Michael Jackson Is My Idol - Major Matt

Olatomiwa Olajogun popularly called Major Matt is one of the fast rising musicians in Nigeria. His latest track “Legally” got heavy airplay and has been described by many as a song filled with so much depth and content. Major Matt speaks with Glitter News Crew about his versatility, passion and preparation to take his music career to the next level. Enjoy:

For the benefit of readers can you please introduce yourself?

I am Matthew Olatomiwa Olajogun aka Major matt. I started both primary and secondary schools here in Nigeria before I moved to the UK in 2005 for my high school and university.

What led you into music?

Passion led me into music. I have been doing music for a long time. Like all musician would say, I started from leading the choir and from there things started coming up and I found passion in interpreting whatever am feeling into writing and people enjoy it. That is why I decided to make it legal.

You said you started your music career in the church. Why don’t you venture into gospel music rather than hip hop?

Gospel musicians have their own fans. They are not grounded as to what is happening in the town because the kind of things that people want to hear now is not in gospel songs. So, I decided to venture into hip-hop. If I want to go into gospel music, there wouldn’t have been any problem because my first album was actually done in the church and I wrote most of the songs.

What was your parent’s reaction when they heard that you've go into music despite that you didn’t study music?

It was my mum that first bought me keyboard when I was young. She wanted me to be playing it for the church but my dad did not want me to go into entertainment because it doesn't give the kind of news they want to hear considering his position, and the fear of how I will make money from it. At the end of all they started supporting me.

Nigeria entertainment industry as a whole is full of competition. How do you intend to enter the industry?

With the help of God and my manager, Ade Nelson, we were able to break through some barriers. We've had a talk with the new schools like Dremo, so I am going to work with him. Likewise I had a meeting with 2face. Now things have started to shape up because after the release of a track titled ‘Legally’ some days ago, people got to know that this is not just a singer, it’s a brand, Major Matt is a brand and people like what I do. I even had couple of meetings in Lagos before coming here; so many clubs want to host me for shows, so it’s been good all the way.

Which hip-hop artist would you like to work with?

I would like to work with 2face because that guy is a legend. He is one of the true musicians of our culture: he is internationally recognized and being the one that won the first BET award for Africa, he is someone I look up to; he is my number one person.

Can we take him as your role model?

Yes. 2face, Timaya, Olamide these are people I look up to for different reasons.

Every work has its own challenges. To you what are the ups and downs in music industry?

I can say the downs are the starting point because before someone gets to the top there are issues like begging for shows. It will get to a point that you will want to quit but you have to fight it if you want to make music your sit down make money. You put in your blood and sweat to get what you want. The ups is the fact that you have to also fight to stay at the top as soon as you make it there because there are people coming from the back that may even be better than you. I always tell people, am not the best musician nor the best singer but i am different and unique that is why people listen to my song.

What makes you distinct from your colleagues?

I think is the relationship I have with most of the people I meet. As soon as I meet musicians, DJs and OAPs I make sure I keep a very close relationship with them whereby I can call them whenever my song is out so that they can do IP top and as well play it on radio stations. Another reason for relating with them is that they introduce, support, and guide musicians the way to go. Aside all these, the kind of music I do is play worthy so it is easy to use on radio and do DJ.

Have you wax any album?

Not yet, have just been doing EPs for now basically singles. Am not ready for any album yet, I want to get to the A list point before doing album.

Can you tell us your most embarrassing moment?

(Laugh)! My most embarrassing moment was the day I went to perform at University of Lagos. My manager told me not to be accepting University shows because they do embarrass A list stars that have gone way bigger than me whenever they go for such shows. Eventually we went for the show, and at a point I wanted them to do a competition in order to give out prize but as I was telling the DJ to stop the music, the students started shouting No! No!! No!!! And immediately I kept quiet and kept my prize to myself.

You are very handsome. How do you cope with your female admirers?

I always make them realize that for now am married to my music. My work does not allow me have time for any lady and fortunately, I have a kid and I think that is enough for me now. I just want to focus on my career and my kid.

In the next five years, where do you want to see yourself?

In the next five years I want to be famous and to be known for my good work. I want people to see my music as being unique.

Can you mention some of the tracks you have released?

In 2014, I released two tracks of which one is Banana love and the other one was Base line. This year January, it was Jobi Okoto, they were all produced by Samclef who happens to be Wizkid producer. The latest one was released few days ago and is called Legally produced by Young John Olamides' producer.

Out of all the tracks, which one do you think can take you to limelight?

To be honest, I’m confused because have heard so many comments on all the tracks. Some call me Mr legally and to some I am Jobi Okoto, but as for me Jobi Okoto is the best.

You will agree with me that piracy is a major problem facing the entertainment industry. What effort are you putting in place to face this challenge?

As a matter of fact, there is nothing we artiste can do except the government come to our aid. If am to do things the way am being taught in the UK, I will do all the copies of the album in the UK and bring the copies I want to sell to Nigeria and give to a marketer on contract that I must not see more than the copies I sold to him outside. If I see more than that I will sue him.

Most of Nigeria hip-hop artistes are collaborating with foreign musicians. Which of the foreign artiste do you think you can or would like to work with?

Unfortunately, the person I had in mind for a very long time is dead and that is Michael Jackson. He is my idol. I wouldn't mind working with Usher because he is also one of my icon, I love his songs and dance. If not him then is Chris Brown.

What is your advice to the new generation musicians?

My advice to them is to pray and work hard and do the work with passion and build a good name from it which will bring them money. They should put in their best and also remember that we have to spend money before money will come.

Assuming you are not into music, what else would you like to do?

Acting (Laughs). I am an actor. If I’m not into music I would have face acting squarely because I love acting and directing.

How do you relax after the day’s work?

I don’t know how to relax. If I can be in the studio for 365days I will do it because I love what I do so much.

We realize that musicians of nowadays once they make it to the top, their life style suddenly changes. As an upcoming artiste, how do you intend to manage your style?

Right from time I have always been a reserved person. I like keeping to myself. Although to some people of distance relationship they might think its pride, this is not so and that is just my kind of person. I don’t think anything will change about that.