This wasn’t part of my initial
plan to be a writer, I have always wanted to be an engineer, I have always
loved fixing damaged appliances and joining wires together, but I found out
during my life’s journey, the power of writing. That power in books is what I’m
about to leave to you now, my future kids.
I began life as a humble, young
boy who was never far from his parents, especially my mom. I learnt how to cook
from a very young age, I studied how my dad dealt with situations in the home, and
I admired him for never raising his hands on my mother whenever they have a
misunderstanding.
Peer pressure stepped in – I
began to want what my mates were having, I began to want the street’s
recognition. I began to distance myself from my parents and their teachings. I
wanted to become a rap star; a mega super star.
Back then in the streets where I
grew up from, there used to be a musical producer, whose name I would withhold
for anonymity reasons. I wanted to be like him; he had fans, friends, nice
clothes, fancy shoes, chains, girls and he was young, though a little older
than I was.
I envied every step he took, I
craved to be like him, I so wanted to be his friend. Fortunately for me, my
elder brother knew where he lived. I begged my elder brother to take me there
to just have a glimpse of his personal life. Days rolled to weeks and weeks to
month, finally, my elder brother agreed to take me there.
I couldn’t explain the joy I had
when we journeyed to his house. We got there and I met my “then-idol” producing
a song for someone. I immediately loved him the more (no homo though). He was tall, fair, braided his hair, with muscles
– boy! I wanted to be like him the more.
After he was done with the
production, he came to us and we exchanged pleasantries. My elder brother was
also a rapper then, so they knew each other, they had done a job together prior
to that time. My brother introduced me to him and the rest became history.
When we were about to take our
leave, I noticed empty bottles of red wines and other alcoholic drinks there,
and I deduced that he was a person who drinks a lot. I immediately had a plan.
The next day, I decided to visit
him alone since I already knew his place. On my way to his studio, I bought two
bottles of red wine for him (I wasn’t into alcohol drinks then, I haven’t even
tasted one). I got to his studio, and presented my “royal offerings” to him. He
was surprised at my gesture, but at the same time he was happy that I brought
the drinks as they were his favourite brand.
Immediately, we clicked. We
started talking as though we’ve known each other for long, we just became
friends. I started visiting him freely (but each time I go, I take bottles of
red wine to him). He then started taking me with him to clubs, bars, and his
shows and practically everywhere he goes. I had learnt how to take hot drinks
and how to smoke.
The one thing I never did and
haven’t done and by the grace of God will never do, was to lay with
“body-peddlers”. We then did a song together, it gained attention within the
streets and I started going on my own shows. People began to know me as an
artiste, the name “X-HODUZ” began to take over the streets. I was among the first
few in my area who successfully infused rap tunes into street beats.
My sound was accepted within my
area and I began to feature in so many people’s music. It was a good feeling. I
started gaining grounds of my own; I started seeing my pictures in posters for
upcoming shows. I even met few upcoming acts in our studio who said I was their
role model. I was then nominated for an award for the best upcoming act with good
use of social media (though I didn’t win it). All these things happened within
the space of 2 years.
Things happened so fast that I
neglected seeking God’s face. Though I was still attending church, but my heart
was far away from God. I was carried away by all the things that were around
me. Did I also mention that it was within this period that I had my first taste
of being in a woman? It all began to happen that I grew deeper in sin and
immoralities.
By this time, I had learnt
musical production, so I began producing songs for people as well as producing
my own songs. I was already an expert in taking alcohol that I almost surpassed
those who taught me how to drink. I started spending all the money I got from
music to buy drinks. I bought drinks almost on a daily basis; I spend all my
income because I believed that more will come the next day. I was advised to
open a bank account and have little savings but I was reluctant to do so.
Finally, I gained admission into
the polytechnic to study Mechanical Engineering. I thought I would sink deeper
into the kind of life I was living. I settled in to my new environment, but I
was surrounded my serious minded students who wanted nothing more than to
study. I was equally forced to study and within a few months, I was already
becoming a popular figure in school because of my exceptional abilities in a
course titled Engine drawing (our main course).
After my first year, I decided to
go for my final registration, but I received one of the biggest shocks of my
life – I was not qualified to study Engineering because of my Secondary school
result (WAEC). This new weakened my and everyone that knows me in school. My
course mates helped me in writing letters to the school to allow me continue in
the hope that I’d sit for another WAEC and clear my papers. The school refused
and so, I had to drop out.
I applied again for another
discipline, and I was given admission again to study Building Technology. All
my friends at Mechanical Engineering were very happy for me, and I was happier
for myself as I wouldn’t go back to the streets to continue my wayward kind of
life.
I made new friends, they were
more serious than I was and we formed a team of reading buddies. We read
together at night classes, we attended tutorials together and we basically
studied together. It was fun for me as I saw a new kind of life that was more
inspiring, more educating and less stress. This is what I’ve always wanted, to
be able to express myself without pressure.
I was elected as the new ‘general class governor’. This was how I
became closer to my lecturers, older class governors and some members of the
senate of the school. This appointment changed my perspective about life as I was
shown a better and easier way to live. All my wrongs were corrected, I stopped
smoking, stopped taking alcohol drinks and I was drawn more to God through the
help of a then “online friend” who I met while still on the streets of Lagos.
Though, I am not yet a graduate,
as I’ve only completed my National Diploma. I know that my life is heading for
greatness. I want to use my story to inspire lots of youths who are going
through similar situations; there is no gain in championing the streets while
living a wayward life. There is a hope of greatness for you only if you
surround yourself with great people.
I hope to continue this story
with you all when I attain that which I am setting my sight on. You are an
original version of yourself; do not shortchange your life in the quest to be
like someone else.
See you at the top… You are
great…