Goldie’s last interview: People don’t really know me

Undoubtedly a pop diva, Goldie combined a crisp sense of style and daring stagecraft to power her music. With her unassuming mien, it’s hard to imagine that Goldie was a tomboy in her school days. “I used to get into regular fights with boys,” she said.

Before her death, TS Weekend for an hour got up close and personal with the talented singer. It’s exclusive and her last with any newspaper. Enjoy it.

Can you briefly introduce yourself to us?

My name is Harvey Oluwabimpe Susan – a native of Ikole-Ekiti, in Ekiti State. I am the first born of my family; I have five siblings, three brothers and two sisters. It does come with a lot of responsibilities. I came from a very religious background. I grew up in Anthony area of Lagos. I attended Green Springs Montessori School, Anthony, and Saint John’s College, Palm Grove, all in Lagos. I have a degree in Business Management from University of Sunderland, United Kingdom. We didn’t have many friends; my parents didn’t allow us to.

I spent a lot of my time indoor writing about things, trying to be creative. I was a very good student, good in English, I read a lot of novels, and I used to lend my friends a lot of novels. Quite interesting, but on the other side, I am a bit shy; I like to be on my own. I don t like hanging around; it’s all due to my up bringing because when I was growing up I didn’t like going out too often. So, I can say I was not an outgoing person.

How would you describe yourself as a student, both academically and socially?

I was socially adept in school, I mingled a lot and I had a lot of friends. I was very popular in school though my parents didn’t allow us to have friends outside the church, so I couldn’t bring friends home. But I sometimes sneaked out to visit them. Academically? That is another issue. I don’t think I was stupid, I just think I wasn’t motivated. There was a term I had F9 in all the subjects except English Language, Biology and Christian Religious Knowledge. I didn’t know how I managed not to repeat the class.

How would you describe your childhood?

Happy, carefree, innocent because I was alone for a while. I mean my younger sister wasn’t born until for five years after I was. So, I was spoilt rotten, I think.

How would your parents describe you as a child?

Stubborn, playful, and highly intelligent. I loved playing, but I also never got less than 3rd position in all of my primary school years.

You have won quite a number of awards, which one do you cherish most?

All the awards are equal because of the fact that you are getting appreciated for the effort that you put in. It is one thing for your family, friends and people out there to like your music and another thing for the industry to recognize your work. The awards that I have got from my ‘You Know It’ video and single are something for me to cherish.

Is it true that you signed a life contract with Kennis Music?

The relationship I have with Kennis Music is beyond business. I see Kennis as my mentor, brother, and father, even before I came to the industry. So, I don’t think the deal I signed with Kennis has any slavery tag to it. I think it is favourable to both parties as long as you keep hand-in-hand with the company, you will always do well.

Would it be wise to say you are one of the artistes who returned to Nigeria because they could not make it abroad?

You can make it anywhere. But I think my family knows why I came to Nigeria. I really went abroad to do a degree at the university, where I read Business Management. I was not intending or planning to stay there. I came back to Nigeria in late 2006; my first music video when I arrived Nigeria was in April 2007 titled, Komole. It was produced by OJD. I really don t think that I returned to Nigeria because I could not make it abroad. I came to Nigeria to continue what I started. I never see myself as going solo in anyway, even while I was abroad, I was thinking of continuing my music career in Nigeria.

So when I came to Nigeria, I came to pursue my music career. When I returned I could remember I met a producer, who is now a head in Cool FM, we talked about him doing jungles; I was bent on producing my job. He was surprised that I was singing, playing guitar and piano. I told him that when I was in school in the UK, I was in a group of four girls and we used to perform. He now said I should come and produce jingles for him, and that is how I entered the studio. So, it is not that I came to Nigeria because I was a failed artiste in the UK, no. It was more like your interest and your passion comes out of you when you meet the right people, and in the right mindset.

Who are you looking up to in the industry?

Who do I look up to in the industry?

Your role model?

Some body who have done unusual. I don t like everyday people, I mean people who are not creative, and as in you don’t just get doing one thing everyday. But lots of artistes have changed in different ways, which I like. I like Dare Art-Alade. I think Dare is extraordinary. I grew up listening to Onyeka Onwenu, the late Christy Essien-Igbokwe, Evi Edna-Ogoli, Blackky and I think these people influenced me in a lot of ways.

Who presently are you thinking of doing collaboration with? I mean that you are dying to have a collabo with?

I am not really dying to have collaboration with anyone, I think right now it is more about a collective mind with my fans on a personal level. I think collaboration is more of a commercial benefit, when you are trying to marry this person with another person. But to me now, I am not keen about any collaboration with anybody; rather I want to get closer to my fans.

Talking about your fans how do you cope with your male fans?

Everybody who loves me loves me for my personality, my works, I have been fortunate that I did not have male fans who say ‘oh Goldie you are sexy’, I think I have been lucky in that aspect. I am not saying it is a bad thing to be sexy. I think people see me more as hard working artiste than a sex symbol and it’s a good thing. So I don t have any problem with my male fans.

There is a rumour that you prefer hanging out with women than men? What is your take on that?

I don t even have a girlfriend; my work does not even allow me to have friends. Like I said earlier on, I don’t go out clubbing, I only go out for events. If you see me at an event you will see me with my personal assistant, Clariet, who is a tall model. You’ll see me with my team. I am reluctant to say this but I have to say it that anybody can come out and say Goldie is a friend. Or that he or she knows a girl friend of Goldie. I am too busy to have a friend, and you know, you have to have time for your friend, and I don t have that time, I am always too busy to hang around.

Did you see yourself as a controversial person?

No, I don’t see myself as a controversial person. I think people tend to see me as controversial because I do different things, or may be the character I do show in my videos, people may have different opinions. And I also think most of the controversies are copy-copy-people who don’t really know me. A lot of people don t really know me; they don’t know anything concrete about me, they just make a copy and spread it

So, who is the lucky guy that has swept you off your feet?

I want to speak about my music career, family, and my fans because they are the ones who have brought me to limelight.

So, when is Goldie getting married?

Obviously, everybody is looking forward to spend the days with someone. I don t think I need to make noise about when and who I am getting married. Marriage is a thing of commitment, it is not until you call the whole world to come and felicitate with you that you are married; it is just a committed thing from one’s heart.

Are you kind of planning a secret wedding?

I am not saying that, I am not saying anything about wedding, all what I am saying is that your connection with somebody should be of heart and not a public spectacle

Do you believe in love at first sight?

I believe in lust at first sight, but anything can happen sha; though it hasn’t happened to me yet.

So, whom are you connected with now?

Right now, I am not connected with anybody that wants to be spoken about

What is it that Goldie will never caught up with?

Walking on the red carpet naked

What are the things you can’t do without?

I like eating. I like my food. I don’t joke with my food. I like pounded yam and egusi soup. I like jollof rice and assorted meat. I also like to watch documentaries. I like to learn more about life and animal. I also like telling stories.

Do you like kissing?

No, I don’t really like kissing, you know why; because you don t really know where that person has taken his mouth. I don’t like kissing. Mouth to mouth, no.

What do you prefer then?

I like hugging. Hug me and I hug you back.

What about sex?

I don t really know, I think sex has been overrated.

Overrated?

I personally believe if you have too much sex, it could affect your creativity so, I don t like to have sex when l’m working.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

Read novels, cook, write, or just gisting with friends.

What is your advice to people who look up to you as their role model?

Don’t copy anybody, don t follow anybody’s path, and don’t say because so, so, person has made it in music I must also make it, even when you know you don t have talent in music.