Conversation with Evans Ogboi

Below is the Conversation I had with MOBO Award winning artist, Evans Ogboi, whose new music video "Shout Hallelujah" was released today.

How time flies. How would you say the last few years have been to you?

Glorious! I must say. The Lord is truly faithful to His word.

Who would you say you are, and what you say you do?

I am a music minister, a songwriter, music producer, gospel recording artiste and music director for RCCG Living Faith Connections, London.

You’ve come a long way. And we know we can credit the Grace of God to your success. What else would you attribute to your success?

I'm so grateful to God for my parents who not only released me but supported me in my pursuit.  I also thank God for destiny helpers. Men and women sent by God into my life to mentor and help me through the different stages of my life.

You are now based in London full time, right? Was your ambition to always relocate there, considering you had a thriving business venture back Nigeria?

 Well, not really. I believe so much in the will of God for our lives. Interestingly, my dad advised I relocated from Nigeria once I told him I wanted to do music full-time. He stressed his desire for me to do this professionally. Obviously, he believed the music industry abroad was better and more structured. I didn't know things would work out this way. I came schooling and then got employed. Looking back, I can tell you, God is a master planner. 

In your opinion, can a young successful man in Nigeria be limited in the height of success unless they relocate to the Western world?

 Ooo not at all! You can succeed anywhere when you remain connected to the Source. I know so many successful people in Nigeria and I mean that in every sense of it. Success is a lot of things though. I believe finding your life's purpose and passionately pursuing it, striving always to be in God's perfect will for your life is what brings fulfilment.

So you arrive in London……how did you figure out your niche, and invest yourself in it? I’m sure you’re aware of the fable of Johnny arriving in London and getting devoured by it. Speak on how you placed boundaries on yourself to achieve your goal

Well, it was clear what I came here to do. I came over to study music production and audio engineering at SAE institute London. SAE is one of the biggest creative media institutes in the world. By the help of the Holy Spirit, I continued to be extremely focused. I would listen and learn. I began to ask a lot of questions and did a lot of research. I began to pray and take small steps as I was led. It's amazing how things are still unfolding. The key remains, maintaining a relationship with the Holy Spirit. He knows where you are trying to get to. He designed your life's journey. It's a lot easier when we ask Him.

Lets talk about you winning the MOBO Awards. What project did you win that for, and what category?

I wrote a song for my church originally for a conference but we eventually added that song to an album project which we titled "Beyond the Norm". That's the song that got the nomination. We finally won. Living Faith Connections choir. Best Gospel Act 2014 MOBO awards.

So did you do the red carpet. Did you see any artists you had admired?

Emmm, we didn't make the red carpet as we were held up in traffic. Thank God we arrived in good time to join the ceremony.

What?? You missed out on doing the red carpet at the MOBO awards? That must have been a disappointment. But hey, you ARE a MOBO award winner, so who needs red carpet trivia?

LoL…. Yeah.. yeah..

How does it feel being an the exclusive class of individuals who has won a MOBO?

Hnmmm…. It's humbling. I didn't set out to win any award, that was never the goal. However, the bible tells us that if we seek the Kingdom of God first, every other thing will be added. This is my experience and it feels really humbling and encouraging seeing every other thing being added. God's word is true.

What was it like when you won the category you were nominated for, and had to walk up to receive your award from Mel B (Scary Spice)?

WoW! What a night it was. My pastors were around and we sat at our table having a great time. Next thing we hear was the announcement for the gospel category and I think I went blank for a few seconds after I heard our name announced as the winner. We couldn't believe it. We ran up the stage to receive the award. I was truly overwhelmed. I knew it could only be God.

Some would call that a mountaintop experience. How do you prevent yourself from believing the hype, and staying true to your authentic self? 

Well, when you know where you are coming from, I think that humbles you. Truth is, I get really humbled seeing God do great things in me and through me. It's really humbling.

Growing up back home in Nigeria, how did you become so versed in being a musician and instrumentalist? Church involvement no doubt, but it’s a lot more than that. Talk about your journey in becoming a musician

Well, I started out as a child playing drums back in Church of God mission Benin City Nigeria. I played a couple of years and then moved on to keyboard. I'm self taught so I reproduced what I heard in my spirit. Glory be to God. I started playing professionally in 2002 when I moved to Lagos. I started directing music for ministries and started producing artistes as well. All by the help of the Holy Spirit. Halelluya.

                                                                                                                    

How many solo CDs have you released? When did you release your debut CD?

I currently have 2 CDs out. I released my debut titled "Miracle" in 2007 and then my most recent album was released in 2014 titled "Songs From My heart".

Purchase music from iTunes

Purchase music from iTunes

How many singles have you released from your latest cd?

Two, so far. The third is coming really soon.

This new single “Hallelujah”, it is a traditional praise song sung in African worship services. You took it, and flipped it into a modern praise jam. What was it about this song that made you want to flip it the way you did?

Excellent question sir. I was out on a missionary trip to Northern Nigeria with a team I use to direct music for. Since I had the keyboard in my hotel room, I would have times where I would worship with it and play around sometimes. One day, here came this super idea. I began to program the different parts as I heard the sounds in my heart. Thank God it was a workstation. Long story short, I developed the concept over the coming years and that's how it came together. A beautiful piece. 

Hmm, how long have you directed music…..?

Well, I'll say for about 13 years professionally.

I binge listen to your new cd sometimes, and I hear Kirk Franklin’s style resonating. He must have influenced you (who hasn’t he influenced?). Any other influences that help define the sound you have now?

Yes! Kirk is a legend! As a male gospel artiste, I have been influenced by a lot of other male gospel artistes. I love traditional gospel so people like Pastor John P.kee, Hezekiah Walker, Fred Hammond, Pastor Donnie Mcclurkin, Malvin Sapp and a lot of other amazing artistes really helped me. I would learn all their new stuff. I'm either teaching it to the choir somewhere or learning a solo. This not only helped me find my sound but it also helped my worship experience growing up. Praise God!

You are a happily married man, your spouse being an artist herself. Have you two collaborated together?

Ooo yes we have. Purist is an amazing writer as well. We wrote a song together titled "Pray" which is on Purist's EP. We have a video for that as well which has been prayed severally on turning point. You can also find it on youtube.

Purchase Purist music on iTunes

As two people in the music business, how do you keep centered in your relationship? Any conscious commitments you do that readers can learn from to do as well in their relationships?

I believe when it's meant to be, there's really no struggle. We love what we do and its so easy as we enjoy every bit of it. Purist is involved with all my projects, she travels with me everywhere I'm invited to minister and I do the same when she's invited. It's such a unique blend. To God be the glory.

So what should we expect from you this year?

I'm set to release the official video for "Shout Halleluya" (released today) and I'm so excited about this song. Watch out for that. I'll also be releasing some other videos later in the year. Purist is also working on a new album project which I'm producing. Watch out…. this one's fresh. We can't wait to share it with you all.

To the young man or woman dreaming of achieving success, what would you tell them to commit to?

Any last words to share with the readers?

Keep the dream alive. It's so easy to get discouraged and quit. Anybody can do that. Be excellent on every level. Don't wait for the BIG break. Determine to be productive where you are. Never despise the days of small beginnings. Develop and maintain a close relationship with the Holy Spirit. He will guide you and show you your life's path. With Jesus on your side, you will always win.