EMMANUEL
IBRAHIM
Interview By Akudo Abengowe and Patrick Chilaka, Hair By Jerryplus, Makeup By House Of TARA, Styled By Elomie Ototobor, Photography By Moussa Moussa
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Dress- Total wrap boutique
Earrings and neck-piece – Playtime Jewellery
Shoes- Hot stepper boutique
Hair-piece – Bejewelled Koncept
Bangle – Stylist’s wardrobe
86
HF Magazine Edition 1, Volume 1.
other, wife, singer, entrepreneur, social
activist, Anny Emanuel Ibrahim is all that and
more. She stamped her foot very firmly in the
entertainment scene with her Peace and Love Concert
which she staged at Oriental Hotels. This Delta State
born artiste, simply sings for a living and has produced
hit singles such as Time and Come and See, which
redefined the gospel music genre. HF Magazine had a
tell-it-all interview with Anny and it was superlative
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HF: How did you catch the music bug?
AEI: Music is synonymous with my life, because I am so in love with it. You know what it means
to be in love? Music started a very long time ago for me. I used to be a catholic and I remember
the first time I was invited to a programme in a Pentecostal church, I didn’t know much about
music then but we had children’s choir. The children’s choir of that particular church gave their
special number and my jaw dropped. I fell in love immediately and that was where my love and
passion for music started. We started attending that particular church which was good for me,
because I joined the children’s choir. It was so awesome that I preferred singing to even food.
I was always a good girl at home as long as I got to sing. Of course my sisters took advantage
of it and sent me on countless errands, but I didn’t mind because I followed them to church
afterwards. My love and passion for music grew and before you knew, I started writing my own
lyrics and here we are today.
Sequined top- Total wrap boutique
Cropped pants- stylist’s wardrobe
Shoes – Total wrap boutique
Wristwatch – Annie’s own
Chain and gold bracelet- Stylist’s wardrobe
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HF: Will you say singing comes naturally to you?
AEI: Yes it comes naturally because I love it. There is this thing about love that is so emotional
and natural. So any day, any time, any minute you call me up I will be able to sing, I don’t have
to force it.
HF: Who where your role models within and outside Nigeria?
AEI: Back then I used to sing Whitney Houston’s songs a lot, bless her memory. Even though
I was a church girl, I just loved her songs. I also listened to Mariah Carey and Celine Dion,
you know they were the leading ladies in music. For gospel music, I always listened to Shirley
Caesar, she is a very powerful vocalist, and I used to call her minister.
HF: Ok, tell us how growing up was for you and the influence your parents had on your career
choice.
AEI: Hmm. growing up was fun to be honest, because mine was a home of happy siblings,
though it could be boring and annoying sometimes. The fact that I had to do all the errands
formed the woman I am today. My parents taught us to bond and love each other. My eldest
sister is my best friend, there is nothing I cannot tell her and it started from childhood. In
the past, our mother would put the food in a big tray and we will all eat it with love and this
tightened our bond as a family. Christmas was always fun because you would always hear
lots of singing in my house, I have brothers who could rap then. Also, my parents never really
objected to our career choices, they would guide you but they never imposed their opinions
on us. They knew we had good upbringing and would not go the wrong way. My mother really
loved music, so she really supported me. The same thing with my late father, bless his memory.
HF: How fulfilled are you in your genre of music and what hit songs still make you smile till
date?
AEI: I thank God, because it is not easy in the entertainment industry. It takes a lot of work
for you to be recognized. It’s been fun, it’s been a mix of good and bad. It has been worth my
while and I thank God for that. I have two albums and they are doing very well. My first album
‘Your Mercy’ came out in 2009 and the second one ‘Time’ was released in 2011. The songs
that pushed me out there were ‘Come and See’ featuring Kefee, ‘Na Time’ and ‘Happy Day’
featuring Freestyle. These are songs that make me happy any day, any time. They were all radio
hits, especially ‘Come and See’. It was even a TV hit, because SOUND CITY always started their
day with the song.
HF: Have you performed outside the country?
AEI: Yes, I have performed a lot outside in the UK, Dubai and France.
HF: Can you name some acts you have performed with?
AEI: My first performance was in the UK for Diversity Entertainment’s annual awards. I was
nominated for the awards and they asked me to perform Come and See because they loved it.
I performed alongside Omawumi, Bukky, Kefee and Sasha. It was a thrilling experience for me
because it proved people noticed what I was doing.
HF: Tell us some bad habits you have that people would say aahhh! Annie!!!?
AEI: (laughs) Hmm, I don’t know o, let me see, I eat very late as late as 2:00am. I also pick my
nose sometimes and bite my nails.
HF: As an artist, what does fashion and style mean to you?
AEI: I define fashion as simplicity and comfort. I prefer comfort no matter how much I want to
project. Fashion is a way of life and how you want to be seen. So I
keep it simple and sometimes edgy.
HF: If we take a peek in your wardrobe, what’s the most
expensive thing we will find?
AEI: It will definitely be shoes. I am a shoe freak, I have a boutique
where I sell shoes and clothes. In fact my mother came to visit
and she was amazed at the number of shoes I had. I must pick a
pair of shoe anywhere I go. I pick shoes that I like. My sun glasses
I would term as expensive because I bought it for $2000, I have
shoes I buy for £500, £200, £300. It’s a lot of money, mostly shoes
and sun glasses.
HF: Who are your style icons?
AEI: I think that would be Mary J. Blige, because she knows h