J. MARTINS - “I CAN NEVER RELEASE AN ALBUM THE SAME YEAR AS P-SQUARE ”

J. Martins is definitely no newcomer on the Nigerian music scene. The talented producer cum singer went from producing hit songs for P-Square to making hit songs with them. His single “Good or Bad” which featured the singing brothers alongside Timaya was responsible for shooting him to limelight.
Since then J. Martins has gone on to collaborate with African megastars like Fally Ipupa and Cabo Snoop. The ace hitmaker was in a sit-down recently with Hip Hop World and he spoke about his musical journey, being the pioneer of African coalition music and also why he never releases an album in the same year that P-Square do.

Enjoy!


Q: You started your career as a producer
I actually started out as a singer. My mom was a choir mistress and she would take me for choir rehearsals. Anytime music played I was calm, but once it stopped, we have a problem. If she wanted to keep me clam, she would put me around music. So that was where my interest in music started.
But professionally, I’ve been producing for about twenty years. As a performing artiste, about eight years now.

Q: Why did you decide to combine the two?
A: Well it depends on what you want. I’ve always loved African music. So I decide to make my own kind of music. Good sweet African music, and that’s what I do.

Q: You’ve collaborated with African artistes from Cabo Snoop to Fally Ipupa
A: I’m happy that in the Nigerian music industry, at least with the younger generation, I am the pioneer that brought about the unity of Africa through music. Not one of the pioneers, the pioneer. That I’ve done with Fally Ipupa, Cabo Snoop and now also with DJ Arafat from Ivory Coast. So it’s amazing for me and I’m happy to have done that.

Q: Are you still open to working with Nigerian talent?
A: I work with Nigerian artistes. My private studio is not for commercial use. So I record at my convenient time. I still work with P-Square. They’re my brothers. And I love so many of the newer artistes like Chidinma, Phyno, Suspekt, Iyanya.

Q: A lot of people have said you are flying on the wings of P-Square. What has been your reaction to that?
A: Before I collaborated with P-Square on “Do I look Fly?” no one had worked with them. They hadn’t even appeared in anyone else’s videos. I say it everywhere, every time that the platform from which I came is P-Square’s platform. There’s no doubt about it. In this industry, they’re my mentors. I came off them. Except I want to stop giving credit to where I’m coming from.
When they release an album, I give time; maybe a year or so. If they release a single, I give maybe two or three months. Now they’ve dropped “Personally” video, I’ve given time. It’s almost two months now. I’m dropping my new video soon, and that’s how I’ve always followed it up. It doesn’t mean they’re the ones telling me to do it. It doesn’t mean if we drop at the same time, anything will happen. But it’s just respect.

Q: You recently got married.
A: Yes I did. But I believe that’s private, so I don’t discuss family issues in public. It’s a no-go area.

Q: I just wanted to ask how you’re enjoying it and what has changed for you
A: Looking at me, you’ll know I’m fine.

Q: Tell me about your new material
A: The song is called “Touching Body” and it’s a funny song. It’s about a young guy who’s telling a girl, “The way you’re touching me, I don’t like it”; but deep in his mind, he likes it. So it’s a funny, comic song. DJ Arafat from the Ivory Coast is featured on it. I wanted to work with him because of his flow and vocals. I always look out for blends in what I do.
The video should be released in about seven days. It was shot in Ivory Coast and Lagos by Mattmax. He’s a very creative guy.