All I need is a God fearing lady- MC Galaxy

In less than three years in the Nigerian music industry, Innocent Udeme Udofot, popularly known as MC Galaxy, has become an overnight celebrity, one that is loved by his fans and proving naysayers wrong. Following the release of his second album titled MMM, the singer is hoping to replicate the glory of his debut LP that catapulted him to success. MUTIAT ALLI had a chat with singer where he spoke about his new album, his foray into music, relationship with Swizz Beatz amongst others.

How excited are you that your second album just dropped?

It feels so good to be alive at this very moment and the fact that people already are anticipating for the album and finally it’s here for people to enjoy.

Your latest album, MMM, has a rather interesting title. What is the story behind it?

MMM simply stands for Money Making Machine. I am simply trying to pass a message that everyone has the potential to make money and become wealthy. Every individual is gifted and can make money from it. Money Making Machine is an afro-centric body of work with guest appearances including Swizz Beatz, Ghanaian rapper Sarkodie, Congolese singer Neza and Serge Beynaud from Côte D’ivoire.

Did you ever imagine that you will be this accepted in the industry knowing how you started?

I didn’t know. Trust me. That’s why I say my first sound, like those past years, Sekem, vocal, I did not know anything. I was just doing my thing and singing anything. It is now that I’m actually sitting down to learn how to structure music, structure record, get the sound right and all that.

For someone who was never signed to any record label and things went well for you; how were you able to scale through?

It is favor; it is grace and being positive. I was always positive. Most problems we have today, we cause it  ourselves. You say, I don’t have anybody, please help me or you tell somebody without you I will die o! It is going to come to pass. I was always positive. I was always going to be big. I never settle for less; never. No matter who you are, I can never be intimidated. I just keep working knowing that one day my own story will be told. I was inspired with other people’s story. So it has happened today.

You sound more or less as somebody that is very discipline. Will you say it is as a result of the treatment you got while growing up with your parents?

That is one. The second thing is just to know that there is nothing difficult in this life. Just don’t let the celebrity thing get into your head. Because when it gets to your head, you forget that everybody has a part to play in your life. Do you want to be proud to the media, or the radio personality, or somebody walking on the road? No. the person walking down the road is the one listening to your song. The media are the people that put your songs on the papers. The radio personalities are the ones playing your song on the radio. So who are you going to be forming for? So the lesser you form, the bigger you are. You know? So it is simple. It is just logic of life.

Was there a point in your career that you felt like giving up?

Never. In music, it is very funny I’ve never. Because I am doing well. So I’d say never. Even when I was doing comedy, I never gave up.

Will you say the journey has been favorable all the way?

Definitely. There was a difficulty point. But I was always happy. You’ll see me finish a show and they’re not paying me or they paid me one thousand. I go to the club, I’m dancing like I just won a lottery. I’m dancing, turning my head up and down and not caring if I have money or not.

How did you come by the name MC Galaxy?

A lady gave me the name in Akwa Ibom State. When I was trying to get a name for myself, she said I should answer Galaxy. You know, galaxy refers to a collection of stars. The name fits since I am a comedian, musician and dancer; I felt it was a great name.

So what are your musical ambitions for the next four five years?

Man it is going to be like; it is going to be too much. The album I just dropped now, even if I say that I don’t want to record any song again for the next five years’ time, I’m okay. But it is going to be good. I know we’re going to be good. And by the grace of God, I’ll be the one to stop music by myself; because I have a lot of ideas to manage artist.

Having move with guys like Swiss beats and the likes, what will you say you have learnt from them?

The structure for my label right now is big. I just so, I just welcome any artist that will be in my record label right now and just be loyal. That’s the only problem I have. Investing in you is not the problem. Being loyal; don’t let anything get into your head. I’m looking for that artist that is like me. That studio rap artist that is like me, not an artist that is desperate, don’t be desperate, don’t let anything get to your head. Because you have one video you start sagging your jeans. No, I want that artist that knows he wants to do music. He wants to represent Africa to represent Nigeria to take care of my mother to take care of my family (laughs). Those are the kind of people I’m looking for. And when I get them, I have the proper structure right when it comes to management, branding and listening to what you record.

Talking about family, what was it like for you?

I like keeping my family life secret. My mother comes to my house almost everything.

I find it curious that you do not have any single Nigerian collaboration on your new album. Is it deliberate?

This is because the focus of this album is Africa. I tried to blend some other African sounds into my music so that it can appeal to a wider African audience. We have sounds from Ghana, Angola, Congo and America in the album. I am trying to break into the African market. Doing a song with Sarkodie was an opportunity to appeal to my Ghanaian fans, recording a song with Kelli Pyle was also avenue to connect with my Angolian fans, and a song with Swiss Beatz gained me the American fans. It is a sixteen-track album, fourteen singles and two bonus tracks. I pray the album brings in more money. I have spent a lot of money on the album, you know, going to America to record with Swizz Beatz; going to Angola to record with Kelli Pyle; going to Ghana to record with Sarkodie. I recorded the songs in different countries in Africa because I wanted to make it an African oriented album. Neza is the only female artiste I featured in the album.

Can you mention some of these set ups you are investing in?

Don’t worry. It is private (laughs). But I will tell you I love hotels and hospitality.

Tell us about your friendship and collaboration with Grammy award-winning music producer and performing artiste, Swizz Beatz?

It was great working with Swizz Beatz on Sekem Remix, which is a track in my album. He started loving the track even before we met. He was posting the song on Snapchat, Instagram and other places when people drew my attention to it. Before then, I had never contacted him personally. Having that remix with Swizz now has helped my relationship with other American acts including Busta Rhymes, Drake and Rihanna. I’ve been in the studio with all of them.

What do you hope to achieve with this album?

With this new album, I hope to consolidate on my new status and also satisfy more critics as I blend into my happy music style a more serious outlook leading with the new track titled Your Love.

Is comedy still in the pipeline?

Not really, but if you call me for comedy, I can come and perform. But I will only make sure I that I dance, crack jokes and sing at the event. It is full package. And I am about to commence a comedy series, because in Nigeria, people always want more. Two talents are not enough. It was very hard for people to accept me as a singer. Most people believed I was a comedian and an unserious singer. It was after I dropped ‘I Go Calabar’, Sekem and Comolop Cholom that I began to get the attention of many. And with Swiss Beatz partnering with me, everyone is beginning to realise that I mean business. My second album is designed to show people that I have grown and I am a serious artiste.

Are you still single?

Yes.

Do you have a baby mama?

I don’t do baby mama. It is not possible.

What are the qualities you are looking for in a woman?

I don’t actually have a taste. Just everything good: good heart, good looking and God-fearing.