Eva Alordiah, Nigeria’s hottest female rapper of the moment, has made her debut with the much anticipated ‘GIGO EP’. The seven-track project, which has been well received by her fans, has set the rap scene on fire with "I Don Did It" immediately it was released in November last year.

With the release of this pre-album project, the Delta-hailing lady's fan base has been on the increase. The EP features collaborations with Saucekid, Basketmouth, Ikechukwu, Shank and Chi Gurl. The Nigerian Entertainment Awards 2011 “Best Rap Act” nominee, winner of Exquisite Lady of the Year 2011 “Best Rap Female” award, and 2009 Political Science graduate from BOWEN University, opened up to TADE MAKINDE on her love life, career and other issues.

Your songs are known by many,  but you are not known as the voice behind those songs. Why has it been like that?
I know that too, I am sure it’s because I’m yet to release a video. That will surely help to put a face to the songs that many of my fans are yet to attach a face to. But then I have featured in a musical video with another that should be out next month.

And who might that be?
It’s not my work, so I can’t speak about it till I’m directed to.

GIGO.
Yeah, Garbage In, Garbage Out. I am not ready to release an album just yet, that’s why I want this single to run its course.

Why don’t you want to release an album just yet?
Sincerely it’s because I’m not ready for an album yet. Truth of the matter is that I can’t deliver an album for now. It takes a lot to put up songs that will win over the hearts of millions in a competitive music industry like ours .
Seems you don’t believe in yourself.

Oh no, that’s not true. I do believe in myself, but I won’t deceive myself to believe I am capable of releasing a full  album yet. There are many albums out there right now and a girl like me probably doesn’t stand a chance now.

What’s stopping you?
That should be ‘what’s delaying’ me. You have to have an identity in this industry or you’d be lost among the thousands jostling for attention. Right now, I’m working on making myself a brand. Once that happens, every other thing will fall in place.

That explains the mohawk.
Yeah, yeah. Fans kinda like it though. I may not have a face because I don’t have a video yet, but I have an hairstyle that gets me noticed.

Why mohawk?
For now, it’s the mohawk. It suits me.

Can you change hairstyle for skinhead?
Right from my teen I’ve been messing with my hair. You name the hairstyle, I’ve worn it. I can cut this and come out with another, no big deal. I don’t have to be paid to cut it, I will once I get tired of it. As a matter of fact, I am looking forward to wearing another style. My hair is the only part of me that I can reason with, I have done many things with it just for me to be known.

Is it true a man does it for you?
No, I have a female stylist that I’ve been patronising since 2008. The hair has gone through a lot of modifications like I said. It was real hair when I started doing stuff with it, but now it has extensions affixed to it. I play with colours on my  hair. I can go green, yellow, purple, any colour, depending on my mood swing.

If a man is not your stylist as speculated, where does a man come in your life?
I am 22, I don’t have a boyfriend for now

Never had?
What I had in the past could pass for infatuation. Now I’m wiser and I have expectations. You either have it or no chance for you.

What are your expectations?
My career comes first to me, so must it be with whoever he is. Also, he must be God-fearing and ambitious.

What’s so special about Gigo?
It’ a collection of songs, seven songs, that I believe will make an impact. Already, I have been getting positive feedbacks.

At 22, what is suffering as you pursue a career in music?
I’d say my privacy and time. I can’t go out without being mobbed or gawked at. That, however, is one of the prizes to be paid for fame. My time is also no longer mine. But then, I take it as an opportunity cost to my career choice.

How long have you been singing?
I’ve always dreamed of being on the stage since I was a child. When I was in FGC (Federal Girls College), Oyo, I used to sing and mime. I added dancing when in the University, that was a matter of choice though.

What University?
BOWEN, Iwo.

Can a rapper come out of BOWEN knowing its an institution managed by Christians?
I graduated from BOWEN and can tell you the place is not all about religion, they impact knowledge too.

How did you manage to hone your skills without drawing the irk of the management?
I made sure I never ran into problems with the authority. I couldn’t do shows in school, but my colleagues knew I had it in me because I sang at every available opportunity.

We hear your VC monitors students by sending spies to clubs, parties and shows to fish out BOWEN students.
I wouldn’t know about that.

Would your VC recognise you if he ran into you in Lagos now that your are a popular face?
I’m not sure he would because I was not a trouble maker in school and I never had cause to face him on any issue.

Why music, especially rap?
My mum loved to listen to Fela, Lionel Richie, Teddy Pendergrass, and so many others, so it is obvious that I was exposed to music at an early age.  Mine is what you can call a musical family. As for rap, Eminem was my biggest influence. I started singing at 13.

Anybody else sing in your family?
Apart from bathroom humming (laughs), my younger brother has been playing the drums since he was nine. Now at 14, he has mastered the guitar.  He has a passion for music, like me.

How prepared are you for stardom?
I don’t know. Does one prepare for stardom? Really, I don’t think I am prepared for stardom because I don’t know what it is. I just want to live a normal life and look ahead to a successful career. As regards what will come, I leave that to God.

Can you handle the pressure that comes with maintaining the top spot?
Yes. With the family that I have, I am grounded. Even my faith as a Christian will help out.

Talking about the top, some complain that you are very daring to have rated yourself as an A-lister
One, I have never rated myself as an A, B, whatever star, my performance will decide that. Two, I don’t believe I would be daring if I did because it would be good for female rap. In any case, I am doing what I love to. I am not scared of anybody, neither am I’m in competition  with anybody.

Like the Beyonces, Williams sisters, are you managed by your mum or dad?
Haba, I’m not 16 anymore, I have a manager. He understands the industry. My dad manages the house and I appreciate that in him.