Fast rising artiste Fortuno spoke extensively with Soft Continent Entertainment about his music journey, how he started music production & Silence Is Golden playlist.

Here Is Our Conversation:

MUSIC JOURNEY;

Fortuno, How are you doing today ?

I’m good & you?

Good too, Can we know you, tell us about yourself & your music journey

Born 11-2-1998 , Real name; Ogben, Pakwuum Celestine

Babtismal name: FORTUNATUS , that’s where I got the name “Fortuno”

My music journey is a whole lot, let me know what you’ll like to know.

What motivated you to do music?

Growing up I naturally found myself loving music, I think since I was like 6 years old when I started writing.

If you weren’t doing music, what would you do?

I would’ve been an artist, growing up I loved drawing a lot! I remember drawing and the rest of my class mates would come watch me while I drew! I felt like I was born for that too but the music took a better part of me.

When did you start making music officially?

Officially 2015 when I dropped my first video… the song was titled “Kill Somebody”

We remember you followed up with a young John produced track, How was it working with young John?

Great, the chemistry was there! We might get to do one sometime soon.

Is there anything you worry about?

I no longer worry, I used to be worried about when & how the world will get to listen to my sound, but I grew pass that, now; I just make music, no challenge.

What are we expecting from you?

I don’t even know what I expect from me, There is a lot I pray for, Only God knows!

If you had the chance to feature an A list artist, who would it be?

None. Ive got no interest & I’ve never had that In mind.

Wow! That’s shocking! Ok, Who inspires your music, do you have a mentor?

Growing up I listened to a lot of Psquare! But now they ain’t Psquare! So? Every artist inspires me, as long as I enjoy your sound but no! No mentors.

What genre will you classify your sound?

Soft soul music hahahahaha! Afrobeat.

Do you have any challenge musically?

Funny enough I once had challenges but now I ain’t got no challenges! Trust me, I’ve found peace in the process.

Have you ever been assaulted in your quest for fame?

Hmmm I hear a lot of these things, how artists are Assulted and all that, I just want to use this medium to say; don’t allow anyone assault you or treat you some typa way for fame or all that! That’s the lamest thing to subject yourself to. Make music , vibe with who vibes with you, if they trynna mess u up move away! And radiate God’s energy! No one will ever try messing you! That’s my vibe, no assaults whatsoever!

Asides music what do you do?

Nothing! I produce music & I’m into PR, all that balls down to music, so? Music is all I do.

Talking of PR, what’s your approach to the artists you Promote?

My focus is for artists to gain a strong online presence so my PR is always focused on the internet.

what inspired you to go into PR?

I’ve always been a PR since 2015, the difference is I never did it for other artists, I started music officially that same year but it didn’t seem like it, my music got into platforms and charts that people didn’t believe would. My PR tactics made all that possible.

Wow! So what motivated you to take it to another level & when did you?
I was motivated by the tears of other artists who complained about how they couldn’t get to certain platforms & how their records weren’t topping & how they were usually duped & all that. So, I decided to take it upon my self to serve as a plug, I started running PR for other artists late 2018 and so far it’s been good. The artists who affiliate with me are always happy with the results.

So asides online Pr approach which other Pr medium do u use to push acts who affiliate with you?

Asides online PR, I’m a fan of billboards too, I use billboards to PR artists who affiliate with me.

So you don’t do radio & television stations?

I don’t have issues with radio and tv stations playing my jams or the jams of the artist I affiliate with. Still that is not my PR approach but maybe other PR’s, it’s not just my style.

Don’t you think OAPs/Djs on radio stations & tv stations will be offended by your words?

No no! No offense please, I’m only saying what I do.

Have you ever paid for radio/tv stations to play your songs?

Yes I did & I didn’t get the results I expected. so? not anymore. I don’t really care about all that now.

What has given you such confidence?

“Not my style” I said ; Still these confidence arose when I knew that I can build my own radio & tv station And employ same people who refused playing my stuff even after I did the needful. In short I don’t care, play it or not ! I’m fine.

Ok Fortuno, We noticed you produced all the songs on your playlist, how did that come about?

I was never a producer, circumstances made me one, though I’ve always co-produced all my songs cause I always had an idea of how I wanted my beats to sound & all that.

ABOUT MUSIC PRODUCTION; HERE IS WHAT WE CHATTED ABOUT:

How did you start producing?

Started producing I think 2019 October or so, it all started in my room! I was depressed & being idle at the time made it worse! I just had to channel that energy to something & here it is.

What kind of producer would you call yourself, Afro, hip hop?

No no not any particular! I can do all through Christ who strengthens me, I make all kinds of beats , it all depends on the inspiration & all.

What is your creative process like?

When I wanna make music I first of all start with melodies, I love melodies, once I got a couple melodies! The drum line is not a problem! I’m way done.

Do you have any specific music production tutor?

No! I just watch a lot of YouTube stuff & I’ve got a couple of friends I talk to when I’m lost, shout out MixD one of the realest.

ABOUT SILENCE IS GOLDEN PLAYLIST; HERE IS WHAT WE CHATTED ABOUT

Fortuno you recently released a 4 track playlist. What inspired the title “Silence Is Golden?

I just needed to release hahaha! Called it “Silence Is Golden” because a silent man can never be predicted, so when I’m silent , trust me you’ll never know what’s coming… Silence is a lifestyle for me, I don’t talk too much if I’m actually gonna do something, I just do it.

Tell us about the inspiration behind each track.

Okay, let’s start with “gbedu”! On that track I was only trying to remind listeners that I give them hits and they can’t deny the fact say my music e be hits.

In the lyrics; they was a part you said “you Dey there Dey form superstar wait who Dey follow you back, before you brag ogbeni secure the bag, was that a shade?

No please, no shades at all… that’s how I felt I should vibe at the time! No hard feelings whatsoever!

Ok! Fortuno , on the the second track “Another Man” what inspired that?

Another man is just a vibe cause I didn’t even want to record that song, I just made a short verse months back! And uploaded on Facebook! Everyone wanted me to make the full song & so I did.

What message were you trying to pass in the song?

I was only trying to speak against adultery!

How I’d never want my woman to cheat on me, how it would break my heart if she cheated on me.

Ok! Let’s talk about your third track star, what inspired that?

My music journey did! Star is a special song, spoke about how my dad didn’t want me to make music, how I pay for promo but they don’t wanna push me & how my mama still encourages me.

Did your dad really stop you from making music though?

Hahaha yeah he tried to stop me, I didn’t understand then but I understand why now! The image musicians portray is a bad one, smoke, drugs, womanizing & all that ! Most parents feel musicians are rascals so they try to stop them from all that and I feel it’s cool for a parent to feel that way. I mean they are parents and obviously want the best for their kids . I don’t blame them, the superstars we look up to aren’t helping matters after all.

Wow! So, do you smoke or do all that you mentioned above?

No! I really want to give a different impression about artists, I want my dad and other parents to understand that music can be made without all that in the picture, maybe the next generation will be encouraged by their parents.

Have you ever actually paid for promo without being pushed?

Yes! A couple of times! I don’t want to mention names but they know themselves. Still I’m grateful cause all that shaped me ! I really wasn’t getting the kind of production & promotion I wanted. That’s another reason I got into it so artistes won’t get to suffer what I did.

Wow! Star track must have really meant a lot to you cause these is a lot. Did you really invest a milli on a show that crashed?

Yes I did. But it all shaped me to who I am today.

There are no videos for the tracks on your playlist yet, should we expect any?

Yes.

If you are to shoot just one video, which song would it be for & why?

Another man. My favorite song

What advice do you have for fellow acts like you ?

First of all; there is an impression a lot of people have about artists and it is a bad one, musicians are great people but because a lot do smoke & all that, the society tends to look at us as rascals, so? I’ll be glad if all these could be cut down so that the society can respect artists some more. Sometimes I see artists who just got into the game doing smoke & all that, we know for a fact that drugs, smoke , tattoos & all that does no good to the reputation of a fast rising act, it only weighs you down. It doesn’t give fame nor money… I’ll like artists to channel that energy to the things of God cause public figures like us need God the most, God is money God is fame, he is all … I believe the skys will be our starting point if God is priority in our lives.
Secondly; there is a lot of artists who go into depression making music, especially when things don’t turn out as planned and family/friends get disappointed at the work put in without results… I’ll love to use this opportunity to encourage every artist, most fast rising acts do music but they don’t do music business. Music is business and you need to understand the business part of it for you to grow; you need a side hustle to fuel your music, you need to monetize your music with the right platforms, you need to set up your own gigs no matter how small, you need to place value on yourself to motivate brand endorsements, record deal & collaborations, and if you don’t understand all these , depression will certainly take place. I wish every artist the best & feel free to hit me anytime. Thanks

How can your fans connect with you?

Facebook, Twitter, Instagram: @softfortuno

Say some words to your fans;

I don’t have fans only supporters I call sofoters & I Love all. Thanks.

This is the end of this interview, if you have your personal questions to ask, connect with Fortuno on social media @softfortuno. Trust us we will be bring you more updates as you already know “SOFT CONTINENT ENTERTAINMENT” is the home for only fast rising acts & we won’t hesitate to bring you more updates from FORTUNO & other fast rising stars. BYE!!!