by ‘Ifreke Inyang [@Ifreke]

Christine Ben-Ameh says “Her sound is a profound combination of soul, R and B with a twist of mild pop delivered with powerful emotional vocals, wedded to lush melodies that go straight to the heart.” And she is not bragging.  Her music stands out in and she is well known for being emotionally intense and deep.

YNaija chatted with the winner of the Nokia First Chance music reality show in our #BBChat series and she opened up with candour on her music, her growth and how she has dealt with rejection.

Christine Ben-Ameh: Christine Ben-Ameh’s ‘May this be love’ video showing on BET. It comes on Monday 10pm GMT and Tuesday 5pm GMT.

YNaija: Coool!

YNaija: Av u sent this out alrdy?

Christine Ben-Ameh: Nope

Christine Ben-Ameh: U r one of the first to know

YNaija: What’s the song about?

Christine Ben-Ameh: It’s a love song. The video was put out lst year June

YNaija: Ist year June? I don’t understand

Christine Ben-Ameh: Last year June

YNaija: Has it aired anywhere before now?

Christine Ben-Ameh:  SoundCity

Christine Ben-Ameh: And local TV

Christine Ben-Ameh: MTV Base n Trace rejected it

YNaija: Wow!

Christine Ben-Ameh: Yea

Christine Ben-Ameh: Channel o didn’t reply. I submitted again this year

YNaija: Why did u keep submitting?

YNaija: Why didn’t u think the video wasn’t good enuf then shoot another

Christine Ben-Ameh: Cos I was told they didn’t see my tapes

Christine Ben-Ameh: Or they wouldntplay but I was not given any reason why

YNaija: Why didn’t u think the video wasn’t good enuf then shoot another

Christine Ben-Ameh: I did. The video with Skales which was released last September

Christine Ben-Ameh: MTV didn’t like the title ‘Mary Jane’

Christine Ben-Ameh: Trace didn’t give reason for rejecting it

Christine Ben-Ameh: Channel O didn’t reply

YNaija: Did the rejection break you?

Christine Ben-Ameh: Naturally. But I am very stubborn. I keep pushing.

YNaija: How did u get BET?

Christine Ben-Ameh: My publicist Eromo Egbejule made the right friends. Lilian Blackson liked the material he gave her and shedecided to give my video a chance.

YNaija: Grt!

Christine Ben-Ameh: 🙂

YNaija: What have you been up to in the last year?

Christine Ben-Ameh: In the last year I attempted to promote an experimental album, mixtape if u’d prefer calling it that titled ‘life under construction’ which is on sale on notjustok.com. I shot two videos. I recorded more songs and have continued to strengthen my song writing and vocal craft as well as perform where I am needed and contracted to.

Christine Ben-Ameh: Also tried to get more involved in my mum’s children’s home/orphanage

Christine Ben-Ameh: Her n my dad run it as part of their NGO, Elshaddai Healthcare Development organization that caters to crisis teenage pregnant girls, HIV patients and orphans

Christine Ben-Ameh: So been trying to keep busy n just landed a gig as radio presenter with new online radio station called radio zoodrums

YNaija: U were with Inspiration FM, what happened?

Christine Ben-Ameh: I needed time to figure out whether or not shelve music for broadcasting or juggle both careers

YNaija: And what’s ur decision now?

Christine Ben-Ameh: The music is my career n broadcasting is a hobby

YNaija: And what next now?

Christine Ben-Ameh: Performing, recording n putting out more music

Christine Ben-Ameh: I remain n am getting busier than ever.