Nigerian high-life singer, Chinedu Okoli, widely known as Flavour N’abania, recently opened up about his remarkable journey to stardom, revealing the challenges and pivotal moments that shaped his career. In an interview on the In My Opinion podcast, released on Sunday, Flavour shared how he transitioned from a choir conductor and drummer in the church to becoming one of Nigeria’s most beloved music icons.
Flavour recounted the early days of his music career, where his dedication in church caught the attention of a man who owned a music company. This introduction led him to join a band where he served for 13 years, eventually becoming the band leader. Reflecting on this period, he said, “At that point, I wasn’t thinking about being Flavour or being on the spot. My dream was just about playing at events and things like that.”
However, Flavour’s ambitions grew as he left the band and ventured into the streets, playing at various joints and events. It was here that he honed his skills, performing for hours and building a loyal fan base. Yet, he noticed a stark difference between his lengthy performances and the short, impactful sets of other artists. This realization pushed him to seek more.
A defining moment in his career came during a performance in Enugu, where he was playing at his usual spot at City Centre. The popular Nigerian music duo PSquare, fresh off the success of their hit “Temptation,” arrived at the venue. Flavour recalled how their manager abruptly stopped his performance to make way for PSquare. “I switched off, passed the microphone, and went to sit,” he recounted. “When Paul of Psquare picked up the microphone and just said, ‘This na temptation,’ everywhere scattered.”
This experience was a turning point for Flavour. It sparked the realization that he needed to create his own unique sound and transition from being just a musician to an artist. He explained, “It started occurring to me that these guys, the difference is that they create their sound, go to the studio, and record. That’s how it’s done. So you are just a music man.”
Determined to evolve, Flavour embarked on the challenging journey of creating his own sound. Despite his skills in singing and playing instruments, he found it difficult to start from scratch. But with perseverance, he successfully transitioned from a “music man” to an artist, leading to the creation of his signature high-life style that has since captivated audiences across Nigeria and beyond.
Flavour’s story is a testament to the power of resilience, creativity, and the importance of finding one’s unique voice in the competitive world of music.
