‘Emeka Morocco Maduka is music, And music is Emeka Morocco Maduka’
Chief Morocco Chukwuemeka Maduka left the United Kingdom few days ago for Nigeria after a very successful Ekpili Music crusade. On this special Ekpili Music crusade, Chief Morocco spectacularly wowed his audiences and in a big way won more converts to his bourgeoning UK fan club.
In London, Chief Morocco gave an excellent account of himself on stage. His performance was breath-taking and pound sterling merrily rained on him from his fans.
As he said, he doesn’t do shows anymore, he does crusade. And in all his UK crusades, the audience were totally enraptured in his Ekpili music. Ekpili music is life and life captivates and takes our breath away, Chief Morocco said.
However, before he went back to Nigeria, Sam Asoluka, the Publisher/Editor-In-Chief of The AMBASSADOR MAGAZINE met and interviewed him on a number of issues.
Please read the interview below.
Welcome to London, UK, Chief Morocco Maduka. And Thank You for Making Out Time for This Interview Notwithstanding Your Busy Activities in the UK. ‘Morocco’ As A Person’s Name in Eastern Nigeria Is Unusual, Can You Please Tell Us How the Name Came About, Who Gave You the Name?
Well, my name is Chief Morocco Chukwuemeka Maduka, the King of Ekpili Music. The Morocco as a name began as a nickname in my Secondary School days. Then I was a fantastic footballer, my control of the ball was awesome. And, I usually tell other players that I could dribble them with ease anytime and any day from Nigeria to Morocco. So, because of that they started calling me Morocco boy and Morocco man. I couldn’t stop people from call me the name, so it stuck. When I delved into music, I had no choice but to take the name Morocco. But the names given to me by my parents is Chukwuemeka and baptismal name is Edward. Morocco was just a nickname but it took over and became my real name. Today I am known and called Chief Morocco Emeka Maduka
Can You Please Tell Us When Your Music Career Began?
It started when I was in the secondary school, with other teenagers we went about entertaining people for tips after which we shared whatever that was given to us each day. You see, I did not study music anywhere. My grandfather was a known Ekpili Musician when he was alive. Music is in my blood; therefore, I couldn’t run away from it. My mother was a musician too. In a nutshell, I inherited Ekpili music from my grandfather and mother. I did not choose music, music chose me.
You Have Been Performing for over 50 Years, How Soon Are You going To Retire?
Emeka Morocco Maduka is music. And music is Emeka Morocco Maduka. I will live and die for music. If not music, what else? I have been performing for a very long and will continue to perform until the day my Maker, my God calls me home. This is my first visit to the UK and it’s like a fresh start, a new beginning for me. You know, we have moved on and up and fans see our performance now as a crusade. And that is why I have been telling people that I came with good news for Ndi-Igbo in particular and Nigerians general. I will be back again God willing to continue Ekpili crusade.
Is It true That You Are Currently the Chairman of Performing Musician Association of Nigeria (PMAN)?
No, I am not the Chairman. Rather, I am a member of the PMAN Elders Forum. We are six in number namely: Chief Morocco Maduka (Myself) Bongos Ikwue, Sunny Ade, Ebenezer Obey, Sir Victor Uwaifo and Emma Ogosi.
What Is PMAN Doing to Fight Piracy in Nigeria
We are working hard daily to obliterate the scourge called piracy in the music industry. But the truth is that the scourge is overwhelming us. The government have intervened but to no avail. The truth is that anybody who can stop piracy can ‘stop break-and-enter’, armed robbery, pick-pocket etc. Criminality is as old as the world and nobody including the government can totally eradicate it. Unfortunately, our Association don’t have the power to harm or kill anybody pirating the work of others. If we had the power, I think by now we would have eliminated all of them. But more annoying is the fact that the law is lenient when it comes to piracy in Nigeria. When pirates are caught and handed over to the police, they (police) would make all the noise in the world about prosecuting the pirates but as soon as you leave the police station they would be released by the police. They will then go back home and restart their piracy enterprise in a bigger and better way.
How Impressed Are You with Your Visit to the UK?
To say the least, I am very impressed. On the whole, the visit went beyond my expectation considering the little time the organizers had to put things together. I did not just come to London to sing; I came with good tidings too. I came to have a musical conversation with Ndi-Igbo in particular and Nigerians general in the UK. I came to talk to them with my Ekpili Music. But unfortunately, time did not allow me to have the conversation with them fully. However, tomorrow is another day. I will be back for a special Mothers’ day crusade. So, my people, I want everybody to be ready for the big Ekpili Crusade in March 2017.
You Have Been in The Music Business for Quite Some Time, How Old Are You and How Long Have You Been in The Business
I have been here for quite some time and rocking. Thank God I am 72 years old. My music career began in 1962. But I started recording in 1971. And, to my credit, I have 78 albums. I am not stopping until I record over 100 Albums.
Chief Morocco Is It True That You Want to Do a London Special Album?
Yes, there will be a London Special album next year and I have started composing the song. However, the album won’t come cheap but I am not asking for an arm and a leg. I am only asking my promoters to get the details organised properly. You know everybody wants to be great but few are willing and ready to finance greatness. London Special Album is coming soon and it will be for men and women of Substance in the UK.
Thank you, Prince, Dr Morocco Emeka Maduka
