Happy is the title of the global multiple award-winning hit by U.S artiste Pharrel William. Now Omoruyi Rand Osas, also known on stage as Randawest has done the Nigerian version of the hit song and it’s gradually garnering massive review and tipped to be the biggest hit soon. Rand who says his stage name was draw from his middle name and where he was born, in the western part of Africa Nigeria speaks about his latest hit and why he has been off the scene after first entering the industry some years back. Here is his conversation with Morakinyo Olugbiji
Right now, your song ‘Happy’ which is a cover of Pharrel William hit song of the same title is gradually being tipped to be the next big Nigerian hit, why do your own version of “Happy”?
I just decided to show more love to Pharrel William by doing a cover of “Happy”. Pharrel is one artiste I respect so much and I feel that one of the ways I could pay homage to him is simply by doing a cover of his song. We all need to be happy. I want to use the song to send a message to Nigerians that as long as you are alive, you need to be happy. I also wanted to use the song to show pharrel the other side of love in Africa.
In the video, you delve into the streets by shooting the video in the heart of the popular Ladipo Market and Festac, were you not worried that you could be bothered by hoodlums while shooting the video?
I will tell you the truth, I was shown much love. The point is that the streets love move. I’m also from the streets and I rep the streets. They know me and I’m part of them. So they welcomed me when they saw me bring such kind of video shoot to their environment. They even bought me drink. Forget the fact that one is driving a big car and living large, we are from the streets. They know the original “Happy” song and they were so excited that I’m doing the cover of the song and bringing it to their hood. So I want to appreciate the people of Ladipo Market, Lagos and Festac Town.
Doing the cover of such a big hit from Pharrel, were you not scared that you might not deliver or live up to expectation?
Basically, I was skeptical. When the inspiration first came, I was scared. Pharrel has been in the industry for decades and I was like I need to do thid and prove to Nigerians that it can be done. To God be the glory, it was done successfully and everybody is talking about it. The song is gradually spreading like a wild fire. Even the producer iniatially wasn’t sure if I could do a freat cover like that, but he brought out the beat and everyone is happy. The video also compliment the song.
You said you got the inspiration, could you explain how you got the inspiration?
I was just watching the TV and saw the video being played. I was like this song is phenomenal but Pharrel could have still do better, so I decided to do what I thought he should have done with the video. I feel I can actually impress him. The first day I dropped the song on Twitter, my following increased that day with over four thousand followers. Even now, Wizkid is following me @randawest. Now the song is bursting music charts. I’m so happy for the fact the Pharrel did the original song. Infact I call him my uncle.
You were around for a while then disappeared again from the scene, what happened?
You heard my challenges in the song. Actually I released the audio “Halla My Name” before Faze did his own title. Then I traveled to England. So I believe that life is about processes. There were challenges and I tried my best to surmount it. I came back again to do a song that the streets can feel. In my song I said “E don tey wey man dey hustle, now is the time to bubble”.
Now that you are back, what’s your observation about the industry?
To be honest with you, Nigerians are trying. We just need a leader to support us. We need to understand that roam was not built in a day. We can only beckon on the government to provide the right environment for us to thrive. Like 2face would tell me, don’t give up with time you’ll get there. By the way 2face is one brother I respect so much. He is one person who look up to in the industry. We need one love in the industry like he said. We are all just trying but with one love we’ll surely get there. We are not perfect, we are humans.
How do you describe you style of music?
I do African Rock. But as an artiste who studied music, I can do all genre of music. As an artiste who has a music institute and trains others in musical art and voice training I have the keys to do all types of music. I am a musician. That’s why I’d advise all Nigerian artistes to go learn the rudiment of music. You might know how to sing or do hit songs,but you still have to know the rudiment of music. Atleast know the basic.
