Fast-rising hip-hop star singer, Alfred Raphael, famously known as Alfredollar, is a native of Ezeagu local government in Enugu State. He is a thespian, graduate of Theatre Arts from Lagos State University. In this interview with Quadri Akanbi, Alfreddollar reveals that he quit music for a while to complete his education. Now, he’s back, he says, to give his beloved fans a hit back-to-back. He also reveals how he started his career in 2001.

If not music, what else would you be doing?

Well, I am a trained theatre arts graduate. Besides music, I will either be a presenter like Tv host or a film producer.

When did you start music as a career?

I started my music career in 2001. Between then and 2004, I had to go solo and go for my education. To God be the glory, I graduated and I came back to the music industry in 2021, to disturb with a hit back-to-back.

How many songs/albums have you produced since you came back to the industry?

Hmmmn so far, so good I have two singles and an album of 20 tracks, and I am still counting.

Who’s your ideal musician to collaborate with, and why?

Burna Boy, Olamide, and Don Jazzy. As a matter of fact, any good talented artist.

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What’s the best piece of advice another musician ever gave you?

Work hard and pray; work on your talent, create time for your rehearsals, and become what you wanna be.

Which qualities do you think make a great musician?

A great artist must be self-disciplined, determined, work and pray, then leave the rest to God.

What’s your day like as an artist?

Well, after my morning prayer, first and foremost, I do rehearsals early in the morning. At noon, I go to the studio to record songs and chill with my producer. Later in the day, work on a dancing step for songs recorded the same day.

Which instrument is your favourite to play, and why?

My favourite instrument is the piano. Why, because I can sing and rap sitting down conveniently.

What is the most embarrassing experience you have had as an artist?

Hmm! I could remember years ago, I went to an event with borrowed transport fare, with the hope of getting expected money from the show, and after the show, the manager could not be seen, so I had to trek a long-distance home.

What is your memorable experience as an artist?

I did a rap battle on stage and won. So, I was carried up by the crowd, all eyes were on me. It was so exciting.

What are the greatest challenges in life?

My greatest challenge is finance. When an opportunity arises and the finance is not there, I feel so traumatised and down.

Tell us about your new album?

Well, my new EP album entitled ‘Pop It’, is a four-track album, seasoned with reggae dancehall, Afro hip-hop, street up dance jamz, et cetera.

The four trackers are entitled. It contains tracks such as Pop it, Shanowole, Obi is a boy and Pano pano.

I had shot one of the videos, Shanowole, promoted now on Silverbird and NTA 2 Channel 5.
Filmmaker Biyi Bandele laid to rest in Lagos

Nigerian novelist, playwright and filmmaker, Biyi Bandele, has been buried.

Biyi was born on October 13, 1967, in Kafanchan, Southern Kaduna to parents from Abeokuta, Ogun State. Biyi studied Dramatic Arts at the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University), Ile Ife, when he won the BBC playwriting competition, and thereafter relocated to England where he had a flourishing career as a writer.