Our Music Has Taken Us To Many Parts Of The World

Midnight Crew Leader, Patricia Uwajeh King
Billed to Perform At The 21st Anniversary Celebration of Delta State

Recently, one of the formidable members and leader of the popular musical group, Midnight Crew, composers and singers of the all-wonderful, all-embracing and household song “Igwe”, Mrs. Patricia Uwaje King was at the POINTER Corporate Office in Asaba where the Entertainment Crew led by OKOBI BENSON (The Entertainment Editor), ISIOMA OBIONOCHIE, CHIDINMA ONYEANUNA, FADEKEMI ADELEYE and ANITA NNAMENA
Played host to her.
In this interview with the beautiful Patricia Uwaje King, the Ewulu, Aniocha South Local government area of Delta State-born gospel music crooner leads us into the genesis of her music career, how the group started off, their fame, benefits, why they are performing in Delta State, and other sundry issues.
Excerpts:
When did your musical group Midnight Crew started?
Midnight Crew started some 10 years ago. Personally, I started from Christ Winner Church, Surulere Lagos, as a choir leader. The church is owned by my father. I started singing in 1991. After my secondary school education at Sari-Iganmu Secondary School, Lagos, I proceeded to Yaba College of Technology. There I met the Original Choir Group, comprising over 70 members; we were singing then for Yaba Tech as a Christian choir. Because the school enjoyed us so much, we decided to continue after our graduation. Then I was doing my OND in Secretarial Studies.
How did your group come about the name Midnight Crew?
(Laughs). Well, we used to rehearse in the midnight. In the day time, we would be busy in the class with our academic work. In the night, like I said, we would be busy rehearsing.
What happened to the group after your graduation from Yaba Tech. Did you people still come back as a group?
Midnight Crew started with 11 members while we were at Yaba Tech.As a choir group we were 11. Since seven years ago, we have remained just only four. The first, two,three years, the number started dropping.
Why did the number dropped?
Some of us got job, some because of marriage could not continue.The sojourn of life took most of members away.
How did you become the leader of the group?
May be they felt I have the leadership qualities, the capacity to lead.You see, leadership is huge. They urged me on to lead them because they see that I could do that.
Was “Igwe” you people’s first album?
No. We did “Fussion” which was our first album. We also went ahead to do “Unlimited Praise” before we came up with “Igwe”.
How come “Igwe” overshadowed them all?
You see, the first two albums were our foundational songs. And most probably God decided to make “Igwe “shine (Laughs). I must however let you know that we were invited to the UK on account of the first two albums.
Do you have any plan for another album?
We already have “King of the Nation” a 14 track album enjoying massive air-wave.
Your group will be in Delta State to perform alongside some notable artistes on August 27?
Yeah, it is the day we set aside to give thanks to the Lord for what He is doing in our State. Notable artistes of Delta extraction and non-Deltans will be on the show. Yadah will be featuring great psalmist and gospel musicians like Chioma Jesus, Sammy Okposio, Don Moen, Midnight Crew, Buchi, Asaba Winners Choir, Asaba RCCG Province 3 choir, Victor Angel, Doris Dumah, popular Nollywood screen diva, Asaba-born Stella Damasus who will be anchoring the programme.Others are comedian AKPORORO AND Dj Mixify. We’ll all be here to showcase the mercies of God in songs.It coincides with the 21st anniversary celebration of Delta State. New and big things will continue to happen in our State after the event.
What do you see about gospel artistes and secular artistes?
The dimension gospel artistes are blessed is different from the way secular artistes are blessed. Gospel artistes should stick to God, singing God’s praises because God pays more by so doing. Our group is still intact and focused 18 years after.
How do you manage your fame? What has being a gospel artiste given to you.?
Let me start from the second question which is just the same as the first. Gospel music has brought many fans to us. It has taken us to many parts of the world. Aside that, it has , through the grace of God, distanced poverty from us.
Who are the other members of your group?
Gbenga Oyebola is one of them. He studied Quantity Surveying; Ayo Ojo is another member, he studied Bilingual Secretarial Studies; Michael Abdul is another member of the crew, he studied Elect- Elect while I studied Secretarial Studies OND, and later Creative Arts (Theatre Arts Major) at UNILAG. Our four-member crews are all graduates in different disciplines.
Can you recall any other thing you did outside music?
What I did in 1998-99, though still within the music circle, was jingles for AIT, 11 jingles.
Tell us about your hussy and children?
They’re all wonderful, lovely and caring. My husband is Mr. Adesola King; he studied Music in Unilag and has Master’s degree in the discipline. My studying Theatre Arts was deliberate, it has enhanced my career.