Am Not Driven By The Money And The Fame That The Game Brings- Nigerian Fastest Rising Rap Act "SLYKEN"

Slyken is a fast rising Nigerian Rap Artist, Raised in Cotonou Benin Republic. Chris I Chukwu has 8 singles to his credit and currently has a video showing on major Nigerian stations. The graduate of Computer Graphics and Video editing had a nice chat with OCBvibez on his birthday (today) where he talks about his career, growing up and surviving the competition in the music industry.....read it below....

How did you find your way into the industry?
Rap Music has always been something I enjoyed so much because of my mom, but my career as an artist started officially in 2004 when I finished secondary school in cotonou, Benin Republic.

How rough was is then?
Though it wasn't easy singing english songs to french ears but we had our time though...had my first studio recording same 2004 with My Group Bnet, we enjoyed a lot of fame and recognition been the first english music group in that french country ...

Why did you pick that Genre of music? Can u do well in other genre?
Rap music is something I grow up listening to and I fell in love with as a teenager cos of the lyrical content, I love poet..I love songs with content..
Am versatile... And I love Reggae music...

What is your definition for "RAP"
Lolz... That's an interesting question..
To an ordinary man Rap is all about Rhythm and spoken words.. But for me I prefer to call Rap Music the voice of the Voiceless because RAP was originated by black Americans as a way of expressing their feelings and pain because there was no place for them in the GOvernment. I still maintain the same ideal and you can feel it when you listen to my songs..

Where do you get your inspirations from?
my life is my source of inspiration..I sing what I go through and I know someone somewhere is going through the same thing..So touching lives is my major concern..

What's your take about hip hop n rap music in Nigeria....
Looking at Rap Music when I first came to Nigeria and Now... There's a lot of changes... positives ones
But more is still need to be done because rappers are not yet getting a fair treatment in Nigerian music industry but we are progressing so I know we will get there with time...
The likes of Olamide, phyno, MI, Ice Prince etc are making money from the industry but we need more co operated bodies to be involved so we can move to the next level...

What would you like to change in the music industry?
For me.. My dream is not just to make good music, blow and become famous but also to create an everlasting impart to the music industry... The major problem we are having in the music industry is piracy...

I will like to see the industry grow to the stage where artist get the royalties they deserve just like what COSON is doing right now..I will also like the stage when artist pay much attention to the lyrics of their songs..

Who do you look up to in the industry?
Really... I don't have a role model but I like many artist for different reasons..
Like in Nigeria, I like Tuface because of the kind of music he delivers, I like Jayz for his business ideals and I like The Game because he lives the life of a rapper..

How many artiste have you featured and how many have featured you?
I can't really count because I live my life in the studio either am doing graphics, video editing or am 'inda vocal bout..'
But in A list artist... I have worked with only Tha Suspect this year.. In one of the songs in my Mixtape Album dropping Next year.. 2014
Planing to work with illbliss and Olamide before the Mixtape Album drops..

How many singles do you have to your credit?
8 singles from the Mixtape Album all online plus a Video already on TV..

Wow! That's interesting, well done.. Let's get to meet you......
Thanks...My real names are Chris I Chukwu , Born in Nigeria, Raised in Cotonou Benin Republic, first son of a family of 4, speak Igbo, english and french fluently..

Did my primary education at Amata community primary school, started my secondary school at Government secondary Suleja (Abuja) and later moved to Laurel international school Cotonou Benin Republic where I graduated with a Diploma in computer programming and graphics designs and video editing.

How did you get your stage name "slyken"?
Sly according to dictionary definition for me means "secret" and Ken means something beyond ones understanding and so combing the two words means "the secret beyond your comprehension" = sly ken and that's what I represent

Great! Any project (s) you are working on now?
Right now am promoting my new Video #SPOTLIGHT which is already on most local tv stations (like Tvc, MITv, AIt galaxy etc) and hipontv.
Dropping a new single today (29th) "I HAD a DReam" from #Respect tha Game MixTape album.

What is/are your hit song(s)?
Really I love every song I record, I pick to shoot the video of #Spotlight cos of the Crowd reactions to it. Everybody likes it..
And its a personal song to me too cos it tells the story of my struggle as an up and coming artist tryna break into the limelight..

This Rap thingy is a survival of the fittest, how do you think you can cope?
Am not competing with any body.. Am just doing what I know how to do best..
Am not driven by the money and the fame that the game brings rather am focused on affecting lives with my music.

The money and fame will come that's its certain but I want to create an impart that witll last after am gone..I want to inspire people with my music.

Challenges...
Yeah.. Sponsoring my music by myself has not been an easy task but God has always be faithful. Nothing was the same, I learn more everyday, I grew in skills, directing and editing my video (SPOTLIGHT) really gave me much experience this year. #Respect tha Game Mixtape album project really made me go places and meet may people this year.. The people I used to see only Tv now hangs out with me and that's a blessing. Am glad I started the project.

How well do you relate with your fans, especially the ladies?
Honestly handling the ladies is not always easy for any artist especially wen you are good looking and you are getting some fame and you are good at what you do..
But God always do the magic for me and I can't explain how I keep everything under control everytime..But I love my fans so much and I will always keep it real for them..

Hmmmm, really? You wanna tell me the craziest thing a female fan has said to you?
Lolz...There has been a couple of incidence but if I could recall one show at Mozida lounge ikeja wen after my performance (I killed the show) a beautiful well-feed and sexy looking girl just walk up to me with boldness and whisper to my ear "I want to f*ck u tonite" and I was like Huh?

What did you do?
sorry that I can't answer... Its private...

Are you in a relationship?
Am so committed to my career right now.

How do you unwind?
I like swimming, drinking wine and hanging out with friends, cluBbing... But I also appreciate my privacy.

What would you not be caught dead wearing?
You can never see me with a face cap..

Words of motivation to the youths....
I always tell people if you can't get the money to pay for a service get the knowledge and do it urself, that's how I got this point. Believe in your dreams and work towards it with all your heart and God will see you through.

Teaser: Say this in english"How Many Years I take Senior U"?
How many years did I senior u with... Lolz

How can your fans reach you?
Am always available:
facebook: Don slyken
Twitter: @slykenn
Tel: +2348065293608
BBPin: 25FA9551
Email: rapculture@yahoo.com

From all of us here we wanna say happy birthday SLYKEN!!!
Wooow... That's so touching... Am so honored!!! Thank you so much and God bless Y'all

I must confess I had a swell time with you Slyken, thank you for your time....
Thanks for having me on ur platform.. God Bless you Guys.