Zack Orji is a Nollywood legend. His wife, Ngozi, who’s also an actor-singer like him, launched her debut album on Sunday, March 25, 2018 in Lagos. Her husband was by her side throughout the event to offer her his maximum support. OSEYIZA OOGBODO met him at the launch, and he spoke about his family and career. Excerpts:
Your wife is launching her album today. How do you feel about this?
I feel awesome. She’s not launching the album as my wife, as Mrs. Orji. She’s launching the album as Ngozi Orji and the title of the project is Awesome Grace. I feel awesome myself because I’m a praise minister, I’m a worship minister and anything that will praise God anytime, anything that will uplift God’s name anytime, I’m all for it, and this time around, it’s my wife doing it. She’s launching her maiden album. It’s a beautiful thing. The event center is beautiful, the Sheba Centre is an awesome place to do an event and we’ve received a lot of support from COZA.
Talking about the album, sir. How long did the recording take, and what was the recording process like for you in particular?
Some of the songs in the album are more than ten years old. Some were just last year. So, these songs have been recorded over a period of time, from more than ten years ago. The song called Amazing Grace was recorded about thirteen years ago. You understand? There are some other songs that were recorded at the same time. There are songs that were recorded much later. So, it’s a project that has been in the works for a long time. She was just doing it, doing it, doing it and now she feels that it’s time to do a compilation of those works and then have them released, have them launched.
It’s not as easy as that. When you get into it, you’ll know the intricacies. But it simply means that for you to do any project now that you want to take to the cinema, you have to be very careful to watch out for certain indices, certain things that must be taken care of
Was it just that she decided to take this long, or the market forces forced her to wait this long before compiling the album?
No. It’s not a question of market forces. She’s been a praise minister, she’s been a worship minister in our church where we used to worship, and she’s also been assistant music minister in the church. So, these are things that she’s been doing over time all these years she’s been ministering in different churches, at different occasions. So, you know, sometimes it’s when God ministers to you that this is the time to launch an album. So, that’s exactly what happened.
Your son is also into music.
Yes, my son.
How do you feel having these two music talents in your home?
I feel awesome. My son is going to perform today. My daughter, too.
She sings, too?
Yeah. She’ll perform, too.
So you’re a music family?
Yeah. We are.
So, are you trying to create a music family dynasty? What’s your plan regarding your music family?
Oh, I’m going to wait for God to give me a leading on that, then I’ll take the initiative. I’m also a singer myself, and I’m working on something, too. Oh yes, I have some things recorded. Praise should be part of any child of God. The Bible says that everything that has breathe, praise the Lord. I’m a singer; also, I’m a writer. I’m a composer. You know, I’m just a music person.
You said we should expect songs from you soon. Does that mean that’s the latest thing about you? Or you have other projects you want to tell us about?
Oh, if it’s the music thing, in the movie industry, I’ve been doing musical scores for some films as far back as when I produced my first film. That was about 23 years ago. I did the musical soundtrack for it. So, I’ve been doing musical soundtracks for some movies. And I was also part of a group called Rock Foundation, a gospel music group. My wife was also part of it. So music has been in me, in my family, all these years.
If you were to rate your music ability and your acting talent, it seems acting has brought you more fame than music. Do you agree?
Yes, acting is the one that brought me into limelight.
Why acting? Why not music?
Because that’s the one I tackled first. And if I hadn’t been an actor, I probably would have been a musician, because the first-ever demo I did in 1987, that’s about 31 years ago. There used to be a studio called Blessing Studio on Awolowo Way, Ikeja, and that’s where I did my first demo. So, it’s not as if it just started.
So, which one do you feel you’re more talented in?
I believe I’m talented in both of them.
You’ve conquered the acting world. Musically as well, you’ve done a lot of things. Tell us your concrete plans to become a full force in music.
I’ll be recording some new songs later in the year. Then when I record them, God will give me a leading on what to do about them. But I’m definitely going to come out with something this year.
How about an Orji family music project?
That’s a possibility.
Is there any plan for it?
Oh, it’s a good thing. We’ll probably work at it.
Acting is what made you a superstar. What’s the latest about your acting career? Have you done any movies this year?
I’m actually working on something now, as I’m speaking to you.
Your own production?
Not mine. I’m starring in a film. I had to tell them to suspend it to give me time for this. I’m actually going on location tomorrow.
Are projects lined up for you this year?
Yes. Here in Nigeria, Ghana, in … I’m actually going for a movie premiere in London on the 18th of May, a movie which was shot last September.
The cinema culture has returned to Nigeria. How favourable is it to you?
It’s favourable to the industry.
And to you personally? With the cinemas now doing well, instead of actors complaining of no money, shouldn’t they just shoot a movie, take it to the cinema and make millions? Are you doing that yourself?
It’s not as easy as that. When you get into it, you’ll know the intricacies. But it simply means that for you to do any project now that you want to take to the cinema, you have to be very careful to watch out for certain indices, certain things that must be taken
care of.
