‘9ice made me popular’

One of the fastest growing music producers in the country right now, is Victor Agali, popularly known as Chipho. He became popular after making hits for 9ice. In this interview with Sunkanmi Ogunade, he speaks about his life as a producer and his relationship with ID Cabasa.

Tell us how you started music production?

Well, actually I would say it’s a divine calling. I never had it in mind that I would become a music producer. When I was in Delta state, I was the church kind of person. After I spent enough years in Delta, I decided to move to Lagos to make plans and travel out of the country. I got to Lagos and luckily for me, I was attending the same church with ID Cabasa. It was then I met Cabasa. We started flowing and it continued like that until he told me to come to his studio. I was surprised when he said studio. He now asked me if I know the song ‘Omo, we get many rappers’. I said I know the song. He told me he was the one that produced the song. I went to his studio and I saw a lot of artistes the day I went. For like two months, the interest to produce was not there. He just decided to ask me one day if I was interested in music production so as to help myself financially. That was how I started learning from him. I started staying with Cabasa and that was how I started.

Are you now saying it was Cabasa that trained you or you later went elsewhere to learn?

It was ID cabasa that trained me. I learnt everything I know today from him.

When did you start producing professionally?

If I get my calculations right, I would say it’s been up to two years.

Apart from 9ice, which other artiste have you worked with?

I have worked with Artquake. I produced the Alanta beat. I have worked with Olu maintain, Lanre Teriba, Sean Tero and the rest of them.

Are you saying 9ice was your selling point?

My brother, it was 9ice o. I produced the Energy song and that was how it all started. It was 9ice that brought me to limelight.

Now that 9ice does no longer work with ID cabasa, I hope there is no quarrel between the both of you?

From time, I and Cabasa have had issues. It’s a very minor issue though but I believed it was God that caused the rift. But personally, I don’t have any problem with him. He is still my boss any day.

Do you know why 9ice stopped working with Cabasa?

Sincerely speaking, I don’t know about that.

Are you saying you produce all 9ice’s songs?

Yes, by the grace of God but he has some other talented guys that produces for him.

What have your major challenges been?

The industry is not easy at all. For you create your own style and stand by it can be extremely difficult. But, I am not that kind of human being that fears challenges. I see it as something you will have to pass through whether you like it or not. The industry is full of discouraging factors but it cannot change my will. I am here to stay.

Looking back now, how has your journey been?

I must say that all the glory belongs to God in heaven who has preserved me to this present time. It has been full of ups and downs. There are a lot of behind-the-scene embarrassments but God has been faithful and merciful to me. I don’t have doubts about my future.

You sound very religious. Are you the godly type?

Ah! See this guy, if I am not the God type, which type will I be? I believe in God who created heaven and earth. He is the Alpha and Omega. I believe in the Messiah and I know that He lives.

How do you feel about 9ice divorcing his wife?

I don’t have anything to say. I believe they have their own reasons for doing it that way. It is not my business at all. My own business is to produce good beats for 9ice. I don’t know anything about both of them.

Tell us about your family.

My name is Victor Agali. I am from Delta State precisely in Warri. I attended the craziest school in Warri, Ogbeh secondary school. I later studied Petroleum Engineering but dropped out due to some reasons. I am currently into production professionally. My parents reside in Warri and it is just a family of four; me and my brother and our parents inclusive.

Are you related to the footballer?

I don’t know.

How many minutes does it take to produce a beat?

I can use five minutes to produce a good beat. I always concentrate when I work.

As a growing player in the entertainment industry, what is your take on the quality of work being churned out nowadays?

The industry like I said as improved a lot and everybody is going back to the drawing table to bring out something unique. The beat producers are doing a great job and if it continues like this, we would go places. The industry is growing and things are getting better as the days go by.