Meet Your Artist: Meka

NAME: Udeh Emeka Gabriel

STAGE NAME: MeKA

GENRE: Hip Hop



BRIEF BACKGROUND

I grew up in a God-fearing family and Christian home where we go to church regularly. I am from Agbogue in Enugu State. I started singing in choir from a very young age. I had my primary and secondary education in Ibadan and I am currently a student of Highland College Polytechnic. At the tender age of 12, I started playing the mouth organ and I also started guitar lessons. My stage name, Chrismek, was inspired by one of my close pal named Christian and I decided to add Mek which is the suffix of my name Emeka and that is how the name Chrismek was created.

                                                      

WHY I CHOOSE MUSIC:

Music has always been a major part of my life. When I was younger, I was a church boy who sang in the choir for years.I embraced music because I aim to make a mark in the music industry. I aim to positively contribute to the growth of our society through my music and also leave an indelible mark in the music industry.

Many artistes of this generation are more interested in the beat than the music and intelligent contents. This is the reason why we have a lot of hit tracks that have become history now.The relevance of such hits become time bound.

Good music on the other hand never dies. This is why no matter how long music by legends likeSunny Ade, Bob Marley, 2 Face and others will never fade. This is because of the messages and relevance of their songs to our everyday life.

I have been in this music game for years but I had to take time out to study the Nigerian music industry and what it take to make good music before releasing my own songs. I have to my credit mind blowing hit tracks including Have It In Mind, Love Me Back, Lesson featuring Focus. I also did a cover of Diana by Tecno and it has enjoyed huge applause from my fans.

CHALLENGES:

Disappointments! People will always promise you one thing and then fail on their promise. Learning how to deal with these disappointments is a challenge. Distractions are also numerous. While on the journey to pursue you goals, distractions will also come. But despite these challenges, the support I get from my fans keep me going.God, my family and my true friends are my source of encouragement.

INSPIRATION:

I am inspired by my environment, the good, the bad and the ugly. People around me also inspire me, including disappointing and bad times where I learn to pick up my pieces and forge ahead.

ROLE MODELS:

Foreign artistes that I idolise include MichaelJackson, WhitneyHuston and James brown. Their kind of music has affected people all around the world, even in places where they have never been and people they have never met. Apart from just entertaining, their music inspires hope, love and faith. I also love Nigerian artistes like 2face Idibia, Flavor, Dare Art Alade and Asa. Their talents and music style are worthy of emulation.