Elizabeth Abidemi Akinlabi a.k.a Zeal left the music scene after she became pregnant in 2008. Fans thought she would return right after she put to bed, but she did not, until recently. She just released two new songs, which is why we invited her for a chat. In this interview, she talks about why she’s been away and other stuffs she’s been up to.
Zeal Chatting with James Silas of HF Magazine
HF: We see you have a new song out; tell us about it
Zeal: Actually, I just released two songs; one of them is titled, “Dance For Africa” and it was borne from my concern for the future of Africa. I think Africa and the world at large are in a need of a positive tune; I mean, I have a child and I think of the future of Africa and it has promise, and so I wrote this song called, “Dance of Africa”, which I hope it can inspire others positively of who we can become and what we can become as a continent and how great we can be. The song is really personal, I’m saying ‘shine like the sun’, never believe that impossible is all that there is. It is a wake-up call; you can tell yourself to arise and shine every day. That’s what I am, I am an artiste and I am speaking about the times and feelings that people can relate to. I want to be relatable on such matters.
The last time we heard from you was in 2008; what happened?
Well, I had my daughter, the best thing that happened to me and I couldn’t drag myself away from her. I love being a mom and I needed her to be able to have conversations with me, before I start working again. I actually did other things during that time. I also went back to school to improve my knowledge in fashion; I studied fashion and next year, I will start my masters in Fashion retail and Luxury Brand Management. They tie together, artistry, fashion, cooking – they’re all forms of expression.
So what’s your plan; where are you heading with the songs you’ve released now?
First the songs are doing pretty good. I made the video, and we’re getting a lot of attention, which is phenomenal, because we only released it some weeks ago. People from all over the world are tweeting and asking where I’m from and some are surprised that I’m from Nigeria. It’s generally been encouraging. I will also be doing some acting soon, and ambassadorial duties for young girls, who need role models and need to know that there are people there to support them.
So what are you bringing to the table with this comeback?
You know, before back then, I was younger, I can’t particularly say I had a game plan, I was just doing me and having fun while doing it. Now I’m much older and wiser, I’m a mother and a proper nurturer. I understand that this is work and about building a brand, so I am not going anywhere – I am ready to do this like a business.
Zeal
So what plans do you have on ground, because it’s different from what you used to know?
First of all, I always believe in the individual – the artistry, because I think that’s what carries you first, then the brand and then consistency and I think social media will be an advantage for me. My comeback is to do me, but on a proper or professional level. It’s about churning out good work for people to appreciate. I think that’s what I need to do as a comeback.
You were very close to the late Goldie years before she became big, but you were not really seen together till she passed on; why was that?
Yes, I was very close to Goldie, but life happened. I had a baby and priority changed. The person I used to be died and I was reborn in a certain way, because of motherhood. I refocused; it’s like taking a long break to ask myself ‘who am I and why am I here’. I left the scene for a while, Goldie and I were in touch, and she saw my baby… I remember her every time, I think of her – we were like family. It doesn’t feel like she is really gone to me.
While you were away, we’ve had the likes of Waje, Omawumi, Tiwa Savage and so on; what thoughts do they bring to you?
I found the works out there quite interesting. I am an Omawumi, Waje fan; they are soul queens, so I’ll definitely be interested in their style of music, but I’m alternative and my sound is quite different. I am not trying to sound like anybody else or put myself in a box. I have always been comfortable in my own skin and I think it’s more apparent now, that I am more confident about who I am. I have never thought my music was their music or anybody’s music. I make my own music, but I appreciate the works that has been done so far. As an industry, women have risen up as artistes and are doing really great – performances are amazing, red carpets are beautiful; I think it’s a great time to be back. I mean, we’ve done some work; we started it, they continued and now it’s a great time to be back to work.
Let’s talk about your kind of music – Alternative. Educate me about the size of the market you cater to
Variety is the spice of life. I think monotony bores you; the same sound gets boring and alternative music doesn’t do that. Alternative music is always evolving and that’s my sound; it’s never in one box. I go with my fans. I believe great artistes create and send out to the universe. I don’t worry about who’s going to like my music or not, I want to focus on creating good art. Picasa never asked anybody before he painted. He paints and let’s whoever accepted accept it.
Why are you back in this music business?
Because that’s who I am. You cannot stop who you are. I remember, I met Modenine one day and he said “why did you stop singing?” and I said because I am pregnant and he said, “But you don’t sing with your stomach, you sing with your throat” and I started laughing. It stayed with me though. Pregnancy was hard for me, but I never really talked about it. I was hospitalized in the better part of my pregnancy. It was really dramatic and at a point, we were scared that I was going to lose my baby. I went through somethings that made me a different person and like I told Modenine, I can never stop being who I am. It’s natural; even if I don’t sing on TV, I’ll sing at home. You can never stop being that individual as long as you read. That’s how I feel about it.
Nigeria’s music industry has loads of producers; which ones do you have plans to work with?
I have been working with John Black, who has a degree in Sound Production fromMiddlesex University. I think he’s better and as my brother, he understands my music. I am also talking to Kraft because I respect him and he understands where I am coming from. I am also talking to some international producers.
Should we be expecting a video for any of your new songs?
Yes, I already have a video for “Dance For Africa”, it was shot by my brother in Canada, Iconomy, but the next single I will be releasing is titled, “Baby” and we will also be making a stop motion video for it. It will be interesting. We intend to release the songs and see how they do and grow with each single that comes out.
Let’s look at the society in general; what is that issue that you’d like to address, if you have the opportunity?
I’ve always been about female empowerment. I believe, if you educate a woman, you’d educate a village. It’s one of the causes I would love to be a part of and I am having talks to be a pioneer or an ambassador for. I have a daughter, I understand what it is to be a woman; I understand what it means to be educated, to be financially independent and to be liberated enough to make your own choices. That’s something I would love to give other women and you can pass it on. It’s a major cause for me and as I’m making the journey, I’m taking that along with me; it’s dear to my heart.
You’ve talked about your daughter; what about her dad, do you still have a relationship with him?
We’re really good friends, but we’re not together, we’re just good friends. We raised a very healthy baby Tammy-Skyler. She is as beautiful as her dad and her mom; she’s doing really well at school and overall, she developed quite well. It takes two individuals who accompany each other, who understand what’s at stake – that’s a life to make sure the child is well rounded and doing really well. We have a good relationship, we are okay.
So, is your daughter showing any sign of artistry?
She’s a diva already and I’m so scared for her, but hopefully, she won’t won’t have to go through anything that I had to go through to get to be here. From the empowerment, like I said, I’m going to nurture her, because she’s painting, dancing, performing, acting, she’s so alive.
Tell us about your fashion line.
My fashion line is called Urban-Demi; it’s an urban line for the African woman, because let’s face it – we are not traditionalists anymore; we are ‘Africa-meets-the-western world, and that’s who we are. I think our fashion should portray that. I like elements of ethnicity around me at all time, so my line will portray loving and accepting yourself as an African woman. You can wear six inches with your Kente, Ankara, Adire, styled in a very urban way. I know we do have a lot of African fashion out there, but I’m pretty urban and I go day to day on the run; I won’t be able to wear African fashion on the run. So, I’m going to cater to that market of women who appreciate fashion that speak to them in that way. We’ll launch properly in November and I guess you’ll be the judge of what we have to offer the world.
What is your philosophy of life?
I have a ton of philosophies, but for me it’s even if you fall, you can always get up. Life is one day at a time. Do you and nothing is promised; also know that you were born for a reason, don’t anybody tell you that you can’t make it.
Zeal Chats with HF Magazine
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