guys, I'd say I'm in the
forefront. I wouldn't say I'm alone but you can't mention them and not reference me, it's just not possible. Young Kings, B.O.C, Dj Abba, Classic, Khenjz, Highness Afiz, Dala Dawa and so many others are a part of this new movement."

"Not necessarily me but the record label I'm signed under, are thinking of going round to pick up talents to sign them on, more like a talent hunt. We've been in talks with different bodies and it's been coming along positively. With that, I think it's going to do a lot for the Northern music talents. Again, I try as much as possible to take along with me promising acts, in the way of publicity for them", he claims concerning how he gives back to the society.


 Asked what principles he lives by, Akilah stated: "Honesty! Black and white. 'I don't have', 'I have'. I believe in calling it the way it is, no painting it otherwise. This is why I normally write articles to bare the truth. Before my album drops, I'm also going to write an article. I dropped an article earlier on, titled The Journey So Far. I always give a documentation to my fans and those following me to understand what I'm doing. The how far of what I'm doing. You as an artiste should not only inspire
people with your music, but also with your lifestyle and what you believe in. I believe in oneness,
honesty, love, and love is just the ultimate."

In the way of upcoming events and what his fans are to except, he said: "Yeah...! I have upcoming events including the Musa is Coming Tour (MIS Tour), among others. There are just a lot of things that would happen within the next two, three months from now. After the video release of my song Aure, the demand to perform especially at weddings has been so high. Internationally, we get calls to come perform, so my fans should expect a lot from me."