Wande Coal:I Miss Don Jazzy

Oluwatobi Wande Ojosipe popularly known as Wande Coal is one talented artiste, from whom, many youngsters draw inspiration to pursue their passion for music. The dark-skinned,former Mohits/Mavin artiste also dubbed Black Diamond just released his second album titled, Wanted. In a chat with Vanguard, he explains why it took him six years to release another album, missing Don Jazzy and the joy of fatherhood. Excerpts:

It took you six years to release another album; What happened?

I was with Mohits and the company dissolved in 2011, then, I was left alone to choose where to go. Either to go with Dbanj or Don Jazzy. I just moved with Don  Jazzy  because we  had bonded, It’s not that I didn’t like Dbanj but I just had to move with Don Jazzy because he is a producer and I am a singer. I moved with Don Jazzy without no contract . It was based on love and I had no contract. At some point I wanted to be in charge of my own creativity and have my own personal growth .I have been working with Don Jazzy for a while and I wanted to give other people the opportunity to produce my music. It takes time. I left Don Jazzy in 2013 and we were already working on my second album, which was almost done. But at the end of the day with business, you disagree and agree. It just didn’t work out .That is why I had to start all over again .Songs like Rotate are no longer on the album. I had to start all over again creating new songs, getting a new producer that is why it took this long.

Do you miss Don Jazzy?

There are no two ways about it, I miss Don Jazzy. When we are in the studio we make ourselves laugh that is what people hardly know. Hopefully, we can work together sometime in the future. There is no beef

Are you open to having collabos with your former label mates?

I am open to having collabos with them. There is no ‘beef’ between us. It’s about having a common ground to make good music.

Are you ever envious of the likes of Korede Bello, Reekado Banks and Dija?

I said you have to give people chances. I have been in their shoes. I am not envious of them, I have been Korede Bello, Dija , Reekado Banks and I have grown past that. I have grown to a level where I need to create my own thing. I feel like they are with the best producer and we should learn from it.

A lot of artistes are resorting to skin bleaching, would you do that anytime soon?

I don’t want to bleach, trust me I like my colour like this

What will you say about fatherhood?

Fatherhood has been good to me. My child is seven years old. It was part of the reasons why I had to be out of circulation. I had to take care of my child.

Are you considering getting married to your baby mama?

If God says so; I am leaving that in God’s hands. I am a single dad for now. I love my son, he is smart and brilliant. I am happy. It has taught me to be responsible basically.

How many tracks do you have in your new album and how long did it take to work on it?

I have 18 tracks.
It took me two years. I had to start all over again.

What is your take on the beef between Wizkid and Davido?

I have been blessed by their music. The only person I can say we have been through a lot together will be Wizkid. Nobody can blame Wizkid for who he is. He has learnt and I think he is a great kid. I love him to death. He is my brother. We bonded .With Davido; I think he is a great artiste and doing his own thing