Nigerian skit maker Lawal Nasiru’s hit ‘Umbrella’ remains one of the viral and addictive tracks in recent times.
The 31-year-old singer, in an exclusive interview with PREMIUM TIMES, revealed how he navigated a career from mechanical engineering to his unscripted rise in the entertainment industry.
As fans groove to his latest song’s beats and catchy lyrics, which gradually became a trend on social media, Nasboi shares the exclusive scoop on the inspiration behind the track, his choice of featuring Wande Coal, and plans for future collaborations.
Excerpts:
PT: We all know you as Nasboi, but only a little is known about your personality.
Nasboi: So, interestingly, some people only know me as Nasboi, but my real name is Lawal Mike Balogun Nasiru. Another shocker is that I am from Osun state, and my mum is from Delta state, Urhobo.
Some people do not know that I am a graduate mechanical engineer from the University of Uyo, but what many know me as is a comedian, an actor, and a musician. They do not also know that I was once a photographer.
PT: Why didn’t you pursue a career in Mechanical Engineering?
Nasboi: It is a norm in Nigeria that many people refrain from practising what they study. It is optional to follow what you learned, and I just decided to study Mechanical engineering.
Before I became an engineer and went to school, I was already singing.
So, singing was something I wanted to do from the very beginning, and I started singing in 2006. And that was like way before University.
PT: Speaking about what you have been doing before your university education, how did you journey into music?
Nasboi: My music career has been here and there.
I started as a musician in 2006, when I started recording, but I became a media sensation at the university during my final year in 2014.
I got signed into Omotola Jalade Ekeinde, a renowned actress, and I was with her for three years.
She nurtured my talent, and I learned a lot. In 2017 the deal was done, but only a little happened, so I delved into photography in 2018, and in 2019, towards the end, I started making skits.
PT: Your Skitmaking career hit the limelight after Tunde Ednut posted a video where you mimicked Davido. Why did you choose to mimic Davido?
Nasboi: I started mimicking Davido because I wanted to get his attention for my music; it wasn’t really because of comedy; I just wanted Davido to get to know me; it had nothing to do with skitmaking.
But Tunde Ednut changed my life by posting about me and giving me attention.
PT: Many people would mistake you for an Igbo man. Do you get that a lot?
Nasboi: Most people think I am Igbo because of the accent I use in my videos.
PT: Let’s talk about your new song ‘Umbrella’ and how you promoted it; what inspired it?
Nasboi: Like every other music I have recorded that many Nigerians have yet to hear, I try to record amazing songs.
I decided that particular song would suit the December release, so I pushed that specific song. ‘Umbrella’ is a dance track, and December is when everyone wants to party, so I decided to push that song last December.
PT: Your promotional approach was unique, interchanging costumes with your colleagues; what inspired that approach?
Nasboi: There was no inspiration behind it; everything just came; there was no plan or strategy. I am very spontaneous, so day by day, it just grew.
It’s not like I had a plan. I started it small, then suddenly, I just needed to do some more the way I started, and that was it, so it’s not like I had a strategy.
PT: Do you plan to remix it with Davido if he asks for the remix?
Nasboi: Yeah, why not? That will be a big deal; why not?
PT: Why did you pick Wande Coal for your collaboration?
Nasboi: Wande Coal is someone that I love. He is one of the musicians I looked up to growing up. I am not a Gen Z; I am 31 years old, so the kind of people I listened to while I was growing up, you should understand my age.
So I listened to Wande Coal; he was one of my favourite musicians. Aside from Wande Coal and 2baba, Dbanj is, too. So, that’s why I decided to reach out to Wande Coal.
PT: Let’s talk about your skit-making career. Many people believe skitmaking is very lucrative. Would you agree with that?
Nasboi: Yes, Skitmaking, like every other art and entertainment, is very lucrative, especially with the advent of social media.
PT: How has Skitmaking changed your life?
Nasboi: Skitmaking has changed my life in no small way. I’ve gotten money from it, gained popularity, and had the opportunity to meet people and impact their lives. Skitmaking has helped a lot, and I can’t over-emphasise it.
PT: Some people think that skitmaking is an all-comers affair.
Nasboi: Skitmaking is not an all-comers affair;…