American superstar, Bobby Brown, together with his boy band members BBD, arrived in Lagos on Wednesday ahead of their two-city tour.
The two-city concert is being put together by Lagos-based events company R28 Events and it will see Bobby and his group performing at the Eko Hotel & Suites in Lagos and the Polo Club, Port Harcourt, all in Nigeria, on March 9 and 11 respectively.
In this interview with Channels Television, the singer speaks on his initial opinion about Nigeria and the chances of collaborating with local artistes.
Why you came to Nigeria
I decided a long time ago that my ultimate goal was to play in Africa. Last time back in the 90s, I didn’t get the chance to do it because of different circumstances and situations didn’t allow me. But I’m just grateful to be here. I can’t wait to see the people; I can’t wait to get on stage. I mean it’s like every moment that I am here is making me itch. I love my people; I love my brothers and sisters and I’m just grateful to be here.
Initial opinion about Nigeria
I didn’t have anything in my head about Nigeria before coming here. I was just personally waiting to see what it had to offer and what it is going to offer me and my future while my past is been my past. I love human beings but being in Nigeria, I see people, I see humans, I see things that I see in myself. I look in the brother’s eyes and he looks like me so I’m appreciating that.
Chances of working with Nigerian artistes
I would love to do that. I have no problem with working with other people, other artistes. Like I said earlier, I’ve been watching Mtv and I’ve seen some of the local artistes that are fly – they’ve got their thing together. I would love to work with some of the artistes down here. It’s no problem for me. But I just really want to get on that stage and do what I do best which is perform.
Why disband New Edition
We disbanded it in the first place because we had so many things that we all wanted to do differently, like with me, I wanted to do funky music. I wanted to make my music a different way and they accepted that. And then BBD wanted to do something different, so they did something different. Ralph Tresvant, he wanted to do something different, so he did that. That’s just how it works out. New Edition is something that we look at as the mother or the mother-ship. It is like we have so many entities in New Edition. We have Ronnie Devoe, we have Bobby Brown, we have Ralph Tresvant, we have Johnny Gill and then we also have a group called Heads of States that me, Johnny and Ralph do. So New Edition is like a whole entertainment field. It something that people really can’t understand until you witness it. Once you witness the spectacularness of New Edition, then they will witness entertainment, because that’s what we do.
Will working together on the 30th anniversary project inspire a comeback for members of New Edition
We are definitely all back together. We’ve been praying together, sitting together. We’ve been going on trips together. I haven’t been with the brothers in my life in a long time and I can tell you this one thing, there’s no stopping New Edition from this point. New Edition will be together forever.
On Bobby Brown solo project
The Bobby Brown solo project will be out May 19th. That is the date we chose to come out with the new album which is called Master Piece. We have a bunch of great music in the album and the producers that I worked with, they are just great guys. It’s not like I go the big cats. I got great music because that’s what I’m known for. I’m not known for having this guy, and that guy and that guy, I’m known for my music. I’m known for my entertainment. I’m looking forward to people hearing it.
Are songs in new album different from the type of music you use to make?
It’s not different. It’s Bobby. If it’s one thing I take pride in, I take pride in doing great music for people. I don’t want anybody to ever think that I will switch off my style just because this is the way music is being done. I’m go give you what I got. You accept it or you don’t. I’m just that type of person.
Word for Nigerian fans
I can’t wait to see you all. I wish I was doing 13 concerts here. I love you all and enjoy the show and I am going to enjoy myself here. If you want me back in Nigeria just call me.
