Segun Nabi Talks About His Career As Talented Juju Artiste Set For US/Canada Tour
The Begining:
The popular maxim that says “Success is Not Final, Failure is Not Fatal: it is the Courage to Continue that Counts,” aptly describes this talented and innovative singer, Ambassador Segun Nabi.
Stardom didn’t just appear to Oluwasegun Idowu who’s popularly known as Segun Nabi but a gradual process which he’s able to achieve by being consistent and focused.
The name ‘NABI‘ is an acronym for New Ages Band International, the name he adopted when he set up his band at tender age of 13 and by mere coincidence, Segun Nabi family’s name is Nabisatu. Now you can see and understand why NABI apart from being an acronym is also the short form of the family’s compound name.
Music is an inborn thing when talking about Segun Nabi, because he started responding to rhythm even as a toddler. This is the first significant thing his parents noticed about him.
Music also is an inheritance for the fact that both parents had the traits in them even though they didn’t manifest it to the professional level.
By the time he was in Senior Secondary School 1 (SS 1) Segun Nabi has become a full fledged singer with his own band, the aforementioned, New Ages Band International.
“As a semi finalist in secondary school, I was already a popular figure in my school. My principal, Mrs. Ajaguna nicknamed me ‘Fuji Boy’ as she couldn’t differentiate between Fuji and Juju, all she knew and understood was that I sing.”
“I maintained and enjoyed the steady rise as a young and talented singer. Tirelessly, I was leading the school’s choir, we attended many music competitions.
Later, one of the band members, made our intention known to his dad and Lekan Awofisan’s father registered NABI which has since becoming. It was a big surprise when I mounted the stage and performed wonderfully well at our English teacher’s wedding the day the whole school got to see me performing live.
I thank God this didn’t affect my studies as I came out in flying colours when my SSCE results came out,” Segun Nabi narrated.
Being ambitious, Segun Nabi never stopped aspiring for greater heights and in his bid to metamorphose to higher level, he joined Julius Olagoroye’s (Julie King) band. The band he served with all energy vigour.
He took a job at the music department of a multipurpose company, Shama-Shama. There, versatile Segun Nabi played ‘sekere’.
An agreement between him and another talented colleague from Julie King’s band merged him with Ladi Show to float a band.
A precocious child he was, Segun Nabi was never taught how to play guitar, keyboard or any musical instrument yet he handled these musical instruments efficiently.
“A veteran actor and movie director, Yemi Amodu played significant roles in my career. This man picked interest in me, indirectly, he was promoting me and getting shows for me. He even gave me a task of making sound track for one of the movies he directed. And it became obvious that music is my calling, I gatt no choice than to bring out the best out of it. And back then in my base in Oshodi, I established Immaculate Voice Training where I trained interested people who were willing to take music as career.
An inborn Celestial ‘boy’, Segun Nabi created Juju Christian Pop Music Association, Mega 99 of today was a member and many others like that.”
Ambassador Segun Nabi has been to South Africa, Tanzania, London and preparation is in top gear by Samek Moments Entertainment, a renowned music promotion company to sponsor Segun Nabi for a one year musical tour in the United States of America (USA)/Canada.
Mr. Pamela will be in US and Canada for a period of one year (November 2023/Nov 2024) as activities have already been laid down to perform in more than 16 States in the US and also in Canada.
The tour will also include playing in churches, parties, stage and other social gathering all through that period.
A Peep Into His Acting Career:
Apart from appearing in his own musical videos, Ambassador Segun Nabi also took a shot at acting. He debuted as an actor in Adisa Oniyameta (a Yoruba trending movie). In all this musician cum actor has featured in more than six movies and still counting, including a particular one; Inside Life which was produced by him.
Segun Nabi The Leader:
It’s very hard to see Segun Nabi directing his band as a master, instead he shows that he’s a leader and not a master who controls only and never listen.
“I give my boys free hands, that is why my doors are open to whosoever wants to come around even those who have left the band.
During one of my weekly gigs at Umbrella in Oregun. I turned back to control the band boys activities and saw a crown on the head of one of my band boys. As a spiritual inclined person, I knew right away that it wasn’t an ordinary vision. I really didn’t understand though until I contacted my spiritual father who revealed that the boy is going to be great as a singer. Still not satisfied with the interpretation because he was my drummer and never attempted to sing before. I called and asked him if he could sing and he nodded yes. I gave him microphone and it’s been no stop at all for Samuel who is popularly known as Samuel T (Omo Tuntun) today
“Tosin Ogabi was my backup singer and Mr. Hero as he’s fondly called is now one of the most sought after singers in Lagos. Same goes to J-Mighty another product of Segun Nabi.”
Future Of Juju Music:
As a stakeholder and prominent member of Association of Juju Musicians of Nigeria, Segun Nabi is living no stone unturned to ensure Juju music (AJUMN) genre remains on top . He was once Oshodi/Isolo Zonal Chairman of the association and once Lagos State governor of AJUMN. Though his tenure as the governor was shortlived by many controversies because he resigned voluntarily.
“To me, AJUMN is like a child who needs been pampered. I really appreciate the efforts of our forerunners in the industry. The likes of King Sunny Ade, Ebenezer Obey, Dele Abiodun, Sir Shina Peters, Queen Ayo Balogun and others who set the pace but I must be sincere that our generation is not encouraging because we are failed in the area of unity. Rivalry, hatred and backbiting have ruined many things among us, it’s not an issue to address now but to work hard by separating the chaff from the wheat.”
Countless honours and awards have been received by Segun Nabi but most recent is from Congress of Nigerian Youths (CONYO) where he was honoured with National Outstanding Leadership Award in the year 2023.
He was also made a Patron of Man ‘O’ War, a paramilitary group. On the way is Metropolix Magazine/Online Certificate of Honour, as Most Innovative Juju Artiste Of The Year.
Education:
“I’m just preparing to do more of education now. As we all know that music is time consuming, the little I have been able to get is from The Polytechnic Ibadan where I studied Music Technology.
When asked about his next move, Mr. Pamela said; “My next album will be ready during my US/Canada tour because it’s a dream come true. I have long been willing to visit and serenade my US and Canadian fans and sing about the two countries. I give God the glory. Also in my next album, I want to feature some great hip-hop artistes whose names I won’t mention now. I will be working with ID Cabassa, want to do a track with Alhaji Alabi Pasuma. Infact, it’s going to be a Juju well packaged, a refined Juju music, watch out,” Segun Nabi concluded.
Segun Nabi with Samuel Ekundayo Chairman, Samek Moments Entertainment
