Meet Nollywood and Veteran Artiste whose music find favour with an International Radio Stations from New York, California Texas, Florida, etc have the song on a repeat, which has finally caught the ears of Hollywood as we hear Zuka is in discussion for a Hollywood movie soundtrack with an African setting, he talks to New National Star Newspaper Esther Egbe about his music career and more.
Can we meet you?
My name is Larry Zuka from Delta State,Nigeria. I am a graduate of the most prestigious film school in West Africa, The National Film Institute, Jos, Nigeria, with another degree in Arts majoring in Music from the University of Lagos, Zuka is a schooled multi-faceted talent. He has acted, produced, written, and directed in many movies.
Tell us about your new single?
My new single is called Ziganyi Uzo( show us the way)
What drew you to the music industry?
My love for melody first got me into music even as a little boy and also
Who inspired you to make music?
I am from a generation that saw likes of Chris Okotie,Jide Obi ,Felix Liberty inspired me to make my own music.
What kind of music are you into?
I do African folk rock, but all has been classified into Afrobeat now.
How would you describe the music that you typically create?
First I hear the music from the inner world of me, then I go within to bring the melody out, then I find a theme and put lyrics into them.
Who would you most like to collaborate with?
I would most likely to collaborate with Johnie Drill or Chike.
Johnnie Drill.
What is one message you would give to your fans?
I would like to tell my fans that know that what ever dreams and passion they have , they should hold on to it and keep doing it, because there is no teacher like ‘ doing it’.
What would you be doing right now, if it wasn’t for your music career?
I am talented in athletic ,but it is mostly useless to me, because I left it for the arts.
I would be making movies,if I am not making music now.
Do you sing in the shower? What songs?
No ,I hardly sing in the shower.
Where have you performed? What are your favourite and least favourite venues?
I have performed in lekki sunsplash, amnesty international show in lekki Beach, ait/ray power grand slams,and many clubs and events in Nigeria before I left Nigeria. I have performed in some big events here in the US, like in San Diego, Moss art center in Virginia tech, in Blacksburg Virginia state.
Some big clubs and events in Los Angeles, etc.
Do you have any upcoming shows?
Upcoming events comes up as I have monthly show in Blacksburg Virginia.
How do you feel the Internet has impacted the music business?
The internet has really impacted the music busness I can say positively. You don’t really have to wait for a record label to sign you any longer, do your thing and put it out, if its good, people will embrace it.
What is your favourite song to perform?
My favorite song to perform is Bulum na ba, and in love with you by me.
Which famous musicians do you admire?
I admire Tiwa Savage, Johnnie Drill, Chike, and Don jazzy.
What is the most trouble you’ve ever gotten into?
I got into big trouble so many years ago when I accommodated some friends and they were accused of an offense, I was arrested and stayed on cell for the 2 days for an offense I never knew anything about.
What is the best advice you’ve been given?
The best advise I ever had was given to me by a guy I regarded as my God father, Segun Odegbemi. I was transferred to Bauchi from lagos by former Nitel where i worked. I did not wanna go because of my music, he advised me to go on the transfer and because I respect him beyond limit I went and acquired all the good foundations of life that I possess today.
If you could change anything about the industry, what would it be?
If I could change the industry, I would strengthen the copyright collecting societies so that artists can earn royalties and make a living off their sweat , also I would create a platform where artists can get financial support to empower really talented artists who would be placed in a place where they can become capable of paying taxes and because they can.
What’s next for you?
The next for me is to keep recording and making more music.
Whats an average day like for you?
My average day is such that when I wake up in the morning, I do my spiritual contemplation and declare myself to divine spirit to use as a channel, I then lookout for things that come my way on how I can serve life. I go for my morning jogging and prepare for work.
What is your take about Saint Obi’s untimely death?
My view on Saint Obi’s death.
Just like everyone, death will come to everyone when it would. It does not matter how it comes, it will come when it will come. I have heard and read articles about his ordeal in matrimony and how he was made to abandon what he loved and what brought him to lime light, but Obinna does not strike me like who would succumb to what he really does not want to do. Though I do not know him closely ,but know one must jettison that which makes him happy talkless of calling bluff your relatives, friends and colleagues because of relationships because in times of tempest of life, help may come from amongst them.
Saint Obi was one of the brightest nollywood stars that graced our tubes in his time and I do not think that his translation should have been so lack Lustre like an ordinary street urchin.
The entertainment industry and the world as a whole will surely miss him.
