The Secret of Our Success

Kingsley Okonkwo and Precious John, a.k.a KC Presh, top Nigerian hip-hop acts

— Kingsley Okonkwo and Precious John, a.k.a KC Presh, top Nigerian hip-hop acts
By Osamudiamen Ogbonmwan
You won’t be wrong if you describe Kingsley Okonkwo and Precious John, both arrowheads
of the group, KC Preshes, first babies of the musical talent hunt show, Star Quest.
In 1999, after a hugely contested competition, the duo emerged as the first winners of the show which has gone ahead to produce other talents in successive years. But followers of the programme would tell anyone, without mincing words, that, indeed, the group KC-Presh has remained on top of the success chart for the several Winner of Star Quest.
Presently, the duo who have released five albums so far, and are on the verge of launching the sixth are living it big The Source discovered this much during a recent visit to their Omole Estate, Ikeja abode, where State-of-the-art vehicles, ranging from a Toyota Forerunner, a Nissan Quest bus, a Honda Legend, a Lincoln Navigator, Mercedes Benz ML a 2008 Toyota Camry and a Hummer adorned their garage.
The duo who are unapologetic towards the range and numbers of cars they drive told The Source that they had always lived good automobiles, such that given their success in the industry, they cannot but have out their desires.
Not too surprising , both are living together, in the same house. They even told us (The Source) that “after marriage, we will still remain together and no woman can ever come in-between us.”
Okonkwo and John met in Ajegunle, a Lagos suburb, where they teamed up to become a group. In their quest to give back to the society, both organised a talent hunt show about four months ago in Cross River State and the winner of that event is currently recording under the duo’s label. Welcome to the world of KC Presh.
Ever since you emerged as the first winners of Nigerian Breweries - sponsored Star Quest musical contest years ago, you’ve transformed to a very successful musical artistes; What’s the secret?
(smiles) There is no secret. You know, if people are diligent all the way, have a focus and have a dream of getting something and work towards it and get results – good results. That was the principle we followed, even though we encountered lots of challenges on the way.
What were these challenges?
We encountered so many challenges. You can as well say there are lots of challenges in the industry itself. But we did get our fair share. We faced tough challenges in the distribution of our jobs and the pirates didn’t make the situation any better. The good thing, however, is that if you are focused and organised you can conquer some of these things. The truth is that for the past ten years, its not been easy to overcome all these and at the same time it takes the grace of God to stay afloat. Some artistes who came before us and even after are no longer on the scene, but we are still here and like we keep saying ‘it’s not by our power or by our might that, we are still able to keep it real.’ We’ll also like to point out here that the music business has changed considerably and right now our generation can enjoy.
You are presently on your own record label and already have your own artistes that you manage. How do you do it, considering that you have very busy schedules?
Considering the fact that there is so much hunger and unemployment in the country, it is also sad that we don’t really believe in the intellectual talent or potentials that people have. Since we came out as winners in that competition (Star Quest), it makes it easier for us to operate. So we began a record label to help any artiste that are talented – not just anyone who only wants to come into the industry because he thinks he’ll make money. We have a few artistes now. Like about two months ago, we had a talent contest called Sionkpo Talent Hunt with KC Presh in Calabar (Cross River State) where a winner emerged presently, he is recording his songs, on our label. We also have a rap artiste who is almost out. The name of our label is Blinks Records.
You often rap in the native Calabar language; why?
We are only being natural. It is our mother’s tongue.
After the song, Sionkpo which many agree was a huge success, you did maybe one more language hit song. But sine then its English all the way. Why?
After Sionkpo we did Abadiye. We have another one in our coming album and its going to be hot. Its called Ibadiongon, so watch out. We have a lot of fans and have discovered that in whatever language we sing our songs they enjoy it.
You often infuse comedy into your songs. Are you guys also comedians?
We are multi-talented artistes. We can act, do comedy, Master of ceremonies et cetera, properly. We have got good sense of humour and that’s why most times we bring it into our music. Right now, the music business is getting more serious and we are equally getting more serious with it because this is our means of livelihood.
How many albums do you have in the market now?
We have five albums presently. The sixth would be released very soon, before the end of this year to be precise.
So what are we to expect this time around?
Actually, we wouldn’t want to tell you much right now. Since it would be coming out very soon, keep your fingers crossed. But trust us, this one is a whole lot different from what you’ve known. We have so many new sounds, we did some collaborations with some new and old artistes, so just hold on.
Judging by the rate at which you have gained success over the years and the fact that you get the latest of almost everything money can buy, some people of the opinion that you guys might just be into another business which brings in quick and mega cash.
What many do not want to believe is that our secret is God and success. When you are successful, you enjoy yourself. When we were living in Ajegunle, suffering, nobody asked us questions. Now that we are successful, if they care to come ask us why, we will answer them. But to be honest, we work hard in all we do, we are focused and God always bless us in whatever we lay our hands to do. Trust us. We are organised and when you are organised, everything will work easily for you. So, for KC- Presh God is our backbone.
But how do you feel when people read other meanings to your current famboyant lifestyle?
We are not moved. What we have today was given to us by God. Many have come before us who are not as fortunate, but it is by the grace of God that we are able to garner all these.
So, What’s the future like for you two. Any plans to go solo?
(Laughs) We don’t think we have that plan yet, but we know the future has something big for us. We don’t think we’ll ever break up because after coming this far, we have achieved a lot together and we love each other so much. Not even women can come in-between us to break us. KC-Presh is an entity.
(Question to KC) Why is it that you are always linked with women - some who would even be ‘fighting’ over you on the pages of newspapers?
It’s not my fault but my mom and dad. I think you should go ask them why I turned out to be the way I am. They arranged me One-Kind-One-kind. Some people claim to know me when they don’t even know me. Those women are on their own while I am on my own.
So who are the true women in the lives of KC-Presh?
Well, we don’t want to say anything about that right now because very soon we’ll be getting married.
Really!
Yes and when we say “very soon” it can be 10, 12 or 21 years time to come. So we just need you to open your ears wide open you’ll get to know at the time. God has a plan for us and we have our own destiny. Marriage is not what you rush into because you have money.