Jide Chord : Oh, hello good people. My name is Jide Chord. It has been a long time on the road. Some of you have seen me before or heard about me before whilst some have not. It is a pleasure to be here today. I'm sure TOSH Magazine will unearth some things out of me today that may interest you. Or I may hold them in me – I do not know but I just hope you do enjoy what I say.
 
 
TOSH Mag : Which bank if we may ask?
 
TOSH Mag : Did you get a 100% parental support along the line? The reason why I'm asking this is because a lot of aspiring musicians out there do not get a lot of support from their parents and a lot waste their talents just like that. Especially in Africa and in Asia. I am partly from Ondo and Oyo State in Nigeria and where I come from, you just have to get your masters and become a Professor.
 
TOSH Mag: Well I can attest to that because we do have a clip of one of your tunes where you were singing Fuji styled music. I personally did not know your tentacles stretched that far.
 
TOSH Mag: Have you in any way missed the Media world – actually Journalism to be precise or even the banking?
 
 
 
Fuji Vibes - Jide Chord.
 
Special Christmas Nigerian Edition 2008
Be ready to read secrets that you have never heard before directly from Sir Jide Chord - One of Africa's finest Song writer and Musician.
 
TOSH Mag : Merry Christmas to our readers and compliments of the season. Due to the high number of reviews TOSH Mag received, we decided to bring you some special African interviews and here we have Sir Jide Chord. Do you just want to say hello to your fans?
TOSH Mag : Sir, I learnt that you just got back from a trip abroad. If you so not mind me asking, where from?
Jide Chord : Emm. Why not. While not trying to dampen your enthusiasm that is the life I live. I think I am proudly one of the most travelled Nigerian singers because of the nature and the geography of where I started. From 1991 there had been no visa restrictions for me, so I have probably travelled the globe. Yeah, but I just came back from America yesterday and I went to play a very big gig and 2 other shows in Atlanta Georgia and New Jersey. Just the same old "Tungba' (meaning a powerful Yoruba and Nigerian styled beat).
TOSH Mag : That shows the passion that our guest has for this music thing. Just coming back from the States yesterday night and storming into our studios, well many would not do that because of Jet lags and what have you.

Sir Jide, would you advise aspiring musicians out there how to extend their longevity in the music business. As you are well aware, you would see a lot of stars spring out nowadays but within 2 years they are off the radii musically. Also tell us how you got into music or how music got into you?
Jide Chord : Like I keep telling my friends, my first public performance was at about age 5 but it comes naturally to me. When my music teacher insisted that I be on the drums on that faithful day, I did not know what took over me but I can not forget the occasion because I got a standing ovation. I remember the song I sang just like it was yesterday as it was during Christmas. I was still at nursery school just after the school calendar year ended. From then people started clamouring for me in the church too. Let Jide do this, let Jide do that.

When I was 18 years old, I was the choir master of a very big band in my church. But I still followed my dream of becoming a journalist. I did work for Punch newspaper for a number of years in Nigeria. Then I found myself working as a public relations officer for a magician and then I started working in a bank. My parents thought working in the media was a structured environment for me but then I ended up working in a bank. They thought I was going to get lost in the jungle. They wanted me to work in the Public relations sector but I found myself working in the mainstream banking. 
Jide Chord: National Bank of Nigeria it was. I tried to avoid mentioning the name of the bank but you got it out of me. Yeah, I worked for the National Bank for about 6 years. I worked in the administration unit, the foreign exchange and then I went into commercial banking. I did quite well there.

When I was young I thought I would end up being a journalist. But when I was 14 years old, I just knew I was going to be Jide Chord. Something just told me you are going to be a musician. So all the money I earned and the resources I attained went toward achieving that. It was not easy but here I am.
Jide Chord : Oh, you are from Ondo State. I am from Ogun State. Well I did not get the support I needed. (I am sorry Mummy) but I just have to say the truth. Emmm, I heard things like, oh there must be something wrong with him and even if he will play music, should it be Akpala music? Can't he play Reggae or be an African Michael Jackson? Or atleast sing in English. Where does he find all these proverbs he is using? He is mixing a lot with those riff rats. But that was what I wanted to do.

When I was experimenting with my music, I was listening to Peter Tosh and Bob Marley. Then people like Late Sunny Okosun came into the lime light but something in me said no I just want to be close to my roots no matter what. There was no way I was going to abort my "Yorubaness'. Although I can do Akpala, Fuji, Pop and Fuji but Juju music allows that flexibility. You can incorporate Western styles without compromising what you actually represent.
Jide Chord : I do love Fuji music. Well I just showed that I could identify with Fuji music. That song (Fuji vibes - playing on this page) was actually written in 1993 and 'Fuji' was not as it is big now. I have that grace that I can perform and write songs too. I write my songs and I thank God for this gift.
Jide Chord:  While I was working in the bank I still played music in the church. Christianity is deeply linked with music and it allows you to express yourself to the fullest extent really. I do not miss working in the bank but I miss journalism. I miss the power of the pen. But I still do my poetry and address people. I am still a medium and I'm part of the media as I can get social and political statements across like in 1994 when I was canvassing about HIV AIDS awareness. I wrote a song about Safe Sex. It was not a thing to do then in Nigeria but I did it and maybe we saved a few lives with that song.
TOSH Mag: Are you aware of the power you artists have to affect people's life? Because many musicians are not aware of how they influence thousands of people by what they do or say.
Jide Chord:  Well we need to realise the power that we hold and we have to use it responsibly. I do raise issues with friends in the music and film industry not just to say things because of money but usher out facts. What you saying - is it facing the test of time? When you are long dead and gone, will it still matter? We have to be careful. Especially in our film industry. They write stories and make movies that do not add up. Yes it might be fun but is it realistic? For instance – your stepmother is not always a witch. Not always. But it is portrayed that way.
TOSH Mag: At this junction I will like to explore a gift I personally have seen in you. This is the gift of humility. Normally we kids just achieve a little thing and before you know it we have grown wings more than cherubim but what I see in you is exemplary. I know you will not want to blow your own horns but a wise man once said, "If you do not blow your horn sometimes, it will get rusty and un-useable.
Jide Chord:  A Yoruba adage says, "Igberaga loun saju Iparun' (meaning A great fall usually awaits a proud man). Maybe when I was quite young I set myself some goals. You are actually getting some deep secrets from me now. I was pushed to the fore front – quite early in life. Maybe people saw some leadership qualities in me but I set some goals for myself that I did not make at that young age. I said by this age I want to have made this and that but I did not attain it. Whatever I have achieved now – when people tell me about it, I tell them in return that I should achieved much more. I think this is what levels me out. Maybe I set those goals too high then. For instance I said at 25, I would be the youngest editor in Nigeria. But I did not make it. Maybe that is what people see as humility I do not know.
TOSH Mag: Sir, how can people contact you or link you up?
 
Jide Chord:  Yes I am on the new phenomenon – facebook. Just search for Jide Chord and my face will be show up. In the United Kingdom, you can buzz me on +44 79 5813 1262 or in Nigeria +234 80 2311 7951 but better still google Jide Chord. So if you are looking to spice up your wedding occasions or birthdays, I am available so get in touch with me. I enjoy working especially with my people because you can interact at a high level. Especially in London. I have missed out a bit in London in the last two years but it is simply because of projects in Nigeria and the United States. I must say a big thank you for your support over the years. You put bread and butter on my table and I hope it continues for more years.
TOSH Mag: Do you have any new album or something you are working on at the moment?
 
Jide Chord:  Yes I do have an album out there called - All for you. At the moment I am not doing any new album but I am trying to find my feet in movie making. I have tried that before and I am trying to set up a stronger label than before to accommodate the new media – talking about downloads from the Internet. I have learnt a lot from a mentor of mine – king Sunny Ade. We were in the same car some years back driving and whilst I was asking him if he had heard about my new album, he started singing the tracks and I was simply amazed. So he listens to everybody and that keeps him on top of his game. As long as you are not arrogant and everybody matters to you – you will have longevity in the game. Also do not burn yourself out. Do not release 7 albums because of the fear of the future. You might not have heard about Sade Adu for a long time but believe me she is on the road somewhere.
TOSH Mag: By the way, I never knew you had acted in some Nollywood movies before. Kindly tell us more about this venture.
 
Jide Chord:  I am really keen in making contributions to the Nigerian movie industry. Not that I am new to it as I have been my actor from my secondary school days. I have worked in this country on documentaries for Network 7, Australia, BBC and ITV to mention few. I have actually acted in a Nigerian movie called Pink Lady 1 & 2. Just yesterday some one actually spoke to me about this and if fans are clamouring for me in movies, I just have to yield to them.
TOSH Mag: How do you juggle your family life with the music business? Share with aspiring musicians who do not know how to go about this aspect.
 
Jide Chord:  After God, family is very important, as this links to your primary support. Also pray to God for an understanding spouse. When it is family time it is time family time. I am down on my knees, scrubbing the toilet with my kids. How I do it, I don't know but God helps me. We keep in touch with phone calls and Internet links. Also do not get too big a family. That definitely helps.
TOSH Mag: Our fans ONLINE wanted us to ask you this question, as they were aware of this interview. What does Jide Chord stand for? Is Chord your surname? If not how did it come about?
 
Jide Chord:  My real name is Jide Akinwunmi from Abeokuta, Ogun State though I was born in Ibadan. The Chord name came like an insult. When I was just stepping in to music, I liked to do things methodically and meticulously. I can play a few number of instruments and one day someone was playing a piece but I showed the person the right chord for it. And then he said, Here comes Mr Chord again. That kept on echoing back to me and people started calling me Mr. Chord.
TOSH Mag: Tell us more about artists that you have collaborated with in the time past and those you intend to work with in the nearest future.
 
Jide Chord:  It is just now that I am looking into Collaborations. When we started in the days, there was not a lot of opportunities for that. But my first major one was with king Sunny Ade. He did something he had never done with anybody before, he appeared in my video. (Thank you Baba). I wish I had done more but there is a lot of time for that.

There is this artist I met in Atalanta who is an R & B and Rap artist so I will have to go back to Dallas with his producer and work on something. So that has been exclusively revealed on TOSH Mag. Also, there is this project we are doing for easter next year in the Gospel mainstream. It would consist of me and 40 kids – Jide Chord and the 40 kids. So we are going to do some heavenly sounds that will make your hair stand up. On the 24th December this year will will also be in Hackney – in High class arena at 50 Homerton High street. All night with Jide Chord. So you are all invited.
TOSH Mag: Thank you very much Sir for honouring our invitation. I and my team are so humbled and blessed to have interviewed you.
Jide Chord:  Thank you. And your magazine is going to go places. It is a very unique idea. And you have a spirit of not focussing about money as people can read it free online. On the long run, you are going to ride very high. It is a very good concept and the standard is excellent. I have been exposed to a lot of rubbish in time past and I have also been exposed to a lot of good stuff around the world but this is proudly Nigerian and an excellent standard.
 
From the album ANOTHER LEVEL.
Directed by Noel Stevens
Romeo & Juliet (Darling Ronke)
by Sir Jide Chord (Video)
Directed by Noel Stevens
Sir Jide Chord


TOSH Mag: Are you looking into collaborations with other artists?