Angelica

Ikechukwuka Munonye aka Angelica is a gifted artiste whose love for music has geared her into song writing and composing. In 2006, she rocked the music scene with My Nijar Guy, her first single that sank deeply into the hearts of many music lovers. But moment after this, Angelica disappeared from the musical landscape only to resurface a few months ago with another work entitled, I Thank God, a hit song already enjoying a massive airplay.

But where has she been all this while? Hear Angelica: “I did not disappear from the music scene. A lot of people did not know that I was an undergraduate when I released my first album. At that time music was clashing with my studies so I had to abandon it to pursue education full time. I studied Mass Communication at the University of Lagos.”

Now back to the hustle and bustle of Nigerian music, the pretty singer is brimming hot and rearing to go. What with the new effort produced by and featuring rave of the moment, Terry G. However, Angelica confirms that her forthcoming full album, Angelica Re-defined, comprising nine tracks and two bonus songs, has caught the attention of top marketers in Lagos.

Recently, Blockbuster met with Angelica who opened up on sundry issues including her musical career, new album, challenges, love life and sexy body. Enjoy:

Growing up
I was born into the Alexander Ikechukwu Munonye family from Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State. I am the seventh of eight children. I had all my education here in Lagos, from primary to secondary and to university.

How I came into music
Some years ago, I was recording a radio jingle in a studio in Lagos Island when a man walked in, saw me singing and fell in love with my voice. He asked if I was a professional singer and I replied in the negative. I told him that I would rather act than sing. However, one thing led to the other and I got myself signed on to a recording label. That’s how my first album came out. Disappear? No, I did not disappear from the music scene. A lot of people did not know that I was an undergraduate of University of Lagos when I released my first album. At that time music was clashing with my studies so I had to abandon it to pursue education full time. I studied Mass Communication.

Debut album
My debut album, My Nijar Guy came out in 2006 but I actually started music in 2005. I am signed on to Yes Records with Mr. Tony Nwakalor as the CEO. Also on the label are award winning Gxploits, Steel, I.D Cabassa and Jahbless. I am the first and only female artiste on the label.

My Nijar Guy was inspired by my personal experience and other people’s experience as well. I have been in a marriage relationship with a Nigerian man, and taking everything that comes with it including complaints and nagging, you find out that you still end up with the person. Now, you ask yourself ‘why am I still with this man after all this drama?’ And the only answer you can give yourself is: ‘I love him’. I saw all these and decided to do a song for Nigerian men. Beyond all the issues and drama of having girlfriends outside the matrimonial home, we still love Nigerian men. I believe we should encourage them because they are trying their best. This is what I was saying in the song.

New work
Angelica Re-defined is the title of my new album. I am sampling new things and working with new people. I am doing what has not been done before. I am into mid-tempo R&B, trying to fuse hip hop and highlife together. It may not be new out there but it’s new to me. People should expect the best from me. I believe the album would speak for itself when it comes out in December. I have 10 tracks in it including I thank God, a single that’s already making waves on radio, I Want You to Be Mine and Call Me, etc. The album parades artistes like Yinka Davis, Dr. Frabz and of course, Terry G all of whom I picked mainly for their professionalism.

Terry G is one of my good friends with the craziest swagger any artiste can possess. Yinka Davis no doubt is an artiste of international standard, extremely talented and I am honoured to have recorded a song with her. The contrast in our voices was what made me decide I wanted to do a song with her. The song needed an older person’s influence and she just fit the profile.

Dr. Frabz is one gifted producer who I like to refer to as the Timberland of our time. He is very down to earth and loves his work immensely. He produced two tracks in the album and featured in one of the tracks.

Challenges
I faced a lot of challenges when putting the album together. I was solely responsible for the financial aspect of the project under my company, Angels Eyes Media. But I thank God for some Good Samaritans who are willing to support up and coming business people like me. They see and understand where you are going and they give you support. Through them we were able to put some structures on ground. I have invested about N3 million on the album. Already some marketers have shown interest in the work.

On piracy
Piracy is a nightmare. I think about it everyday. I just hope we are able to make our money back.

Attraction to Nollywood
I was attracted to acting at a time Nollywood was booming. I even did a stage drama with Segun Arinze, RMD and Stella Damasus back then. I really wanted to act. I love seeing myself on television, trying to show my acting skills. I didn’t want to sing at that time but it turned out that I had to sing first. I am still going to act.

Sex for role
I believe Angelica is an already established name in the entertainment industry so I cannot do such things as offering my body for movie roles. I don’t belong to the category of actresses who do that. It’s a shame that some producers would want to lure women into their bed just because they want to offer them a movie role. Any actress involved in this shameless act should try and get her act together. Its either you have what it takes to be a good actress or you don’t have it. And if you have it just take your time, one day somebody will notice you for your talent. As for me, I am talented and have something to offer. So, if you want to take me to bed before giving me a movie role I will tell you straight away that I can’t do it.

Love life
I am currently dating a loving guy who has been very supportive ever since I kicked off this project.

My kind of man
I like my man to be generous with everything including his time, his attention, his love and money. I want him to have respect for me because I will definitely have respect for him. My man should be sensitive and understand that I am a woman with my own excesses. I am not really particular about physical attraction. But I want my man to be tall because I see myself as being short, even though, I have an average height for a woman. I grew up in a family of very tall people. I always say I am the shortest of them all with my height standing at 5ft 7ins. So, it doesn’t matter if the man is dark or fair as long as he’s tall, he’s good for me.

What I love about my body
I thank God that I am blessed with a good physique. People say I am naturally endowed. I know I am physically gifted, and for this I appreciate God’s goodness in my life. I like everything about my body and wouldn’t change any of it for the world. The best compliment I have got from people was about my eyes. They tell me that my eyes are attractive and sexy, that they say a lot about me.

Heartbreak
I don’t think there is a woman who has not suffered heartbreak in one form or the other. If there is, then she should come out and say how she has been doing it. I have had my own heartbreak experiences like every other woman so it’s nothing new. But when it happened I just moved on with my life. Heartbreak is a normal thing. When it happens just sit back and rearrange your life. You cannot start wallowing in self pity. My advice to every woman out there is that when you see things are not working your way, don’t wait for the door to be slammed in your face. Rather, just take the door and leave.