Favour Ndukwe is a gospel musician of note and she has been on the scene for a while. In this interview with TOPE OLUKOLE, she speaks about her new album, among other issues. Excerpts:

CAN you tell us about your background?

I hail from Umuede Nkpa, Bende Local Government Area, Abia State. I'm a daughter of a retired military officer, Mr. Samuel Ndukwe and Mrs. Uzoma Ndukwe. I attended Amegbuato Community Primary School, Obilaji - Umuede Nkpa and Ikeja High School, Lagos. Currently, I'm making arrangements to further my education in a London music school.

Why would you want to study music?

Because I have decided to choose music as my career and that is the best way I can connect with God.

How did you actually get into music? Did you have any formal training?

I didn't have any formal training. I was a choir member, from the age of eight, in my church, (Methodist) at Amigbuato Nkpa. We used to go for choir practice back then and I used to enjoy it. From that time, I fell in love with music and I have always believed that music will be my career. Fortunately, when I was 14 years old, I met Uncle Harry Moscow of Sugar Cane Baby fame, he saw the passion I have for music and decided to show me the rudiments of music. So, that was how my music career began.

So, you started at the age of fourteen?

Yes, then I began to write my songs and some of them were the songs that I have in my first album; The Name Jesus, which was released in 2007.

How did you get into music professionally?

At a point, I was convinced that I was good enough to record the songs I wrote. I met Rampa at Harry Moscow's studio, and he took up my production in 2007 when we did The Name Jesus.

How old were you when you recorded your first album?

I was 22 years old then, in 2007.

At 22, how did your parents react to your decision to become a musician?
T
hey reacted positively, my paternal and maternal grandmothers were good musicians. So, it wasn't a thing of debate, they responded positively to it and that gave me more courage to press forward.

Why did you decide on gospel music?

Like I said, music is the easiest way with which I can connect with God. So, through my praises, I know I can dwell in God's presence and I also want to use my music to evangelise; to win souls for God.

How has the journey been so far?

It has been quite challenging, there is the challenge of making a name in the industry, especially when you find yourself in a very competitive world without a record label that would support your project. Most times, you're left alone to do what a record label owner should do for you, financing music project is very tasking.

How have you been coping?

The grace of God has been sufficient for me; God has fortified me with the strength that I needed to move on, because doing music is quite stressful, time consuming, but God always brought help my way and that has often convinced me that God has a purpose for me in the music industry.

Some notable men of God have given me support that sustains me.

There is this general notion that there is always sexual harassment of women in the music industry, what has been your experience and how have you been coping?

I'm not disputing that because it is a very common thing in the music industry, but I feel the way you present yourself goes a long way in determining how people rate you. Nobody will force you to bed; it is a matter of choice. Most times, the way you dress, your lifestyle and manners attract sexual harassment. I think female musicians should have good mode of dressing in order to avoid sexual harassment from the opposite sex. If you dress provocatively, they will provoke you too.

Would you say that you have never been harassed before?

Yes. I have never been harassed sexually before, because I don't send wrong signals, I have always been myself and I don't think I will ever be harassed.

Are you married?

No.

So, you are single and searching?

Yes, I'm single but in a relationship.

Would you want to tell us who the lucky man is?

No, I don't think I want to disclose his identity. Thank you.

Let's talk about your work now. You released The Name Jesus in 2007 and four years after, you are set to release another album, can you tell us about the album you are working on now?

Sure, I'm working on my second album entitled, The Beautiful God; it is another flavour of Favour and it is highly-inspiring; it comprises of 10 tracks namely: We'll Praise You, Hosanna, Dis Kin God, National Praise, Cruising Over, Miracle God, Kamfe Chineke (I want to worship God), Happy Day, a special reggae wedding song, Forge Ahead and Heavenly Designer. I believe the songs I have are inspired by God Himself, they will motivate people and connect them to God.