Women inspire me–Jide Chord

After a long and eventful sojourn in the UK, juju king, Jide Akinwunmi aka Jide Chord, is back in the country. He spoke on his over 30 years experience in music.

Where have you been?

I ‘ve been in Nigeria playing music. In fact I am home; I’m back in Nigeria fully.

Can you remember the first time you performed on stage?

That was a long time ago. Then I was five years-old. I performed before a live audience at Corona School, Lagos. It was during the Christmas Carol Night and I got a standing ovation. I started performing in the Church choir at age 13 and I rose to the position of choir master.

Which would you say was your biggest outing as Jide Chord?

That was my first major show in the UK, an owanbe party  in July 1991.

How did you prepare for the show?

I’m always on guard; I am always ready when it comes to music. I rehearsed before going for any concert.

Did you panic because it was your first major concert in the UK?

No, and that was because I developed a thick skin for concerts and shows from my days at Corona and Igbobi College, Lagos. Back then I was small statured so I could not participate in any sport; all I could do was play music. I used to do one-man-shows and make people laugh in my dormitory. My Celestial Church background also came in handy.

How do you prepare for a show?

I make sure that after rehearsals, I get the logistics right by asking the organisers the kind of show; whether it is a corporate show, a tungba or a concert. After that I make sure I visit the venue to study the acoustics and the arrangements and where to set up my instruments among other things. This allows me to know the technicalities that would be involved so that I don’t over-power or under-power my equipment.

What do you do 24 hours before a show?

Absolutely nothing. I have been into music for a very long time so I don’t need to do anything extra-ordinary before a show.

So you don’t take any stimulant or eat a special food before going on stage?

No, the only thing I do is take water and that’s not before the show but while performing because I get dehydrated easily.

What is your back stage like?

My back stage is very organised and transparent because I always want my fans to have a feel of me and my band boys.

How do you relate with both male and female fans?

I have a splendid relationship with both male and female fans. We talk on phone or through e-mail. But on a personal level I like women and I don’t hide that. They stimulate and gives me lots of inspiration; I enjoy their company.

What crazy thing has a woman done to you?

I don’t discuss that; I’m too sophisticated for that. I have been in business for a very long time and I have seen lots of crazy things so I won’t discuss that.

So women have not pleaded with you to autograph their boobs and crazy stuffs like that?

My personality is a very calm one so I won’t say they don’t do crazy stuff. Even the males have given me gold wrist watches, cash and other gifts so I don’t talk about that.