We caught up with the band that made us all dance on the last season of Owambe Saturday and found out how each of them was introduced to the magic they make so flawlessly on stage - And because ya'll loved them so much, they brought the magic back to your screens on the new season's premiere episode. Read on for more info on yours and our favs, Spicy Don n The Pepper Squad.👇🏾
BAND CEO AND LEAD SINGER
Name: Nwanegbo Chibuikem Chris
Stage name: SPICY DON
Instagram: @spicymuzik
How did you become an artist?
" I started music as a small boy. I taught myself how to play the drums and piano and played for my church for a while before being contracted by another church to be their music director. I left them after 2 years and came back to Enugu where I met flavour and we started working together as a cover band. We performed at joints in Enugu and made a living from there. We also worked in the same studio as producers. That was before we started recording his songs. We worked on the first album. I Produced a lot of hit tracks for Flavour from the first album to the 5th. Songs like Nwa baby, Adanma, my woman is gone, pant no n'iro, Ololufe, Obianuju... to mention a few".
" When Flavour's sound went global, I toured the world with him as his backup vocalist/pianist/bandleader. I worked with Flavour for 12 years and took the decision to start up something for myself. That's how this cover band came into existence".
The story of how Spicy Don n The Pepper Squad came together
"I had worked with different instrumentalists while building my cover band. Most of them were good but had other commitments so I needed to have my very own team. I met with my players in different occasions and circumstances but when I met each of them, my spirit connected to them and I recruited them to come work with me. Almost all of them had to relocate to Lagos to be able to be a part of the greatness in the making".
How does being on a cover band work? What does it take to know all the songs, work as a team, flow from one song to the next easily?
"It takes a lot of hard work and dedication. You'll have to digest all the songs and know them like you are the one who created the song. You have to own the songs. And as a team, you have to rehearse and rehearse and most importantly live like one family. On stage and off stage the family connection has to be there. That's how the spirit remains one".
What’s the most important thing about performing?
"Confidence and One spirit with the band. You have to get into the spirit of each song and perform from the soul".
How was it like being on the previous season of Owambe Saturday and returning for the new season?
"Awesome! A great experience for us all. We are still as excited as we were when we first heard we were going to perform on Owambe Saturday. It was and still is a dream come TRUE!"
How did you feel about the reception your performance got after the Owambe Saturday performance?
"I was amazed and speechless. The comments were so nice and the reception was so warm. We felt so great. We felt like superstars lol".
Check out my videos on YouTube:
BAND GUITARIST
Name: Nnaji Knechukwu Afamefuna
Stage name: Kencyvibez
Instagram: @Kencyvibez
How did you become an artist?
"It all started in the year 2004 in my church (eternal sacred order of cherubim and seraphim) as a drummer. I had some challenges from my mom who was against it, she wanted me to further my education and go into business but my thirst for my music career was too strong. I started playing the guitar after about 2 years, I played in Nightingales band in Enugu eastern part of Nigeria and Suka Entertainment".
The story of how Spicy Don n The Pepper Squad came together?
"In December 2016 I got a call from my formal Boss named Suka that Spicy needs a guitarist in Asaba southwest part of Nigeria, so I went for the gig (show). After the gig, he loved my play and said I need to put in some effort but we will work together. 2017 I called him and told him I want to move to Lagos to further my career, he accepted me, showed me soo much love like a brother. He housed me for more than 2 years, and that's was how I became his guitarist and a member of the Peppersquad".
How does being on a cover band work? How does being on a cover band work? What does it take to know all the songs, work as a team, flow from one song to the next easily?
"Just being together, rehearsals, both personally and with my fam (Peppersquad) listening to all genres of music, and most importantly, consistency and a good mindset".
How did you feel about the reception your performance got after the Owambe Saturday performance?
"Wow! It was joyful and one of the greatest experiences I've ever had. I'm still overwhelmed with joy to date. Thank you Africa Magic".
BAND DRUMMER
Name: Nnaemeka Joshua Chimaobi
Stage name: Kellytunez
Instagram: @iam_kellytunez
How did you become an artist?
"I always had the passion/love for music from when I was little, so I started my drumming career from the church and from there grace has been locating and placing me on the right path. People always love what I do and that gave me more energy to push to the next level. I started getting more connections and also worked for some artists (Suka Entertainment e.t.c) until I came across my boss, Spicymuzik. He liked me and picked me as his official drummer and he has given me more insight into music in general. So since then, I’ve been a graced son and my dream of being an artist has come true".
The story of how Spicy Don n The Pepper Squad came together?
"I was based in Enugu before, and I worked with my formal band (Suka’s entertainment) until my friend kencyvibes called me for a show that I will be playing for Spicymuzik. To cut the long story, after the performance he told me that he likes my play and the energy In which play out my act, so I should prepare to come work with him and the pepper squad in Lagos. One thing that got me very interested in the band was that my Boss Spicymuzik would always encourage you even when you are getting it wrong and that is a very important fact people should note. That’s how I came to Lagos and started working with Spicymuzik and The pepper squad".
How did you feel about the reception your performance got after the Owambe Saturday performance?
"Words cannot really explain it, but I would say that it actually has been my dream to perform on a national tv show and it came to pass. So Owambe Saturday was a show to be remembered. It was a great experience and the show was super exciting. Thanks to Spicymuzik, Goldberg NG and African Magic for the platform".
BAND BASSIST
Name: Ajiri Enwenede
Stage name: Ajbass
Instagram: @basstune12
How did you become an artist?
"I started playing music in the church from childhood before I went into circular music".
The story of how Spicy Don n The Pepper Squad came together?
"I got into the band through the guitarist".
How does being on a cover band work? What does it take to know all the songs, work as a team, flow from one song to the next easily?
"It involves being connected with the band members. it takes practice to be able to know all the songs and be sensitive to timing and signals from each other".
How did you feel about the reception your performance got after the Owambe Saturday performance?
"It was amazing and the vibe was mind-blowing".
PERCUSSIONIST
Name: David Emmanuel
Stage name: Emmadrumz
Instagram: @emmadrumz
How did you become an artist?
"I had always loved music from childhood, did a lot of drumming way back for my children church,(AG) and then was doing it till I got to higher institution, when I got to school it was the only means by which I could get extra cash to sustain myself, so it became who I am".
The story of how Spicy Don n The Pepper Squad came together?
"I met spicy in 2017 when he first came to do a Reggae concert in Enugu, and since then, it’s been a pleasure working for him".
How did you feel about the reception your performance got after the Owambe Saturday performance?
"OMG!!! Owambe was like a dream come true. Africa Magic is obviously one of the most-watched stations across Africa, so all I heard in my head was 'it’s time to show everyone what Spicy Pepper Squad got'. We got on stage and the rest was a movie😆". I feel fulfilled, I feel honoured, I feel happy😊. There have basically been no critics on any social media. It’s all been love from both family and fans across the globe".
Now that you know who's been spicing things up and getting the 'Owambe' out of everyone, you can check out their social media platforms for support, and most importantly, keep watching Owambe Saturdays on DStv CHs 153 and 154 at 21:00 for the best in homebrewed sounds and homecooked delicacies.