Nollywood veteran actor, Christopher Obioma Cyprian (C.O.C) Nze, who set out into the showbiz concern years back, actually did as a musician with Nigerian Air Force band, before going solo and finally branching off into acting, which eventually made him a celebrity. He spoke to our Contributing Editor, IFECHI OKOH, recently, revealing his foray into music and acting. C.O.C Nze, as he is massively addressed, also opened up on how it has been since he started, touching-off on all other interesting issues about him and concluding this in-depth interview by asserting that acting brings greater exposure than music. Enjoy it!

Who is C.O.C beyond music and acting?

C.O.C means Christopher Obioma Cyprian Nze. I am from Aboh-Mbaise, in Imo state. I am based in Lagos. In fact, I have been here since 1971. I understand Yoruba, but funny enough, I can’t speak. I am a retired Air Force Officer. I was even in the Biafrian Army during the war. After the war, I joined the Air Force as a musician. I am a pioneer member of the N.A.F band. While in the force, I started my music career, as far back as 1976. That was when I released my first album, titled “Lele Akanyi" (literally meaning “See our hands”). I was part of the Nigerian contingent during the Festac 77. I went solo in the early eighties when I left the NAF band and formally formed my own band. Acting actually came up for me by the way. It all started when one Julius, an Edo guy working with Osuofia invited me for a production. The movie was titled “CREDO.” It was shot in Ilogbo village where Late Sam Loco and Late Eddy Ugbomah lived. Today, I have shot more than 200 movies. Most of them I can’t even remember their titles. I only hear of them when people call me to say I saw you in this or that production. It may interest you to know and note that I have not left music. This has since been confirmed by the fact that I released an album last year, titled “Sakisima” meaning enjoy yourself well well.

What were your challenges as a musician?

Piracy was the first and foremost I faced. Well, I was not alone then. All musicians were involved, even till date. The other challenges were the downturn of the economy which affected patronage.

Is it when you have no money in your pocket you will be buying albums? Or is it when you cannot go out anymore at night to watch shows which musicians survive on? Then too, people were even afraid to go out at night because of the Anti-Robbery to Squad (SARS) Police patrol teams at nights who might be running after robbers, and as a result, may be shooting indiscriminately and anybody could be killed in the process by stray bullets. But fortunately today, it is no longer like that again. I must confess that the disturbing situation for musicians then encouraged me to dump music for acting. My going into it was based on survival instinct. I have to survive and feed my family. it is very important.

How many albums did you produce as a musician before branching into acting?

I recorded a good number of albums before branching into acting.

Did your being a musician help in your acting career?

It did because acting and music are interwoven. In acting, you can be asked to dance like a mad man in a scene. As a musician, I have dramatized a lot on stage. So as result, I have been used to dramatizing. Apart from this, some musicians set out as a actors, while some actors set out as musicians. Form this, you can see the linkage

Can you compare the income from music with that from acting?

No! it is actually difficult. There is no bases for comparison, to start with, because I have seen some actors who make millions from productions; likewise, I have also seen some musicians who did the same. However, the personalities involved in both differ. I mean the appreciation of fans for each is either as a star in music or acting.

Is it music or acting that exposed you as a star?

It is more of acting because people see you almost everyday on the screen, unlike music. For this reason, acting has really enshrined me in the minds of my fans. So my being an actor gave me more exposure than being a musician. I have been embarrassed so many times in buses as a result of my fans asking of what I was doing in the bus with them, insisting I was supposed to be in my car. As a result of this, I have since minimized my entering buses. It was not so when I was a musician. You can see the difference now.

What is your female fans base as a musician and as an actor?

Naturally, women are majority of our fans as entertainers. Some men can afford to overlook us when we meet. But for women, it is not usually the case. Whenever they spot us, they are moved to identify with us and this boosts our morale a lot.

What is your definition of beauty of a woman?

In my own definition, it has to do with beauty inside out, although, nobody is perfect. But to me, her character means more than her physique.

What of love?

Do you mean between me and my wife? If it is, then this kind of love to me should be unconditional love. That is agape love which God has for all for us. This is why she has been able to tolerate my weaknesses which may be part of my professional challenges.

What is the personal project you are handling now?

It is called African Christians and Movies Award (ACMA). It is designed to celebrate entertainers who have been promoting evangelism through entertainment. The first edition held last year, November 25th in Lagos. This year’s edition is coming up on December 13th and will be holding at Alpha and Omega hall (OSAPA), Lekki (opposite Zenith bank). Awardees include Barrister Allen Ifechi Onyema, CEO of Air Peace, Dame Felica Okolie, Chinyere Innocent, Jude Richard, Bishop Chioma Grace Dauji, Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Dr. ABC Ojiakor and Prophet Israel Oladele.

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