I founded Afrobeat in Russia —KSB

Russian-based Nigerian Afrobeat singer Steve Benjamin, popularly known as King Steve Benjamin (KSB), is a talent making Nigeria proud outside the shores of the country. The award-winning Afrobeat star in Russia has performed on some of the biggest stages in the world, especially at the 100th anniversary of CSKA Football Club. In this interview by ADERONKE ADESANYA, he tells his success story and his mission to Nigeria presently.

You have been so excited about your present visit to your home country. What is your mission in Nigeria presently?

It has been a great excitement to return home at this time. Though the atmosphere is different, I am happy to be here at this time. It is sweet to see my hometown again. This is where I was born and bred, this is my roots. So, I am back home and I am excited because it has been a while. So, let us do it.

 

I was in Nigeria in 2015 during the election, and that was the last time I came here.

My main mission is to reconnect with my people and make Nigerians feel my vibes more. I held a homecoming concert in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State because that is my country home. It was a fantastic event. We will also come over to Lagos to do some pieces of stuff; meet some people, and do some media engagements.

 

Are there plans to collaborate with any Nigerian music stars?

That is a secret, but something is coming.

 

As you are home now, how do you intend to push your music career in Nigeria now that you are around, compared to what is known of you in Russia?

One thing you should understand is that my music career is already doing well over there. So, I am not coming to drag any position with any Nigerian artistes; let them do their thing here. You see that post they gave me over there—the King of Afrobeat Russia—I like my position. I am not here to drag anything with anybody, let me be cashing out there.

 

How far has your music gone in Scandinavia and mostly in Russian-speaking countries?

It has gone so far, that is why they call me the King of Afrobeat there because I started Afrobeat there, I founded Afrobeat there. And even during the World Cup when BBC came, they had to find me, looked for me, and asked me, “How did you do it? How did you put Africa together?”. It wasn’t an easy task but we did it. But of course, I am from Ekiti and we can do anything.

 

What are you doing to bring in upcoming artistes to come over to Russia to show their talents?

There are a lot of Nigerian artistes who are doing their thing in Russia, but the Nigerians who are doing their thing are not doing it for the Russian audience, but for the Nigerian audience. However, my advice to them is to try and broaden their horizon; let’s not be stuck, let us try to diversify ourselves. Let them push and give white people an audience, and not just for Nigeria.

 

How many Russian artistes have you worked with so far?

Polina Gagarina, if you know her, is like the Tiwa Savage of Russia, but she is the Wizkid of Russia. She is the biggest. Philipp Kikorov, of course, is another big guy, then I have worked with Black Star. Black Star is another record label that has been trying to fuse Russian music with African and other international themes. So, I have worked with many artistes. I have performed in many places. Even the Nigerian government has invited me, and OPEC has invited me to events.

 

Do you have songs in the Russian language?

I have songs in the Russian language. (He bursts into speaking Russian). Mind you, the audience had an exciting experience at the homecoming concert when I thrilled my fans with Russian vibes fused with Afrobeat. So, you see, it was something they had never seen before.

 

Is your music well accepted here (in Nigeria)?

Everything we touch turns into gold.

 

How well has the US market accepted Russian Afrobeat music?

When we talk about that, then we are going to talk about politics and I don’t want to talk about that because the US and Russia are not friends. So, as long as I am with Russia, we are not friends.

 

How would you describe your sound?

My sound doesn’t bind to a certain style. I do creative art, so I am not bent on a certain genre or a certain style. I just do what inspiration brings and the only way that I can explain my song or art is for you to feel it. I can’t explain it verbally you have to listen to it. My sound is called Afroruski. That is my style.

 

Can you give us two of your biggest hits?

“Konto”, was the one that brought me into the limelight, and the second one was “Ifeoma”. “Ifeoma” was my first Afrobeat song over there.

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