Fast rising femcee, rapper, dancer, actor, writer, blogger, fine
artist, makeup artist and fashion designer Eva Alordia is a bundle in
one. In the EXCLUSIVE interview, she reveals her innermost ugly life
dealings and how she conquered them.
By Ada IgboanugoHow has the journey been so far since I last interviewed you?
It’s been good and bad because I had to take time off for my youth
service program, which cut me off from a lot of work. But asides that,
real good
Did taking time off affect you in any way?
Yes it did, because the fans basically didn't get to hear any material
from me. I wasn't playing shows or recording, so that really took a
toll on my career. On the bright side, bouncing back wasn't a tough
job at all. So I'm grateful for that.
What’s the good side of it?
Was there really a good side to it except the fact that I successfully
completed that phase of my life? Wow! I think I really missed working
that I would be blinded to seeing that as a good side. Right now, all
that's really fulfilling is working you know, so whatever takes me off
that might not be considered good
Since then, what have you been up to?
I have been working on Videos and music for my EP. I decided I wanted
to put out a 5track EP before my debut album. Its title "the GIGO EP"
and the project explore my creativity with the fusions of other genres
with Rap. Its an acronym for "Garbage in- Garbage out" which is a
computer term in programming. Remember I'm a graduate of Computer
Science? Basically, I'm giving back what I have been influenced by.
That's what the project is. I hope the fans would understand the idea
and not freak out if they hear me doing stuff that isn't necessarily
Hip-hop/Rap. Asides that, I have been working on video projects for
collabos, a couple of them have been released, Tha Suspect's "I no
Send You" with the Female all stars, "Make 'em Say" with Str8buttah,
and "BB Pin Rmx". You see? I have been a busy girl.
What’s EP?
It’s Extended Play. It’s a term that stems from the days of Vinyl
records. It basically means that the CD contains more than one single
and isn't a full album in which case it would be called an LP. So, if
a CD has 2tracks, it can be called an EP.
Why not a Mix-tape?
I was going to work on a Mix-tape, but when I thought about it, I
said, "What the hell, why not just make original tracks and own them
completely." You know? So I thought of a theme to follow through for
the EP, and then GIGO (pronounced 'Guy-Go') came up and I stuck to it.
What’s your Label?
I'm signed to the record label PXC records, owned by award winning
Video director, Mex. He's an amazing guy, very creative and its a
privilege to work with someone like that. I'm looking forward to all
the great projects we have lined up, with his level of expertise; I
see nothing but the very best so I'm in a very excited place right
now. The first video from my EP drops soon, right after that the video
for the first single off my debut album. Yikes! I'm going to be very
busy so help me God
Tell me about Suspect's 'I no send you' with the femcees. How did it
feel being amongst them?
Suspect's 'I No Send You' was actually recorded in 2009 and then late
last year Sasha and Muna were added to the original which just made
the song more enjoyable. I was watching the video a few days back and
I thought "Wow! We really rocked this thing. Just great to be in the
pack and work it with the girls
So far what's the response been like? Enough to charge with an album?
The response has been amazing, and I'm not talking just the fans now,
the critics as well. I recently released the second single off the EP
"I Done Did It" which was produced by award winning producer of the
year -Sossick. It’s amazing how huge a deal the song has become.
Before that I put out the first, 'Down Low' which features Shank and
produced by an amazingly talented producer, Tintin. It had me doing a
lot of rap fusions with Reggae/Dancehall and the response was just
great. I couldn't be more grateful
A lot of people feel connected to your single 'Relentless' why do you
think that is?
I think its because that's something everybody aiming for success
wants to say, you know? You're never going to stop pushing until you
get to where you are headed, you stay Relentless at what it is
regardless of who's out there just wanting to push you. I wrote and
recorded that song at a very down time in my career so it was
basically me pouring out everything from my heart. It’s fulfilling
knowing that people can relate to it.
Care to share
You know that point where its like the world is down on your shoulders
not caring if you can handle its weight? Of which you know say I be
lekpa, the world was so heavy on my lean shoulders. I was just very
stressed out. I was so broke at one point, I couldn't afford studio
bills; and then I had writer's block for almost a whole month. At some
point I had this terrible skin reaction that forced Acne out of every
pore on my face. I was basically miserable, depressed and sad everyday
for months! At that time, the only things that kept me going were
God's grace and the love from the fans. You'd be surprised what a
simple "I love you" tweet or facebook post from a fan can do
How did you handle it?
I just stayed Relentless. At the same time I was going through NYSC so
that created a bit of a distraction. I took that time I couldn't use
for music to build my Makeup business as well. So all that kind of
created a bit of a much-needed distraction.
How's that going?
The Makeup? Oh great! Except of cause right now I'm working
consistently on my music and making up for lost time. I intend to open
a Makeup studio soon, mostly probably have students that trained under
me come back to work as interns for a while. For now I do only jobs
that keep me within the confines of the music business, Video sets,
photography sessions and the likes. And yes! I handle my makeup myself
when I'm on set, for some reason, I trust no one with my face (laughs)
Which other song did you think moved the crowd?
The new single "I Done Did it". I was totally overwhelmed. I got the
best reviews ever; the fans were going crazy. They even made the
phrase #iDoneDidIt trend on twitter. What more could I possibly ask
for. The reaction every time I perform that song is just a blessing.
You fast been recognized as an icon of style with your signature hair?
What behind it?
(laughs) I’ve been playing with my hair for as long as I can remember.
From cutting it all off to fixing weaves in all forms, to colouring
the hair in the most odd colours. I thought to myself "I really have
to stand out from everybody else!" - So it gradually started from just
cutting a simple Mohawk to having really BIGGER hair! In fact right
now, it’s not black anymore, its blue! Its amazing how people are
attracted to my hair first before they are to me. I'm like "Look at
me! I'm right here, beneath the hair!"
Do you stay with your parents? If yes what is their reaction towards
your chosen lifestyle?
They are obviously not comfortable with it, as would any other
Nigerian family with just one girl to call their own. Not like I'm
comfortable with it myself. You know, most of the work comes in the
nighttime and I'm not exactly your typical night person. However, they
have become supportive especially now that I'm done with school. We
deal with it somehow; I guess they understand I can't do anything else
right now so they found a way to adapt to the situation
With the incessant positive views, do you feel fulfiled yet?
Not at all! I haven't even started yet. I have such a long way to go,
I can't afford to be blinded by how far I have been able to crawl. I
still need to walk, I want to run, I want to fly. Fulfilment is a long
way from where I am
What do you think my pose as a hindrance now or in the future?
Nothing. I have fulfilled the wishes of likely hindrances -School,
family, myself…the rest we don't know about, God has conquered them.
What's your idea of perfect happiness?
When the mind and the body can be good friends and the relationship
between both is a symbiotic non-aggressive and co-productive
relationship! Ok scrap that. (Laughs) Complete and total happiness
comes from the satisfaction of the heart, the easiness of the mind.
Loving and being loved back. Giving and sharing, when all these come
together in one body, you can't deny the joy that that brings
What is your greatest fear?
Not being able to achieve what I set out for, because of one reason or
the other. Now, this doesn't only apply with my career, its life in
its entirety. So I'm talking, in relationships, in
spirituality/relationship with God, careers, everything.
What’s your love life like? I heard you are dating Emjay…
Where did you get that? I have never even met him. He is a friend of
my brother's and a very talented young rapper. I'm a fan. I hope to
meet him soon though so we could work on a song together. Would be
great. But I’m very much single.
So what's your relationship like with your Creator?
I try! But I know I’ve caused him so much trouble. I'm telling you,
I'm sure God himself says "Lord deliver me from Eva" Its an up and
down relationship but I understand what I must do to keep in line with
him. Even down to having a Bible app on my blackberry so I can have it
with me wherever I am, because as it is this devilish device is in our
hands 24-7 for some reason!
You have a blog where you reveal your personal dealings; don't you
feel the least exposed and vulnerable to paparazzi and critics waiting
to devour in any way?
No no no! I share my experiences and career experiences on my blog. I
love to write, so I figured I could share a bit of this and that with
the fans, in words, pictures and videos. Its just a hobby and I
definitely don't go overboard and all personal.
What is your most treasured item?
My dogs. They are just the sweetest pets, I know I shouldn't list them
as items but I can't help it. If I loose any of my dogs, I'd go
berserk!
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Right now? That's got to be finishing school with a good degree. I'm
working on the next level of achievements right now, when I attain
them, I'd be sure to tell you first.
How were you able to conquer your acne?
It’s still there but much better. At least I can wear makeup now. I
went through Chemical peels, drugs from dermatologists, which made it
worse, several of the counter cosmetics and cleansers, Finally, I
think this is what helped. Drinking a glass of water + lime every
other morning, using (black soap + honey + lime) as my facial wash,
eating vegetables as a main dish every other day, drinking lots of
water, and using rose water on my face. That's been controlling it for
a while now
Jeans-on-tees or LBDs?
LBDs
Local dish or Continental dish?
Local.
M.I or Tuface?
Both but if you put a gun to my head and asked me to pick, Chai!
Tuface, because I know I can beg MI later. (Laughs)
Movies or books?
Movies.
Football or Basketball?
Basketball.
