I Am Not A Musician; Slimcase
Popular street artiste, Oluwafemi Oladapo Oko-Eko, a.k.a Slimcase, revealed in an interview with showtime celebrity that he is not a musician, but a hype man who can entertain fans without music. Slimcase began his journey as a celebrity, a decade after he began his music career on the streets of Lagos. Since he rose, he has been on a steady rise with collaborations with popular Nigerian artistes. Some of these artists include Peruzzi, 2Baba, Dbanj, Omawunmi, Larry Gaaga, Mr. Real and more.
During this interview, he gives some interesting insights on his musical career and other related issues of interest.
“Career-wise, how would you describe your 2019?”
“2019 has been an awesome start for me. With my single doing fine out there, Azaman, ft. 2face Peruzzi, Larry Gaaga and DJ Neptune, topping all local and international charts”.
“You have been in the music industry for more than a decade but got into limelight averagely 10-years later. What would you say was responsible for this delay?”
“For me, it was not a delay, it was God preparing me”.
“What has been your driving force or inspiration all these years?”
“The slums of Lagos, the streets and the people living in the streets, and its survival have all been my source of inspiration over the years”R
“Has there ever been a time you were frustrated and tempted to quit music because you were not getting the desired results?”
“Yes, I was tempted to quit. Everybody in the music industry once had the thought of quitting. But the passion for the music has been the drive”.
“As at the time you arrived at stardom, did you expect it?”
“To be candid, not at all. It suddenly came like a thief in the night”.
“What have you learned from stardom?”
“I’ve learned to be humble, disciplined, and to keep my circle very small because the walls have ears”.
“Look at how long you have been doing music, how would you describe your musical career success so far?”
“It has been awesome because I have invested every penny I earned”.
“What would you say has been responsible for your breakthrough?”
“I think it was time. That time of ‘Shaku-Shaku’ favored my kind of music”.
“Some people refer Slimcase as a mere hype man and not a musician. What’s your take on that?”
“That’s true, I’m not a musician. I’m a fine entertainer who can entertain you even without music. I am the first industry hype man with blown songs”.
“Do you think you are getting the attention and recognition you deserve?”
“Yes, the attention I deserve is on me”.
“If given the opportunity to go back in time, what would you change about yourself and what would you do differently?”
“I wouldn’t have changed anything, I love the way I’m positioned by God in my direction”.
“There are some speculations that you don’t drink alcohol, smoke cigarettes, weed (cannabis) or take anything that gets you high. How true is this?”
“Yea, that’s true. I don’t smoke, drink nor do drugs. I am only a good actor”.
“From your perspective, is taking alcohol a sin?”
“No, but drinking to stupor is a sin”.
“Which artists did you grow up listening to?”
“Eminem, Michael Jackson, Wizkid and Dr. Dre”.
“Did they have an influence on the kind of music you make now?”
“I did not copy anyone’s style, but their ways of life, the reason they did what they did. So, through that area, they have influenced me”.
“You refer to yourself as the ‘Otunba of Lamba’ (street slangs and punchlines). Who is the king and why do you refer yourself as such?”
“No one can say he is the king of lamba, but the king of the street, because lamba comes out daily. So to be on a safer side, I call myself ‘Otunba Lamba’. It’s like the second, if you want to be the king, you’re free”.
“Looking at how far you have come in your music career, what has your experience taught you?”
“My experiences have taught me to put my trust in God, savings, and investment. Because music comes and goes, so I invest”.
“What is the greatest sacrifice you have made for your musical career?”
“I have invested money that I should have invested for tomorrow. I have invested time meant for relationships with loved ones on this thing called music”.
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“On breaking into the limelight, was there anything that came as a bit of surprise to you about the music industry?”
“Not everything you see on TV or social media is real. Everything na packaging, so be careful of what you wish yourself”.
“Critics say you haven’t proven your worth as a musician because you have been doing more of collaboration/feat than singles. What is your reaction to this statement?”
“Slimcase isn’t a musician but an industry hype man with music in his hands. The first of its very kind, slimcase is the first street artiste Wizkid featured. And that has been my pride, my Grammy”.
