GospelReggae dot COM Sanctified Reggae Store

[ Home ] [ Digital MP3 Downloads ] [ CD / DVD ] [ Apparel ] [ Artists ]
[ Music Library Login ] [ Create a User Account ] [ View Shopping Cart ] [ Logout ]
[ Mail List Archive ] [ Gospel Reggae News ] [ Store Updates ] [ Top Sellers List ]
[ Articles ] [ Concerts & Events ] [ Forums ] [ Glossary Of Terms ]
[ EMail List ] [ Customer Tesimonials ] [ Partners, Affiliates, and Featured Links ]
[ About Us ] [ Contact Info ] [ Merchandise Return and Privacy Policy ] [ Cart Security ] [ F.A.Q. ]

Artist Name: Ben Okafor

Birth Name: Benedict Chukwudebelu Okafor

Birth Place and Date: Enugu, Nigeria. October 1st 1954

Official Bio

Before I turned 10 years old, I realized that music was the ONE for me. I began seeking opportunities to join in church music groups but, because of my age, it was difficult. Eventually after my 10th birthday the music leader at the Pentecostal church that my family went to allowed me to play as one of the percussionists in parts of the service. This continued right through the time that my country fought a civil war and music was an integral part of our survival mechanism at that time. I spent a short while as a soldier during that war (the Nigeria/Biafra war) and as soon as it ended I went back to school and carried on with my quest for more music.

I joined different bands and started a few--they all came and went until 1976 when I set out as a solo artist, writing and singing my own songs. I was very insecure about the sound of my voice at that early time and this led to my having to employ a lead vocalist to sing after I'd written the songs and performed on the records in other respects. My very first producer, Mr. Goddy Oku, tried on many occasions to talk me out of my fears but failed every time. Then one day, as I was checking the lead vocal mic in readiness for the hired singer, he recorded me. He then called me into the control room to check-out the mix and played that recording to me. I was so embarrassed. I just didn't want to listen. He said, "This is what you sound like without knowing you're being recorded. What do you think would happen if you had actually prepared for it?" My life was different after that experience and I've not yet figured out how to thank him for believing so much in me.

I recorded two albums as part of a band called "The Saints" and three solo projects after the band disbanded. I was known as Chude Okafor at that time in Nigeria. In 1979 I left Nigeria and travelled to the UK to find wider expression for my music and to study at a theological college in England. I wasn't there for more than 1 year when my circumstances changed and I had to leave formal education and head out into the streets again with my guitar in hand and a batch of songs in my back pocket.

I then joined a fantastic English hard-rock band called "Blazing Apostles". They gave me my first introduction in playing live music in the West and I am full of fond memories of the 1 year that we worked together touring the UK. Since then, I've released six solo records from the United Kingdom: 'Children of the World', 'Downpressor Man', 'Nkiru', 'Generation', 'Coffee With Lazarus' and 'Thing With War'. I've also done a couple of African releases since taking up residence in England namely; 'Rhythm and Creed' and 'Shadows' (compilation + remixes). Having recently refurbished my recording, studio I am already at work on my future releases.

Exclusive Interview with GospelReggae.com

1. (GospelReggae.com) Tell us about yourself, where were you born and grow up, what your family is like, etc...

Ben Okafor: I was born in a once most beautiful city called Enugu in Eastern Nigeria. My dad was a police chief but retired when I was 12 years old (just before the Nigerian civil war started). My mum was acting on stage up to my 10th year then she gave it all up. I have 2 sisters and 5 brothers. I am the only one of my siblings who lives outside Africa. Although we are a very musical family, I'm also the only one who plays music professionally.

2. (GospelReggae.com) How did you begin doing music?

Ben Okafor: Through church when I was about 9 years old.

3. (GospelReggae.com) Tell me, how did your name come about? Any obstacles with it--funny mispronunciations, etc...?

Ben Okafor: My first audiences knew me as Chude Okafor. But when I arrived in England I found that the English people around me at the time could not pronounce my names correctly (or weren't going to make any efforts to get them right) Chukwudebelu (Chude for short) means Preserved of God. Every time someone got it wrong they changed it's meaning. I could not live with that for very long so I asked people to call me Ben (Benedict), which means Blessed (and is also my name).

4. (GospelReggae.com) What is the most valuable lesson that you learned from your Mom or Dad growing up that you still apply today?

Ben Okafor: Dad used to say, "When you are confused about anything, just go back to your original position and then come at it again. You'll soon find where you strayed". Mum used to say, "If somebody abuses you in a language you don't understand--it means nothing". I try to use these simple ideas in almost everything that I do and in my relationships.

5. (GospelReggae.com) What has been the greatest mistake that you have made in ministry and learned from? How have you used this experience to change the way you approach ministry?

Ben Okafor: I don't know! Maybe one of my greatest mistakes was when I allowed the music industry to force me into a place where my own music and ideas were being compromised. I soon remembered my father's words and when I applied them to my situation, I was able to reconnect to what, I believe, God had already given to me to do. If you have something important to offer or say to the world - do just that. Do not let others package it and tailor it to suit them because you'll soon find it very difficult to recognise your own vision afterwards.

6. (GospelReggae.com) If you could share the stage with any Christian or secular artist in the world (living or dead) who would it be?

Ben Okafor: Christafari, Bob Marley and Stevie Wonder. And how I wish I had the opportunity to hear Paul Robeson live.

7. (GospelReggae.com) I know that you have written a whole heap of songs in the past, but what's your favourite one? Now, If that is too hard for you to answer, then tell me this; if you spent 5 minutes with an avid reggae fan and only had enough time to play them one of your songs, which one would you play them?

Ben Okafor: I truly don't know what to say. This one has really got me. I could say 'Africa will Be' (from "Coffee With Lazarus").

8. (GospelReggae.com) Is there any song that you wrote in the past that you are embarrassed about? Anything that you wish you could make disappear?

Ben Okafor: There's a love song that I wrote and recorded years ago. I wont tell you its name or the album that it is on because I don't want you to find it. I'm embarrassed by the thought of it as I can't recall whatever it was that made me write it. I don't know that to make it disappear if possible would be my desire, though. I wrote it many, many years ago and it remains a part of 'my growing up' or 'coming of age' artistically.

9. (GospelReggae.com) What were the last 5 CDs that you put in your disc changer?

Ben Okafor: Eddy Grant's compilation CD, Bunny Wailer's "Protest", Bob Marley and the Wailer's "Live at the Lyceum", Jimmy Cliff's compilation CD and my acoustic recording - sound track for BBC R4 play about my early teens.

10. (GospelReggae.com) Read any good books lately?

Ben Okafor: Frederick Forsyth's account of the Nigeria / Biafra war

11. (GospelReggae.com) What's your favourite verse in the Bible and why?

Ben Okafor: Gospel of Luke, 4:18. It reminds me of what Jesus said were the reasons why the Holy Spirit anointed Him.

12. (GospelReggae.com) What Bible character do you most identify yourself with?

Ben Okafor: The prophet Amos.

13. (GospelReggae.com) What do you have to say about (or to) artists that started off in the Christian industry (CBA) doing gospel music and now sing secular (mainstream) with a watered down, or ambiguous message?

Ben Okafor: It depends on whether God has asked them to be professionals in the mainstream – like salt in food – or if they're doing that for their own reasons. Whichever it is, I am nobody's judge and would gladly lend them a prayer of support if they asked for one.

14. (GospelReggae.com) As Christians, God is of course our true inspiration, but beyond the generic response of "Jesus," what are your muses in your life (for lack of a better word)? For example, what are the people, places, or things that trigger a fresh musical idea and ultimately a new song for you?

Ben Okafor: I can think a lot of a few things to say to you in answer to this question but ultimately, I am a man who knows that God likes people and has invested a huge amount of good stuff upon humanity. I'm constantly writing because the world chooses to disrespect and to use the poor and powerless as pawns. This, to my mind reduces them to a place far beneath where The Almighty Himself has placed them, and so, I keep writing and singing. Sometimes I wish I could stop writing songs that are about bad things that happen to majority of people around the world and concentrate on the ones, which are trouble free. However, if love for people was the thing that drove Jesus to an early death (I know it was planned by God, but the people who shouted "Crucify Him" didn't) then I must commit to giving this same love indiscriminately to anyone anywhere.

15. (GospelReggae.com) What is your philosophy of stage ministry? Is there any one message that you always want to leave with your audience?

Ben Okafor: You see, I am not trying to be a servant of God but a follower of Jesus Christ. For this reason I am not sure that I like the term 'ministry'. I am a singer / songwriter with a faith. Before I go on stage, I always ask Jesus to be there and He always is – so whatever is going to happen happens and, I am sure, God will do what God wants to do with the gig

16. (GospelReggae.com) Can you name three things that you wish you knew when you first got started doing music?

Ben Okafor: That my work should have been aiming at the general public from the outset. That the difference between Ben Okafor and those who do not know anything about God is that he knows that God is on his side and the other group don't.

17. (GospelReggae.com) What are the three things you enjoy most about touring? And least?

Ben Okafor: What I love :1. Working within a team that is committed to the same principles. 2. Presenting the same message to different audiences and; 3. Being a part of the wheel that turns to make this world a more just and fair place.

What I hate: 1. Being late for sound checks, 2. Being in front of folk who think they've found all the answers just because they're Christians and, 3. a bad P A system.

18. (GospelReggae.com) What is the best audience that you have ever played in front of?

Ben Okafor: I did a gig recently in support of a group called 'the Coalition to Stop the Use of Child-Soldiers" and at the end of this show a lady came to me and said "What do I do now?". Whenever this happens I'm reminded of the apostle Peter – people asking him the same questions. In my case, the lady that came to speak with me was already a Christian and she wanted to know how to apply her faith to issues raised in the concert. An audience that listens with an open mind is always a good one in my book.

19. (GospelReggae.com) What goes through your mind before you go onstage at the average show?

Ben Okafor: Excitement! I remember to pray.

20. (GospelReggae.com) Do you prefer being in the studio or on the road??

Ben Okafor: As you know, they're two different things and I love them separately – equally for different reasons. Being on the road is great because it gets my creative juices flowing. Being in the studio provides you with the privacy with a team to explore all possibility and creative options. I love them both. However, I've been told that my live work is more immediate than my recorded work.

21. (GospelReggae.com) If you could whisper in the ears of youths aspiring to start a music ministry like yours, what would you say?

Ben Okafor: Be very careful. Get as much support and guidance as you are able to. Understand your limitations and work against them. Sing from your heart, at the end of the day no one will be able to take that away from you. Practice! Practice! PRACTICE!

22. (GospelReggae.com) Why do you do music? What is your primary goal?

Ben Okafor: I cannot see anything else that gives me equal joy and fulfilment. It is very important to me that I'm able to take responsibility for what I sing about. My primary goal is to be the very best that I know I can even with the racially uneven playing fields that we are offered today.

23. (GospelReggae.com) Are you working on any future projects/releases that we should look out for?

Ben Okafor: Yep! I cannot wait. The band and I are currently working on my next project in Roadsweeper Records studios.

24. (GospelReggae.com) Could you please give a message to the reggae fans that are reading this and would like to know more about your faith and who Jesus is to you?

Ben Okafor: To me, the name Jesus spells unfailing and committed love to everyone. This is whether you are aware of Him or not. Jesus affords me the freedom to think and speak without having to lose my identity or start sounding the same as everyone else. I feel very honoured and privileged for being a part of the movement to show, through work, day to day life etc., the love which is available to any and everyone without precondition.

Ministry

"I am a follower of Jesus Christ and as a result therefore, totally into what I call 'Justice Music'. This is simply because I am encouraged by God to be focused on the sociological consequences of my faith in Him. Music is the vehicle that helps me to try and encourage others to do the same."--Ben Okafor