Victoria-Joy Nonye Okocha, a Nigerian musician from a royal bloodline in Delta State, stage name Nonye Toria.
In this interview, Nonye reveals that she started her music career with Sarafina Musical but later joined Mo-Town band at East Berkshire College in the UK in 2006. She also speaks on highly revered musicians such as Fela, Adele, Rihanna, Michael Jackson, the growth of Nigerian music industry and the future prospects, the moment she featured for Queen Elizabeth II, her role models and where she wants to be in years ahead, among other issues in the industry; excerpts:
Q. You are from a royal bloodline; can you tell us a bit about your family?
Yes, I am from a royal bloodline in Ubulu- Uku Kingdom of Delta State. From my mother’s side of the family, I am from a royal bloodline, the kingship family. But the royalty of Delta State is quite sublime compared to British Royalty. On my mother’s side, we are about five with about nine cousins. We are quite an extended and expanded family.
Q. What heights do you want to attain in your music career?
The height I would like to attain in my musical career is quite broad. I would like to be a successful Nigerian music artiste and I would like to travel the world performing. I would like to reach out to the global audience and I would like my music to be appreciated globally. I would like to be seen representing Nigeria, representing Afrobeat and representing Afro-pop. This is one thing that is possible because people like Burna Boy, Davido, Wizkid, Tiwa Savage have already attained that height, so it is something that is quite feasible to attain once promotion, marketing and recognition are attained.
Q. What are the challenges you encountered since becoming a musician?
The challenges I encountered as a musician were quite a lot and they are mainly financial in nature. This is because without the right finances, your product won’t be well projected and heard by the masses. It was a major challenge getting the needed fund to market my product to a wider audience.
Q. What is your impression of the Nigerian music industry? Do you think it has improved from what it used to be?
I think the Nigerian music industry is fantastic now. Previously, it was a little bit of noise; a little bit of immorality, nudity and it didn’t quite sit well with a lot of us. But what I like about the Nigerian music industry now is that it has become global and recognised worldwide. So we are at a tipping point in Afrobeat and Afro music and we are monumentally recognised. We are very grateful at this point in time with the Nigerian music industry. Previously, it wasn’t too good and it came with ridiculously poor sounds, a lot of noise with quite a little quality. Now we have quality music and a reputable industry that we can look forward to.
Q. What do you think is the prospect of music in Nigeria?
The Nigerian music prospect is very high and at a state where it is being compared to Hollywood; I mean with Nicky Minaj working with Davido, Smith working with Burnaboy, it is now a global brand. So Nigerian music is at a global prospect and standard; it is at a global reach.
Q. Nonye is a new artiste inspiring to be uplifted to the level like Rihanna. Is this your goal?
Yes, that is my goal to be like Rihanna. Rihanna has a lot of backing systems. She has a functioning system and a record label. She has several teams behind her that have made her very successful. So I would love to be like Rihanna. The most important thing that I will like to achieve is having the right team around me; having the right people around me that will justify my talent, make me stand out and make me to be appreciated around the world so that when I perform, the hard work and persistence I put into it would make me to actually be like Rihanna in the future.
Q.Which musician is your role model in Nigeria and abroad?
In Nigeria, my role model is Fela because he introduced Afrobeat; he played instruments and he was a high quality musician that was respected throughout the world. Fela influenced a lot of us in our time and that is why he remains my role model. In abroad, I will have to say Adele because Adele has this vocal prowess that is absolutely amazing. Her vocal prowess is at a global standard and it is one of the best in the world. So I look up to Adele vocally. She has a very strong voice and she is a very good mentor. There is nothing as important in music as having a vocal prowess as strong as Adele’s; that is the strong point in a musician. I also look forward to being a good role model to myself and a good adviser vocally to myself.
Q. You believe in the spirituality of music to heal the soul; are you more into gospel or secular music?
I am into secular music; spirituality doesn’t mean religion. I am not very religious in that aspect because I believe we were told the story. I am not strongly religious but I am highly spiritual and I believe my music is used to heal the soul and to heal the earth. I mean we have a lot of problems in Africa and music is an avenue to reach out to a lot of people and enhance our consciousness; to enhance our vibration and actually achieve unison and utopia in Africa.
Q. From your profile, you engage in both soap opera and music; which music and movie are your favourites?
I will have to say that my favourite music will have to be that of Michael Jackson. Michael Jackson has to be one of my favourite artists because he was just the king of pop. He was an amazing artiste. Michael Jackson to me bridged true barriers and walls through his music. So though dead, Michael remains my favourite musician at the moment. My favourite movie is Lord of the Rains because it is an amazing, phenomenal and spectacular movie. The script writing, the directing, the location and the actors and actresses, the storyline are all phenomenal.
Q. How do you feel that your number, “Day by Day” was the Queen’s favourite when you performed for her in 2008?
I felt highly amazed that I was selected out of all the students in the school to sing for Queen Elizabeth II and my number, specifically ‘Day By Day’ was selected. I was very surprised and nervous at the same time. I was monumentally shocked and I could not believe that out of everybody my number was selected. I was selected to perform for Queen Elizabeth II in 2008. That was one of the greatest achievements I have had in my musical career so far.
Q. Do you hope to fully come back to Nigeria someday to settle?
I do not know if I will settle in Nigeria but I am looking to break into the Nigerian music scene; I am looking to support the Nigerian environmentalists because I feel very strongly about environmental issues. So as an activist and a musician, I might settle in Nigeria if I find what I am searching for.