Dark crooner, Geraldine Okoro, better known as Essence, has been into showbiz now for over a decade. Still recuperating from a surgery which she is most grateful to God for surviving, YES INTERNATIONAL! Magazine’s GBENGA SHABA cornered her for a chat recently where reluctantly she let out a few secrets about the man in her life, her latest career move and so on…
What is the latest on your music career?
I have a video on air now, but you may not have categorized it to be trending because it wasn’t that commercial. My new song is inspirational and it was released by Kennis Music. It’s a song that reminds us of the reality of this world, after the glitz and glamour, that we will all go back to our Creator. You can see the pictures of Christy Essien-Igbokwe, Dagrin and Goldie being displayed here. So, the song is just a reminder on how best you can live your life for the greatest fulfillment.
Why do people take you for a Christian musician?
Inspirational does not really mean Christian. You can inspire people to do things and achieve what they want to be without being a gospel musician.
How do you identify good music?
For me, good music is when a child can pick up your song and sing it and even when their parents learn about it and don’t scold them, then it is good music. Because if your music is on the blocked channels, how would they learn or sing it? So, if my song is not what anyone can sing or relate with, then I don’t do it.
You are one of the most eligible bachelorettes in your industry, how have you been managing your male admirers?
I do mature music, so my fans are mature men, respect my state, my arts and performances and that is why it is not easy for them to harass me. I don’t get any harassment because of the way I comport myself properly. So, they address me well.
Tell us about the man in your life…
That is personal; my personal life, and it is not for public consumption. I don’t want to mix my job with my personal life because people like to spoil relationships. But my man is there and we are happy. People who know us know him and people that need to know also know him. My parents do and I’m good with them.
How would you describe him?
He loves me, loves my music and he loves God.
What was the attraction between you guys?
I don’t go for the obvious ones, but he is encouraging me in my music; calm and cool.
You stay more now in Republic of Ireland than in Nigeria. What is going on there?
I only go for holidays there because my extended family are there.
When are you going to get married?
Let me be direct: when I get married, I will get married.
What do you cherish most of all that God has done for you?
The gift of life, because I recently underwent a surgery and I’m thankful to God that I’m alive because it would have gone either way. Many people went through such and they could not survive it. So, I thank God, even though I don’t want to talk more about it. But I still give glory to God.
What was the surgery about?
I am not talking about it. No one needs to know about it because surgery is surgery once it’s a major one where they need to cut you open.
Is it true that you are no longer with Kennis Music?
Yes! I’ve been relieved of my contract with them mutually. So, for now, I’m working on my own. But for now, I’m just recuperating from the surgery I had.
What name does your new label bear?
There is no name for now. I’m still working on it. I want to take my time because I’ve been in the industry for long and have seen people come and go because they could not sustain their relevance and the mistakes I have made should be able to guide me to greater heights.
Why do artistes under Kennis Music tend to leave the company once they can stand on their feet?
I have been with Kennis for 14 years and I’m still part of the family. So, it is not about achieving under a platform and leaving them as soon as possible, because I’m an evolving artiste.
Two years after late Goldie Harvey died, what are the plans for her posthumous anniversary?
I don’t know, because her family is there and we need to respect the wishes of her family. Her parents are quiet people so we should respect their wishes and let them mourn their dead.