I knew Povabs when my aunty Emem Ema (how she’s my aunt? long story!] forwarded me a track of his, titled Hope. Honestly, I wasn’t particularly excited about the record until she sent me ‘Bless me [Dey go]‘. The track produced by Ex – O, the Knighthouse’s Finest producer. ‘Bless Me’ is the perfect meet of breathy delivery, good hook and God’s word. Provabs is the best gospel, maybe christian hiphop artiste in the last decade.

Let me reintroduce the complete artiste, Provabs. Interview by Buse Buse.

1. Who is Provabs?
Provabs simply means (poetic rhymes offering values, access, blunt-truth and salvation). He is an artiste that fears God, speaks the truth and reaches out to the lost with the message of hope and grace. I’m a believer that God is not only intrested in your religious practises, but in ur way of life

2. Why the name, what inspired it?
I chose to stick with the name because of what I desired to represent. i.e being a blessing to lives, encouraging people and speaking the truth in love.

3. How did it all start?
Music started way back in 2000. I was in a group called Dot X(deacons of the christ) with Joeyma and Emeka as members. Then when we split up because of other responsibilities and I decided to go solo and take music seriously in 2002

4. What’s your educational background? School attended and all
Right now I am in LASU studing IRPM 400 level (Industrial Relations & Personnel Mgt), Schooled in Corona pry school, Fedral Govt college Ikom,in Cross River for second school.

5. How long have you been in the industry?
I’ve been in the industry for 10 yrs now.

6. The journey so far, how has it been?
The journey so far has been intresting, challenging, eye opening, Great road to succes is easy and since I speak about God and His principles, its only natural that people would find it hard to receive the truth.

7. Any videos yet?
Yes I have two videos “Hope” that is currently playing on Air now and “Kosi” I did with IGE, Project Fame’s in-house voice coach. For other videos I’ve done, type Provabs into youtube, you’d see other videos I’ve featured on.

Provabs – Bless Me [Dey go]

8. What inspired the song ‘hope’?
Hope was inspired by my environment.The many challenges people face to the point where they feel like giving up. Its a song to uplift the mind such that you win the battle completely in your mind. Also God is the only and final source of hope. Men would fail you, God won’t.

9. Are you under any platform and how is the management?
I’m under a management, One management, no label yet. They are doing their best and our prayer is that God’s breaths on the work of our Hands.

10. What will you say about the music industry in general?
The music industry has improved,but there is still space for growth and the protection of the intellectual property of an average Nigerian musician

11. How about PMAN, what will you say about the body?
My advice to PMAN is that they should sit up. They should take a cue from other industries, represent and protect us properly.

12. When will you release your album?
My album would be out before the last quater of the year no definite title yet.

13. Advise to other upcoming artistes
My advice to upcoming artistes is that they should be focused, believe in themselves and be prayerful. The sky is the beginning.

Watch out for a sit down chat with Femi Jubal and Wizboy of ‘Screensaver’ and ‘Owu sagi’ fame in coming weeks

 

HOPE:

SAMKLEF ft. PROVABS