Talented, handsome, dedicated, committed, jovial and calm; these came to mind when we had an exclusive chat with the Dav-Oz Blog Person of the Month, January. In what seemed to be a very hearty conversation, the multitalented musical genius, Victor Ekeoma, (aka Vikrez), talked with us on a number of subjects as regards him; his journey to stardom; the now defunct gospel boyband, DECOF (De Circle of Friends) Crew which he used to be a part of; what led to their disbandment; his music style; his life in the nearest future and a whole lot of other issues.
After some discussions among the executive arm of this blog, we decided to start this monthly tradition of the Dav-Oz Blog Person of the Month with Vikrez. As a young man with many skills and talents, qualities Dav-Oz Blog never fails to appreciate, Vikrez has proven to be exceptional at what he does. He’s the brain behind BeatzMotion, a music production brand with quite a number of sold out tracks and albums to her credit. He’s also a celebrated singer and songwriter with an amazing selection of songs that you’d want to readily add to your song list to be played on your wedding day or any special day you share with your beloved. This is not the first time Vikrez has been honoured by Dav-Oz Blog. On the 5th of December 2020, he was listed as one of the Top 6 Musical Icons in the blog’s Power List 2020. Below is the full chat we had with him recently.
Dav-Oz Blog: Good Evening, how are you doing, Sir?
Vikrez: I’m doing very fine, bless God.
DOB: So let’s start with knowing who Vikrez really is. Can you tell us a bit about yourself?
V: Alright. My name is Victor Ekeoma Onyekachi, I’m from Alayi in Bende LGA, Abia state. I have six (6) siblings, funny enough I’m the last child. İ studied Computer Engineering at Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike in Abia State.
DOB: The last born, hmm, how does it feel being in that position? I’ve heard stories of last children in the family. You know; troublesome, mischievous and the likes. Were you ever in any of those categories growing up?
V: Mehn, While growing up I used to be very stubborn, but it was really a wonderful experience growing up with my siblings and my family; especially my mum, She pampered me so much. Wish I could go back. (Laughs)
DOB: (Laughs) It seems to be the story with last born children in most families.
V: I’m telling you
DOB: (Laughs) So let’s talk about your music career. First and foremost, the name, Vikrez; how did it come about?
V: Hmm… That’s a long story tho.
DOB: Well, we certainly don’t mind if you don’t. Take your time.
V: Ok (Laughs). The name, Vikrez started way back when I used to play football. My favorite football star then was Pires who was an Arsenal player. İ really do like his play style a lot. My teamates then began calling me Pires because I do play like him. So I decided to change it to Vikrez since my name is Victor instead of Pires. And from there, it kinda stuck.
DOB: Hmm, classic discovery I must say
V: Thanks.
DOB: So What first got you into music? And when did you first realize that you had a flair for the musical life?
V: İ started music at a tender age. Let me say my music foundation is too strong. Started in church though as an instrumentalist; 2002, I joined an accapela gospel group named DECOF CREW. And it goes on and on and on. The crew did very well from 2002 till 2010 though, but in 2011, we had a misunderstanding and everyone went solo. The crew disbanded.
DOB: Woah, 2002 – 2010; 8 years, that’s a very long time though.
V: Yeah. We achieved a lot within that period. From 2002 /2006 we did pure acapella; then from 2006/2010, we swapped to advance gospel where we started doing more of studio works.
DOB: Wow, so would you say that your church foundation in music was what started the zeal to pursue it?
V: Exactly. İ didn’t just wake up one morning and decide I want to do music; it’s just a part of me.
DOB: So about DECOF Crew, can you tell what specifically caused the misunderstanding or was it a buildup of silent issues that couldn’t stay silent again?
V: Ok. So, we were five (5) that made up the crew, all born and dedicated in same local church (Assemblies of God Church). İt then got to a point we all decided to leave the church. Note that we all played instruments; I was usually called up personally for appointments to play the keyboard in a particular church, same as others, yet the crew still did very well. In 2010, we decided to get a vocal coach to improve our skill and everything was going well. Then one day, he (vocal coach) told the guy that formed the crew that we all needed to attend the same church to push the crew further and that was how he referred his church (Kings Assembly). Now, at the time, I was already committed to Winners chapel as their pianist, so I couldn’t leave the church, and one other guy in the group who was my close friend, was also a committed worker but in Christ Embassy (where he still worships at till date. Despite all these, our manager gave an order that anyone who’s not joining the church is automatically out of the crew. Mehn. After we left, that was the end, The crew crashed.
DOB: Wow, I’m sure it crushed some of you guys.
V: Yeah, it sure did.
DOB: Are you guys still friends?
V: We still friends yea.
DOB: Are you guys still communicating though?
V: Yea we do. But, not as much.
DOB: So bad though.
V: Yea. Buh it made us stronger.
DOB: Yea, we believe experiences like these help one to develop a mental stamina for future challenges.
V: Exactly, we all are doing fine though.
DOB: Moving further though; you’re not just a singer, you’re also an instrumentalist and a music producer with your own production brand, BeatzMotion, so how would you describe the music that you typically create?
V: I do Pop/Soul and a fusion of Afro.
DOB: Do you also write songs?
V: Yea. Funny enough, İ started writings songs since I was still in the children’s department in church. I’m a songwriter, I’m really good at it.
DOB: And it’s evident in the lyrics of your song and we might get to that soon enough.
V: Yea.
DOB: But do you think there’s ever a possibility of you paying a songwriter to write a song for you?
V: İ don’t think so, because I have so many unwritten songs yet to be released; a lot of them. İ do write songs for other artistes though.
DOB: Nice sir. So let’s talk about your songs. Personally, I’ve listened to some of your songs and like I always say, there’s this awesomeness about your music that is just unique; your lyrics, your musical diction, your beats and so much more than I can list at the moment, how does it happen? What is your creative process like?
V: Bless up. Honestly, İ don’t stress myself creating my sound. Like I said earlier, my music foundation is too strong. İ know what I want in a particular song so i just go straight to the point. İ write my songs, produced my songs, sing my songs, mix/master my song; Mehn, it’s just God.
DOB: You make it sound so easy
V: (Laughs) For me it is.
DOB: If I can remember correctly, you did a song that was inspired by the endsarz movement
V: Yea, that was BLEED. İt’s a BeatzMotion song though that featured Four (4) PortHarcourt artistes; Cariz Movi (@cariz movic), MyB (@officialmyb_), @hakerbowy & Ordaine Kay (@ordaine_kay).
DOB: So, your last song, can you tell us about it? What’s the inspiration behind the song?
V: Ok, my Last song was UNLEASH. İt was released on the 1st of August 2020. İ so much love that song. Unleash is a reality song about things I want to achieve in life like some of my guys that had breakthrough in their music career last year. So I just basically expressed myself
DOB: Cool. Gun to your head though, which of your songs would you say you love best.
V: İ love all my songs mehn. But, I’ll pick Song For Love.
DOB: Yes, song for love. I think that’s also one of my bests of your songs. Was anyone in your mind when you wrote the song?
V: Not at all. No one was on my mind at all. (Laughs)
DOB: (Laughs). So, if you had the opportunity to be an opening act for any big shot in the music industry, who would it be?
V: Nigeria precisely? Or İnternational?
DOB: One in each.
V: İnternational Act would be Jon Bellion; Nigerian Act would be Johnny drill.
DOB: That’s interesting, you seem to be all about the cool calm music?
V: Yea. Real music.
DOB: (Laughs) Who would you most like to collaborate with?
V: Jon Bellion.
DOB: Nice choice. Any particular reason?
V: Yes. Because of his style of music. He has a unique sound
DOB: Nice. So, since you started your solo career, where have you performed?
V: I have performed in some major events in PortHarcourt city, and few outside PortHarcourt.
DOB: Which would you say was your favourite venue?
V: İt would be Engr Peter Eze’s birthday party. İt was a whole vibe
DOB: Do you have any upcoming show?
V: Yes, I do, two (2) for this month outside PortHarcourt.
DOB: Just curious though, what would you be doing right now, if it wasn’t for your music career?
V: I’m not a trouble maker though. But I encountered one, that was last year precisely. So, I was invited to a friend’s birthday party to perform, I had to traveled from PH to Warri for the event. It happened that the location he gave us was confusing. There was a junction he finally asked us to wait for him; he was coming to pick us up and that was around 11pm. While waiting for him, a police man fronted us, called us criminals and then took us with our car to the station. They were all armed, even asked us to lie down.
DOB: Woah, what was going through your mind while this happened?
V: Honestly, I wasn’t scared at all.
DOB: Well we’re glad it didn’t end in tragedy. So, for someone who’s been doing this for a decade now, I’m sure you’ve received a lot of advice over the years, what’s the best advice you’d say you’ve received?
V: “Vikrez! Keep doing music for us!” That’s the very best, from a female fan. Makes me want to do more
DOB: (Laughs) So, it’s safe to say that the ladies are your target audience, we understand
V: (Laughs) Not really
DOB: Noted. If you could change anything about the music industry, what would it be?
V: Hmm. Don’t really know o, because to me, the music industry is doing fine the way it is (Laughs)
DOB: So, what is one message you would give to your fans and upcoming music artistes each?
V: For my fans worldwide; keep supporting the brand as I will continue giving you guys nothing but the very best, God bless y’all. For the upcoming artistes; keep doing music, never feel discourage even though the journey won’t be easy; and most especially, hold on to God for he’s the way maker.
DOB: Very sure. Well that’s it, Vikrez. What next should we be expecting from you in the nearest future?
V: Expect greatness and another level of music
DOB: We really can’t wait. It’s been amazing chatting with you, Vikrez. We hope to see more of you on our screens and hear you on our radios.
V: You’re always welcome. And Thanks
To listen to or download songs by Vikrez, tap the link below to redirect you to the site location:
You can also reach him via his social media handles:
- İnstagram: @vikrez_tbm
- Twiter: @iam_vikrez
- Facebook: Vikrez d proactive
