Exclusive Interview With “DAZZY SPARK”

Earlier today, we had an exclusive interview with fast rising Nigerian femcee and songwriter, Chinenyenwa Edith Nnakaife popular known as, Dazzy Spark. Below is the interview as conducted by our team member.

Exclusive Interview With “Dazzy Spark” on Diva9ja

Diva9ja: What’s your real name?

Dazzy Spark: My name is Chinenyenwa Edith Nnakaife.

Diva9ja: How long have you been in the music industry?

Dazzy Spark: I have been in this music industry since 2015. Actually my career started in 2006.

Diva9ja: Wow, 2006, you must have started as a kid. How did it start for you?

Dazzy Spark: I have always been a lover of music and music inspires me because it helped me to get aligned with myself and find myself. It all started at a young age like you said, then I would spend my allowance money on CD albums and whenever my dad goes to a record store to purchase his favorite artiste collections he buys albums that he feels I would love and I would play them in our family CD player which was not for me alone, lol not until my father bought a cd player for me. As I got into high school, I bought one poem book and read it so as to learn what rhyming was all about. I made sure to buy lyrics books too. I didn’t start recording my songs immediately. It was when I got into Junior secondary class two, my cousin ‘Yoko B’ who is an artiste, took me to a studio where he records his songs back then. I will always visit the studio every weekend to watch various artiste recording sessions. So for me, I was learning what recording and artistry was about and I wasn’t really bothered about recording my own songs. I also expressed my love for music through dance moves. I had this female dance crew called Desperate Chics, I choreographed their dance moves, picked out costume and the soundtrack for any school activities. The group stayed strong from our junior secondary one to Senior secondary three. Before my junior waec exams I met producer Yuzybeatz, I recorded my first single (mood) at his studio. I also met Excel wise through Yuzybeatz. Yuzybeatz gave me his time, talent and listening ear, and he helped me find my sound. Excel wise also assisted me in understanding my creativity because as of then, they were already familiar with studio equipments, sounds in general. I, Excel wise and Hottyzeey had a group called Swank World. We decided to go solo but the love of the group members remain. After high school I had already recorded 5 songs with Yuzybeatz. I left for my university study in the year 2013, I was a pre degree student. I met a label manager online and they called me to Lagos, that was my first time in Lagos. Anyway, I recorded two songs with them, the label didn’t make any deal with me tho and I returned to Owerri to start my first year, Later on the label got closed. During my university days, I was always traveling for events in Lagos and other states. I was opportune to perform on some platforms in Lagos. I always knew I had to keep working on my craft, so I took a break because of finances, studies and the distance traveling from Owerri to Lagos almost every weekend depending on the event.

Diva9ja: So you back for good this time?

Dazzy Spark: Well, yes I am back for good this time.

Diva9ja: What was your actual inspiration to start music?

Dazzy Spark: I started music because I wanted to inspire people, rise the vibration of the planet and enlighten people.

Diva9ja: How would you describe the type of music you create?

Dazzy Spark: I create good music. I am a hip hop artiste and also versatile in any genre of music.

Diva9ja: So when you make a new music, what’s your creative process like?

Dazzy Spark: I am a song writer, so I compose my songs. When my creativity flows, I usually get an idea of the message I want to pass through. I naturally freestyle the hook or chorus then start writing the verses. After that I take it to the studio for proper build up. Other times when I visit the studio, I get a beat then I listen to it carefully and compose a chorus then the verses to the song Or before I visit a studio I already have a chorus in mind, the producer listens to what I have and build up an instrumental. There is really no set on stone process for me. I have three  creative processes.

Diva9ja: Since joining the industry, you must have had a role model who you look up to, who might this or (they) be?

Dazzy Spark: I don’t really have a role model.

Diva9ja: Is there a reason why you don’t have a role model in the music industry?

Dazzy Spark: Actually I got to learn that you are your own role model. Becoming the best version of yourself.

Diva9ja: Where are you based as an artist?

Dazzy Spark: I’m based in Lagos.

Diva9ja: Who would you like to work with if given the opportunity, artist, producer or record label?

Dazzy Spark: Well nationally I would love to work with Burna Boy, Niniola, 2baba, Davido, and Eva. Internationally, I will love to collaborate with J cole, Rapsody, Damian Marley, Young ma, Future and Kendrick Lamar. And intl. producers like, Kotaonthetrack, Russ, New York Bangers and Kanye West. And for our producers here, am open to with all; Pheelz, Kel p, Zikay, Sarz, Cracker Mallo, Shizzi.

As for record labels, I don’t have any particular in mind. currently focusing on mine.

Diva9ja: How many songs have you released so far?

Dazzy Spark: I have released three songs so far.

Diva9ja: What’s next for you?

Dazzy Spark: Currently, am working on putting more materials out there, and also explore my entrepreneurial side, for instance am developing a fashion brand called “STAND OUT”. It’s basically work work work for me.

Diva9ja: A fashion brand?

Dazzy Spark: Yea. It’s a clothing line where I will be releasing collections through it. Not just a fashionable or wearable pieces, but wearable story. Each collection is a collection of challenging stories I have encountered and conquered, there’s where the STAND OUT name comes from. 

It’s passing messages as well through clothing, with imprints on the outfits. And the line is going to be mainly urban ready to wear clothings.

Diva9ja: I hope we get to be an ambassador so that we will be getting free clothings (smiles). Nice move, success all the way.

Diva9ja: Is there a message you will like to pass to any upcoming artist reading this and your fans?

Dazzy Spark: Believe in yourself even when nobody believes in you. Work hard and be consistent. You are not in competition with anybody but yourself, so be the best version of yourself. Always listen to your intuition.