Jos-hailing D. Nimsel opens up to TADE MAKINDE on his life as a basketballer in the barracks and as a musician in Nigeria.

Zdon, that sounds like the name of a cult group leader A leader yes, but not a cultist. I’ve always been a leader from St. Gregory and my days in the Nigeria Military School (NMS), Zaria. The name means leadership. Zdon Paporrella. Don means papo from where I come and Rella means reality.

Journey into music
I started out as a rapper then in Gregs. I even write most of  my songs. Then, I was a member of the basketball club. As a rapper, I performed in events for the school. It was during a literary and heat event that fans told me I had a voice good enough to make it as a musician. Even at that, I didn’t believe much in myself and never saw myself as a musician because I didn’t know the basics. Before 1998, I only wrote choruses for people till I learned the art of music making and finally got into it fully in 98. I trained under Zino Foster and Nelson Brown to be a sound engineer and a producer.

And how has music paid off for you?
Good. It brings money to support me. Now, I’m more involved in the art aspect, the show biz angle I mean. I deal in notes daily now, all because Naija music has gone global.

Why rap?
Because it appealed to me. It was a new way of doing music then and I loved it.

More than basketball?
Let me say that b’ball is my obsession, music is my passion. I love music, it is my life. Even when I played b’ball, I wrote songs. I wrote “Old Africa” in 1996, a rap song that is still one of the best in Nigeria. Most people don’t believe that I did that song.

You still rap?
Yes. It gives me the opportunity to express myself better.

Experience as a b’baller
Nobody in my family knew I played then. It was always from Gregs to Dodan Barracks where I went to play with officers.

Why Dodan Barracks?
My father was a Colonel in the Army then, 1996, 97, 98. I used to play for the barracks’ feeder team. It was fate that helped with my passion, music, I sprained my ankle during a training session. The injury was much and I failed to make Colonel Akiga’s list. He was scouting for players then for a tournament in United States. I couldn’t wear slippers for five months, even my knee was affected. Naturally, my attention shifted to music when it became obvious my balling days were over.

How come you always wear a stern look?
That must have been from my military days at the barracks. My dad is a tall man and he’s very tough. So were his friends and other guys in the barracks. I think looking mean is a form of defence but these guys were gentle inside. But that bored me. I would have killed myself if I didn’t leave the barracks. I was already dying slowly from the boredom. Except for b’ball, I had no social life. Nobody in Dodan Barracks, including my dad, knew I was into music.  I had to be careful not to let my pop know.

Why?
He wanted me to be a military man. He was preparing me for the Army. If he had his way, he would have killed my interest in music and I’d have been dead too. Thank God I left the barrack after that injury.

And how did your dad take it?
He wasn’t pleased but there was nothing he could do again. I tried my best to please him by attending the Military School. God must have seen the desire in me as regards b’ball then. I guess my dad wanted me to join the Army because he figured they would be in power forever. They love to control, military men that is.

Was NMS all about b’ball and music?
As a matter of fact, no. I was doing well in my studies too that it was believed I was already a made military man. When I was in class 4, I was made the regimental provost, one of the highest appointment that could be bestowed on a student. I was also in Bravo Company.

Has music done much to remove doubts of how life could have been if you were in the Army?
My brother, I have no regrets at all. Is it meeting people? Is it power? I am able to express myself as a musician, can’t do that in the Army. Music itself is power because it can make you do things in my little way. I’m sure I have touched lives. I feel good with myself.

You were not visible on the music scene for about three years, what kept you?
I went underground to relax, then to study the industry so I could re-brand myself. I’m on my own label now, music lovers have begun to accept me as a musician.

That acceptance was not there initially?
No it wasn’t. I had a lot of challenges, like any other up-starter. I have been to events where I didn’t get due attention from both the promoters and the audiences. Back then, a lot of people underestimated upcoming musicians. They were always preferential in the way they treated artistes. If they asked me to get to an event 10 p.m, I always got there 9 p.m, but that’s when they will tell me they were sorting out my room till I eventually slept inside a bus or hotel bars. It wasn’t because I was not better than the others, but mostly because I wasn’t popular. That kind of treatment only pushed me to work harder. I never gave up.

Growing up
I had a normal childhood. My parents made sure I attended the best schools, ensured that I slept, played and studied when I was expected to. I even had tutors. Our needs were met, but not our wants. I couldn’t get a Raleigh or MMX bike despite the urge to have it, it was books, books and books. I was also encouraged to listen to music. Been dancing since I was small.

Why are you still single?
It’s because I want to stay married once I’m married. I’m not a virgin, but I’m a good guy. I wouldn’t be a good composer if I was a virgin.

Why’d you say that?
I wouldn’t have had inspiration for the songs I’ve been able  to compose till date. It is hardly possible for a virgin to compose songs. What will a virgin sing about love, heartbreaks, etc? Nothing. Because he/she has not experienced love or heartbreak.

Your take on the industry now
It has come of age, a lot has happened, but there are negatives to the pluses. Piracy is at its peak now. Everybody is more or less a pirate. We are the ones that pirate our works by taking it to Alaba marketers.

What do you think is the way out?
Total restructuring of the industry from music making to marketing.