Hip-hop started from the North
By AZUH AMATUS and TESSY ANYABUIKE
Friday, October 7, 2005

Photo: Sun News Publishing

Charles Jonathan, popularly called Charleenathan, is a fast-rising hip-hop-cum-dancehall crooner from Adamawa State.
After waiting for seven years, this talented artiste, who grew up in the North is set to release his debut album entitled: Finally.

In a recent interview with Daily Sun, Jonathan, who claimed that Hip-hop music originated from Northern Nigeria, also explained his plans, prospects, mission and vision for the country’s music industry.

Who is Charleenathan
Charleenathan is a musician whose real name is Charles Jonathan. I came into music in1998, while residing in Kano, but I hail from Adamawa State.

Kind of music
My kind of music is called hip-hop dance hall. It is a fusion of hip-hop and dancehall in a free flowing style.

Inspiration
I realized I was talented musically and started looking for ways to express myself by listening to some legendary artistes such as late Tupac and many others. In fact, Tupac was and is still a big motivation for me as a musician. For me, it is all about sharing ideas and views with the world. My biggest inspiration comes from God.

Models
I can’t mention any name in particular but a whole lot of them have collectively influenced me. Tuface and Styl Plus motivate me, they are really doing well. Both of them are quite acceptable and their music also cut across.

Hausa man singing hip-hop and dancehall
(Laughs) Unknown to many people, hip-hop actually started in the north. It is a historical fact. The North started it before the West took over. I am not really a Hausa man but I hail from the north; middle belt to be precise.

Debut album
My album is entitled Finally. It contains eight tracks; and there is the possibility that we might add two more tracks to it. But the eight that we have are good. On my own, I intend to release nothing fewer than twelve tracks.
Hopefully, by November 2005, everything will be ready; we are already working towards that. The single is already making waves on radio. It is entitled: U no fit be like me. It has been on air in Lagos, Abuja, Benue and Enugu states. A good marketer or label owner is what we are looking for. Some of the tracks in the album include: Finally, U no be fit make me, Gone are those days, Babygirl, Your Daughter and some remix.
The album is entitled: Finally because I felt I have finally done it after so many years of waiting. For me, it is a dream comes true to see my work hit the shelves.
I am a proud and happy to be a full time musician. I want to make it through music.

Challenges
The main problem facing artistes like me is getting a producer who can believe in me and who can launch me into the music industry.

Future goals
My future goal is to take music to the next level, work hard to be a producer someday, own a recording label and live the life of an entertainer and to contribute so much to the growth of entertainment in this country.