CULTURE
Dr. Alban on Baku and Azerbaijanis: “I fell in love with this city and its people”
21.08.2024 [13:58]
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Stockholm, August 21, AZERTAC
There is hardly anyone on the planet who does not know Dr. Alban or has not heard his hits that a whole generation grew up listening to. Popular songs by the famous Swedish singer of Nigerian origin, such as “It's My Life,” “Sing Hallelujah,” “Look Who's Talking,” “Born in Africa,” and many others from the 1990s, were memorized by young people far beyond Sweden. Even children who did not speak English sang Alban's hits, saying something resembling the lyrics of his songs. The popularity of this 1990s icon has not faded to this day. In July of this year, Alban took part in the DREAM FEST held at Sea Breeze Resort in Baku, where a star bearing his name was also added to the Walk of Fame.
In an interview with AZERTAC, Alban Uzoma Nwapa talked about how his musical career started and his impressions of Baku.
- Hello Alban! I am very excited and grateful to you, the idol of my youth, for agreeing to give an interview to the Azerbaijan news agency AZERTAC. Thank you so much!
- Thank you too!
- Then let's go! My first question: Hello Alban! Tell me how you're doing? (words from the song Hello Africa – author)
- Thank you! I am all right! (laughs)
- It is no secret that you studied dentistry at Carolina University. But how did your music career start and how did you become a famous singer?
- When I was studying at Carolina University, I needed money and had a part-time job as a DJ on weekends. It was during that period, in 1990, that the song “Hello Africa” came out and became a universal hit. This is how it all started.
- Have you ever worked as a dentist?
- Yes, I did for one year.
- What was that like?
- It was good, but music has been more fun.
- Don’t you miss working as a doctor?
- No.
- Your albums sold millions of copies. You seemed to be everywhere: on TV, on the covers of newspapers and magazines. You became a celebrity. Did that interfere with your life?
- No, it didn’t. Although, sometimes it was difficult, of course. After all, a celebrity can't do certain things. But you live with it and eventually get used to it.
- Your music career started here in Sweden. Was it difficult for a non-Swedish person to succeed in the Swedish music world?
- We, the newcomers know that starting from scratch is always difficult. It is a little easier when you have experience in the business. But I managed to do it in the end.
- There was a period of silence in your work for some time. What was that due to, and what did you do during that period?
- I had children - two girls. Now one of them is 19 years old and the other is 16. When you have kids, you have to slow down a bit.
- Let's move on to your trip to Baku. In July, you were invited by Emin Aghalarov to the DREAM FEST festival in Baku. What impressions did you have of the festival and the Azerbaijani audience?
- Baku is a very beautiful city. Structured and calm. The audience is fantastic. I fell in love with the city and its people. There is nothing I didn't like about Baku.
- Did you get a chance to take a walk in the city and taste the local cuisine?
- We were mostly driven around. The dishes have something in common with Asian and Arabic cuisine. I ate fried meat - lots of fried meat. It was delicious.
- Your name star was added to the Walk of Fame at Sea Breeze. Please share your impressions.
- It was a real pleasure to go there and receive that star. I have the award itself at home, I often look at it in my office. It is nice to see the word “Alban” on the star.
- Along with foreign singers, some local stars also performed on that stage. Were you impressed by anyone you might want to cooperate with in the future?
- The thing is, when I was backstage, I almost immediately went on stage. Then, after my performance, it started to rain. So the concert ended with my performance. Unfortunately, I didn't see those who performed before me.
- And my last question. Would you like to return to Baku and give a solo concert?
- Yes! Definitely! I like Baku! I like Azerbaijan! Going there? Easy! No problem!
- We look forward to your solo concert in Baku! Thank you for the nice conversation!
- Thank you!
