Posted to the Web: Saturday, September 16, 2006
High flying musician, Sunny Neji whose album launch shook the foundation of the Muson centre in Lagos recently, is our man of style.
Musicians are known to be very busy people and I see you at home with your kids, how much time do you spend with your family?
Life is all about finding a formula that works for you.

And you need to balance everything so that one doesn’t suffer for the other..
I think by the grace of God, I’ve been able to balance my work, my own life to a certain level very well so I don’t think any of them are suffering.

Whenever I spend time at home, I try to make sure I spend quality time and make sure that I give some time to my work. So I guess to a very large extent, I have been able to find a formula that works for me and it’s been working for me so far.
When you look at your kids do they remind you of your childhood?

Oh yes, once in a while, when I look at them I remember my childhood. I think of my parents, I think of what it was like when I was a kid although it’s not exactly the same as it is with them. But of course there are similarities and as you know, kids will always be kids.

Kids will always do what kids will do and they remind me of how it was with me when I was just a kid too.
Well, in terms of comfort, I’m sure I didn’t have the type of comfort that they have today, but all the same I was happy as a child because you only knew the things you were exposed to at that time.
I was comfortable and didn’t miss anything.

Why are most of your songs basically stories and how do you get your inspiration when writing your songs?
My influences are basically from my immediate environment, some from my personal experiences and some from other people’s experiences.
I basically write from subjects around me.

I like telling stories when I sing and I think it’s a better way for me to communicate to the people, what’s on my mind. It’s my style and I have become known with it and that’s what makes me unique.
Talking about external influences, has the song Tolotolo anything to do with something that happened in your past?

Tolotolo is a true life experience of what obtains in the society today. There are people who think some people can’t make anything out of their lives and these are the people I called tolotolo in my song. God is the only one that determines who will be something tomorrow.

So that’s what I was trying to say in that song in a nutshell. It’s all about some people who didn’t think some other persons will make it in life.
Is the song directed at a lady?

No, but you can apply it, if it happened to you. I always leave my songs for the people to interpret.
You look quite trim for a musician so how do you keep fit?

I try to make sure that I remain trim and this is all abut packaging.
I told someone a while ago that the reason why Coca Cola has lasted so long and will still remain for a very long time is that, it’s packaged well. If you are an artiste, you should understand that you are a product like Coca-Cola.

You should learn the act of packaging and presentation. It’s very important because that is what will keep you for a very long time in the heart of people.
You look clean shaven, how do you shave?

I used Gillette razors after I apply the foam.
How often do you shave?
I shave every morning.

What type of body deodorant do you use?
I use the Nivea range of products.
I make sure I use perfume before stepping out of the house and sometimes, I mix them together.

Maybe I don’t want to smell of a particular fragrance or maybe it’s just the artist in me. And sometimes I blend everything to try and create my own fragrance.
When did you develop love for dread locks?

At every point in time, I think of repackaging myself, and to add something new and refreshing. What I do to my music is the same thing I do to my person. And because the only constant thing in life is change, I also change for good.

How often do you listen to your own music?
I listen to my own music very often. I always try to set a standard for myself.

And because I’m always challenged by myself, I listen to improve and seek ways to move my music to the next level.
So I listen to my old works and the new ones so that I’ll learn how not to repeat what I’ve already done before, that’s why I listen to my music.
Every time I see you on stage, you don’t seem to come across as a good dancer.

Why don’t you dance very well most times on stage?
That was in the past. If you’d watched my performance during my album launch, you’d probably change your views.

I don’t do too much dancing on stage. I’d rather get dancers to do it because I need to concentrate on the music. But I’m actually a very good dancer to tell you the truth.

What’s your wife’s name?
Her name is Peace.
And Where’s she from?

Yes, the northern part of Cross River but not the same local government.
So how did you meet?
We met at the bank where she works and where my account is.

I walked in there one day and there she was. I’d never seen her before then. Someone introduced us and we became friends.

How long ago was that?
We actually met in late 2000. We were introduced by another friend who knew me better, a lady.

I’d known the lady for a very long time.
So, what was it you told her the first time you met?
In fact I can remember very well that the first question I asked her was a joke actually I’d asked her if she’d marry me.

The first time you met her?
Yes, and it was a joke. And she also looked at me and smile and jokingly said yes.

I think it was.
For you or for her?
For both of us, it was.

How long did you court?
We didn’t court for a very long time. We courted for just a couple of months.

Was there any embarrassing moment when some ex showed up to make trouble?
Yes, that happened in the past, the initial time. I think she came to visit me and met my ex.

I asked my ex to leave and she refused. My wife just sat down very quietly watching how the drama was going to play out. When I eventually got my ex to leave, she asked me a question.

She said “how many more to go?” Of course, after that I had to clean up my act completely to make sure that the situation didn’t repeat itself.
You have always been someone I know with a certain dress sense.

I’ve never seen you wear ties why?
I’m not a tie person to tell you the truth. It’s not as if I don’t wear ties at all.

It’s just that I’m not really a tie person. I feel uncomfortable in ties. I feel choked with a tie around my neck.

Are your suits locally made or imported?
My suits are made by the best designer in the country. And as far as I’m concerned, he’s the best designer in the world.

And who might that be?
You don’t wear foreign suits? .

I do wear foreign suits and I’m not particular about names.
..

.And what about your shirts?
Most of my shirts are made by Mudi.

Why do you prefer high collar shirts?
They suit me. I always like to wear clothes that suit me, not because they are really in vogue but because they look good on me.

You don’t often were cuff links.
Most of the time I let the cuffs fly. I just let them fly.

Whenever I dress, I don’t dress to conform with a tradition. I dress because that’s how I want to look. I dress because that’s how I want to look.

So it doesn’t matter what anyone says. I feel good in what I wear and how I wear it. That’s the reason why I wear my dread locks.

It doesn’t really bother me what people may think because I love it. And sometimes the way you carry something could also encourage other people to want to carry it. Someone once asked me if I feel uncomfortable when I walk into a formal gathering in my deadlock.

And I tell them no because I carry my dread locks well.
I’ve never seen you in Agbada.
Why?

It would mean carrying so many clothes on me.
At my launch, I wore a traditional attire. I wore a complete Calabar chieftaincy outfit from the cap to the shoes
That was for show, but how often can one catch you wearing that?

Not very often.
Is it that you don’t like it?
It’s not that I don’t like it, it’s just that I like dressing very simple.

I like feeling free. I don’t like having too many clothes on me that’s my problem.
Your shoes, are they Italian, British or Mudi made?

Mudi hasn’t gone into shoes yet. I’m sure if he goes into shoes, I’ll be wearing his shoes. Most of my shoes are Italian
How do you like them?

Your belts too, are they Italian?
Yes, Italian.
It’s common thing to see musicians all chained up.

So how come aside the wristwatch and the ring I can’t find any other piece of jewelry on you?
I only wear that much jewelry when I’m on stage. If I’m not on stage, I don’t see the need to.

It’s also because I like feeling free. I don’t like having too many things on my body. I like the freedom.

What about wrist watches? How do you like them?
No particular name.

I guess I like silver. It’s my favourite. Straps make me uncomfortable.

After a while, I begin to sweat and rashes began to develop. So I prefer the silver chain.
Let’s talk about your colour combination.

What are your favourite colours?
It depends on my mood. I love all the colours of the rainbow, but the one I wear at any point in time depends on my mood and what I’m trying to portray.

Some times on stage I want to wear something striking and colourful depending on what I’m trying to project and the song too. But ordinarily I like simple earth colours. I love black, white, beige and maroon.

So, basically, I dress according to my mood.
And which do you prefer, boxers or pants
Boxers are the best because of the freedom it gives one. Pants are tight and makes one sweat all the time.

I also use the singlet a lot, because it absorbs body sweat and it keeps my body cool.