In an exclusive interview with Linda Ikeji, Lynxx reveals that he has been celibate for a very long time even before he encountered the Holy Spirit.
According to him, he has managed to stay off the Baby mama drama which has become a norm in the industry by abstaining from sex.
The singer who just released an album talked about his music and life after he became born again, revealing how his life has impacted people around him and his fans. Read the full interview below..
Congrats on your new album. What is the story behind your new album 'The Album before the Album?
The story behind my new album is my experience. It is basically me being open and sharing my personal experiences. What I have been doing and what u have been influenced by and just making a body of what I feel represents me.
How long did it take you to record the album?
It took me about four weeks to put together the project but it was 6 years in between my last album but once the process started, it took me about four weeks
What were your major challenges while recording the album?
I actually didn’t have any challenges to be honest with you. It was actually a very seamless process, writing, creating and production was easy because I am working with a producer who understands my sound and I think as an artist, once you know what your music is all about, what you are trying to share with your fans and you have the right producer who understands your sound, it's pretty easy.
What has been the reception from your fans since the album dropped?
The reception has been crazy. Digitally we have done a lot of numbers because it came out on the internet before the streets. On the streets as well, it’s doing pretty good. Overall, I like the fact that out of the 18 plus bonus tracks people have chosen different angles of the album for different reasons.
How has the transformation to real Christian life being for you?
It’s being great; it’s the only way to live. When you live a purpose, you never have to guess what you’re supposed to be doing and you have an understanding of life on a spiritual level. So you see things for what they are and what they are meant to be.
What led to the transformation from hip hop to gospel and back to hip hop?
I am not doing gospel, I have never done gospel
But you have released a gospel song, “ I serve him?"
Well, you don’t have to do gospel music to praise God. The same way you don’t have to be a pastor to live a Godly life.
Rumours made round that you were moving to Gospel
It made rounds but did you ever hear me say that? I never said it. My album is out, go listen to it. I don’t know where that came from. I’m not the first artist to make music and thank God for life. I don’t think people are getting the message.
Even with the inspirational stuffs you post on social media
I still do it. It’s not about my music being the gospel; it’s about my life being the gospel. If I am a gospel artist and I’m singing God this, God that and you don’t see it in my life, what benefit is that to you?
Pictures of you at the club surfaced online after your transformation to a Christian life. What do you have to say about it?
Just to be factual, me being born again doesn’t mean I can never go to club. I never said that. Let's separate what it is from what the world wants it to be. I am not living for anybody, I am living for God. That is me saying once I know what my purpose is, I am living for that purpose. What is wrong with going clubbing? The problem is what you do in the club, what your choices are makes it right or wrong. I could be in my house and be doing worse things. People need to focus on the reality of things. And when you say picture surfaced that I was in the club, my dj, Dj Obi broke the world record for dj-ing for ten days and that’s where I was.
Would you regard yourself as one of Nigeria’s most successful artist?
That is not what I am after so i am not bothered about rank because at the end of the day, I set out to accomplish things and I have accomplished them. So, in my life, I’m very successful. In Nigeria, that is up to you guys.
Do you believe your privileged upbringing played a huge part in the success of your musical career?
I believe my privileged upbringing played a huge part in my life not in my career because I don’t see what being privileged has to do with success. I am not going to force my music on you; I am not going to force the world to listen to music because I come from a 'privileged' family. I went to school and I would give credits to my parents but at the end of the day being an artist depends on you. It depends on what you're trying to sell, your talents, skills and that is what it takes to be in the music business.
How do you manage to stay out of controversy?
By living my life, my life is simple, I live a purpose. Once you live on the right side of life you don't get into controversy
So what is your purpose in life?
As an artist, you have a purpose. Some artistes are just all about their songs. So what happens when the music is gone? You become irrelevant. So, what my purpose is; is to add value to people's life by what I have been blessed with. God has given me a platform as an artist to have a voice. The question is what are I doing with my voice? Am I leading people to God or leading them astray? There are consequences for doing the latter. My purpose is to be impactful to my generation and the generations to come after. My inspirational messages on Instagram are very impactful. Everybody has one struggle or the other and for someone to wake up in the morning and read what I posted and it makes them feel better and gives them an understanding of how to manage their situation is important. So if you take the music out of that equation, they are still going to look for me. So that is my purpose.
How do you manage advances from female fans?
I don't play into it. As a man you are always going to find yourself in such situations. You can't control actions, you can only control reactions.
Does that mean Lynxx doesn't have a girlfriend?
I refuse to answer that question... laughs.. Next time I come around we will talk about that
Any wedding bells soon?
I am getting older, I am ready
What are you looking out for in an ideal woman?
First of all, her relationship with God, her look at the world, goal oriented, she needs to know what she wants out of her life and not going as the wind blows. Someone I feel we can be friends as well as lovers. Someone who holds family dear and has good aspirations and accepts me for who I am and help me be better.
So you are not looking at physical beauty?
I think I have advanced from that stage. You can't determine compatibility by physical looks.
Do you believe your fame will make it a bit challenging for you to find a wife?
No, what is fame when there is God? When you live with God nothing is a challenge, every good thing comes from God. So why will it be a problem for me to get a wife? That is why I said when God says its time, it's time.
What was the experience that made you decide to change?
I had an encounter with the Holy Spirit. When you have an encounter with the Holy Spirit, you have an encounter with the spirit of God and then you can see the truth.
How did it happen, could you shed more light on the encounter?
I was in my house and I had an encounter with the Holy Spirit and I gave my life to Christ
Was it like a difficult decision?
No it wasn't, because God is going to have his way
Do you miss anything from your previous Life?
No, because the truth is that as much as people think they are free, they are in bondage. Jesus is the way, the truth and life. So if you are not with him, you are not living in his way, you are not living the truth and don't really have life.
Have you ever considered becoming a pastor in order to impact more in people?
No, everyone is called to do a different thing. 'It is not the church to stay in church. The church is supposed to go out.' The great commission of Jesus Christ is to go into the world and make disciples of all. It didn't say stay in the church and make disciples of yourselves. God wants to use me as a tool in my industry.
Now that you are born again, when shooting your music videos, are we still going to see semi nude girls?
What I have done is to take explicit things out of my music. This means that, I don't need to have naked girls, cursing and things that lead the youths astray. But people need to understand the line between this and seeing a girl in my video and then saying "but I thought he is born again" That is shallow. I am still going to make music about love, experiences in life and relationships. Art is art, you cannot limit art because people want to see only one side of an artist. I will make creative videos, videos that tell a story as long as it is not explicit. I don't believe in champagne, cars, women shaking their buttocks in a video. As an artist we need to challenge ourselves.
If there is one thing you are privileged to change in the Music Industry, what would it be?
I just want people to be open-minded, that's all I ask. I don't believe in limiting your ability to explore mentally, it's pointless you are losing. For instance if everybody does one particular kind of music, what happens to other genre on music? If we are chasing Pop and Club what happens to RnB, Soul, Hip Hop?
We just need to be open-minded about the music we try to make and the fans also need to open-minded to accept it.
Who are the foreign artistes you would love to work with?
I would say Soulja Boy, He is my favourite artiste. Drake would be a very interesting collaboration also.
But to be very honest with you, I only think of collaboration when am in the studio making a song. Like the way I work, I just don't say I want to work with this artiste except when there is a record that the person's sound would fit in.
So far, Soulja Boy and Drake are the top collaboration on my head.
Will you ever consider going into Politics?
Nah, I have no interest, I actually have zero interest for Politics.
My dad was a Deputy Governor like 30 years ago, even him wasn't interested in Politics not to talk about me. Am not interested, I don't follow money, if something is not my passion there's no need doing it.
It's zero politics for Lynxx.
Babymama has become one of the trends for Nigerian artistes, how have you managed to stay clear off from the drama?
Like I said, I know why am doing music, I know what am trying to achieve, that’s what matters to me and not the enemy of my achievement. I stay focused, because when your eyes are on the price it's hard for you to see things at your side so I stay focused. There's no babymama for Lynxx.
So why do you think Baby mama has become a common thing with artistes?
I can't lie to you, I don't have any comment on this because am not them, am me and i'm only responsible for my action. You know what it takes to have baby, it's 'Sex', so I think the question should be for those who have kids, I don't have kids.
You said having a baby involves Sex, are you trying to say you are Celibate?
Yes, i’m saying that. I’m Celibate.
For how long have you been Celibate?
For a while, for years per say.
Artistes owning their record labels, what's your take?
To be honest with you, owning a record label is a lot of work. I own a record label since 2004 and that played a role why I couldn't finish an album for close to 5 - 6 years.
I don't just manage myself alone, I also manage my artistes, I create opportunities for them, I look out for businesses for the label, I fund the label and it's hard-work because I can't just focus on being in the studio I have to focus on everything else making sure that everybody on the team are doing their job.
If you ask any other Boss that runs a successful label, you would know it's a lot of work and lot of money because sometime I wished I never had to worry about that.
Presently, who is the biggest artiste in Nigeria?
I don't know, because I actually don't listen to music when I’m creating music.
What is your Beauty Regime?
Omo I dey baff everyday, I dey brush every day, I dey barb every other week, I dey wear cloths every day.
I just try not to smell, if am out on a busy day sweating, I make sure I go back home to take my shower before I get back out.
Let me tell you, make sure you use deodorant, there are people I have come across and I noticed they did apply deodorant. Natural odour, C’mon you can't do that to yourself, you need to be self aware because your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit.
What is your favourite quote in the Bible?
I think the best for me that really just explains everything is John 3:16, it explains the Love of God (For God so loved the World that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him will get an eternal life and not perish) it's that simple.
A lot of people say they believe God with their mouth and not with their heart and that's the difference between a born and a normal Christian.
According to him, he has managed to stay off the Baby mama drama which has become a norm in the industry by abstaining from sex.
The singer who just released an album talked about his music and life after he became born again, revealing how his life has impacted people around him and his fans. Read the full interview below..
Congrats on your new album. What is the story behind your new album 'The Album before the Album?
The story behind my new album is my experience. It is basically me being open and sharing my personal experiences. What I have been doing and what u have been influenced by and just making a body of what I feel represents me.
How long did it take you to record the album?
It took me about four weeks to put together the project but it was 6 years in between my last album but once the process started, it took me about four weeks
What were your major challenges while recording the album?
I actually didn’t have any challenges to be honest with you. It was actually a very seamless process, writing, creating and production was easy because I am working with a producer who understands my sound and I think as an artist, once you know what your music is all about, what you are trying to share with your fans and you have the right producer who understands your sound, it's pretty easy.
What has been the reception from your fans since the album dropped?
The reception has been crazy. Digitally we have done a lot of numbers because it came out on the internet before the streets. On the streets as well, it’s doing pretty good. Overall, I like the fact that out of the 18 plus bonus tracks people have chosen different angles of the album for different reasons.
How has the transformation to real Christian life being for you?
It’s being great; it’s the only way to live. When you live a purpose, you never have to guess what you’re supposed to be doing and you have an understanding of life on a spiritual level. So you see things for what they are and what they are meant to be.
What led to the transformation from hip hop to gospel and back to hip hop?
I am not doing gospel, I have never done gospel
But you have released a gospel song, “ I serve him?"
Well, you don’t have to do gospel music to praise God. The same way you don’t have to be a pastor to live a Godly life.
Rumours made round that you were moving to Gospel
It made rounds but did you ever hear me say that? I never said it. My album is out, go listen to it. I don’t know where that came from. I’m not the first artist to make music and thank God for life. I don’t think people are getting the message.
Even with the inspirational stuffs you post on social media
I still do it. It’s not about my music being the gospel; it’s about my life being the gospel. If I am a gospel artist and I’m singing God this, God that and you don’t see it in my life, what benefit is that to you?
Pictures of you at the club surfaced online after your transformation to a Christian life. What do you have to say about it?
Just to be factual, me being born again doesn’t mean I can never go to club. I never said that. Let's separate what it is from what the world wants it to be. I am not living for anybody, I am living for God. That is me saying once I know what my purpose is, I am living for that purpose. What is wrong with going clubbing? The problem is what you do in the club, what your choices are makes it right or wrong. I could be in my house and be doing worse things. People need to focus on the reality of things. And when you say picture surfaced that I was in the club, my dj, Dj Obi broke the world record for dj-ing for ten days and that’s where I was.
Would you regard yourself as one of Nigeria’s most successful artist?
That is not what I am after so i am not bothered about rank because at the end of the day, I set out to accomplish things and I have accomplished them. So, in my life, I’m very successful. In Nigeria, that is up to you guys.
Do you believe your privileged upbringing played a huge part in the success of your musical career?
I believe my privileged upbringing played a huge part in my life not in my career because I don’t see what being privileged has to do with success. I am not going to force my music on you; I am not going to force the world to listen to music because I come from a 'privileged' family. I went to school and I would give credits to my parents but at the end of the day being an artist depends on you. It depends on what you're trying to sell, your talents, skills and that is what it takes to be in the music business.
How do you manage to stay out of controversy?
By living my life, my life is simple, I live a purpose. Once you live on the right side of life you don't get into controversy
So what is your purpose in life?
As an artist, you have a purpose. Some artistes are just all about their songs. So what happens when the music is gone? You become irrelevant. So, what my purpose is; is to add value to people's life by what I have been blessed with. God has given me a platform as an artist to have a voice. The question is what are I doing with my voice? Am I leading people to God or leading them astray? There are consequences for doing the latter. My purpose is to be impactful to my generation and the generations to come after. My inspirational messages on Instagram are very impactful. Everybody has one struggle or the other and for someone to wake up in the morning and read what I posted and it makes them feel better and gives them an understanding of how to manage their situation is important. So if you take the music out of that equation, they are still going to look for me. So that is my purpose.
How do you manage advances from female fans?
I don't play into it. As a man you are always going to find yourself in such situations. You can't control actions, you can only control reactions.
Does that mean Lynxx doesn't have a girlfriend?
I refuse to answer that question... laughs.. Next time I come around we will talk about that
Any wedding bells soon?
I am getting older, I am ready
What are you looking out for in an ideal woman?
First of all, her relationship with God, her look at the world, goal oriented, she needs to know what she wants out of her life and not going as the wind blows. Someone I feel we can be friends as well as lovers. Someone who holds family dear and has good aspirations and accepts me for who I am and help me be better.
So you are not looking at physical beauty?
I think I have advanced from that stage. You can't determine compatibility by physical looks.
Do you believe your fame will make it a bit challenging for you to find a wife?
No, what is fame when there is God? When you live with God nothing is a challenge, every good thing comes from God. So why will it be a problem for me to get a wife? That is why I said when God says its time, it's time.
What was the experience that made you decide to change?
I had an encounter with the Holy Spirit. When you have an encounter with the Holy Spirit, you have an encounter with the spirit of God and then you can see the truth.
How did it happen, could you shed more light on the encounter?
I was in my house and I had an encounter with the Holy Spirit and I gave my life to Christ
Was it like a difficult decision?
No it wasn't, because God is going to have his way
Do you miss anything from your previous Life?
No, because the truth is that as much as people think they are free, they are in bondage. Jesus is the way, the truth and life. So if you are not with him, you are not living in his way, you are not living the truth and don't really have life.
Have you ever considered becoming a pastor in order to impact more in people?
No, everyone is called to do a different thing. 'It is not the church to stay in church. The church is supposed to go out.' The great commission of Jesus Christ is to go into the world and make disciples of all. It didn't say stay in the church and make disciples of yourselves. God wants to use me as a tool in my industry.
Now that you are born again, when shooting your music videos, are we still going to see semi nude girls?
What I have done is to take explicit things out of my music. This means that, I don't need to have naked girls, cursing and things that lead the youths astray. But people need to understand the line between this and seeing a girl in my video and then saying "but I thought he is born again" That is shallow. I am still going to make music about love, experiences in life and relationships. Art is art, you cannot limit art because people want to see only one side of an artist. I will make creative videos, videos that tell a story as long as it is not explicit. I don't believe in champagne, cars, women shaking their buttocks in a video. As an artist we need to challenge ourselves.
If there is one thing you are privileged to change in the Music Industry, what would it be?
I just want people to be open-minded, that's all I ask. I don't believe in limiting your ability to explore mentally, it's pointless you are losing. For instance if everybody does one particular kind of music, what happens to other genre on music? If we are chasing Pop and Club what happens to RnB, Soul, Hip Hop?
We just need to be open-minded about the music we try to make and the fans also need to open-minded to accept it.
Who are the foreign artistes you would love to work with?
I would say Soulja Boy, He is my favourite artiste. Drake would be a very interesting collaboration also.
But to be very honest with you, I only think of collaboration when am in the studio making a song. Like the way I work, I just don't say I want to work with this artiste except when there is a record that the person's sound would fit in.
So far, Soulja Boy and Drake are the top collaboration on my head.
Will you ever consider going into Politics?
Nah, I have no interest, I actually have zero interest for Politics.
My dad was a Deputy Governor like 30 years ago, even him wasn't interested in Politics not to talk about me. Am not interested, I don't follow money, if something is not my passion there's no need doing it.
It's zero politics for Lynxx.
Babymama has become one of the trends for Nigerian artistes, how have you managed to stay clear off from the drama?
Like I said, I know why am doing music, I know what am trying to achieve, that’s what matters to me and not the enemy of my achievement. I stay focused, because when your eyes are on the price it's hard for you to see things at your side so I stay focused. There's no babymama for Lynxx.
So why do you think Baby mama has become a common thing with artistes?
I can't lie to you, I don't have any comment on this because am not them, am me and i'm only responsible for my action. You know what it takes to have baby, it's 'Sex', so I think the question should be for those who have kids, I don't have kids.
You said having a baby involves Sex, are you trying to say you are Celibate?
Yes, i’m saying that. I’m Celibate.
For how long have you been Celibate?
For a while, for years per say.
Artistes owning their record labels, what's your take?
To be honest with you, owning a record label is a lot of work. I own a record label since 2004 and that played a role why I couldn't finish an album for close to 5 - 6 years.
I don't just manage myself alone, I also manage my artistes, I create opportunities for them, I look out for businesses for the label, I fund the label and it's hard-work because I can't just focus on being in the studio I have to focus on everything else making sure that everybody on the team are doing their job.
If you ask any other Boss that runs a successful label, you would know it's a lot of work and lot of money because sometime I wished I never had to worry about that.
Presently, who is the biggest artiste in Nigeria?
I don't know, because I actually don't listen to music when I’m creating music.
What is your Beauty Regime?
Omo I dey baff everyday, I dey brush every day, I dey barb every other week, I dey wear cloths every day.
I just try not to smell, if am out on a busy day sweating, I make sure I go back home to take my shower before I get back out.
Let me tell you, make sure you use deodorant, there are people I have come across and I noticed they did apply deodorant. Natural odour, C’mon you can't do that to yourself, you need to be self aware because your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit.
What is your favourite quote in the Bible?
I think the best for me that really just explains everything is John 3:16, it explains the Love of God (For God so loved the World that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him will get an eternal life and not perish) it's that simple.
A lot of people say they believe God with their mouth and not with their heart and that's the difference between a born and a normal Christian.
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