I retained CBREZ as stage name to immortalise my friend –Prince Emmanuel

By Henry Uche

Chijioke Prince Emmanuel is a budding music artiste from Imo State. Popularly known as CBREZ, Emmanuel is a Mechanical Engineering student of Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology, Okitipupa, Ondo State.

In this interview with Sunday Sun, he takes us through his career journey, promoting the Igbo culture, his ambition and more.

Enjoy!

You have been featured by some music stars even as a student. Why are you in love with Afrobeat?

I have loved music as a whole since I was 13 years old. I started writing songs and doing freestyle back then in secondary school. I want to tell my story to the world through music because it’s the only thing that reminds me of who I am.

What fuels your passion for music?

I have been dropping freestyle here in campus and I have been invited to perform at events. Music is genuinely everything to me, it reminds me of home, reminds me of my parents because they love music, they made me love it too. My mother is the reason I’m doing all this, I want to put smile on her face and make her proud. Recently, I was featured on a song with Buyan called ‘Lose Control’’. I’m glad I did because I’m learning the ropes.

What genre are you passionate about?

Afrobeat, but I’m coming in a completely different way. I want to create a sound people are not familiar with. I want to be that bridge and merge other continents to ours, showcasing my culture in music.

Who are your role models on the Nigerian music sector?

My role models are Wande Coal, Anthony Ebuka Victony, and more especially Burna Boy. I must thank them because they have all been the hard core of inspiration and motivation for me. They made me believe that if they can make it, then definitely I can make it too. Burna Boy will always say, ‘Don’t Complain, Just Believe’. Meeting them will be a dream come through, because they are just too amazing and inspirational to us – the young generation. They have created the path for us to follow and even to become more. I believe they know that there are many young people watching, observing and following them.

Any foreign role models?

I love the works of my countrymen. Charity begins from home. If I don’t first support or admire my family (Nigeria) artists, then I’m not towing the right lane. I love foreign artists, yes I do, but then I have to start from home, because our indigenous artistes and the entire creative industry are doing very well in global rating.

Any brainchild?

I don’t have a song of my own out there in the market yet, but I have been featured on so many songs. You can find them on Spotify. But I remain auspicious. I’m still working on so many, like Abraham Lincoln once said, ‘I will Prepare Myself, One Day I know My Turn Will Come”. Remember, he was one of the best Presidents America had, recognized and respected globally. This is because we never lose focus.

What are your plans to do exploits?

The Nigerian economy no doubt is sick, but I have to keep my faith intact. Though we are more advantaged than the already established artistes with the advent of technologies such as AI, social media and other tools available to us, but to have access to these facilities is not cheap. You know what I’m saying. Data in Nigeria today is very expensive unlike what we obtain in other African countries. But, we are not relenting. I must stay consistent even when you can’t, you just have to keep pushing, that is the only way one can be heard.

Any plans to further promote the Igbo culture with music, just like Flavour and the likes?

Yes, I plan to use my musical talent to promote my culture. I also plan to use my mother tongue to communicate to my audience.

How did you come about the Stage Name ‘CBREZ’?

It was 2016. I was in JSS 3. I had this friend called Precious Edet. He was an upcoming artiste like me, we had dreams of touring the world together and putting ourselves out there. He gave me the name, Cbrez, though I didn’t like it, unfortunately, he passed away, and this name is the only thing I got from him and to remember him.

What’s your take on the current economic state of Nigeria?

I don’t like talking about the government. Because they have failed us abysmally. Graduates have no job, those of us in the school are not sure of getting one after graduation either. To become an entrepreneur, the business environment is hostile. Can you get a loan from the bank seamlessly? Can you rent a shop or office space in major cities without paying through the nose? Can you buy equipment or some facilities you need to start up a business in Nigeria without having millions of naira in your pocket? Tell me one area the government at the centre has made life easy for the citizens? You see, I told you I don’t like talking about the government. The youths are just helpless under this government. I wish Nigerian youths across the divide would defy sentiments and make wise choices come 2027.