Talented Nigerian singer, Chike-Ezekpeazu Osebuka, popularly known as Chike speaks on his musical journey following his participation at the famous reality television show, The Voice Nigeria, which he emerged runner-up in 2016.
Chike said reality shows are emotionally stressful, while explaining how he faced setbacks after the competition. The musician stated that people he hoped to support him after the contest disappointed him.
The ‘Running’ crooner revealed it took him over three years to establish his feet in the music industry, despite being popular on a reality show. He advised participants to do away with the ideology that reality shows are automatic tickets to fame.
“Emotionally, it was stressful to have so much dreams. Like you (referring to the show’s host) said, when people come out of the reality show, there is pressure and it’s heart-wrenching when people see me and start asking ‘so what are you doing now?” Chike asked.
“I’ll be like, can’t you see, I’m into music. You’re the one not following up’. But I actually understood their point. I just knew I had to keep working. All I would say is that I’m grateful that I participated in The Voice Nigeria.”
“They (reality shows) give visibility…but is it really about you or the business? The business, to me, is to entertain Nigerians and I want to believe the greatest win any contestant could get was the visibility,” he said.
“And it could be the greatest setback for you too, if you’re not able to do anything with it. After the reality show, it took me about three years plus to be able to get anything properly to sort myself. So, imagine everybody knows you because you appeared on TV, then all of a sudden, you’re nowhere again.
“So, I won’t say don’t go for a reality show, but before you start, just know that nothing might happen when you’re done. Just know that nobody got your back when the show is over. Also, don’t expect or feel entitled.”