Winds of change

In the league of femcees, Funke Martin-Luther a.k.a Blaise, ranks high as one of Nigeria’s most respected. Readily compared to the likes of Mc Lyte (rap style) and Da Brat (looks), Blaise has had memorable musical appearances ranging from Da Trybe’s “Oya” to Jimmy Jatt’s “Too Much” alongside fellow female rappers Kemistry, B.O.U.Q.U.I and Sasha, and most recently, the Hennessy Artistry competition. With her debut album finally due for release next year, the multitalented and witty artist speaks...

What was the Hennessy Artistry experience like for you?

It was very interesting, everyone was tight. On the first day, we were all chilling having a good time but by the time the competition started, they just came out guns blazing; they were all fantastic. Everyone was a threat but Ice Prince gave some very good performances and he seemed to have a lot of the crowd on his side. It was more of a popularity contest and I’m sure as time went by people were able to see that.

It offered me the opportunity to perform with a live band, something I had never done before, so I would probably be doing that in the future. In terms of being a competition, I had mixed feelings about it. I felt a competition is not it for me, however at the end, I got to meet a lot of people. It helped me step up my game a little more and know what the crowd expects of me without selling out as a musician.

Your debut album has been dubbed the most anticipated, when do we expect it?

The album is finished but in terms of industry timing, it seems like it will not be coming out this year. There are many things one has to put into consideration when releasing an album. It is not just about the demand and I pray the demand will always be a constant; one has to consider things from a business perspective. There is a climate in the industry that is favourable for the release of an album.

There has to be good publicity so that it doesn’t just drop and drop. The album will be a mix of the things that make up the artist, Blaise. People do not know a lot about me apart from the fact that “she’s a rapper”, they don’t know I compose, produce and am a poet. I try to show a softer and conscious side of me, so instead of coming out with the whole ‘swagger’ thing, my album will embody and showcase all the sides there are to me. I worked with Cobhams, Mr. Daz and a lot of other people. I am not limited to just rapping, so I attempted singing.

Why aren’t you signed to any label?

You can blame ITK (I too know), you can blame it on pride and ego, as well as knowing one or two things I probably shouldn’t as an artist. I just know that if I sign on to a label, I must be well taken care of. In Nigeria today, you have labels which are just labels for ‘being labels’ sake. A label should put an artist’s album together and sell it. I know we have piracy and distribution issues in Nigeria but if that company just has money and flash but no delivery and nothing else, why don’t I just set up a label on my own and try to do it? It’s a lot harder but I have to go through the sweat, grime, dust and smoke, instead of just sitting down looking all pretty while everyone is seeing me and nothing is coming out of it.

What do you think of the quality of rap music in Nigeria?

The industry is exploding and blossoming but there is too much of ‘swag’ mentality which is just irritating. Hip-hop is deeper than ‘swag’ and I want to represent the side that is more message-driven, more about social change and not about how many bottles of Hennessy I got, how many clubs I hit or how many cars I have; that is all rubbish. I want to be in tune with the positive side of Hip-hop.

A lot of these swag people are just coming into Hip-hop, they don’t know the background, so it is what is readily available to them. I think a lot of the younger ones are too swag-based and when swag runs out, which it will because it is a phase, then what happens? Tidy up your skill, let people know you for something other than how pretty or fly you are. Talent is what is important.

Is there any form of rivalry amongst female rappers?

We are not family, I mean, no disrespect but it is not peculiar to music. We know that in any environment, women tend not to band together and even if they do, it is just for a short time.

Which Nigerian female rapper are you feeling?

I am feeling Kemistry in terms of skills but I don’t feel most of them because of the whole swag thing.

Who or what are your musical influences?

The female rappers I actually listened to more when I was coming up were Monie Love, MC Lyte, Lil Kim and Foxy Brown

What don’t people know about you?

I am still trying to find out some things about myself but I will say the Blaise brand is very socially conscious, very inspiring. Those are the two things I will like to be known for. I meet people and they automatically think I am a rap artist, so I should have certain things going on around me but they are taken aback because maybe I am a bit reserved or quiet and they think it is due to me being introverted or snobbish but it has a lot to do with my spirituality because I am very deep like that.