Larry Zuka: Rita Daniels and I Were Never Married

United States of America – based Larry Azukaego, popularly known as Larry Zuka is an artiste and filmmaker who started his musical journey in the 90s.  Born in Asaba Delta State, Zuka grew up with a strong desire to express his innermost thoughts and feelings through an art form. With a Bachelor of Arts degree in Creative Arts from the University of Lagos, Zuka proceeded further to study film making at National Film Institute, Jos, Plateau State. In this interview with Mary Nnah, the artiste speaks about the rumoured marriage with Rita Daniels, music and more

There was a rumour that was made around at the time that you and Rita Daniels got married. Tell us about your relationship with Rita Daniels.

I did not even know how the rumour that I married Rita Daniels started but it was funny. All I can say is that I did a song that featured her. Then I came back to Nigeria to film the video and the concept of the video was that we got married. If Regina decides to marry an older man and she is happy about it, does love care?

That was the real reason why I wrote that song and had to do it with Regina’s mother.  

‘In Love with You”, is a story of love. It says in the song that when love hits your heart, you will never fall, and it does not matter who or what you are. You may be old or young or black or white, it does not matter. Rita Daniels is someone I had known many years before Regina came to the limelight. She was very little then, but we were just friends.  We never even dated. We respect each other and nothing more.

The internet was exploding about it and then I was wondering why the whole noise. I have been in the entertainment industry for a long time, won awards and dropped a couple of good songs and people never cared about me, then with this the news was all over and even then, they were not even interested in me per se, but only interested in seeing Rita in a bad light. I did not understand that either. If I had married Rita really, what is the big deal? I don’t think Rita is older than me, but even if she is, does love care?

What is your relationship with Chief Segun Odegbami?

I met Chief Segun Odegbami so many years ago when I was performing in a breakfast show with Segun Odegbemi in AIT. During that time, I had the opportunity of coming close and knowing him better. I admired his personality a lot and he was like a mentor to me.

What’s your new single about?

My new single is Ziganyi Uzo (Show Us the Way). It’s a song for healing. People think it’s gospel but it’s not. I had to drop the song this time to help people who have lost hope, especially after the last election. It’s an appeal to the Divine Creator to show us some direction at this time.

Can you shed more light on your brand of music and why is this choice of music?

My kind of music is Afro Folk Rock because I am an African. I tell stories with my songs. I try to reflect on what happens around me. I also try to tell the story every one of you has in your heart. I represent you and bring it out for people to hear and enjoy. Here, they classify it as Afrobeat and I don’t mind.

What message are you passing especially to the youth and again is your type of music for all ages?

My type of Afro is for all ages. It is beautiful music. Besides, beautiful music transcends all demographics. You don’t say you want to do it for kids or elders. Good music is good music. It is just like wine. As it gets older, my music gets better. My message for the youths is that they should do music because they are very passionate about it. Music is a very jealous profession. If you are not very sure that you want to do music, please don’t do music. If you have to do music, give it all you have. They need to practice regularly.

My message for upcoming musicians is for them to hold up to their dreams. They should not allow anybody to put them down or tell them that their music is not good because any creativity is good. They should just keep doing what they are doing. No teacher like doing it.

Who inspires you?

I get inspiration from a lot of artistes. I love Chike’s kind of music because it resonates with me. It is the kind of music I love to write. I like Johnny Drill as well. I mean before, I left the country, I never knew Johnny Drill and Chike. I have never met them. But these are the people I will love to collaborate with because I love the kind of music and melody that come out of their hearts.

Would you say that your brand of music is helping to correct the wrongs in our society?

Creativity is just like when you can create. It is just like a scriptwriter. And a scriptwriter is like a madman that has been given a gun with his hand at the trigger. He can shoot and kill. So, if you are creative, you can do whatever you want to do. You are just like God unto yourself. You have to define what you want to do with the creativity that you have inside of you. And I like to teach. Aside from entertaining people, I like to inspire people. I deliberately do songs that would inspire people. It will touch your heart and soul.

I already have my label. I work with my label and that is Sweet Apple.