INTERVIEW: Nigerian born Artist, Songwriter and Movie Producer, Bular talks Co-writing on Naeto C ‘Festival’ Album, Co-producing the Nollywood Movie – Lotanna, What Motivates/Inspires him and more…

Anaege Henry, better known by his stage name Bular, is an African pop Artist and song writer. Known for his smooth yet dynamic delivery in a voice redolent of known Afro pop legends, Bular consistently wows his Fans with his original and unpredictable style and energetic performances.

His body of works includes his debut single “Tonight“, “Shamajo“, “Pasa” a cover version of “Pana” by Tekno and his song writing credit and featuring on African renowned Rapper NAETO C “Festival” Album.

He is a versatile Artist who constantly mixes highlife, Afro Beat, RnB and hip hop into one smooth package.He is currently working on more singles.

Check out my interview with him below:

Hey Bular! Would you like to introduce yourself to our readers?
I am Anaege HENRY Somtochukwu better known as Bular. I am an Afro Fusion Artiste. I hail from Imo state and the last child of a family of 9.

Talk me through an average day in the life of you?
I always endeavour to have a productive day maybe writing/recording or even a business meeting but if it’s a leisure time I like to read a book, watch movies or whatever sounds fun to me.

What institution(s) did you attend and what did you study?
Graduated from the University of Lagos where I got my (BA) in linguistics and currently am in New York for a short course in business and management.

Why the interest in music?
I often say that I never knew I would pursue a career in music even though I come from a huge musical background yet I am not part of the league of artistes who claim they started from the choir and massed all their skills from there. My case is quiet different because I never went to any formal school for skill acquisition for music. However, I would say that my background has a huge influence in my music not only because I grew up listening to alot of musical legends but also because my family are music lovers and they played one musical instrument or the other and alot of our family friends thought that a career in music might suit my elder ones nobody ever thought about me being the one to pick up music and that happened in a very Strange and interesting way.

How will you describe your type of music?
I do Afro fusion because my sound always have different musical elements infuse from hip hop, RnB, Afrobeat, kwaito & Highlife etc but all expressed in African vocals, Rhythms & Percussions.

How did you come up with the name “Bular”?
Bular is derived from a Hispanic word which simply means “Success”.

How’s the music industry in the United States compared to Nigeria?
We cant compare the both INDUSTRIES considering alot of variables I can even say we don’t yet have an “Industry” because alot of things that make up an industry is not yet in place or rather taken serious. Nevertheless, I admit that we have grown so much in terms of our sounds as we are gradually making the world pay attention to Afro Pop culture faster than expected with our wonderful artistes and creative producers making us proud and this people out here in the America and the world at large are beginning to recognise that, So I am most concerned about the growth in terms of Industry structure and Regulation, talent appreciation, Stage Asthetics, Skill acquisition for Artistes etc as those are the areas we are lacking behind other than that we have grown tremendously and in no time all this might be achieved to create a basic Structure for Entertainment business in Nigeria.

You were featured and co-wrote on Naeto C ‘Festival’ album, how did that make you feel?
I had so much fun and lessons working with NAETO C on the festival Album he is indeed one of the few Artiste I admire so much. I was much younger when he came in the game with too much sauce lol… So it was my pleasure to have Co-written and feature on his album.

You have really come quite a long way from “Tonight”, “Shamajo”, “Pasa” a cover version of “Pana” by Tekno, what will you say keeps you motivated/inspired to stay dedicated to music?
Yes I must say that I am quiet passionate about music and that’s why I keep keeping on.

You are a young entrepreneurial minded guy. How do you balance your personal and professional life?
Well I am always myself so it’s not that hard to find balance at ease.

Looking at your photos from 2014 to now in 2016 there as been massive changes and improvements when it comes to fitness, why do you feel need for this?
Nawa! I have grown na lol.. Is growth not expected as time is expected to thick?

How often do you go to the gym and how many hours do you spend while you there?
Don’t have workout schedules I simply ensure I stay fit so I say I go to the gym as much as I can but I always do something in my house like basic Work outs Sit up, press up etc.

What’s your 5 Dos and Don’t when it comes to music?
I don’t have any..

What would you say is the main misconception the public have about musicians?
The common misconception is all musicians are termed “frivolous” in all things other than music.

What aspect surprised you the most once you started as an artiste?
It still amazes me how people who don’t care about an artiste when he/she is struggling turns their best friends when they finally make it.. lol.

Which brands, producers, clients and musicians have you worked with?
I have worked with couple of people. Be it music or otherwise but to name in few NAETO C, TY Mix, DJ Cublon, Iyanya and Blaq Jerzee has been my personal producer for a while now.

What has been one of the most memorable jobs to work on?
None for now I call all moments special lol.

Who do you want to work with that you haven’t yet?
I am very experimental with music so I have alot of acts I definitely would work with to create beautiful sounds. I have not contacted anyone yet for featuring nor collaboration so I can’t say anybody for now.

Tell us two things people don’t know about you?
I am very opinionated yet I can be very polite.

What do you consider your biggest professional success so far?
I can’t say much about biggest professional success yet cos I won’t say I have one yet maybe few nominations.

What has been your biggest challenge?
The biggest challenge for every independent Artiste is finance. If u have the talent and can persevere it might take longer than expected but you will surely excel.

You are very active on social media. Do you think its important to be online and if so why?
Social media is an awesome platform and a strong tool for marketing so I am passionate about it even though sometimes u can easily put out the wrong thing because the fun Can get u carried away but other than that it is a good place to build your fan Base as a rising talent.

You are are from originally from Nigeria, but live mostly in the United States. How is that working out for you?
Honestly I am in both places lol because you might see me trying to jump a bus in Lagos and the next week am in New York because in America I work to make money to push my career as I am currently an independent Artiste. Music is a very expensive venture lol.

What are your must visit travel destinations?
I have not been to alot of places in my life time but I love our Obudu cattle ranch in Cross River state, Nike Lake in Imo state, I love Durban/Cape Town in South Africa but I strongly believe there are alot of beautiful places yet undiscovered in Nigeria. I also love New York the hustle is real.. lol

Name 5 things we should take seriously about our style choices?
1. Wearing what’s comfortable is important for all styles.
2. Your image perception is important when choosing a fashion look.
3. Occasion can also determine style so consider that too.
4. SEASONS…If it’s summer, winter or fall whatever the season be should be considered for style choices too.

How would you describe your style?
I like to dress simple yet I love class.

What style genre appeals to you the most?
I love all things creative so no particular fashion sense appeals special to me.

Name your five must have accessories/essentials?
1. Wrist watches
2. Sun glasses
3. White shirts
4. Black pants
5. White shoes lol.

What are your favorite fashion trends?
I don’t like trends unless I set them lol.

What is your favorite dish?
Beans and plantain makes my day anytime.

What songs are currently on your playlist?
I listen to alot of gospel songs because it lifts my spirit currently I am playing Sinachi “Never late”.

Apart from music, what other projects are you currently working on?
I have a huge interest in business so am into different business ventures currently I just co-produced a movie with my long time friend and brother Ifan Ifeanyi Michael on the highly anticipated movie titled “Lotanna“.

Seeing you’re doing your dreams, what advice can you give others to pursue their dreams?
My motto is “Just do it” Never wait for the right time because no time is right just start where you are keep dreaming and keep working surely you will make it.

Any specific plans for the future?
The only plan is to stay winning.. Lol

Any final words?
Always acknowledge God.

Where can we follow you online and on social media?
Follow on all platforms Instagram – @bularrules, Twitter – @Bularrules  and Facebook – Bular.. Thanks and God bless us all.