See Imo State born upcoming musical artist who is a diehard fan of Rihanna she spoke with Esther Egbe Salient Times Newspaper recently about how she got into music and more .
Can we meet you?
Yes, I am Ezere MaryJane Chetachi and I go by my stage name, Chet MarJ. I am an Afropop Artist. I am from Aboh-Mbaise, in Imo State. I reside in Lagos. Most importantly, I am a believer.
What inspired you to become a singer, and who are some of your biggest influences?
At childhood, I had always loved singing. I loved taking the lead while others follow me. When I was 7 or 8, can’t really recall; my mom joined a local assembly that just moved in just downstairs of our building. So they wanted to form a children choir and I volunteered. I and my best friend would always be the ones taking the lead even when we have a big events in church. Everyone loved it and I too enjoyed every part of it. So I started telling my mom that I would love to be a singer when I grow up. I even had a mentor then from the senior choir who was the head/lead singer. Micheal Jackson and Rihanna played a major role too. The more I listen to their and watch their videos, the more hungry I want to sing like them. I could envision myself standing on same stage with them.
I have a couple of artists that have influenced me so far. In the likes of Micheal Jackson, Whitney Houston, Rihanna, Beyoncé, Omawumi, Asa, Yemi Alade, Tiwa Savage, Sia and Alicia Keys. BTS has also inspired me too.
Can you tell us about your early days as a singer? How did you get started, and what were some of the challenges you faced?
It was beautiful at first with all the energy, good vibes and accolades. But at some point, it became a struggle.
Like I said earlier, I started from the children choir as a lead singer alongside my bestie. We would always represent our church when there’s a competition. But I had to quit singing ,when I was in Secondary School because of my family’s opinion about entertainment in general.
In 2016, I joined a beautiful local assembly. It was more like an answered prayer, because I have always wanted a church that encourages people’s dream. I knew that i belonged to that family and they can ignite what was already dead inside of me. So I joined the youth choir, where my burning sensation for music became stronger and vivid to me.
In 2020, I went for a job interview at MaryLand Lagos, and in that same building, I met a church member who is a producer and was also managing a studio for someone. He called me in. I met some singers there having their session and we did a freestyle together. After chatting for a while, he played a beat and I did a freestyle. He loved it and gave me the beat to elaborate more on my lyrics. That was the birth of my first single “Thank You” in 2021.
But before my first release, It was really a struggle cause I stopped singing years back. It was more like I was starting from the scratch. I had issues with confidence, my notes were so wrong and some other issues too. I started learning all over again. The fear of making mistake and being laughed at, got me really scared, that I had to tell myself to never sing out at rehearsals and ministrations. And that was a big issue for my music director.
When I picked up again, I had to face discouragement from my family at that time cause they didn’t like the fact that I want to do music professionally. Getting funds for my music project was also a major factor and caused a setback.
How do you think your music reflects your personality, and what do you hope listeners take away from your songs?
I’ve always been radical and cool. I don’t like being a pushover and don’t listen to people’s negative opinions about me. Once I sense or read that you’re a joy or dream killer, I isolate myself from you and relate with you from afar. So I do want “I” want to do as long as I’ve evaluated it myself and nothing is off before God and humanity, so third party doesn’t matter. Living a free and happy life while chasing my dreams is my persona. So my music is all about being the real “You”, knowing and doing what’s right before God. My motto is “Don’t judge and say no to negative energy”.
Let my songs inspire and motivate them. I hope my listeners get to learn and discover who they are, know the importance of loving and appreciating themselves, fight for their dreams, doing what’s right before God and ignoring negative opinions just by listening to my songs.
As a woman in a male-dominated industry, have you faced any challenges or biases? How have you overcome them?
Yes, I have! As a female Artist, getting genuine interest and help to boast my career and also grow, is quite challenging. Being an independent artist is not “Moi-Moi”. We see more of people who are only interested in “Give and Take”. When they see that they can’t get what they want, they’ll push you aside. They won’t respond to your calls or chats. So I just have to find my way out. I just have to take my time to eat the hot food on the table so I don’t get burned. Believing that my hard work and talent will pay off some day. So I’m not in a rush. My mother will always say, “When you rush into something that requires process, you’ll always rush out with the same speed”. I want to build a legacy and not a momentary success. This is what that has kept me going.
How do you think feminism intersects with Afrobeats, and what role do you see yourself playing in that conversation?
My father will always say that the sky is too wide for two birds to collide. Everyone have their own space and audience, and we are also different and unique in our own ways. No gender owns Afrobeats. It’s a genre for everyone and having both sex’ vocals on it, gives a different flavor and sweetness.
What advice would you give to young women who are interested in pursuing a career in singing?
Make sure you’re very passionate about music, find your path and carve a niche for yourself. The whole process is never easy or smooth. Also, you must believe in yourself and your dreams. Nobody will believe in you if you don’t believe in yourself. Know your areas of strength and weakness. Be the original you and never the imitation of another. Get a mentor or role model. Learn from people ahead of you but never hope or pray to be them. Never get scared of taking the first step and stay dogged with your eyes fixed on the ball. And never forget to believe and trust in God firmly. It’s more honorable being on a journey with God.
Can you walk us through your songwriting process? How do you come up with ideas, and what inspires your lyrics?
First of all, I don’t write all my songs by myself. I have co-writers and writers too.
My own written lyrics comes in differs ways. It could come from the strings, or beats and some other times just naturally from the head. There are times when I’m into a particular thing and then some melody starts ringing in my head. I’d just pause for some moment to write and record what’s playing in my head. Then later on when I’m in a cool and calm environment or when my mind is free, I’ll go back to what I recorded earlier and complete the lyrics, removing what’s not needed, fixing in what fits better and arranging or re-arranging the song.
There are times I start with the verses first and times too that I start with the chorus. Just as it flows. Then I send to my Producer and some artist who are good lyricist to chip in their own ideas if necessary.
My lyrics are inspired by nature, my personal experiences, people around me and things I watch or the things happening around.
How do you approach collaborations with other artists?
When I have a new song, I think of who would fit more into that particular song. If that artist is accessable, I call or send a DM to the artist. I share the idea of the song and then send a demo. The artist sends me his own demo, we fix a date for recording if I like it His/her wave in the song.
What do you look for in a collaborator, and how do you ensure that the final product is something you’re proud of ?
Hot, striking creativity and thinking outside the box is a major thing for me when looking for a collaborator, irrespective of the part of entertainment he/she is into. I love working with people who have igniting, crazy and radical ideas to compliment mine cause I love my end products to be magical. Let people tell me “Chet MarJ, you dey worry oooo”. I want to choke people with my contents and creativity. So my collaborators must be people who aren’t normal like me, cause I’m not normal( in a positive way ).
So ,when I collaborate with a certain person, I am 100% sure that he or she is bringing in their A-game. And I will be super proud of the end result.
What’s your favorite song that you’ve written, and why is it so meaningful to you?
My favorite song is “Silver Lining”. I would say that song is talking about me . It keeps telling and reminding me never to give up on my dreams. It tells me to fight my demons and keep my eyes fixed on the ball.
How has your music evolved over time, and what do you think has contributed to that growth?
You know they say that one starts dying the moment you stop growing and improving on yourself. From my first single to this very moment, I see a drastic change in me. My style, vocals, my style of writing and everything is stronger and keeps getting better and better each day. My music instructor messaged me and said “Your delivery these days na fireeee”. This is someone who doesn’t smile to mediocrity. He’s addicted to excellence. So giving such remark was a big one and came from all his sense organs not just the heart.
Firstly, my growth was possible cause there’s always a heavy urge for growth. All I think about is how to grow grow grow.
Secondly, The world has moved to a different level, likewise the music industry. It’s on a whole new level and the standards are high. I know that for me to build an empire and leave a legacy, I must work on myself. So I’m a kind of a person who loves to be excellently unpredicted. I want to be so good that people have to be dead struck, when and where they are trying to figure out “who’s this artist and where’s she from?” I love doing things outside the ordinary.
What are your goals for the next year, both personally and professionally? How do you see your music fitting into those plans?
My goals are to see me in a different and outstanding version of myself. I will want to try new things out and venture deeply to see things for myself. No matter the outcome of my new adventures, I’m never going to let anything weigh me down. We all know that mistakes are inevitable, so I’m prepared for it all. But I’m going to ride on every wave for positive results cause I believe in positivity. I am going for an album next year cause I don’t have any yet. I am also going to collaborate with more and bigger artist. Radio/TV tours and interviews has been on my mind lately and I’m going to try them out next year. Bigger shows in Nigeria and outside Nigeria is also on the plan. Just doing things I haven’t done before is the goal for 2025.
I have the sauce and vibes to spice up every heart. Every song will be a different and better version of me and my collaborations will also spice up the uniqueness and magic that I bring. My fans are going to love me the more as I go cause everyone loves beautiful surprises.
What message do you hope to convey to your fans through your music, and how do you engage with them to ensure that message is resonating?
I hope to convey “Hope, Self Love and Acceptance, Fighting for your dreams and what you believe in and never let anyone or situations stop you or determine your outcome in life. You have the keys to unlock any kind of door you desire. Also to believe that real love exist.
I try to engage with them via social media and also when I go on shows. Just any possible way I could use to engage my fans. Engaging fans isn’t static as long as creativity is concerned and alive.
If you could collaborate with any artist, dead or alive, who would it be and why?
It’s Rihanna !!! I grew up listening to Rihanna’s songs back to back. I even had to buy song books just to score her songs. My cousins can attest to that. At some point they started calling me RiRi cause the only thing in my head was Rihanna. She has always been in my world…(smiles). I can’t measure the extent to which I love her.
My second is JungKook or BTS. They remind me of my love for Micheal Jackson, especially JungKook. I do love BTS and can’t even explain that love for them.
What’s the craziest thing that’s happened to you on tour or at a show?
OMG!!!! It’s so embarrassing (smiles). I got stained at a show. I don’t even know how it happened. I had to use my jacket to cover myself .
If you weren’t a singer, what would you be doing instead?
I will be doing something related to music and also dealing in Fashion Accessories.
