by Sola Fasasi

I dare you; listen to a Chigurl track and keep a straight face throughout – it’s impossible! A Chigurl song is like a good joke – you have to share it. Beyond the hilarious slip-ups, her spirit just bubbles through her recordings. So we’ve listened to them, passed them around and laughed hard. If you’ve wondered ‘just who is this Chigurl?’ YNaija has the answer…

Who is Chigurl?

Chi-Ghul/ C-flow/Chioma  is a singer, actress, linguist, All round entertainer /world citizen!

When did you realise you wanted to pursue a music career?

Singing has always been one of my passions, for as long as I can remember.

Do you think music is your calling? Why?

More like entertaining people is my calling. I begin to see it as one of the major purposes in my life.

Who is your favourite artiste and why?

I have many favorites but if I had to pick the ultimate, it would have to be Aretha Franklin. Why? Hmmm! She is a diva; she is timeless and her music touches the soul. That is what I want my music to do.

Tell us a little about your background.

I was born in Lagos, lived there till I was 18, Moved to the US for College, Worked as French teacher while learning languages and started theater. I love making people laugh.

What inspires your songs, especially ‘Not gonna be a waste’?

Most of the songs you will hear from Chi-Ghul were just products of my ever running imagination. Everything around me inspires me. “Not gonna be a weiist” was inspired by a friend of mine who has the hardest hustle I have ever seen – talk about  “octopus”, he is more like a centipede because he does about a hundred different things at a time.

Did you think your songs would become such a ‘hit’?

Not in a thousand years. It is still doing me like “cinema”!

How do you feel about it?

I feel so blessed! Amazingly so!

What do you have to say to those weiisting their time?

Like the song sais “do sontin”. Get off your duff and get going! Do anything! But don’t do nothing!

Plans for the future?

Well, I’m trying not to be a weiist so I’m still going to work every day until the time when I will be able to “not have to go to work” Kai! It’s coming soon sha! I can feel it.

If you could meet any world dignitary, past or present, dead or alive, who would it be and why?

Mother Theresa! She made people “feel better”, she took care of them and in one way or another, People’s lives were better because of her.

What motto do you live by?

“What you see, you can get, so see the best, and having a positive attitude wouldn’t hurt either” (I coined this one myself). As you dream, put some effort into realizing that dream. Do your best and leave the rest to God!

Last words?

Laugh and love! Don’t take “yasef” too seriously and “dunt be a weiist” or else “ya joney is ganna be in veiine (vain)”.

Here’s Chigurl’s EXCLUSIVE recording for YNaija – Hold on to your chair or you just might fall off!

Chigurl on YNaija

Follow her on Twitter: @chiomaomeruah