Harrison Tare Okiri, 35, known by the moniker Harrysong, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter and instrumentalist who rose to fame after his tribute song to Nelson Mandela won the “Most Downloaded Callertune Award” at The Headies 2013; he was said to have made up to N50m on the tribute song via MTN. He speaks to LANRE ODUKOYA about his career.
Your career has taken a startling leap since last year and your song, Reggae Blues, also amplifies your influence, what have you been doing differently?
I realised early enough that music for me is life and wisdom tells you to take life seriously. I think about what people go through daily, what they can effortlessly identify with as they go on their day-to-day activities and this forms components of my lyrics. If you listen to my songs, you would be compelled to believe this account. I sing for people to take everywhere they go.
How exactly did you start playing music and when did it dawn on you that it would provide your livelihood?
Music is a family thing for me. My mum sings so well and I’ve always been singing from when I was a boy. I was music director in the choir and for years I played live at the popular joint, O’jez, at the National Stadium, Lagos. Music comes to me so effortlessly. What I do is put some efforts into it; God began to crown those efforts by the way people appreciate my music- the impact it had on the audience was always humbling and impressive. When you get that kind of nod from God and enthusiasm from those who enjoy your music, what more proof would you need to be sure music provides my livelihood?
Before the song you did with KC-Presh (when the group was together), where were you all along?
Like I said earlier, I had been performing for people, maybe not on the big stage and I was constantly entertaining guests at O’jez and that was where I met KCPresh; they loved how I sang and we became friends. So, when they parted ways, I still stayed close to Kingsley because I’ve been closer to him all along.
You saved the day at the AMAA 2016, when there was a sudden power outage that almost thwarted the show…how did you feel after successfully cheering the weary audience?
The gift of God is without repentance and if God calls you, he would favour you. I remember the event and all that happened and I give God the glory for what Kingsley and I were able to do with our talent that night. That is just one of the very many interventions people love.
You’ve also been in concerts in various places…
Yes, we just finished ‘One Delta’ concert and the response so far has been overwhelmingly pleasant. We’re proceeding on a U.S. tour and there would be some amazing songs fans should expect from me before the year runs out. Constantly, we have been working to give the best to fans who believe in us. You had a face-off with a fan online who claimed you wore some lipstick. No, that wasn’t really a face-off, I just made some diplomatic remark and that was all. Fans are amazing people and you’d just find out that once in a while some of them say things that are unkind to you and forget that you’re a human being first of all. When such things happen, it really requires a great deal of patience and comportment to remain calm and that was what I did. I don’t know what she called ‘lipstick’.
Nobody has been romantically linked with you in the industry and outside it, are you not looking to settling down soon?
I keep my private matters private. I cannot be discussing my love life on the pages of a newspaper. If I have a relationship, I would respect the person by being discreet about what we share together.
What if music had failed to pay your bills?
It took a lot of courage for me to move from that point to this point. You need to be very sure of yourself, because people don’t want to invest in what they are not sure of. In my case, I was sure of what I had and what I wanted. So I had to keep on pushing because back then, I was already seeing the picture of today. It was very difficult, but I held on to the passion and talent which has got me this far. I’m not really scared of anything. What has brought me this far is hardwork. I don’t like to give excuses, because I have everything it takes to make it in life. I don’t give room for excuses. When you talk about fulfilment, I am not yet there; there’s still a lot more coming ahead. This is the first phase of my career. I write songs every day. I work hard every day. So, there’s still a lot more to come. If music didn’t work for me, I don’t know what else would have worked for me. Maybe I would have gone into football. Music is my life and I thank God for His grace and mercy.
More or less, you have sufficient experience to own your label, are you going to join some of your colleagues who are floating theirs already?
Five-Star Music hasn’t failed me as a label. It is doing all it ought to do and the results are quite evident; if something is not broken, why fix it? I remain with my record label, the relationship sometimes feel like one of a family where we all have respect for one another.
Source: newtelegraphonline.com
