Spotlight: Paul Play

Stepping into the

Nigerian music mainstream in 1999 with his debut album, ‘Dairo Music

Foundation Project’, Paul Play Dairo is meeting his decade long career

in the industry with his fifth album.

While the

anticipated ‘Most Valuable Player’ got its round of buzz, the recent

news about this versatile entertainer’s health has attracted even more

attention. Well wishers and fans have been fed with information - much

of which are mere speculation and guesses.

Confirming news

about the major operation he had in South Africa while making a video

for ‘Delicious’, he said: “I noticed I was getting weak and tired so I

checked into a hospital and was diagnosed with tumour of the kidney.”

He however put away fears that it may affect his work, “It was a major

operation, but it won’t have any adverse effect on my career.”

Although out of the

Nigerian scene for the past four years, Paul Play has been

“concentrating on other musical opportunities [that] opened abroad,” he

explained.

Although his much reported writing deal with American

singer/songwriter Jimmy Cozier in 2003 didn’t happen because they

“couldn’t reach a mutual agreement”, the ‘Happy Day’ singer is

currently a Broadcast Music Inc (BMI) writer and in a contract with

Murder Rhythm Publishing Company.

Unlike the usual

internet and media debut for singles, Paul released scorching singles

‘Delicious’ and ‘Love Don’t Mean Nothing’ off the MVP album as a

download on the MTN telecommunications network for a sum - what he

describes as a step to help “generate income from singles”. The songs

were however later released on the internet for free to cater to fans

abroad.

The singer, who has

explored various genres of music in his previous albums including

Hi-Life, Juju, R&B and Hip hop, however confined his new album to

R&B. “The R&B part of me has become an entity on its own,” he

explained.

“Before it was about expressing my versatility but now that

I have developed my different sides, there is no point in me mixing

these brands.”

With the MVP ready

for release, Paul revealed that he has also completed a Hi-Life album

which will also be released this year. He however points out that

although many fans have commended his rapping on ‘Bus Stop’, he doesn’t

see himself as a rapper.

“I have flare for rapping because I have a lot

of rapper friends,” he said. “I did Bus Stop to show my love for the

genre not because I see myself as a rapper too.”

With some Nigerian

artists already listed on the international collaboration list, Paul

explains why he isn’t keen on one, despite having performed at shows

alongside big names as Wyclef, Shaggy, and Joe.

“Until I’m sure that

the artist is going to showcase the audio and video of the

collaboration in form of recognition from his record company, I won’t

do it. I don’t want a collaboration that draws a clause of release and

plays only in Nigeria and for Nigerians. The work has to be released

internationally and also feature on international tours,” he stated.

Speaking as a veteran in the Nigerian R&B music industry, Paul

revealed why the genre still appears to be met with lukewarm reception.

“A lot of these singers don’t know what they want to do,” he said. “You

don’t just dabble into the genre just to join the band wagon.

“You must

be able to be creative and sell your creativity. You must also know how

to write a good song to be able to sing it.”