Angry students stoned me because of bad microphone
By CHARITY NWANKWO
Friday, March 11, 2005

Photo: Sun News Publishing

Ahmedu Augustine Obiabo, popularly known as Blackface, is so passionate about music that he abandoned his career in Business Administration for full time music.

He started his career in music with the Plantashun Boyz. Today, Blackface has a band called the D Tribunal and his albums are making waves in the market. The artiste, who has participated in various concerts, says his music aims at correcting societal ills.

Background
My name is Ahmedu Augustine Obiabo. I hail from Benue State. I studied Business Administration and Management at the IMT, Enugu.

From business to music
I left Business Administration because of the love I have for music. But I met 2 Face during my study in Enugu. Later in 1996, we came to Lagos to start the Plantashun Boyz. We had the album called Body and Soul, and sold out; after that, every body went solo.
Actually, it was 2 Face who left first. He said he wanted to be on his own. We told him it was not yet time, but he insisted he was going. We allowed him. Right now, each of us work independently, but we are still together as friends.

D Tribunal crew
I created a crew called D Tribunal comprising Mallam Spicy, Rock Remedy, Rasman and Blackface.
Tribunal is all about justice, because many things are wrong in the country. For instance, in my house, there has been no power supply for the past five days, that is bad. It is not as if we don’t have enough money or resources to return the power supply. When things continue this way, where is the future? That is why Tribunal has come to stop this entire thing through music and find a way forward for everybody to have a perfect living.


Inspiration
I read a lot of books, and I also listen to music. Going out with friends inspires me because I see many things whenever we are together.

My songs
I compose and write my music myself. I believe God has given me the talent to do so.
Some of the songs are Ghetto Child album, E dey pain me, Carry us Oh Nigeria, Eneme, Prepare, Show Me, I Gat It, Why Oh Why, Outro among others. These songs talk about the hard life, and how it is difficult for the youth to carry on. Generally, it is a reflection on how people feel in the society.
My music is for everybody.

Regret
I have no regret so far. It is just that my mother is not here to see her son become a big boy who is trying to make positive changes in the society.

Celebrity
Life as a celebrity is not easy at all, because people expect a lot from you, they want you to live in the most expensive house, drive flashy cars. They also want to monitor your lifestyle, forgetting that one can decide to be simple in one’s attitude to life.

Embarrassing moment
When we went to Abraka to perform, the microphone was not okay and because of that, we were unable to perform on time, so the students got angry and started throwing bottles, and sachet water and stones at us. Since then, I decided not to go to Abraka to perform no matter the amount of money.
Relationship with other artistes
I have a good relationship with my colleagues. I write songs for them and also work with them in the studio. I have worked with Face, Azadus, Mallam Spicy and many others. Now, I am working on Tony

Tetiula’s album.
Uniqueness among other musicians
It is my look; my voice and the way I write my music and sing that make me unique.

Role model
I have a lot of people who have been my role models in this life, but I will mention just a few. People like Fela Anikulapo Kuti, D Tribunal.

Advice
Musicians should master their act, write their songs because very soon music is going to be lucrative. Every body should live in one love and unit but corruption must stop.