‘I 'm religious, but no Saint’

Justice Okechukwu Martins a.k.a J. Martins, top musician and producer

— Justice Okechukwu Martins a.k.a J. Martins, top musician and producer
By Osamudiamen Ogbonmwan
Until the release of his maiden album, Get Serious which took the music scene by storm a little over two years ago with on outstanding hit single Good or Bada, not much was known of Justice Okechukwu Martins.
Surprisingly, his proficiency as a music producer had before then been made manifest on the works of various artistes. But probably because of the regrettable trend of not always recognising those who make things work from the back stage, J. Martins for 10 years devoted his time and energy harnessing the lyrics of top acts such as P-Square, 9ice, Resonance, Banky W, Tu-face, Bracket, Waye Resonance, Obiwon, Esther and several others into enduring art forms.
His decision to come out with his own work paid off in the long run, such that today, J. Martins is regarded as one of the top celebrties in music. You may want to describe this Ohafia Abia state-born artiste as I a conscientious musician because his Iyrics are often laced with morals – the kind parents will urge their kids to always listen to.
Currently in his late 20s, J. Martins is a graduate of Business Administration from the Enugu State university of Technology (ESUT). He further has other qualifications in Mass Communication.
Martins is from a family of seven and from the way he talks and the manner he chooses his words, you’ll get to know that he is deeply religious.
His new album just got released into the market and it is entitled Elevated.
You have been quite popular since your debut album, Get Serious was released. How long have you been on the scene?
Professionally, I’ll say I have been operating on two different angles. On the production level, I have been on it for over 10 years and on the artiste (singing) level, I have been there for a little over two years.
That means you are more of a technical person in the industry?
A lot of people know me more as a production person, even though I originally started singing first.
If you have been there producing other people’s works all this years and enjoying the feel, what then prompted you to release an album?
I just said that singing has always been there, but people actually got to know me better as a producer. So I stuck with producing albums. When I felt it was time for me to come out with my own thing, I did.
Being a producer and a singer could be tasking; now which would you rather be doing?
Em…both. They are both profiting, you know and equally very stressful.
The album Get Serious, which had the monster hit Good or Bad to many people was one of the best songs of its time. How would you rate it?
It did well when it came out and is still doing okay. Good or Bad was the third single in the Get Serious album. It was quite big not only in Nigeria but beyond Africa-like in Asia, America and in Latin speaking countries, especially I don’t know why they like it that much, but basically it is a combination of different African sounds. It’s got the sukuss, highlife, makossa, the Nigeria sounds, et cetera.
Why did you write that song?
Its just an everyday life thing that we all pass through. That’s it.
You have a new album in the market already. Tell us about it.
It’s called Elevated. If you’ve been hearing the song Oyoyo on the airwaves, know that it came from this album. I am not saying this because I am the artiste but there are more bigger and better songs than oyoyo in this album.
Many have come to discover that you tend to sing more of moral songs. Others even argue that you are a gospel artiste, how do you categorise yourself?
Well, we all know what we want to achieve in life. We all have different audience and I love all kinds of songs. I am open to all kinds of music, basically. But for me, I chose to be where I am because I love to identify with the people. To let them know that what they are going through I have been through it. You might not know if I am still going through it. I give them words of encouragement through my songs. I let you know that if it is not God, then no one else can help you. For me, that’s one thing I can give. You can find comfort, get uplifted, find courage. You don’t have to be a Christian to get all these from my songs. The fact that you can get consolation from what you listen to is worth it and it makes me fulfilled as an artiste and I am grateful to God for it.
You must be very religious then?
Nigerians are very religious. That I am religious doesn’t make me a saint; I am not a perfect human being; but by God’s grace and faith, I trust in God, I love God with all my heart and the gospel. I am part of the gospel and I always tell people that I am a church boy. I have always been and will always be.
How do you manage fame with your “church boy” disposition?
Being able to put your head down after you’ve tested fame is not by man’s making because fame really intoxicates. Before you might be looking at some women and wish you could date their types, but when you’ve tasted fame you don’t even have to wish it or look for them, they come after you. You make money, your name is everywhere. For one to be sane at this point is hardwork and it is only the grace of God that can keep one focused and steady. In my life, God had been helping me and it is Him who has brought me this far.
At what point would you say fame came: during your years as a producer or as an artiste?
It was both that brought me fame. Many already knew me as a producer. I produced P-Square, Obiwon, Resonnance Waje, 9ice, Banky W, Tu-Face, Bracket, Esther, et cetera.
So are you still interested in producing songs for other artistes?
Yes, of course. After my first album, I am sure you heard Ada Owerri by Bracket, it’s my production. P-Square’s new album is also my production. I have a lot you still haven’t heard yet.
How would you describe the kind of songs you sing?
Some say its hip-life, others say its highlife; many others even say it’s a cross between both, while the rest say since I am a producer I have the ability to diversify into so many genres of music. But what I always say is that my fans should listen to me and tell me what they think I do. I know the kind of songs I play, but I always say ‘let my fans decide.’
What’s it between you and this papa’s cap that you are always seen with?
(laughs) Some say its called Panama cap also. My father and his age-grade always converge in the village fore their annual Elders Forum every Christmas. They always share this type of cap with George wrappers. My dad is not really a fan of the cap while I love it. I fell in love with it when I was still very young. So when I went into this industry, I needed to rebrand myself, so I made do with the cap. That is what people have come to know me with. Funnily, if I take it off and walk past you, you wont’t know its me.
But you were once known with your googles. Why did you drop then?
You know fans complained that they didn’t know how I looked. So I had to take it off. You can see that I have very big eyes but they are very lovely and sexy. I dress in an old school 21st century modern way. I dropped my glasses because we grow each day and learn new things and put away things you feel are not relevant to our progress.
How was growing up like. Did you ever think you were going to be this way?
Growing up was fun. I knew I was never going to work for anybody when I was growing up. I also knew I was going to employ the best brains to work for me one day and I am going to do it by God’s grace because I am in the process.
You must have had some embarrassing moments before?
The most embarrasing moment I have gotten so far is God blessing me and that is the only embarrassment I am always going to be having.
The order of the day in most musical Iyrics and videos these days are vulgar words and scenes. Why is yours different?
Well, I do not want to approach my music the way others are doing it. There are other words to use to describe a woman. I may produce such songs for some artistes, but I do not have any influence to change it. It’s not my song. We all have different audiences. I am not saying the songs are not good, but for me I may not do it that same way.