Didactically, Nasheed music is the way to go – Zaguru

Hussain Zaguru AbdulQadir, publicly known as Husayn Zaguru, is an Independent Development worker, alongside being a passionate singer/songwriter, Nasheed Artist and Educational Filmmaker. He majored in Geology – B Sc (2008) and minored in Development Communications -PGD (2015) at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. In this interview with IBRAHIM RAMALAN, Zaguru discusses his life, music career and the role of Nasheed music in promoting peace and unity in Nigeria.

Introduce yourself
Peace and Blessings be upon you all. All praise is due to the Creator and Master of the Universe, Allah the One. My humble beginning started with a conversation between my Dad and Mum. It goes thus…
“My Mum: Honey, I think it’s coming…I can feel the kicks…ouch…
My Dad: Keep calm Darling. Your EDD is tomorrow. But if you are not comfy, listen to this…”
He sang her favorite song to her listening, which he composed himself titled “Ayesha, Don’t You Know I Love You?”
It was the month of January, sometime in the 80s within the serene suburb of Kaduna State, Nigeria that Mrs Ayesha AbdulQadir was in tango with her Super hero, Mr. AbdulQadir Madeehoo. Perhaps, the baby (Me) was in rhythm to the song his father was singing to his wife, as he caressed her womb passionately. My loving father hails from Niger State, Nigeria while his darling wife hails from Kogi State, Nigeria. What a Tango?!
By 9:45 am on that fateful day, the baby (Me) was out to see the face of the one that bore him for 9 months! He also will be glad to see the face of the loving Singing daddy! I was named after one of my father’s best friend, a Medical Doctor, who happened to be a twin.  Traditionally, the name is given to twins after performing the Islamic rites of birth-hood, and his name…Hussain!

What type of music (genre) do you sing?
The kind of music I sing is basically rooted in inspirational alternative pieces of writings that are geared towards easy listening and to stir positive causes in the society. Primarily, Contemporary Nasheed is my basic genre, which basically themes on the subjects that reflects the positivistic ideals and social values of Islam. As a Singer-Songwriter, I sometimes write Contemporary/Urban R&B pieces.

 When did you start singing and what motivated you?
During my “kidship “, I was fond of singing along with popular music. Though, I do write and scribble some scanty lines of lyrical contents. I was in love with music that addresses life as whole and social causes. As a kid,  I enjoyed the anthems and  poems taught by my teachers. At the age of five (5), I was already scribbling some of my premature lines and words that could only make sense to my father.
Studying in the University is likened to a four walled fortress yard. I initially got admission to read Medicine & Surgery in 1998 at ABU, Zaria, but as Allaah will have it, I was withdrawn in my Part II amongst many others and that’s how I found myself in Geology! I guess am a Quarter Doctor (Not half-baked!)…(laughs). On a fateful day of Ramadhan in 1999, I approached the Masjid for the Break-fast; I had a sound that was strange to me.

It was a praise inspirational song, but in English. Earlier on, I was familiar with traditional Arabic and Islamic songs; done mostly by Yusuf Islam formerly Super Rock-star in the 70s in the UK, now Yusuf/Cat Stevens.  At first, I thought it was Michael Jackson, but later on got to know that it was a South –African Artist, Zain Bhikha singing his song. I was fascinated by the melody and style of the rendition. I then started to rewrite some of my earlier songs to reflect spiritual values and essence of life. In 2000, while in Part II (200 Level), an event ensued that twisted and changed my destiny. I was given the “Red Card” and had to drop out of the medical school.

That same year, an ethno-religious crisis erupted in Kaduna State that threatened the lives of my family. For me, it was a double disaster, ‘cause I was doing very well and even holding out tutorial sessions for my course mates. But as God will have it, the dream of becoming a Medical Doctor has been shattered! My father insisted that I retake another entry exam, but I took a bold decision.
My passion for the creative and singing started to manifest, when I met so many creative dudes at the University. By that time, I have written over 15 lyrical songs and was sharing to friends singing verbally. After the 2001 crisis, I wrote the song, “Sorrows of Faith” (Now, “Sorrows of Man” to be in my Second album).

I then met a friend; Hamza Mohammed (Now a lecturer at Geography Dept, ABU Zaria) and his cousin Hafeez. In 2001, and we formed a group called “Triple H” (Husayn, Hamza & Hafeez). Hamza is a talented and down-to-earth rapper. He raps on the ills of the society and bad governance. We casually come together and perform at the Faculty of Sciences, ABU Zaria. Later on, Hafeez moved on and it was just Husayn & Hamza. The group was renamed “Soul Brothers”.  Soul Brothers recorded a demo album comprising of 8 tracks with some renditions of popular Artists such as Dawud Wharnsby (Canada), Yusuf Islam (UK) and Zain BhiKha (South Africa).
I was familiar with Sound Vision company based in the United States and Canada and have been following their products and services.  Dawud Wharsnby was one of their prolific artists, who pioneered mostly the pot-pouri English Nasheed songs for children and even adults. I was so much passionate about Dawud’s lyrical contents and style of songs. At that time, I know by heart every Dawud Wharnsby’s songs. Soul Brothers had to meet with the Director of Institute of Agricultural Research, ABU Zaria  in 2002 to assist us send the demo package to Dawud Wharnsby at Sound Vision, Canada. How time flies, Dawud is a troubadour, he came across the package last year 2015, and he was in awe for my consistent followership.

I had a friend, Ibrahim Ladan, a Veterinary Student then (Now Dr  Ibrahim Ladan), who was also passionate about his creative writings and songs. He introduced me to someone, to what he calls an X-creative dude. The dude is talented (Majored in  Economics, ABU Zaria ) when it comes to artistic drawings, illustrations, comics, cartoons and even songs! The Sultan-Mustapha Bulama.

I shared some of my songs with him and it was so inspiring. I introduced Mustapha to Hamza. Soul Brothers first performed a rendition of Dawud Wharnsby’s song, “What Did I do Today?” at the Annual Event of the Muslim Students Society, ABU Zaria in 2002. With studies becoming engrossing and demanding, Hamza moved on leaving me all alone. In 2003, I was united with Mustapha and a friend of his (Now a Lecturer at Agric, ABU Zaria), Maiyaki Mustapha to form a school group; pioneered by Mustapha Bulama (Now a “damn good Cartoonist”, as put by the President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria. Also works with Daily Trust Newspapers)) “Freelight”.  Freelight made impact, most especially after a Religious crisis broke out in the University. Freelight changed the status quo of how MSS did their stuffs in terms of event. In 2006, Freelight made history by organizing a Muslim Unity Show that featured Talkshow, Poetry, Spoken words and inspirational songs from the group. The show was aimed at curbing further religious crisis on campus.

After graduation, the group was still active, performed once at an event in 2009 during the launch of a multimedia product, “Hisnul Muslim-Citadel of the Believer”. The Audio/CD product was edited and mixed by me for Minaret Multi-Media Company. After several efforts to get a record label outfit and management, and with disappointments, the group became docile and everyone moved on over the years. I was still passionate and wanted to dwell in what I love and enjoy doing. On the 3rd of June, 2015, I released my solo debut single album titled, “A Slice of Date (Save the Orphan Child) to the public.

I also released two other singles that year, “Can’t Let Go Ramadhan and “’Cause It’s the days of Eid”. The song ‘A Slice of Date” was written in honor of orphans and refugees everywhere, It is dedicated solely to all the orphan and refugees of the once peaceful towns of Chibok, Burma, Syria, Maiduguri and all other parts of Nigeria. Verily, it is unequivocally dedicated to all orphans, refugees and vulnerable children around the world.  My debut studio Kiddies Album/SongBook, which is under way comprising of 17 tracks is due for launch this year during the Eid-Ul Adha period.

The theme of most your songs seem to sound didactic, why?
My songs are aimed to teach, particularly in having moral instruction as an ulterior motive. They serve as “Edutainment” geared towards adding value to the lives of the people. If you take a cursory look at my debut single, “A Slice of Date”, you will see that the song is inspirational, motivational and didactic in nature, aimed at creating awareness about the plight of the Internally Displace Children (IDC) and Orphans worldwide. In this troubled world we live in today, I guess we need to have more of Songs that proffer solutions to our societal ills. Have you ever noticed that most songs that are evergreen usually are didactic in nature?

 What is your take-away after the end of this year’s Sallah Concert?
First and foremost, I will like to thank the organizers of the grandeur and maiden event, most especially the Founder and Pioneer, Hajiya Halima Idris; that was aimed at inspiring and motivating upcoming Artistes within the Northern part of the country. Arewa Creative Industry has made a mark in the history of the entertainment vault of the North.

Therefore, it has painted a hallmark and serves as a pace-setter in that front.  We were pleased to have such privilege to perform amongst other fellow Talents, with our International Talent based in the United States of America, Nazir Ahmad Hausawa (Ziriums). It was such an enlightening experience for many. The event was graced by many top dignitaries and guest talents from within and outside the country. It showcased upcoming and creative talents, indigenous Cultural Fashion Show, Awards to erudite and prolific icons in the society.
On a general note the event was excellent as acclaimed by our esteemed guest Talents from other parts of the country. Besides, all the Talents were branded as “Ambassadors” to the Arewa Creative Industry, which is a big feather to our caps!

What other things do you do when you are not singing?
Basically, the creative art of singing and writing is an innate passion in me, which I indulge most at times in whatever state I am. Aside from that, as an Independent Development Communicator, I engage in community driven Behavioral Change Communication activities, developing original media contents that ranges from Info-Documentaries, Jingles, Adverts and Educational Films (Shorts and Feature). On my ICT competency, I have trained, facilitated and instructed way over five hundred (500) staff of the Kudan Local Government Area, Kaduna State, Nigeria, for the Kaduna e-Governance Training – (2009). In 2010, I proposed some creative projects to an organization where I met one of my business partners, Jamil Ango and founded “New Qamar Media Limited.

I have produced, edited acted and directed my debut film, a feature length international standard rated Educational film – 2 NIGHTS 2 DAYS “DARE BIYU YINI BIYU:”- (2013), premiered at Silverbird Cinemas, Abuja (2012). I co-scripted/translated (Hausa to English) the TV series script, “Tun Ran Gini”, a Polio TV sitcom, supported by the Kaduna State Ministry of Health, Nigeria and UNICEF, partnering NTA, Kaduna and produced by Geesm World Ltd (2010). I developed, produced, directed and edited “The Wash Challenge”, a Water and Sanitation reality TV/Radio series for children of the “Know-WATSAN” Project being implemented by the Global Initiative for Women and Children (GIWAC) and funded by the European Union INSIDE Project. It was aired on local TV/Radio stations in Kaduna (DITV)-Nigeria – (2011).

Presently, I and a creative colleague and friend, El-Ameen Tijjani (An Economist) have put up a creative platform and company, “SoundEdutainment Outfit” that will be hosting most of my creative works and looking forward to a grand Kiddies Eid Get3Geda plus my Album launch in the forth-coming Eid-Ul-Adha, 2016. We are looking at inviting Yusuf/Cat Stevens, Dawud Wharnsby and Zain Bhikha for the event In Shaa Allaah.

You are really one of the few breeds from the north that sings your type of music, who really are your mentors or role models?
Yeah, I happen to be like a rare breed, ‘cause some people don’t think that didactic or inspirational song are on the demand. For a writer who aims at the monetary gains and fame accompaniment will find it hard to subscribe to such genre of music. On the contrary, we have a rising trend of demand of such most especially in this troubled parts of the world.

Growing up in the musical world had so much to do with my innate passion to be a creative Singer-Songwriter.  Like I stated earlier on, I have done some renditions of some Artists and even in touch with them such as mainstream Talents like Phil Collins, Stevie Wonder etc. In the Nasheed world, we have Dawud Wharnsby, Yusuf/Cat Stevens, Maher Zain, Zain Bhikha, Sami Yusuf, Shaheer, Raihan, 786, Native Deen, etc.
As a teen, I was fond of so many popular and renowned artists.

I was intrigued by the artistic and powerful lyrical contents of Phil Collins. I was attracted by the values his songs promote such as issues of social justice, humanity and struggles in life. After listening to many songs of Dawud Wharnsby, Zain Bhikha and Yusuf/cat Stevens, in the fall of 1997, I wrote my first song in a lyrical style, titled “Life Isn’t Easy” followed by “Sorrows of Men”. My Mentor in terms of lyrical contents is Dawud Wharnsby, a Canadian based Singer-Songwriter & Nasheed Artist and a Poet. One fascinating thing about him is that his lifestyle is down-to-earth which are obvious in his writings.

He was one of those that made the English Nasheed and Kiddies songs very popular worldwide. He is a troubadour and a very core didactic Talent. In terms of style and creativity, Maher Zain, the Swedish Singer-Songwriter & Nasheed Artist comes to my mind. Maher Zain has got way over 26 million fans on Facebook alone…that’s massive! He sings in English, Arabic, Urdu, Turkish, Malay, Bahasa, French and even Russian! I love all the International Artists I have mentioned and they are doing great. Of recent I did a Cover of Maher Zain’s hit single from his3rd Album “One”, titled “The Power” feat a South African Zulu Choir.  It has got likes on YouTube more than any of my videos so far! In fact, I have been invited by a veteran fellow South African Artist, Taariq Malinga to South Africa to do a collabo on a “Child Soldier” song, where am hoping to record my 2nd Album.

How do you think your type of music could promote peace and tolerance in the country?
Didactic songs are the tools and media that can be used effectively to promote peace and tolerance worldwide; Songs of Veterans such as Bob Marley’s “No Woman No Cry” in the Reggae world, Phil Collin’s “Another day in Paradise” in the Pop/R&B world, Michael Jackson’s “Heal the World” in the Rock/pop stardom, “One Love” by our very own Nigerian Iconic Talent, Onyeka Onwenu and many others! These songs are evergreen and are arrow heads that hits the targets.
We have a major problem in Nigeria. This problem is rooted in a deep vault of ethno-religious sentiments that usually transforms to the ugly monster of crisis. It’s for this reason I deem it fit and timely that didactic songs be the bridge to connect and promote peaceful coexistence within the diverse groups in Nigeria. I am not alone. We have like minded Talents too in the Southern parts of the country like the group, “The Crescents” etc. The message of Peace and Tolerance has got no boundaries. So it’s got to transcend to all without any form of discrimination.

Where do you aim to be in the next few years?
I see myself in the next few years as a core advocate and ambassador of Peace.

What is your last word to your fans?
My last words goes thus…”Always be Original and Creative!”