BAYELSA State-born David Etete popularly known with the showbiz moniker, P.R.E. which stands for Pretty, Real and Entertaining is a budding songster with a
difference. With one of his videos, Let Me Know enjoying massive airplay, the vivacious songwriter, singer and label owner has also cornered Tuface, Timaya, Dammy Krane and other mesmeric acts for musical collaboration to blow the minds of pundits and cynics alike.
HOW I started professional music
Music has always been my first love and I knew I would later do it in life no matter what. I was actually at the Greenish University, UK studying Business Administration but I had to make a detour when I realized that it wasn’t what I really wanted to do. My foray into professional music began four years when I was with a group called Twisted Minds. We covered a good mileage and when the group split, I decided to go on musical sabbatical and attended the London School of Sound Engineering where I fine-tuned my skills in order to make riveting music in such a saturated market.
Working with Tuface
It was an amazing experience working with Tuface. As we all know he’s legendary in both Nigeria and Africa . He inspires me a lot because of how humble he is and all what he told me in the studio when we were recording the song, Take It Up. I’ve always known Tuface for a long time, I used to see him around and he also told me that he’s a kind of person who listens to a lot of upcoming artistes in order to know where the music industry is heading at every point in time. He had heard my songs before we were introduced by a mutual friend in order to make the collaboration happen.
P.R.E
How I hope to be at peace with my team
I own my record label, Twisted Minds Records first of all and I have a strong team with me. These are not individuals who just work for me, but they are my friends. We try as much as possible to respect one another so that we don’t cross parts to a level where a split would become inevitable or have a controversial issue in our camp.
Upping the ante
At the end of the day, I’d say that a good music is good enough regardless of what the norm is at the moment. We’ve come to see that even slow songs can also do well at the clubs, for example; Burna Boy’s Like to Party. At the end of the day, my only plan is not looking at any other person or what they’re doing in the industry. My plan is to be real me and make good music that will appeal enough to the people. I believe with this, my music will travel as far as it should.
About signing artistes on my label
I have thought about it but I’ve not signed any artiste yet. I’d like to be at a certain position in my career before I start that phase of it because I won’t like to sign someone and use him to experiment. I’d like to know the game inside out and take my career to a certain height so that I can be equipped enough to help other individuals build their own career as well.
Plans for debut album
Well, I have loads of songs though, I’d always like to say that the album will come when the demand for it is ready. I’m working with a lot of people on this. By way of collaboration, I’d be engaging Dammy Krane in my work. I have Timaya and other top acts I’d like to keep mum about for now. There are several other songs in the pipeline but if I start telling it now, it will finally mean squeezing the jam out of the doughnut. And without sounding immodest, I have an archive full of songs, but I have to study the timing to drop whichever one I choose.
Nigerian singers I’m crazy about
Right now, I think I’m loving Tiwa Savage’s album which dropped just recently. It’s crazy and I’m loving her sound. I love a couple of other Nigerian acts but I don’t want to start naming names.
About my look
Yes, a couple of times people have said I don’t look like a Nigerian, but the truth is that I’m actually more Nigerian than not. My father is from Bayelsa while my mother is half Igbo, half British, so that’s where my look comes from. I decided to grow the dreadlocks which is nothing genetic. I grew my hair about three years ago, not necessarily because of my brand but I’d always wanted to grow dreadlocks when the time is right. It adds a bit of style to my look and I appreciate it.
My background
I was born and brought up in Festac Town for the first eight years of my life and at that point, I really got to see what life could be like without being so privileged. Later on, God made it possible that my family was able to move to the Island after the first eight years of my life. I had a very good childhood and I was very exposed. I wouldn’t say that there was a particular time that I hawked to fend for myself but I remember there was a time when my jean trousers were local, shirts and shoes too were also of poor quality because that was all I could afford then. Life was sweet as a kid.
My projection in five years
I hope to have gone very far and be a household name in the industry. I also hope to be able to take my music farther than my country and make it international.
My forthcoming work with Dammy Krane
I just did something hot with my man, Dammy Krane….
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