Smash and Vast, members of the Nigerian musical group, Bracket, talk about their career during their recent trip to Cameroon.

Why is Bracket so engaged in educational projects?

Smash: First of all, education is very important, no matter how little it is. No matter what you do, you need to be knowledgeable in order to know how to do it. It is a charity project that ties with our plan of action as we plan to open a charity organisation.

Since your beginning in 1998, your group has witnessed a lot of changes. How do think Bracket has sailed through these changes?

Vast: We have progressed a lot, thanks to the love shown to us by our French-speaking brothers and sisters. This is because during each of our performances in countries like Cote d’Ivoire and other countries of French expression, the turnout has always been massive. The euphoria is different from when we perform in the USA, London, etc, where the audience is English-speaking. Our Francophone brothers have really helped us progressed a great deal.

Bracket, like many groups in Nigeria and Africa, sing mostly about love. Why is Bracket not being different by singing for example about suffering?

Smash and Vast: First of all, why do we suffer? It is because we don’t love each other. Bracket sings about love to encourage us love and care for one another. This because if you love, there is no way you can suffer. Africans are already aware of the fact that they are suffering, so we don’t think they want to be reminded of it. Bracket is therefore trying to sing about the way forward out of suffering, war and others.

Smash and Vast In this light, we have songs like “Leaders of tomorrow,” which has to do with little kids who are abandoned by their parents at birth, child trafficking, etc. Maybe we did not push such or hype this song, but we have songs that talk of suffering. Furthermore, as a musician, you must also be known for singing something particular. Some groups sing only about suffering, others about peace and many more. Bracket is known for singing love. We believe if we deviate from it, our fans may not understand. What we do is pass a message via our love songs.

Nigerian music has taken over Africa like a storm. Everywhere in Africa, Nigerian music is appreciated. How does Nigerian music make the difference from other music genres in Africa?

Smash: There is a lot of competition and there are so many artistes in Nigeria. Moreover, Nigerians get so involved in anything that is lucrative. If football gains grounds and brings in money, about 80 per cent of youths will dive into football. Our population is also too demanding, so everybody is trying to sing, rap. I think we also make a difference thanks to our diversity. For instance, Bracket’s style is different from that of P-Square or Flavour. We propose different musical options to the public.

Bracket has featured with artistes like P-Square, J. Martins and many other African artistes. How has all this helped to promote Bracket?

Smash and Vast: It has helped to promote Bracket as a band. Collaboration helped us a lot because it is thanks to featuring that we have succeeded to go higher heights. For instance, when we started working on our music, we presented some of our singles to P-Square and they appreciated it. This prompted them to do a song with us which is “No time.” We made other bands believe that collaboration could make them more successful. So collaboration has really helped us.

One of Bracket’s members, Vast, recently suffered from cancer of the blood. How did it tighten the bond between you?

Smash and Vast: It was very difficult for us, but we thank God all went all well. We kept low for almost eight months, praying to God. It is during my fourth circle that we shot our video with Diamond Platinum because I had to undergo eight circles. I didn’t feel depressed because Smash was there and our fans also, when they eventually heard of my sickness. This inspired us to decide to open a foundation in Lagos State in 2016. Its main goal is to raise funds for cancer patients.