News: "If anybody ever tells you that marriage is an easy thing, that is not true"- Alex O

Alex Okoroigwe, popularly known as Alex O, was so popular back in the day especially when he brought his kind of pop music into the industry.

But when the ovation was loudest, Alex O left the shores of Nigeria, apparently for greener pastures.

Few years ago, the singer came back home with the aim of taking off from where he left in the music industry and believing he would still dominate the industry. 

In a recent interview with Ademola of Punch Newspaper, Alex O talked about music and marriage.

Excerpts:

 “Yes of course. I will remain relevant in the industry. Why not? It is all about music and great songs. Anytime anybody gets good inspiration and puts the elements together, if the public loves it, you are good to go. The industry has expanded big enough to take as many people as possible. It’s more competitive now; which is a good thing. Gradually, the public will start getting to know which music makes sense and which one doesn’t,” he said.

Most of his contemporaries who left just as he did, made a come-back but weren’t successful in their attempts. Alex O is so optimistic that his would be different.

“With my music, I have always tried to do things differently. In the beginning when everybody was playing reggae music, I chose to go the pop and R & B way. That is what I had the passion for. It was not easy in the beginning, but it worked out for me at the end of the day. I was able to stand out from the crowd. First of all, it will be a big mistake for anybody not to recognise the fact that music in Nigeria is now completely different from what it used to be.

“Nigerians want to dance and party so, whatever you plan to do, you cannot ignore that fact. Whether it is reggae, ballad pop, native music or R & B, you have to make them dance. I do not want to let all my strategy out of the bag yet else we lose the surprise element which is part of the package. But I have to work a little harder on both the music and the videos so that people will take notice of what I have done. I would absolutely do dance songs. May be for the full album later in the year then I can add one or two slow songs,” Alex O said.

The singer acknowledged that the entertainment scene has changed from when he was actively involved. He said that he was in tune with time and was moving along with the current trends.

He said:

“In terms of rhythm and packaging, it is much better now than those days. If it is not, then something is wrong somewhere. With technology, making studio equipment more available and affordable now, anybody who does not take advantage of it has no business being in show business.

“During our days you were given a certain number of studio sessions. You have to try and finish your work within those sessions, or you will be in big trouble. These days, everybody has their recording studio on their laptop computers. They can spend 2 to 3 months working on one song, making sure that it comes out the best way possible.

“But in terms of lyrical content and skillful song delivery, we did better. We sang more meaningful songs that touched everybody. It is still evolving, and like I said, time will come when the public will be able to listen and choose which music to buy.”

Happily married to an actress, Oby Edozie, the singer said that marriage had been wonderful but it had not been a bed of roses.

“If anybody ever tells you that marriage is an easy thing, that is not true. Sometimes the differences that exist between two people do come to the fore. How you handle them is what matters. We both have been happy and more so, with the birth of our baby. He is a great joy from above,” Alex O said.

#For those who missed the memo, I was the Banana girl in Alex O's Banana Girl video shot by Kingsley Ogoro of Klint Studios back in the day, veteran video vixen I am, hahaha!!!