Naeto C spittin the "P"

Naeto Chuko popularly known as Naeto C is a Nigerian bred hiphop/rap artist. He has been on his rap grind for a while now, rapping for fun as he finessed his flow and technique on the microphone.
Now that there is Bread involved, he is no longer doing it for fun. He proclaims on his Myspace page "Gidi is mine n I'm taking over Cuz im bored"; with his highly anticipated, "unnamed" album due out soon which features his new hit single "U know my P" ft Ikechukwu, he might DO just that. I was able to ask Naeto C some questions the other day and he was available to answer them. He is spittin some heavy "P" on this Q&A, one of the best (content wise) Q&As I've done so far:



When did you start rapping and tell us a little about how you got to this skill level?
I started rapping between '99 and 2000...when i met my boy Uzi (1/3 of World Famous Akademy) after moving to the US to go to college...him and ikechukwu have different styles so in the process of trying to keep up i played with different styles as well, in addition, I was always around really skillful rappers like them and some other dudes down with our crew, Juan Carlos, Omega, Chion Press, i think being down with them and having Cyphers definite increased my skill level...working with a lot of producers and eventually becoming a co-producer helped too...that and objective listening to a lot of music...

When and how did you realize that you were good enough to pursue this as a career?

Before i came back to Nigeria i had recorded over 45 solo songs and about 30 group songs so in between all this i realized i had some potential but after getting back to Nigeria and recording "Sittin on Top", I literally performed the song a week later at a big brother eviction party...about three thousand people in the audience...the response was pandemonium, I could hear myself rap and got so overwhelmed that I had to stop the music and thank everybody...I think at that point i was like "i can pretty much do this", furthermore, finding out the possibility that this career field could financially make sense if i approach it properly made me feel it was cool to do it as a career thing.

Who were some of the people that influenced and shaped you as an artist?
Other than my Crew, WFA, I'd say Wu Tang, 2pac, Jay-z, BIG, 50 cent, Busta Rhymes, Hugh Masekela, Corparal, Sizzla and Bob Marley...a few R&B songwriters...I've learnt something from all of them pretty much...i like a lot of music but that never meant i was influenced per say, the guys i mentioned definitely influenced me or laid a format for me to customize for myself and shape up my image and music properly

Your rapping accent can easily pass for an American's. Usually when people hear you rap, they always say something like "omo this guy phone tap o"... In fact, the other day I played 'Lagos City, Hustler' for a friend and the only thing that gave you away was the content of the music. Did you ever try pursuing a rap career in the states or you focused strictly on Gidi? Why?

Wait till u hear the new version of LCH, We're shooting that video soon...i tried pushing myself out there but i wasn't equipped properly no Video's, no structured album, little fan base, the things that get u a record deal...WFA had been pushing our brand out there but the thing is that out there (the States) they want u to have covered all the ground work and have the things I just mentioned...I was in school so my focus was divided. Furthermore before you win the west, u have to win your people, it made more sense to focus on Gidi...Since we have what it takes to operate in the US, with seven videos, a naeto c album, 3 wfa mixtapes, a new ikechukwu album in the can, a production company, a continental fan-base, even better a core-nigerian fan base (5% of 200million people is alot o!), shiiiiiiiiit, they'd be stupid not to sign us...thats too much money in one pocket...we'll make it there when the time is right...

Do you write on paper or spit straight from the dome?

A mixture but i rarely use paper, i use my PDA...

How receptive is Gidi to rap these days in your opinion?

Very receptive...if your a young black man/girl Hip Hop is usually the soundtrack of your life besides thats the most commercial type of music a regular Nigerian has access to, so before "musa" in zaria can get his hands on bob maryley and the wailers, he'll see a 50 cent CD 1st...its inevitable, youth culture/urban culture is synonymous with HIP HOP/RAP, worldwide...Gidi is definitely receptive

Not to get too personal, but how is the monetary reward for you as an artist. Considering the bootlegging in Nigeria, do you expect to make a profit from album sales or you focus on the funds from the shows you perform at?

Bootlegging never really matters in my own opinion, there are bootleggers everywhere, even online with shareware...i think that thats an excuse a lot of misinformed artists or entertainers use to claim as a reason why they're broke...the real reason why they're broke is cause they don't know how to create revenue streams for their "business"...where's the business plan, where's the business structure, people are just putting out cd's and expecting to get paid, even show money is no money in my opinion, thats fast money, it doesn't last, how are u going to save fast money with daily expenses of a celebrity?
I'm going to capitalize off my platform and make a sensible profit of my sales...my album will be available on over 20 digital platforms, itunes to cdbaby to freaking amazon, shit eBay even...do you know a blank cd is more expensive that cd with music on it in Nigeria? a song on i-tunes is 99cents almost the same as an album in Nigeria, that a song=album in terms of pricing...we have an independent street team that will assist in our physical distribution about 300 strong nation wide, that should give us head way...furthermore the telecom companies are talking about facilitating their service with Nigeria music...too much is going down at the same time boss...its impossible to lose 

What can we expect from your album and what is it called?

The best should be expected apart from the fact that I'm dedicated, I've had a year to set-up from a marketing standpoint to a creative standpoint...my production company CERIOUS MUSIC is all over my album, the production quality is definitely situated, my beats selection for this album is crazy, the content is built to attract interest...something for everybody, some stuff nobody done before in the whole world bro, I'm confident because as team we've worked hard to select the best music for this time period, i keep on recording new stuff and adding it to the album which i need to chill on, by the time I'm done I'll have my 2nd album ready...i already do actually, this LP is untitled tho...any suggestions?

How are the females treating you these days, compared to back in the days?
I guess I'm more visible/audible, TV, magazines and radio exposes ur personality positively because those are all aspirational forms of media to people in general. I meet females who like the music or the imagery, or who just like the cause.I've always had more female friends so the difference isn't much yet, its whatever... 

What is the next single called and when can we buy the album?
U know my P ft Ikechukwu, Premiering on MTV Base pretty soon, pictures on facebook...check my website www.worldfamousakademy.com, my myspace- myspace.com/naetochuko, facebook me etc, i'll post all the digital platforms carrying the album as soon as the paperwork stuff is sorted...it'll be everywhere and more places you see a cd from nigeria... 

Comments

[Mona]

Hmmmmmm mmmm mmmm naeto naeto

that's wassup lol nice music

Well done demo - cool interview xxx

[cally-waffy babe]

Dude, i trust you're good. Been a while since i've been here. The last time was when i comment about that Nigerian female artist you promoted on your blog. I told you i lived in London and had previously seen her on the X Factor show. Remember? Well, i have a different id now cos i now have a blog. It's 18+ and only open to invited readers. I'm emailing you an invite pronto.
I'd also like to say that i really admire the fact that you go out of your way to promote your fellow Nigerians, even though you live in the States. That's really cool. Have you also heard about Linda Ikeji? She's a model and her blog is kinda similar to yours. Since you have a flair for promoting Nigerian celebs, then please do try and stop by her blog and check her out as well.
I look forward to seeing you on my blog also.

Stay cool dude.

[cally-waffy babe]

*commented* That was what i meant to write. Damn these typos!!! lol.

[Mola OG]

@Mona thanx sweetie

@Waffy babe, yeh I remember u... thanx for stoppin by...I will definitely stop by ur blog and check u out...

[deji d]

naija no wan hear again o! ikechukwu has stepped up too, wonder what he was thinkin in dt "my name is ikechukwu" lol...video quality is mad nice too...