‘My deepest regret’

Felix Osagie, aka Felix Duke, popular, Reggae dancehall musiciana

–Felix Osagie, aka Felix Duke, popular, Reggae dancehall musiciana
By Osamudiamen Ogbonmwan
t was not an easy task tracking down Felix Duke, the Wayalare music crooner. But when The Source finally did, the long wait melted into a pleasant outcome.
At his Fabga, Lagos residence where the meeting took place, it was his fierce-looking Alsatian dog that “ushered” us into his home.
While in his beautifully furnished living room, Duke, surprisingly, introduced a pretty, light–skinned lady as his wife. Surely, this was one part of Duke that is not well known to his teeming fans. Duke will only tell you that that is one part of him he does not intend to bring under the searchlight. “I cherish my family and would protect them from anything that would hurt them,” he said.
Duke may be enjoying the good things of life, courtesy of the success he has recorded in his chosen career. Nonetheless, things have not been all rosy for him. For instance, he confided in The Source that he had never known a father’s love. His mother, of blessed memory, who was the fourth of six wives, had eight children and she worked tirelessly to ensure that her kids had a taste of the good life. In 1986, however, his father drove him out of the house when he refused to learn a trade, insisting instead that he wanted to be a musician. “He had the believe that musicians end up wearing dreadlocks, smoking Indian hemp, drinking alcohol and carrying women,” Duke said.
When he was thrown out of his father’s house, his mother who had always had faith in his talent not only took him in, but also rallied round to get money for his first demo cassette which turned out to be an instant hit in the then Bendel State.
In 1987, after his second demo, still in Bendel State, he decided to move over to Lagos with some of his friends such as Righteousman and Lt. Shotgun in search of greener pastures. But life in Lagos wasn’t that easy as the youngsters had anticipated. At one stage, it got real bad that some of his friends had to make a return journey, back to where they came from: Bendel. But Duke stayed, so did Shotgun.
Duke persevered and was to become a household name with three albums to his credit.
But this father of three still has some regrets which ache his heart anytime he thinks about them. His deepest regret is that his mother who died in 1998 did not live long enough to reap the fruits of her labour. “I loved her so much because she was very hardworking and tried her best for all of us,” he told The Source.
His father is still alive and he is obviously very proud of his son’s success. Duke: “I try to take care of him now because we have become close. He is proud of me.”
Benin City, Edo State, played host to his primary and secondary school days before he proceeded to Redbricks College, London where he studied Business Administration as The Source learnt.
How long have you been married?
I have been married now for about seven years. We got married in 2001. If I have to go into the details, I will first of all have to say I thank God that I didn’t miss my marriage.
How do you mean?
I was on an European tour while the marriage plan was going on. My fiancee, now my wife, was putting finishing touches to everything. The marriage was to take place between December 14 and 15, since it was the festive period. But somehow I found it extremely difficult to get a flight back to Nigeria because they were fully booked. Everyday I kept going to the Airport in London without success. Truly, it was a terrible experience. My wife almost passed out then because we had already invited dignitaries - even the governor of Edo State. I too was greatly disturbed. Rumours had gone round the state that ‘Felix Duke had abandoned his wife to be and gone abroad with a lover who stays in London.’ Thank God, I got a seat a day to my wedding and arrived the state on my wedding day. When I got there, it was a big surprise. Well, here I am today with her.
How has it been so far?
Marriage is full of ups and downs. You have to have a very good shock absorber to tolerate each other. It can be sweet and it depends on how you handle it. It’s more like the adage that says, “its how you lay your bed that you lie on it.” It is an institution where we learn everyday because we are two people from entirely different backgrounds coming together to live as one.
I’m sure you have kids?
Yes. We have three lovely kids. My first son’s name is Honour, the second is Jessy and my third child, who is a girl is called Excel.
You are from Edo State, why aren’t they bearing Bini names. Or is it that you didn’t give them native names?
I did. They are Osasenaga, - Osahon and the girl Osahewewen.
I am sure a lot of people would be surprised to know that you are indeed a family man. How have you been able to maintain that single man posture and keep your family away from the spotlight?
(Laughs) Really, the truth is that one needs to marry a woman that understands your kind of job and will believe in you. That’s the kind of woman I married. What if I told you that she is instrumental to the costuming of all those ladies you see wriggling themselves in my videos? She even tells them to caress me to meet up to standard so that it will look real. My lifestyle out there does not disturb my home. Whatever I do on stage or in the videos ends there, it does not go into my matrimonial home. That’s how I have been doing it. I love my family and protect them with everything I have.
Whao! That’s good. Now, lets talk about your career. How did music start for you?
Well, I started way back as a drummer in 1986. I played for a lot of musicians like Actor Segun Alile in Benin and I was also a member of a band called The Black Boys band. It was in 1987 that I decided to move to Lagos for greener pastures. I was not alone, I was with my friends, So, how many albums have you been able to record so far?
I have three albums to my credit because I do not believe in rushing albums. Also, I believe in the saying that whatever is worth doing at all is worth doing well. If I am coming out with an album, I want it to make sense. I do not want to be just like any other person. Also, its just now that I know that the industry is changing that I have decided to go back to the studio to do a follow-up to the single, Johanna.
What are the titles of your albums?
The first one was entitled My Season, second was Mr. Goody Goody and the third which has the hit single, Johanna is entitled New Wine.
Tell me, there was a time in your career that you suddenly disappeared from the scene. What happened, where did you go?
I disappeared to go and experience life outside Nigeria. I first of all went round Europe in 2001, came back to the country, then left again in 2002 and came back that same year. I finally went to London, stayed there for about four years and recorded songs like Johanna where Don Jazy helped in playing the keyboards. While there I was not doing anything other than music. I had a band and we were still going round and doing shows around Europe. I came back home in 2005/2006 and started working towards releasing my third album which I featured JJC in one of the tracks, Da-Black and a white girl called Danielle. They are all in London now.
When would you say that breakthrough came for you, musically?
Hmm. I will say that I have never played any album that is not relevant. Every album I have released has always made an impact one way or the other. I may have not made millions of money from it but they have made an impact. Songs like Wayalare was very well known. Mr. Goody Goody won the best Raggea Music award in the Fame Music Awards then; Baba Baba Baba Baba also was well known and now Johanna. I will say Johanna really took me farther than any of the songs. I have released.
Your songs are quite popular. What inspires you to write such songs?
First of all, I must give thanks to God. I have a gift inside me. God himself is music. He loves music that was why he created Lucifer, now popularly known as Satan to be singing for him as an angel before he was cast down to earth when he misbehaved. You see, most Christians today sing before they pray, that’s because God loves music. Songs are the easiest way to get to God, the same with humans. Even animals dance to music.
Really?
Yes. So you don’t know? Music is spiritual, snakes dance to music. Back to your last question, what inspires me is God. What I have today came from God. I am powerless without him.
You do have very powerful stage performances. Do you have a director...
Not really. I am a complete musician, a multi-instrumentalist, so I know the do’s and don’ts in the industry. I am a producer also. I produce most of my songs, so, when I am rehearsing, I know what I want and know how to put my people through.
What other instruments do you play?
I play drums as I said earlier. In fact, I made my name as a drummer in this industry when I played for people like Evi Edna-Ogholi Ogosi, Daniel Wilson, Mandators, Ras Kimono, Alex Zitto, Blackky, Uche Ibeto, Wale Man, Chris Hannen et- cetera. I was hot then, go ask them. I play the bass guitar and a little bit of keyboard. I play the percussion very well.
Judging by all these names you’ve called, most of them finally left the scene for abroad and till date are not back. You also left but returned. Why?
I had to because music is in me. I have to keep playing.
But some of these people are still playing where they are?
Wherever one is: east, west, north or south, home is still the best. Yes, I have gone round most cities in Europe. But I discovered something. I discovered that you get more respect when you go from here and I said to myself, if everyone leaves who is going to remain to make things happen?
Would you say that decision has paid off so far?
Why not? It has, indeed. My staying back has not stopped me from travelling out. In fact, I’ll be going soon again.
You are one of the prominent faces at big concerts here in the country; can you recount some of the ones you’ve featured in again?
To tell you the truth, I can’t remember. I have done shows for students, multi-national companies, individuals et cetera.
Why do they often come after you?
(Smiles) I think a good product sells itself. I give my very best in all I do.
Now tell me, what was growing up like?
It was fun, hectic though. I grew up with my mum as a young talented man.
How do you manage your fans, especially your female fans?
You mean my Johannas (laughs)? I’ve got a lot of them. They are part of this business. I can’t rule them out but the most important thing is that you must know how to handle them. They are very fragile especially in their reasoning. If you don’t carry them along as you are growing, you might have a problem because they might spoil your name. I have seen it happen.
How old are you?
(Hesitates a little) Ah… I am old enough to be a father of three (laughs). Sorry I can’t disclose that but I was born in the late 60’s.
You said you are a producer. Have you been able to produce any artiste yet?
Yes. I produced someone years ago. He made waves in Benin then. I have my label and have artistes that their works are yet to be out now.
What is the name of your label again?
FD Records. My last album was released on my label…
… And the marketing?
It is doing well in the market.
How do you fight piracy?
You can’t fight it completely because its everywhere in the world. I think when you have a government which doesn’t show concern, then you have a problem. I will say our government is aiding piracy because some of these Asians in our country today have warehouses where they print our CD’s and our government is not doing anything about it because some people are being “settled.” If they are not, why have they not done anything about it. It’s like the power sector where some people are doing everything possible to sabotage the efforts of some good people. It is the same in the music industry, we have people who are feeding from pirates.
What informs your style?
I like good things. I like designers a lot.
You must be a very rich man then?
You don’t have to be rich to look good. I will not call myself a rich man yet because I am still struggling. I just bless God for his mercies over my life.