Money can’t break-up Midnight Crew –Mike Abdul
How do you feel tonight having won an award?
I feel good and encouraged. I feel like just going on and never stopping. I just won an award for my single, Morire, selected as The Most Popular Song of The Year .
What would you attribute your success to?
Well, it is the grace of God because I believe that everybody who is a child of God has access to His grace. I would also say that hard work played a part in my winning the award.
Who are you dedicating this award to?
I’m dedicating it first to Jesus Christ, the one that calls. He is the one that says go ahead and do this thing on my behalf. If not for Him, I won’t be doing this.
What inspired Morire?
Morire was inspired by the heart of a grateful man. Well, I will not forget the writer of the song, Monique. All I did was just to express my gratitude to God.
When did singing begin for you?
I have always loved singing right from childhood. I loved the songs of King Sunny Ade and Michael Jackson. As I grew older, I started choosing my own circle of influence and most of it just became the gospel. And of course, a lot of influence came from my mum who always woke me every morning to pray. She sowed the seed of godliness in me. So, naturally, it became easy for me to dedicate my gifting to the things of God.
Why did you choose gospel music?
Honestly, it was because of the impact of my mum on my life. She always drummed it into my head that it is either God or nothing. I attended Mayflower School, Ikenne, for six years. That means I was in the boarding house without my parents. But each time I was about to go wrong, I heard my mum’s voice cautioning me. My advice for parents is that they should be conscious of whatever they do because their children are watching.
How do you get inspiration?
Well, it comes from my relationship with God and as well as people. My experience with God and people gives me inspiration. As I try to reach out to souls and my generation, I get inspiration every day.
You sound like someone who was born with a silver spoon, were you?
I was born with a very strong wooden spoon and even the spoon was eventually lost. My father was averagely rich but later he lost the money. My father was concerned about excellence and ensured that his children went to the best schools that he could afford. He really gave us his best.
How about the lady in your life?
I am married with a kid; I have a daughter.
A lot of people are saying that hip hop artistes are gobbling up all the endorsements in the industry. Do you think that is true?
Once you have chosen the path of the gospel, you have chosen a life of sacrifice. You cannot expect you will make all the money in the world. Forget it! It is a life of sacrifice. The world will not be expected to support you; your support has to come from God.
What about putting food on the table?
Contentment makes you rich. But even if you are rich and you start comparing yourself to others, you will put yourself under pressure. You will have a lot of problems to deal with. I think contentment is key to a happy and fulfilled life.
How many albums have you recorded with Midnight Crew?
We have released three albums. And as Mike Abdul, I have only released my first album.
What is the latest about Midnight Crew?
Midnight Crew is going to be performing at The Experience on December 5, 2014. We are also going on a tour of the United Kingdom towards the end of December and we will be back by February 2015.
Is the relationship among you guys still intact?
You heard me very well when I said that we are performing at The Experience. If the relationship is not there, that will not happen.
Midnight Crew has been around for a while. What does it take to work as a group?
I see being in a group as being in a marriage. It takes a lot of understanding and harmonizing your vision . Everybody should know what we are doing here is that everyone sees the group as a platform of expression.
Can money break-up Midnight Crew?
For Midnight Crew, we have been around since 2001 and we are still together. Money is not the focus. It does not matter whether you are a group of artistes or a solo artiste, once the focus is money, you won’t last. Even as secular artistes, if all your drive is money, you will soon be frustrated.
Do you guys ever disagree?
Agreements and disagreements are part of life but what keeps us going is our vision.
What’s your advice for budding artistes?
That is why they are called up-and-coming. You keep coming up and put your focus on God.
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