Mo Cheddah is so many things at once. A Rapper, dancer, an art graduate student and being a singer. This Nigerian Hip Hop princess has achieved a lot since breaking into the music scene. She released her debut album “The Franchise Celebrity” in 2010 which saw her scoop a Channel O and MTV Base award. She recently visited South Africa with fellow musician Ice Prince for the Young, Black and Rich tour and to shoot some music videos. We are in the thick of 2012 and wondering what her plans for the rest of it look like.
How would you introduce yourself to someone who has never met you?
Hi, my name is mocheddah and I am recording artist. I love to play with sounds so you would hear a lil of every genre in my music from hip hop to soul to afro to R n B.
What are your thoughts on the celeb scene in SA?
South africa has one of the best musical structures in Africa and the music stays close to it’s roots with a bit of a western edge.
We only ever get to see the glam parts of your job, are there any
downsides to being as awesome as you are?
Yes there are!! There’s always this pressure to be perfect and mechanical plus people feed you with bull and expect you to keep calm like a beauty queen. As a person you can loose yourself between all the drama so that’s a constant battle to keep SANE!!
What advice do you have for young people who want to follow in your footsteps?
No matter what, stick to what you love pray and never lose focus.
As a black Musician do you feel like you are making history?
I have made history as the youngest African act to win an MTV award and a channel O award. As an artist my top most goal is to leave a mark on the world, so making history and breaking barriers is a necessity.
Any misconceptions or rumours about you that you want to clear up?
Naa rumours fly around all the time! That’s all they are, lies.
How do you deal with people who cross the line or overzealous fans?
It can be funny but overwhelming most of the time but I am always guarded by security.
What do you like to do to relax?
I love to catch up with friends and family and just hangout. I’m totally into series’ as well: Vampire diaries, Revenge, Fringe, Spartacus.
Tell us 4 Africans everyone should know?
Hmmm…
Who do you think is Jucy?
Rihanna!!
What is your favourite food?
I can eat pasta everyday!!
What would you spend your last R50 on?
On a Coke!
Favourite type of music?
R n B and neo-soul
You have already achieved a lot, what are your next goals?
I just wanna keep working and represent my country to the best of my ability and of course keep making history.
What was your trip to South Africa all about?
Ice prince and I came for the young black and rich South African Tour.
How was your stay here and did you manage to build a fan base here?
South Africa is very dear to me so I had a blast as usual,plus my fan base is large here aswell.
(shooting a video in Johannesburg)
How does the music scene here compare to yours back home?
The music scene is not very different. There a bit more structure in South Africa but music is a very big part of Nigeria.
What are your plans for the rest of 2012 and next year?
Every year, my goal is to do better than the previous year. Shooting documentaries to a video album and surprise colaborations which I am really excited about!
Lebogang is an intern at JucyAfrica. She is in her final year of journalism and loves hip hop and playing with words.
