Nigerian singer/songwriter MKO, short for Maduabuchi Kingsley Okpor, has a penchant for smart suits and fusion music.
Still a newcomer to Dubai's music scene, the vocalist has been displaying some promising talent in recently released hip-hop heavy tracks like Body Like and Dance The Night Away, alongside the slower piano driven love song, Still Into You. From R&B ballads to West African inspired dance tunes, MKO's style and artistry are an interesting indication of things to come and worth checking out for anyone looking to support homegrown talent. We speak to the Dubai-based musician to find out more about his future prospects.
Introductions: What should readers know about you?
My name is Maduabuchi Kingsley Okpor and my stage name are my initials, MKO. I am a singer/songwriter based in Dubai, and I currently work full time and do music on the side. I am a people person and I love spending time with my friends when I am not hanging out with my producer in the studio. If I wasn't making music I would definitely have gone in the direction of men's fashion. I love the 'classic man' look - dapper yet still modern.
How did you first begin making music?
I started music as a singer and performer at the age of 12 and gradually got into song writing. At that time, music was a hobby. But somehow, everyone around me; my friends; family and school mates knew it was only a matter of time before I took music seriously. Back then I used to represent my school at singing competitions. As I grew older, I started organising and hosting my own music shows. In 2011, I wrote a song for a friend of mine here in Dubai. I assisted her with the arrangements with the help of the producer on the track. That was the year I started taking music seriously and that was when I started spending more time and money in the studio.
As a Nigerian musician, what kind of hometown elements can be found in your songs?
The lyrical content and the jive component in my songs are the hometown elements you can find in my music. I always try to incorporate my local dialect (Yoruba and Igbo) and Pidgin English (Nigerian broken street English) in my writing - especially my Afro Pop songs. Although I write all my R&B songs in proper English, don't be surprised when you hear a song in Pidgin English or in my local dialect - after all, music is a universal language.
What kind of artistic style are you aiming to build?
Music is an art in itself. Therefore, in my eyes it should be diverse. I do not intend to narrow my style of music. The aim is to ensure that every song I put out is different yet relatable to my fans whether in terms of their relationships, emotions, challenges, etc. I hope my sound is unique for my fans to easily differentiate me from others. It could be my voice or a catchphrase that I constantly use.
With a few videos and tracks already under your belt, what's next for you?
I am currently working on a lot of amazing songs. I want to have a listening party for my fans in order for them to choose which are their favourites. I am also working on a number of avenues for me to reach a wider audience with my next singles.
What is it like being an independent musician in Dubai?
It is extremely challenging, especially when you have to do everything yourself from financing the music, trying to get airplay on radio and booking gigs coupled with the fact that I have a proper full time job, which funds the music. It's the usual thing that a majority of artists go through. Don't get me wrong, I have been lucky for the most part but it is still an ongoing process. There are more platforms these days for local artists to showcase their talents compared to a couple of years ago. Dubai is a place of opportunities and I believe with time, she will smile on me.
What's one thing that would surprise people to learn about you?
For some tragic (personal) reason I can't swim to save myself, or anyone else's for that matter. I'm terrified of water above my ankles, it truly freaks me out. But somehow I recently found myself jet skiing in Ras Al Khaimah. It still doesn't conquer my fears but it's a start.
Introductions: What should readers know about you?
My name is Maduabuchi Kingsley Okpor and my stage name are my initials, MKO. I am a singer/songwriter based in Dubai, and I currently work full time and do music on the side. I am a people person and I love spending time with my friends when I am not hanging out with my producer in the studio. If I wasn't making music I would definitely have gone in the direction of men's fashion. I love the 'classic man' look - dapper yet still modern.
How did you first begin making music?
I started music as a singer and performer at the age of 12 and gradually got into song writing. At that time, music was a hobby. But somehow, everyone around me; my friends; family and school mates knew it was only a matter of time before I took music seriously. Back then I used to represent my school at singing competitions. As I grew older, I started organising and hosting my own music shows. In 2011, I wrote a song for a friend of mine here in Dubai. I assisted her with the arrangements with the help of the producer on the track. That was the year I started taking music seriously and that was when I started spending more time and money in the studio.
As a Nigerian musician, what kind of hometown elements can be found in your songs?
The lyrical content and the jive component in my songs are the hometown elements you can find in my music. I always try to incorporate my local dialect (Yoruba and Igbo) and Pidgin English (Nigerian broken street English) in my writing - especially my Afro Pop songs. Although I write all my R&B songs in proper English, don't be surprised when you hear a song in Pidgin English or in my local dialect - after all, music is a universal language.
What kind of artistic style are you aiming to build?
Music is an art in itself. Therefore, in my eyes it should be diverse. I do not intend to narrow my style of music. The aim is to ensure that every song I put out is different yet relatable to my fans whether in terms of their relationships, emotions, challenges, etc. I hope my sound is unique for my fans to easily differentiate me from others. It could be my voice or a catchphrase that I constantly use.
With a few videos and tracks already under your belt, what's next for you?
I am currently working on a lot of amazing songs. I want to have a listening party for my fans in order for them to choose which are their favourites. I am also working on a number of avenues for me to reach a wider audience with my next singles.
What is it like being an independent musician in Dubai?
It is extremely challenging, especially when you have to do everything yourself from financing the music, trying to get airplay on radio and booking gigs coupled with the fact that I have a proper full time job, which funds the music. It's the usual thing that a majority of artists go through. Don't get me wrong, I have been lucky for the most part but it is still an ongoing process. There are more platforms these days for local artists to showcase their talents compared to a couple of years ago. Dubai is a place of opportunities and I believe with time, she will smile on me.
What's one thing that would surprise people to learn about you?
For some tragic (personal) reason I can't swim to save myself, or anyone else's for that matter. I'm terrified of water above my ankles, it truly freaks me out. But somehow I recently found myself jet skiing in Ras Al Khaimah. It still doesn't conquer my fears but it's a start.
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