How It All Began
My musical journey began back in 2003, when music was more than just sound — it was an escape, a dream, and a secret fire burning inside me. I had a crew then called “The Flames.” We were three: me and two ladies. I was the leader.
Our stage names were Stunner G, Fizzy, and Kerl — names that still make me smile today. I remember visiting their homes one by one to seek permission from their parents. They were young, and I had to convince their families that I meant well. Looking back now, that was the first test of leadership and passion — protecting the dream before it even began.
The Gospel Beginning
We started with gospel music — not just because it was our calling, but honestly, because it was the only way my parents would support the idea. 😅 Back then, saying you wanted to be a musician was like saying you wanted to disgrace the family. Every parent wanted you to become a “professional” — doctor, lawyer, engineer. Music was seen as rebellion.
So gospel was my smart cover story.
I began writing and composing songs, and the first one I ever wrote was titled “Times in Your Life.” That song changed everything. It was a major hit for a young group like ours — radio stations like Cool FM and Aso Radio played it every Sunday in Abuja. That feeling… hearing your song come on air for the first time, it’s indescribable.
Our First Performance
Our first live performance was at a show in Karu, a long drive from Kubwa, where we were based. We didn’t care that it was unpaid. We just wanted to perform. We carried our dreams and instruments like they were treasures.
My mum — God bless her — gave me ₦50,000 back then to support my music. I used every kobo to produce “Times in Your Life.” I remember rushing home, holding the CD, and begging my dad to listen.
He sat there quietly, his face expressionless. I watched him closely, nervous. Then, slowly, his frown softened into a smile. And in Igbo, he said to me:
“Nwam, ị gbalịala. Chukwu duọ gị.”
(“My son, you have tried. May God guide you.”)
Those words meant everything to me. They became my validation, my confidence, my fuel.
The Night the Hall Went Empty
Not every show was glory. I remember performing at a church program once. They let the known artists perform first. Then it was my turn. As soon as I got on stage, people started leaving the hall — one after another. By the time I finished singing, only three people remained: the DJ, the cleaner, and me.
I laughed later, but that moment hurt. It made me question everything. But still, I didn’t quit.
The Struggle and the Hustle
Music in Nigeria has never been easy — and I learned early that the real work isn’t making the song, it’s promoting it. I faced huge financial struggles trying to get airplay and recognition.
One friend introduced me to a producer who wanted me to switch my style to suit “what Nigerians like.” But I couldn’t. I didn’t want to lose myself.
My producer back then was Mac Jay, a man I still respect deeply. He believed in me so much that he stopped collecting money for studio sessions. That’s rare. Till today, we’re still good friends.
Most times, we’d get show offers but no money for transportation. So we only performed at shows within our vicinity — mostly Kubwa and nearby areas. Still, every performance felt like a dream fulfilled.
Going Solo
As time passed, the girls in my group — Fizzy and Kerl — grew, got married, and moved on with life. I didn’t blame them. Life happens.
I decided to go solo. I continued making music, not for fame anymore, but for fun and freedom. I collaborated with artists like Edidem, R n B, and Christlike, who’s now a pastor.
Each song carried a piece of me — my story, my hope, my soul.
Looking Back Now
Sometimes, I still think about my music career and wonder if I did the right things the right way. Maybe I could have pushed harder. Maybe I could have gone mainstream. Or maybe… it was never about fame to begin with.
Music taught me how to express emotion — how to turn pain into melody and joy into rhythm. It gave me confidence, identity, and voice.
Even though I’m not chasing the spotlight anymore, I’m proud of that version of me — the dreamer who dared to sing when it wasn’t fashionable to dream.
Tracklist 🎧
Below are some of the songs that shaped my musical journey — each one with a story, a moment, and a lesson:
Times in Your Life — My debut single and radio breakthrough.
- Great
- Quickly Quickly
(More tracks will be added as I archive and remaster my old recordings.)
Final Thoughts
Music gave me lessons that life couldn’t teach. It showed me that art isn’t about perfection — it’s about truth. It’s about reaching someone’s heart, even if it’s just one person in a room of a thousand.
So whenever I hear an old gospel song, or when I randomly hum “Times in Your Life,” I smile — because it reminds me of where I started, and how far I’ve come.
That little boy with a dream in Kubwa is still inside me.
And his fire never died. 🔥
Author Note
Written by Fintan Echeozo — a dreamer who found rhythm in resilience.
