Today, we have one very special Music minister in the house. Popularly known for his ever trending single, MORIRE, join me as we speak with the OMJ crooner, Mike Abdul.
Good day sir. You're welcome to 'Mit Me' the Exclusive Interview session on Pricherman116 Blog. Can we meet you?
Thank you for having me.
Mike Abdul is a singer, songwriter and music businessman who chooses to dedicate his trade to GOD. I am also blessed to be a member of my favorite music group, Midnight Crew.
You're very much welcome sir. We'd like to know where you hail from.
I am from Ago-Iwoye in Ogun State.
Awesome. I'm also from Ogun State. How was growing up like for you?
I grew up with my parents and four siblings. As the first child i was made responsible for inspiring my younger ones so i always had to be a good example to them. That was a lot of work because it didn't allow me to just be a child who could make mistakes. Expectation was high and i could only do my best. It made growing up tough for me but i scaled through.
Glory to God. Your Educational background?
I attended A-Z international Nursery and Primary School in Ajao Estate, then to Mayflower School Ikenne and successfully studied Electrical Engineering in Yaba College Of Technology.
Professionally, you're an electrical engineer. How did you come to do Music?
I only studied Electrical Engineering, professionally, I'm a musician.
I have always loved music as a child but i grew up in a dispensation that celebrated nothing else but being either a lawyer, doctor, pilot or engineer. So i studied engineering to please society and fit in it.
How did your parents respond to your choice of doing Music?
They never opposed it. They allowed me what i chose.
For how long have you been doing Music as a profession?
Since November 8 2001, the day Midnight Crew was founded.
Talking about Midnight crew now. How did the crew start?
Midnight Crew started in Yaba College Of Technology. All four of us were members of Original Love Choir, a sort of Yabatech School Choir and somehow destiny singled us out and found Midnight Crew on the 8th of November 2001.
A lot of people are actually confused about whether Midnight Crew is still active or dead. Someone sent this question via our social media:
“Oga Mike_do you feel Midnight crew is a limitation to your ministry or a trampoline? Because you are obviously doing better solo than as a midnight crew member"
What's your answer to this question?
As I write answers to your questions, we are together in Chicago as Midnight Crew and from here we move to Minnesota for a few more appearances before flying back home to prepare for THE EXPERIENCE 2015 where we'll also be performing as Midnight Crew. I think Midnight Crew has started something revolutionary, we believe that respect for individuality is the simplest solution to keeping group brands working. Midnight Crew has taken me to best places I've ever been. My taking off as Mike Abdul was made quicker because I'm a Midnight Crew member.
Talking about your kind of Music... You brought Gospel Fuji into limelight, everybody loved you for your uniqueness and now you do some Gospel hip-hop. Can you Tell us you what inspires you sir?
Big thanks to Dekunle Fuji for being my inspiration. I never thought Gospel Fuji was possible until i heard a live recording of Dekunle Fuji in Fountain of Life sometime in 2001. The recording sparked something in me and i simply responded to the spark when opportunity came to manifest. My doing some Gospel Hip-Hop is just me moving with the times, reaching young people in the language they accept and understand.
What challenges do you face as a Gospel minister in a time like this?
It's always the challenge of staying relevant so that your message reaches your target audience. The world always tries to make the Gospel look old fashioned putting a pressure of more work to do on the Gospel Minister. Every generation has to come up with more creative ways of reaching out with the message. Despite all of the challenges, the Grace of GOD proves sufficient.
All your singles as a solo artist have been great and well accepted but then, Morire is a song that really shook grounds. Even the remix with Nolly and LC Beatz was on fleek. I can recollect hearing the song even in clubs and social gatherings outside the church. What inspired Morire?
MoRiRe was written by MoniQue at a time i really needed help to introduce Mike Abdul as a solo artist. I was anxious because i knew how important the first step of any artist is and in that overwhelming anxiety it was difficult to think clearly. I therefore by divine advice asked a few friends to write me songs and MoniQue came up with MoRiRe which i initially did not like. I cannot explain it, but MoRiRe is now my favorite song.
It's mine too. I love all others though OMJ, Alleluyah, Ready To Praise...all.
Thank you.
If you get the chance to do a collaboration with a foreign Gospel artiste now, who would it be?
Kirk Franklin.
Do you have people you look up to? In the Music industry and outside.
Role models. Pat Uwaje King, Olugbenga Oyebola, Odunayo Ojo, K'ore, Sammie Okposo, MoniQue and Kirk Franklin; they all are some of my role models.
Where do you see the Nigerian Gospel Music industry, Midnight Crew and yourself in the next 5 years?
I see better days ahead of the industry. We're moving our music to the world stage, quality of delivery is fast becoming our concern and music business is better understood.
I'm passionate about Midnight Crew. I see a classic brand in the making, long years ahead.
I hope to have huge influence across the world in a few years to come, music will bring that influence and JEHOVAH will make it beautiful.
Amen. Do you have any projects you're working on presently?
Spaghetti Records will release Mike Abdul's second album and MoniQue's third album in 2016. We're working on it like that's all that matters.
We're expecting it!
A piece of advice for the youth and upcoming gospel artistes out there sir.
For young people I'll say whatever attitude you build now maybe all you'll ever be so you need to start seeing the reflection of your desired future in the things you do now.
Thanks for your time on here sir. We celebrate the grace of God upon you and hope that you'll be willing to answer us if need be we call on you in future?
You're always welcome.
Thank you for having me.
Thanks for your regular participation and support. Feel free to drop your comments, complains and suggestions. You can also Tell us who you want us to interview next. Stay Tuned.
Join Mike Abdul and the entire Midnight Crew this December at THE EXPERIENCE 10.
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